Shifting Gears With Sonset Down

I wanted to shift gears a bit, you can’t be HARDCORE all the time. I have been listening to a band that has a pretty unique sound in the scene these days (which is something you don’t come across much). Sonset Down is a band that does a great job mixing the sound of Southern rock with a bit of metal, and some hardcore in there as well. Kind of like putting a little Skynard some old school metal and pinch of hardcore in a blender and hitting the on button. These guys definitely have a sound that will get you nodding your head and stomping your feet.

They have an album that they released on Wounded Records called “You Lose.” If you like the Southern rock sound but bigger and louder, then Sonset Down is the band for you. They have monsterous riffs and great breakdowns with some solid vocals to top it all off.
I was able to catch up with Matt whom plays guitar for the group. Read the interview below and learn about this awesome spirit-fillled band and how they use baby wipes very creatively (yes, you read right, baby wipes).

Band Name: Sonset Down
Music Style: Southern Rock/Metal/Hardcore
Location (Home Base): North Central , Florida

Q: When did Sonset Down form as a band?

A: I started the band in my junior year of high school. We just played a lot of weekend shows and what not and then did a small tour after we graduated high school. We’ve been through a lot of member changes which enabled us to tour full time starting May of last year.

Q: Where did the band come up with the name Sonset Down?

A: It comes from the verse John 3:16. A very common verse. But if you split the name in 3 syllables then you can kinda see what it means. It just means that God sent his son down to save every single one of us.

Q: What does everyone in the band do during down time?

A: When are all home, we spend a lot of time with family and girlfriends. Some of the guys in the band have jobs they work when we are home. The rest of us just try to make any money we can when we are home.

Q: Anyone who listens to the album “You Lose” can quickly tell that the band has many influences as far as your sound goes, can you share
some of the music or other bands that have influenced your sound?

A: Yeah we are influenced by tons of bands. We’ve played a bunch of different kinds of styles and this was the sound we all felt the most comfortable playing. It’s really high energy and really fun to play. On “You Lose” we were really influenced by He Is Legend and Every Time I Die. A lot of people compare us to Maylene and the Sons of Disaster though which is cool, we like them, but we don’t sound that much like them.

Q: Florida is like a hardcore/metal/ska factory right now, there are so many great Christian bands coming out of the state, why do you think that is?

A: I don’t know really. Florida is a cool place and lately has tons of good bands. We are still trying to make a name in Florida for ourselves. Our style isn’t that big in Florida but we are working on it.

Q: What are some of the other bands that you have played with that were most memorable?

A: We’ve been blessed to have played with tons of good bands. The most memorable shows we have are usually with bands we are really good friends with.

Q: I live in the South (NC) too and think it is awesome that you guys rep the South (even though I am a Yankee transplant, but a REDNECK Yankee!), how is the whole “Southern Rock” sound received in the scene?

A: The Southern thing is still kinda hit or miss in a lot of places. Sometimes we get really awesome responses and other times we don’t. We don’t really call ourselves Southern, but we all have beards and mustaches and love the South so that probably comes out in our music.

Q: Sonset Down is not afraid to hide its faith in Christ, do you share that on the road when you are performing?

A: Most definitely. We always share from the stage as much as we can, and if we ever get the chance to talk to any kids then we always share with them. It’s what our band is based on, if we didn’t share we would be jerks.

Q: Do you ever get people that come to you after shows to discuss Christ or receive him as their Savior?

A: Yeah we get kids that come up and talk to us just about spiritual things, we’ve never had anyone saved, that would be awesome, but hopefully one day that happens.

Q: What books or verses in the bible influence Sonset Down?

A: Well John 3:16 for sure, Jeremiah 29:11, we all have different verses that impact us in different ways.

Q: Ever had anyone heckle the band for being Christian?

A: Not real bad. We get people who talk when Dan is speaking, or just yell out at us, but no one bashing us really hard.

Q: Did you guys get to play Cornerstone this year? I noticed that you place in 2007, how was that?

A: Yeah we have played both. This year was awesome. We had so many friends there and hung out with so many cool people. It’s fun but by the end of the week you are ready to get out of there.

Q: What was your craziest show and why?

A: We’ve had a lot of crazy shows. Some being shows with tons of people and some being shows where tons of stuff went wrong. We’ve had tons of crazy things go on at some shows.

Q: You guys recently signed with Wounded Records and released “You Lose,” how has signing to Wounded Records helped Sonset Down? Anything you would have done differently?

A: Wounded has helped us out alot. They have gotten us on tons of websites, radio stations, and promoted our release in magazines.

Q: What are the future plans for Sonset Down? Are you guys planning a second album?

A: We are taking some time off right now to write a bunch of new songs. We are definitely gonna do a 2nd album. We are gonna be writing and demoing new songs. After that we are gonna be back on the road.

Q: Anything you can share with us about the band that we don’t know? Or a quick funny story?

A: Well when we don’t have access to showers we take baby wipe baths. It’s not the most effective thing in the world but it’s better than nothing. We really love free food. So if people didn’t know that and wanna bring some to us at a show that would be awesome.

Q: If you guys could give the whole music scene one message, what would that be?

A: I would tell them to support music for the music. Kids nowadays wear band shirts of bands they think are popular so they can be popular too. I just want kids to get into music because they love it and it means something in their lives.

If you are interested in listening to Sonset Down you can hit their myspace page. You can also purchase their full length album there, or at Wounded Records website

**some photos courtesy of Brian Hall Photography and Star Photo

As always, don’t forget to check out the forum for fans of Christian hardcore, ska, punk, and Oi! Go and fellowship with other believers or just learn more about he music, the scene, and Christ.