The Rocks Off 100: Downfall 2012, Sci-Fi Metal Storytellers

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Who? Downfall 2012 is not your typical metal band. Not only do all three members -- Danny Gil, Boo Rogers, Casey Bowen -- sing lead, the band turns the tables on traditional metal performances, infusing props, actors and storylines into their performances.

"We really try to expand," says Gil. "We don't settle for just writing a song or playing a show."

Downfall 2012 has released two full-length albums, in 2005 and 2008, and last year began putting out a series of five-song conceptual EPs meant to tell a satirical sci-fi story. That release, Everyman for Himself: Issue 1, comes with an accompanying comic book and merchandise further explaining the story.

"Issue 1 is the foundation and background," Gil explains. "Issue 2 -- which will be released this Saturday --"is the climax, a much more intense part," he says. Finally, Gil calls Issue 3, due out later this year, the "resolve."

Home Base: The band shares a studio in Humble.

Why Do You Stay in Houston? The studio they share is actually a storage facility completely converted to look like a house, which Gil says the band was very fortunate to have stumbled upon six years ago.

"We film here; we record here," he says. "It's a very good situation."

Good War Story: What do you get when you cross Downfall 2012, a hype crowd and too many shots of tequila? A knock-down drag-out between Gil and Rogers in front of the audience.

Music Scene Pet Peeve: "Demand of the venue," states Gil. Aware that he may make a few enemies saying this, he continues, adding that some -- not all -- venues in Houston put a lot of the pressure on the artist. He believes that rather than allow a quality band the opportunity to perform and build up an audience, some venues choose the shortsighted approach of allowing an untalented group to bring 200 of their family and friends, giving the appearance of an audience.

In the end, says Gil, it's the inferior band that gets the opportunity to come back again and again.

Five Desert Island Discs:

Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blood Sugar Sex Magik

Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon

Bob Marley, Greatest Hits

Pantera, Far Beyond Driven

Tech N9ne, All 6's and 7's

Best Show Ever: This is a tie between the group's Everyman for Himself Issue 1 CD release party at Bayou Music Center and a "notable" HOB headlining show nine months later. The first is what the band is known for: ice-sculpting, actors, stilt dancing.

As for the second, "The vibe was there, the crowd was there, and it was just amazing," Gil says.

What's Next? This Saturday at House of Blues, the band will headline a release show for Everyman for Himself: Issue 2. Look for them in the Main Hall.

See who else has joined The Rocks Off 100 this year on the next page.

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DJ Rockwell, Booth Pimp and Party-Rocker

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Michelle Miears of BLSHS, Siren In the Machine

DJ Remix, Genre-Hopping Mix Maniac

Kahna, Brutal Nation's Metal Booking Queen

DJ Ill Set, Enemy of Wack Tracks

Shane Tuttle, Updog Owner and Album-Cover Designer

Electric Attitude, Renegades of Funk