Face Down in High Water (FDH2O)

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FDH2O Performing at the Hard Rock Cafe on August 27th, 2005

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Called "One of the areas most popular new bands" by the Erie Times News, Face Down in High Water is definately one of the hottest up and coming new bands to play in Chautauqua County.   The band was originally formed by brothers Dave and Matt Downey(Corry, PA), and cousin Paul Downey(Clymer, NY).  The addition of Jake Willis(Columbus, PA) completed the roster, and in the summer of 2001, FDH20 was born.

     Drawing their influences from bands like The Doors, Soundgarden, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Creed, and Sublime,  the bands substantial list of bass-driven original songs is like ear candy for anyone who grew up during the 80's and early 90's. For those of you who do not fall into that category, with cover
tunes that range from The Beatles to Limp Bizkit, and everywhere in between, Face Down in High Water has the ability to rock any crowd 'till the break of dawn. 
  For a complete list of the bands
gigs visit their website at
http://www.fdh2o.indiegroup.com.


AMP - When do you anticipate the release of your studio Album?

FDH20- The new studio album is slowly in the works. It may be comprised of original songs recorded at a few different studios. One of them being that of Robby Takac's (bass player for the Goo Goo Dolls) studio in Buffalo called Chameleonwest. We are working the great sound engineer there, Geno McManus.


AMP- Where did you come up with the name FDH20?

FDH20- Back when we first got together, the band was at a loss when it came to getting a name that everyone was happy with. We were shooting in the dark. We tried Face Down, we tried High Tide, we tried Deep Waters. They were all ok, but we couldn't agree on one of them, so we combined a couple of them and "Face Down in High Water" was the result. It's tough to have such a long name, people are always
getting it misspelled or messed up. Sometimes people think that we are two bands. One flyer read- "Face Down" and "High Water" playing
at the Lakeside tonight. And others will call it "Face Down in the Water" and all other types of combinations. We needed to simplify to be more recognizable. So [FDH20] came up with the abbreviation "FDH2O". Instead of having 2 "H's" there is "H2" and add an "O" for water. And still people mess it up, but not as severe.

AMP- Where can fans buy your albums?

FDH20- Fans can buy the album at any of our shows. Our shows are posted online at
http://www.fdh2o.indiegroup.com. You may also send us an email or call us (found on our contact page) and we can work something out. You can also purchase the live CD at the Grasshopper in Erie, PA.


AMP- Do you have any other plans for 2004 other than your album release?

FDH20- YES! Dave, the guitarist, graduates after the fall semester of 2004 from the State University of New York at Fredonia (SUNY Fredonia). After that we should be ready to begin our nation-wide tour!

AMP- At your shows do you play mostly originals, mostly covers, or a
combination of both, or does it depend on the show?

FDH20- This depends on the show. If we are given a small spot, like say 45 mins to an hour, we play an all originals set. We may throw in a few covers if we need to. For the longer shows, we do a mix of covers and originals.
We have over 20 complete originals, so you can imagine the length of time we are capable of playing for. Our longest show lasted until
sunrise. It was at the "Baker Hill Raceway" after the "Cornfield 500" races. We literally jammed the night away.

AMP- Other than yourselves, what is your favorite local band(either to listen to or play with)?


FDH20 (Dave)- I can't speak for the group, but my favorites are "East Avenue" from Erie. We have played a few shows with East Avenue and they turned out excellent. Keep in mind that I am busy playing gigs and I don't get to see many other local acts.

-exerps from an email interview. 12-17-03

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The second annual Cutting Music Festival will be taking place Saturday and Sunday at the Downey Farm in Cutting, N.Y.

More than 20 local and regional acts are scheduled to perform, including the host band Face Down in High Water.

Other groups include Dedloft, Super # 7, East Avenue, Blue Fire, Jambaked, Kick Williams, Big Brother Bob, Insanity’s Master, 46 Robinson, Down the Drain, Waiting 4 Never, Zero Gravity, Big Delicious and the Frog Tree Gorge Band.

The concert site is between Clymer and Wattsburg on Route 474. Vending services will be provided.

Tickets are on sale at Quelltron Video and the Style Station in Corry, and the French Creek General Store in French Creek, N.Y. Tickets are for one or two
days.

Face Down In High Water - Forward Hall
Friday, December 27th 2002


Face Down In High Water (fdh2o) played a 21+ show tonight at Forward Hall. The band features two brothers: guitarist Dave Downey and bassist Matt Downey, plus their cousin Paul Downey on vocals. Jake Willis is on drums and a djembe player was included in tonight's line up as well.

The band played a mixture of original songs and cover tunes ranging from modern rock to classics such as "Black Magic Woman" and "Paranoid". These guys are very tight and powerful in their playing (check out their ska-punk tune "Shazaam" at the link above), and Paul Downey has a very mature, robust voice that takes you by surprise.

All in all, fdh2o have a very professional sound: they play and sing in time and in tune... which is very refreshing to hear in a live situation. The live mix this evening at Forward Hall was excellent and not overly loud.

The show tonight was being recorded by Randy Hetherington with the intention of releasing a live CD. This will help to tide fans over until the band completes its studio release, which is currently in progress at Midtown Recording.

