NiteLife Magazine
By Alisson Jalil

In a previous article, we asked, "Could anything good come out of Orlando?" After spending a few days with the boys of O.F. Beatdown, I am here to answer with a resounding YES!!

One stormy night in October I found myself sitting in a rustic little cottage nestled on a moonlit lakefront. Olivia Newton-John videos on the screen and Elvis staring at me from a plant shelf. Was I watching the opening scene for the new Tarantino flick "On Golden Pond Meets Grease"? No way! I was there to witness the rumbling' of the Central Florida music underworld. A spring of hot, unmined talent waiting to burst forth like a volcano onto the music scene. No more will Florida be known simply as boy bands, toll booths, road cones and Mickey Mouse. I was in for an OLD FASHIONED BEATDOWN!

I had the pleasure of spending a few awe inspiring nights with the boys from O.F. Beatdown. Joey, Bob, Woodzy and Russ. This collectively being the original band members from January 1999, minus Woodzy, who joined the band 2 1/2 years ago. These boys are the self proclaimed torch carriers for the Orlando metal scene. I must admit that flame looks as if it is hot and burning brighter than ever. Trying to explain their music is a mighty task in itself. I get lost in the rhythms as I try to define their genre. OFB is simply defining their own genre. I heard Poison as easily as I could hear Pantera in their music. No matter what you take home from the music, one thing is for sure, you definitely walk away FEELING it! Just when you think you have it pinned down, they surprise you.

These home grown heavy weights already have quite the track record behind them. Already spreading their wings and opening for such national acts as Superjoint Ritual (former Pantera front man, Phil Anselmo's new band), playing the famed Jim Morrison haunt “Whiskey-A-Go-Go” in LA and this November they will be tearing down the walls in MSG at the famed New York's International Music Festival. Not to mention winning Best Metal Band honors at the Orlando Metal Awards as well as Woodzy snagging "Best Guitarist" that same night. Their self-titled debut album is now on sale and they are currently filming the video for their single "Worthless". Frequently playing such local venues as Hard Rock Live, House Of Blues, Lost & Found and Will's Pub, with other tour dates in Tampa, Daytona & West Palm Beach. The only element missing for this hard rocking' quartet is National Notoriety.

In recent years when someone speaks of the Orlando music scene, the only thing running through peoples minds are the monotonous drones of overplayed boy bands and Bubblegum Pop. This does not have to be the case. The face of the music industry has been waiting for its "Nirvana" to come back along and reinvent the hard rocking' scene. I believe a band like OFB could very well do just that. In recent years we have resorted to rap artists recycling songs, Greatest Hits I,II, and III and TV show tours. Where's the originality? It's here. Living and breathing right here in O-Town.

MEET THE BAND
As I hung out with these guys, we talked about the ever changing face of the music industry. Guitarist, Woodzy spoke of his self-taught talent and his wide range of musical influences which include Elvis, Kiss, and Pantera. Joey is very evidently the vocalist of the group as he is an excellent conversationalist, his gruff, pure adrenaline vocals are deceiving to say the least. Russ, the drummer, is the reserved one, always observing, yet you can tell he is the business man of the group, the man with the plan. Last but not least, there's Bassist Bob, he seems to be the free spirit of the group, very laid back and ready to discuss whatever is on the agenda (alas, I do sense a devilish streak behind that easy smile). These guys can very easily disagree on issues while in discussion, but once they are behind those instruments, it is like a metamorphosis of time. One thing is for sure, there is no any cat-napping once these guys get going. It's the equivalent of a jolting java. It all seems to come so easily be the free spirit of the group, very laid back and ready to discuss whatever is on the agenda (alas, I do sense a devilish streak behind that easy smile). These guys can very easily disagree on issues while in discussion, but once they are behind those instruments, it is like a metamorphosis of time. One thing is for sure, there is no any cat-napping once these guys get going. It's the equivalent of a jolting java. It all seems to come so easily to them, like they are not even playing an instrument, they blend into each other so well.

I also had the pleasure of hearing the new, unreleased material they are working on, which shows the steady transgression of a band on a mission. Never losing that pure adrenaline rush that keeps their ever growing fan base on their feet. We also took the time out to talk about the heavily press covered issue of music piracy over the Internet. All involved agreeing that they would be hypocrites, if they said they never downloaded themselves.

WE JUST WANT TO BE HEARD
Russ took this opportunity to point out the fact that music being available for free downloads and share ware over the internet has its advantages for unsigned acts such as themselves who are struggling to get their music out there. If it is available, more audiences will be exposed to the music. O.F. Beatdown are ready for air time!

I have a challenge to 2 certain radio stations out there who are always trying to outdo each other when they hit the airwaves... Let's hear some O.F. Beatdown on our local stations, you have the audience, now let's see which one of you is up for the challenge. Whether or not, this type of music is up your alley, I urge you to check these young men out! They could very well be the pioneers that change the face of the music scene. O.F. Beatdown is ready...the question is, “ARE YOU”?