FLUXEUROPA: DOWNLOAD

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DOWNLOAD

DOWNLOAD was formed in 1995 by Skinny Puppy members cEvin Key and Dwayne Goettel due to their continuing frustration with the lack of activity by Skinny Puppy, and the ever ongoing process of completing Skinny Puppy's final LP, The Process (American Recordings). The original line-up was Dwayne Goettel, cEvin Key, Mark Spybey (ex Zoviet France), Philth (a Vancouver DJ), and long-time Skinny Puppy engineer, Ken Marshall, but sadly Dwayne Goettel died of a heroin overdose in 1995 after the completion of the first Download LP and the final Skinny Puppy LP.

This meant there could never be any reformation of the already defunct Skinny Puppy, but Download continues with the genius of cEvin Key and the tremendous amount of computer programs Goettel left behind.

So far Download have released two full LPs and two mini LPs. The first release was the Furnace LP, and like the last Skinny Puppy LP, it was released after Goettel's death. It features Genesis P Orridge (who was apparently drafted in after passing the studio). The second release was the Microscopic mini LP which was mainly remixes of tracks from Furnace and also features some bonus tracks.

The second LP, The Eyes of Stanley Pain, has much more of a heavy techno feel to it, although it again features the vocals of Genesis P Orridge. The most recent release is the mini LP, Sidewinder, again being made up of remixes (this time from Stanley Pain) together with more bonus tracks which are pretty manic noisy soundscapes.

Download recently visited the UK and I managed to catch them live at London's Underworld on the final date of the tour. The venue was packed out as this was either the first chance or the first in many years to witness anything related to Skinny Puppy in the capital.

The whole set was structured by cEvin Key behind a wealth of pads, keyboards, assorted electronics and a huge drumkit. Mark Spybey provided the vocals as he does on their recordings, but this time he was much more consistent. His vocal style is angry growling fed with many effects (not unlike the frontman from Key's previous incarnation!).

Although Goettel was obviously not present, his spirit lives on as his programs were used and his presence was felt in the minds of many. The same goes for Genesis as his voice was sampled which makes me wonder whether he joins the live sets in the States. This was an evening of pure electronic noise and possibly many shattered eardrums on leaving the venue...

JOHN MARSHALL - 10 July 1996
(With thanks to MARTIN DANIELS for his help)