Downsyde

Australian hip hop band

Downsyde

Origin| Perth, Western Australia
Genres| Australian hip-hop
Years active| 1996–present
Labels| Hydrofunk Records
Obese Records
Illusive Sounds
Members|

* Optamus (Scott Griffiths) (MC/Production)
* Dazastah (Darren Reutens) (MC/Production)
* Dyna-Mikes (Shahbaz Rind) (MC)

Past members|

* DJ Armee (Damien Allia) (turntables)
* Cheeky (Mathew Cheetham) (bass guitar, keyboards)
* Hi-Hat (Steve Curyer) (drums, percussion)
* Salvatore (Salvatore Pizzata) (drums, percussion)
* Catastrophe (R. Reutens) (drums, percussion)

Website| http://www.downsyde.com.au/

Downsyde is an Australian hip hop group from Perth, Western Australia. The group is composed of three members, Optamus, Dazastah and Dyna-Mikes.

The group has performed alongside groups including Jurassic 5, Cypress Hill, Grandmaster Flash, The Black Eyed Peas, and The Roots.[1] They also performed with Australian acts like Hilltop Hoods, Resin Dogs, and Koolism.[2] The band has also performed at a number of festivals, including Big Day Out,[3] Splendour in the Grass,[4][5] Rock-It, Falls Festival,[6] Homebake,[7] Good Vibrations and the Southbound Festival.[8]

## History

[edit]

### 1996–2001: Epinonimous

[edit]

Downsyde's origin occurred when MCs Optamus (Scott Griffiths) and Dyna-mikes (Shahbaz Rind) were in Year 11 at Craigie Senior High School,[9] where they took part in a school talent quest in 1996. The group said; "We sort of figured out ourselves at 16 the best way for us to identify with Australia and to write topical music about Australia was for us to use our own voices rather than adopting a New York accent." – Optamus[10]

The duo released a tape demo called Behind the Bucket, selling copies at two local shops,[11] managing to sell all of the 200 copies they made within weeks.[12]

The band said "We suddenly got asked to play gigs with Eskimo Joe and Beaverloop at the Grosvenor and actually gig as a band. At that point we used to play the gig with our beats recorded on a walkman that we'd plug through the PA." – Optamus[10]

The group added a third MC, Dazastah (Darren Reutens), whom they met at Leederville TAFE, and DJ Armee (Damien Allia) on turntables, meeting him at the Hyde Park Hotel where he would DJ on Monday nights. Later, the group expanded to the current line-up with percussionist Salvatore (Salvatore Pizzata) (ex-Beaverloop) and Cheeky (Mat Cheetham) (ex-Circus Murders) on keyboards, loops & samples joining the group. Cheetham recalls "I was in Tokyo hanging out and got a call from my mate Sal, he's playing drums with these guys Downsyde and he said 'when you come back you should have a crack at sampling stuff for them.' So I came back, met the guys and the next thing I know I was in the band. My first show was at the Big Day Out." – Cheeky[10]

For four years Downsyde produced beats and rhymes and played at hundreds of gigs, parties, and MC battles culminating in the September 2000 release of their debut album, Epinonimous – recordings made by the band from 1996 to 2000.

### 2002–2006: Land of the Giants & When the Dust Settles

[edit]

Their first single, "Gifted Life", was released in 2002 and was nominated as 'Best Single' at the 2003 Australian Dance Music Awards.[13] In the same year, Downsyde won the Best Debut Artist at the Dance Music Awards.[14]

Their second album, Land of the Giants, was released in 2003 on the Hydrofunk label.[15] The album won 'Most Popular Local Original Album' at the 2003 Western Australian Music Industry Awards.[16]

Downsyde signed with Obese Records and in 2004 released a single, "Lesfortunate", which they followed up with a third album, When the Dust Settles, in December 2004. The album was nominated for the J Award of 2005.[17]

Pizzata was replaced by Catastrophe, Dazastah's brother on drums between 2005 and 2006. Catastrophe was a short-term member and filled in to do the late 2005 "When The Dust Settles" Australian Tour and performances up to mid 2006. Steve Curyer (aka Hi-Hat), Downsyde's current drummer, joined in early 2007.

Downsyde was one of the Australian hip hop artists featured in the documentary Words from the City, which aired on ABC Television in late 2007.[18]

Dazastah (Reutens) is a prominent local record producer. Optamus (Griffiths) runs his own label, Opt Shop Records.[19] Armee (Allia) has toured with Fdel and DJ'd at many prominent clubs in Asia. Cheeky (Cheetham) is a member of dub group the Sunshine Brothers and has a solo project 'Rooster Police'.

### 2007–2009: All City

[edit]

In 2007 the band signed with Illusive Records[20] and commenced recording their next album, once the final tracks were down on tape they then headed off to India to play a couple of shows for the Mumbai Festival.[21] The band said "We've changed labels every album. We did Epinonimous independently, Land of the Giants on EMI/Hydrofunk, and When the Dust Settles on Obese. After When the Dust Settles was released, we needed to take time away from touring and a whole lotta other stuff to do with the industry; we felt there was a whole lotta pressure for us to release another album a year and a half later and to do all of this stuff mechanically, which creatively didn't feel right. We specifically sign one album deals, whereas a lotta artists get bullied into three album deals and get shockingly ripped off, spat out, and are not a musician two years later. We sent 'this' album out to countless labels and we got back countless deals back. It just happened that Illusive came back with a very interesting way of marketing Downsyde, plus we have the common goal of elevating us as a band and not Australian hip hop per se." – Optamus[22]

The group's fourth album, All City was released on 4 October 2008, and features collaborations with Howling John Stone and Guru. The album became their first album to enter the ARIA top 100, peaking at number 76.