-concert review by playerie.com-
(http://www.playerie.com/show_rev/index1.html)
Dec. 2002


 
Face Down In High Water
Battle Of The Bands 2004 @ Sherlocks
Thursday, February 19th 2004



Little did we all know the next band was intent on ripping the entire bar apart!

When FDH2o came out with drums and bass and guitar blazing, and the singer screaming like a mad man while wearing a ski mask...well, you get the idea. Face Down has been around a while, and is one of the best kept secrets in this town.

For the next 45 minutes, everyone was bombarded by the infectious grooves of FACE DOWN. The highest-energy show for sure of this event so far, they featured all-originals and really communicated great with the audience.

By the time their set was over (ending in a reggea-style crowd pleaser) it was very clear the rest of the bands in the next 2 weeks better get back in the woodshed!

- photo & review by Diecaster Studios


 


Face Down In High Water
Battle Of The Bands 2004 @ Sherlocks
Thursday, February 19th 2004



FDH2O. Or Face Down In High Water occupied the middle slot for Battle 4. Hard rock/metal? Not sure. They reminded me of Judas Priest punching out Coal Chamber. But what the hell do I know?

Here's where the soundman's "1 Mix Fits All" method works. Lots of energy and distortion! AAHHH. Reminds me of my youth! Once again this band has a style which they were true to. I see from the PlayErie Calendar that this band plays alot.....and it shows. You can't get a sound this polished just by rehearsing. You gotta' slug it out live. Very strong performance.

- photo & review by Rick DiBello


 

2005 - Cutting Music Festival's 3rd annual music extravaganza
featuring some of the region's hottest bands.


Date: Saturday, August 20th (FULL MOON!!!)

All day/All ages event!

Bands so far:

Blue Fire (Edinboro, PA)
These Guys Rock! Guitar extraordinaire, "Pix", can keep up with the best. He is highly influenced by guitar greats such as Steve Vai, John Petrucci, and Joe Satriani. Blue Fire will be performing for the top record label reps from Sony, Island, Atlantic records at the Cleveland Hard Rock Cafe shortly after the Cutting Music Festival!

Phantasm (Jamestown, NY)
FIRST PLACE in this year's Battle of the Bands in Erie, PA! This 'Innovative Hard Rock' band from has a turntable player and they will use him. Phantasm has shared the stage with the 10,000 Maniacs, Fastball, and Locust!

Anal Pudding (Buffalo, NY)
Straight up FUNK! Recently performing at New York City's CBGB's, the 'puddin' will get you movin' with their funkified '70s attire and an actual smoking toilet in the center of the stage. Last year they rolled up in a pimped out van from the Disco era!

FDH2O (Corry, PA)
The hard rock sounds of Face Down in High Water (fdh2o) blew Hurricane Ivan away when they stepped in for the Blue Oyster Cult last year in Sherman, NY. FDH2O's momentum has gained them regional reputation in areas along the east coast. FDH2O has the ability to perform a powerful display of onstage emotion, hosting this year's Cutting Music Festival!

Split Screen (Pittsburgh, PA)
Punk Rock at its highest level of energy- Split Screen will tear up the stage as the lead singer does back flips and at the end of each live show, they do an amazing drum solo, each drummer passing the torch to the next with flawless beat perfection!

East Avenue (Erie, PA)
East Avenue forges an eclectic mix of original music, centered around Elly's sultry lead vocal, and driven by a powerhouse band. East Aves’ blend of tight songwriting, incredible vocals, and instrumental prowess present timeless sounds, while pushing the music into a cutting edge, contemporary territory.

Sonic Illumination
Cool pumping under ground electronic music [ambient, trance, journey, deep house, goa, trip-hop] Just in from Glasgow, Scotland and Harderwijk, Netherlands, tag team DJs 'Tone' along with 'CJ'. This is the real deal fellow humans – ENERGIZE!

The Outside Royalty (Pittsburgh, PA)
"You simply must check out The Outside Royalty - they put on a hell of a show. The Outside Royalty has a stage presence akin to Bowie, and the Outside Royalty are like a real-life Angry Inch: Loud, fun, mythic in range and musical timbre - not to mention the savage strings of Echo, the group's electric violinist"
-The Front Weekly 5/05


Activities/Vending/Volunteering:
Full night of live bands, Bonfire, FREE CAMPING, FREE PARKING, Food/Contests/Prizes..
Beverage vending by the Sherman Hotel Pub and Steakhouse!
Volunteer positions available: gate, ticketing, parking, security, stage, first aid, catering.

Vendors and Volunteers- please email fdh2o@hotmail.com or call 814-882-4418 for more vending and volunteer info.

Sponsors:
FDH2O, Sherman Hotel Pub & Steakhouse, Full-Armor Clothing (
www.faclothing.com), Style Station, 103.1 The Fox, Z-102.3

Festival Tentatively Benefiting:
Humane Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania


Info/Hotline: call 814-882-4418 or email fdh2o@hotmail.com
Remember: BYOB (No Glass Bottles)

(c) Face Down in High Water

The Band's Email is:

fdh2o@hotmail.com