For a band that came screaming out of Orange Counties hardcore scene several years back, Throwdown has fallen far away from it's tree. When you would go to a Throwdown show two years ago, you'd expect everything that you normally would from a hardcore show. Smaller venue, tight crowd, intense bread downs with lots of people dancing. (For those that don't know what hardcore dancing is, it consists of lots of kicks, punches, cart wheels, flips, and hand plants). Now, you go to a show and you see all these wannabe goth kids dressed up like they're ready for a Marilyn Manson show. Throwdown used to stand for the Hardcore straight edge scene. Consisting of kids ready to fight, meet up with their brothers, family, and crew and stay off drugs and alcohol (straight edge) in order to be ready to protect yourselves and your friends by being strong and not abusing your bodies.
Throwdown still consists of these morals, working out four hours a day seven days a week, and being clean for almost ten years. However, they now sound like a Pantera cover band just, not good. Don't get me wrong, I love the greats Pantera as much as the next guy but if I want to listen to Pantera, I'll do just that.
Hardcore is supposed to be about improving yourself and looking at life optimistically. It's forgiving people and staying close to your friends. It's also a lot about fighting but respecting those you are fighting at the same time. It's a very gentle balance that has a line that's easily crossed. When you stand for what's right, respect, discipline and determination, you're going to have fans that do the same.
Sadly, Throwdown's following is not quite the same. They may have more fans that now don't understand that balance and go to a show to hurt as many people as they can because of what they stand for now.
I know that I come off judgemental and conceited I just am very frusturated for they used to be one of my favorite bands. I will forever love their old stuff and rememeber how it has influenced hardcore and agressive music in general.
Goodbye Throwdown.
2003 Show
