In a new interview with Revolver, Kirk Windstein has confirmed he will reunite with Stoner Metal supergroup Down for the bands’ upcoming 2020 shows to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the release of their debut albumĀ NOLA. Kirk stepped down from the band in 2013 to focus on Crowbar and his family life. He also has his debut solo album coming in 2020. He was replaced by Bobby Landgraf, DOWN’s former guitar tech who was previously in Gahdzilla Motor Company, a 1990s outfit also featuring Jason McMaster (Dangerous Toys, Watchtower), and Honky.
“I’m in, 100 percent,” Windstein said. “The quote from Pepper [Keenan, Down and Corrosion Of Conformity guitarist] was, ‘If you ain’t doing it, I ain’t doing it.’ Phil, Pepper and Jimmy [Bower, Downdrummer and Eyehategod guitarist] are my three of my oldest, closest friends, so this is a no-brainer for me.”
When asked if this means he’s back in DOWN for good, Windstein replied: “As far as I know, I’m back in the band. Bobby Landgraf did a fantastic job, and he’s a very good friend of mine. But once again, Down is back to what it started out as, which is a 100 percent complete side project. Everyone’s other bands are the priority and that’s that. But it’s been six and a half years since I jammed with those guys, so I’m excited. It’s gonna be fun.”
Down has several shows scheduled in 2020 so far, including appearances at the 2020 editions of the Graspop Metal Meeting festival in Dessel, Belgium, and at the Copenhell festival in Copenhagen, Denmark.