If there is a metal supergroup worth paying attention to, it's Down. So it's been a little worrying to hear some of the rumors going around that bassist Rex Brown may be leaving the band. Is he definitely gone? Would it be just a temporary hiatus? Will Patrick Bruders (Crowbar) be the new official bass player for the band? We don't know for sure, much of this is still speculation.
But there are many signs that his future with Down is uncertain, especially his absence from Down's current round of touring dates. Strange considering he's still featured on the front page of their website in the band photo. The former Pantera bassist has kept busy with yet another supergroup (Kill Devil Hill) he's formed with Vinnie Appice (Ratt, W.A.S.P, 40 Cycle Hum). Here's an interview with Vinnie and Rex courtesy of the guys at MetalAssault:
Notice towards the middle of the interview that without being asked, Rex hints at a permanent break with Down:
This is it. I'm not doing any Down. This is my devotion right here. There's no side gigs, or anything else that's going on. So this is what it's going to be for the future. We have to get in the studio and record.
When asked about the matter later on, Down guitarist Pepper Keenan (Corrosion of Conformity) wasn't sure what to say but remarked that while Rex is "not out of the band" he is also "not playing with us live". Well? What's going on then? Pepper went on to say that Rex has "things he needs to deal with" of which led Down to give him an "ultimatum". (Almost sounds like a domestic dispute doesn't it?) The "things" could be well…anything. If it's a drug or alcohol related problem, I hope Rex gets better. But seeing as Rex isn't laying low right now, I doubt that's the case here. If its over something more personal, then we'll have to wait and see.
I happen to agree with what MetalSucks' Axl Rosenberg had to say in that, if Rex left the band, Down would still function as well as it always has. Rex wasn't on NOLA, and that certainly did not affect the band's creative or live abilities. As cool as it's been to have two former Pantera members in another band together (and awesome as it was to see Down in 2007), I'm sure this won't do anything to stop them.
After all, even an accidental whack to Phil Anselmo's head couldn't do that.
