Downsyde

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Downsyde
Origin Perth, Australia
Genre(s) Australian Hip-Hop
Years active 1996–present
Label(s) Hydrofunk Records
Obese Records
Website http://www.downsyde.com.au/
Members
Optamus (Scott Griffiths) : MC
Dazastah (D. Reutens): MC
Dyna-Mikes (Shahbaz Rind) : MC
DJ Armee (Damien Allia) : Turntables
Cheeky (Mathew Cheetham) : Bass guitar, keyboards
Hi-Hat : Drums, percussion
Former members
Salvatore (Salvatore Pizzata) : Drums, percussion

Downsyde are an Australian hip hop group from Perth, Western Australia. The group is composed of six members, Optamus, Dazastah, Dyna-Mikes, DJ Armee, Cheeky, and Hi-Hat.

Contents

[edit] History

Downsyde's origin occurred when MCs Optamus (Scott Griffiths) and Dyna-mikes (Shahbaz Rind) were in Year 11 at Craigie Senior High School, were they took part in a school talent quest in 1996. The duo released a tape demo called Behind the Bucket, selling copies at two local shops.[1] The group added a third MC, Dazastah (D. Reutens), whom they met at Leederville TAFE, and DJ Armee (Damien Allia) on turntables. Later, the group expanded to the current line-up with percussionist Salvatore (Salvatore Pizzata) and Cheeky (Mat Cheetham) on keyboards, loops & samples joining the group.

For four years Downsyde produced beats and rhymes and played at hundreds of gigs, parties, and MC battles culminating in the September 2000 release of their debut album, Eponimous — recordings made by the band from 1996 to 2000. Their first single, "Gifted Life", was released two years later. "Gifted Life" was nominated as 'Best Single' at the 2003 Australian Dance Music Awards[2]

Their second album, Land of the Giants, was released in 2003 on the Hydrofunk label[3]. The album won 'Most Popular Local Original Album' at the 2003 Western Australian Music Industry Awards[4].

The group has performed alongside groups including Jurassic 5, Cypress Hill, Grandmaster Flash, Black Eyed Peas, and The Roots[5]. They also performed with Australian acts like Hilltop Hoods, Resin Dogs, and Koolism.[6] The band has also performed at a number of festivals, including Big Day Out[7], Splendour in the Grass[8][9], Rock-It, Falls Festival[10], Homebake[11], Good Vibrations and the Southbound Festival[12].

Downsyde signed with Obese Records and in 2004 released a single, "Lesfortunate", which they followed up with a third album,When the Dust Settles, in December. The album was nominated for the 2005 J Award.[13]

Pizzata was replaced by Catastrophe, Reuten's brother on drums between 2005 and 2006. Catastrophe was a short term member and filled in to do the late 2005 "When The Dust Settles" Australian Tour and performances up to mid 2006. Hi-Hat, Downsyde's current drummer, joined in early 2007.

Downsyde were one of the Australian hip hop artists featured in the documentary Words from the City, which aired on ABC Television in late 2007.[14]

[edit] Discography

Downsyde logo
Downsyde logo

[edit] Albums

[edit] Singles

[edit] Awards

  • 2003 Australian Dance Music Awards - Nominee - Best Hip-Hop act[15]
  • 2003 Australian Dance Music Awards - Winner - Best Debut Artist[16]
  • 2003 Australian Dance Music Awards - Nominee - Best Album - Land of the Giants[15]
  • 2003 Australian Dance Music Awards - Nominee - Best Single - "Gifted Life"[15]
  • 2003 Australian Dance Music Awards - Nominee - Best Australian Hip Hop Act[15]
  • 2003 WAMi Awards - Winner - Most Popular Local Original Urban Music Act[17]
  • 2003 WAMi Awards - Winner - Most Popular Local Original Music Video - "El Questro"[17]
  • 2003 WAMi Awards - Winner - Most Popular Original Local Album - Land of the Giants[17]
  • 2005 WAMi Awards - Winner - Best Live Electronic Act[18]
  • 2005 WAMi Awards - Winner - Best Urban Music Act[18]
  • 2006 WAMi Awards - Winner - Best Urban Music Act[19]
  • 2007 WAMi Awards - Winner - Best Urban Music / Hip Hop Act[20]
  • 2008 WAMi Awards - Winner - Best Urban Music / Hip Hop Act[21]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Nuff Respect, Chris Fuller, Groove Magazine #4.
  2. ^ 2003 DMA nominations
  3. ^ Hydrofunk Records - Land of the Giants
  4. ^ WAM website
  5. ^ The Roots 2007 Australian Tour
  6. ^ Nokia Terminal 9 Tour (2004)
  7. ^ Big day Out 2004 lineup
  8. ^ Splendour In The Grass 2003 lineup
  9. ^ Splendour In The Grass 2005 lineup
  10. ^ Falls Festival 2004 lineup
  11. ^ Homebake 203 lineup
  12. ^ Southbound 2006 lineup
  13. ^ 2005 J Award nomination
  14. ^ ABC TV guide December 2007
  15. ^ a b c d 2003 DMA Nominations
  16. ^ 2003 Dance Music Award Winners
  17. ^ a b c 2003 West Australian Music Industry Award Winners
  18. ^ a b 2005 West Australian Music Industry Award Winners
  19. ^ 2006 West Australian Music Industry Award Winners
  20. ^ 2007 West Australian Music Industry Award Winners
  21. ^ 2008 West Australian Music Industry Award Winners

[edit] External links