The first single from the album "Fortune and Fame" was released on 1 September, together with the accompanying video produced by West Australian production company The Penguin Empire has received significant airplay.[23]

In October 2008 to promote the release of the new album, Downsyde embarked on its first national tour since 2005.[24][25] Of the tour, the band said "We're pumped man – it has been a long time since we did a string of dates around the country, and it's good fun." \- Optamus[22]

### 2010–2015: hiatus

[edit]

Optamus released his debut solo album Forever & a Day in June 2010, with keyboardist Chris 'Imposter' Foster and multi-instrumentalist Moondog.[9] Dazastah is embarking on a talent project called "Natural Dazastahs" in which he will be uploading beats online for the public to rhyme over, with the best entries being compiled for release. Although members are working on these various solo projects the group is still working on a fifth album.

> As Downsyde, we've got about eight or nine tracks in demo form for the new album, which we're hoping to finish – at least written-wise – by the end of the year.

> — Scott Griffiths (Optamus)[9]

### 2015–present: reformation and Classic ILL

[edit]

Downsyde has been on a five-year hiatus. however in 2015, they have been recording their sixth studio album, Classic ILL. The first single, "Only Got Now" from the album was released in September 2017. The music video to the single was directed by Aaron McCann.

## Discography

[edit]

### Albums

[edit]

Title  | Details  | Peak chart positions

|
|

AUS
[26]
Behind the Bucket |

* Released: 1997
* Label: Da Da records
* Format: Cassette limited to 200 copies

| \-
Epinonimous |

* Released: September 2000
* Label: Syllaboliks
* Format: CD, digital download

| \-
Land of the Giants |

* Released: 2002
* Label: Hydrofunk Records (HF 26)
* Format: CD, LP, digital download

| \-
When the Dust Settles |

* Released: December 2004
* Label: Obese Records (OBR026)
* Format: CD, 2xLP, digital download

| \-
All City |

* Released: October 2008
* Label: Illusive Sounds (ILL014CD)
* Format: CD, digital download

| 76
ClassicILL |

* Released: September 2017
* Label: Shake Down Records (SDR0010)
* Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming

| \-
Stereotypez |

* Released: October 2024
* Label: Optshop
* Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming

| \-

### Singles

[edit]

Title  | Year  | Album

|
|

"Gifted Life"  | 2002  | Land of the Giants
"El Questro"  | 2003
"Clap Your Hands"  |
"Lesfortunate"  | 2004  | Land of the Giants
"Fortune and Fame"  | 2008  | All City
"Life Speed"
"Only Got Now" (featuring Porsah Laine) | 2016  | ClassicILL
"Richman"  | 2017
"Back in the Game" (featuring Sam Nafie)
"Memory" (featuring Jsquared & Moondog) | 2018  |
"Odds" (featuring Sam Nafie) | 2019  |
"Call" (featuring James Abberley) | 2021  |

## Awards and nominations

[edit]

### Australian Dance Music Awards

[edit]

Downsyde won one award from five nominations in 2003.[27]

Year  | Nominee / work  | Award  | Result

|
|
|

2003  | Downsyde  | Best Hip-Hop Act  | Nominated
Best Australian Hip-Hop Act  | Nominated
Best Debut Artist  | Won
Land of the Giants | Best Album  | Nominated
"Gifted Life"  | Best Single  | Nominated

### J Award

[edit]

The J Awards is an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.

Year  | Nominee / work  | Award  | Result

|
|
|

2005[28] | When the Dust Settles | Australian Album of the Year  | Nominated

### West Australian Music Industry Awards

[edit]

The Western Australian Music Industry Awards (commonly known as WAMis) are annual awards presented to the local contemporary music industry, put on by the Western Australian Music Industry Association Inc (WAM). Downsyde won 10 awards.[29][30][31][32][33][34]

Year  | Nominee / work  | Award  | Result (wins only)

|
|
|

2001  | Downsyde  | Most Popular Original Electronic Act  | Won
2003  | Downsyde  | Most Popular Local Original Urban Music Act  | Won
Land of the Giants | Most Popular Local Original Local Album  | Won
"El Questro"  | Most Popular Local Original Music Video  | Won
2005  | Downsyde  | Best Live Electronic Act  | Won
Best Urban Music Act  | Won
2006  | Downsyde  | Best Urban Music Act  | Won
2007  | Downsyde  | Best Urban Music / Hip Hop Act  | Won
2008  | Downsyde  | Best Urban Music / Hip Hop Act  | Won
2009  | "Fortune and Fame" by Downsyde  | Most Popular Music Video  | Won

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "The Roots 2007 Australian Tour". Frontiertouring.com.au. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
2. ^ "Nokia Terminal 9 Tour (2004)". Nokia.com.au. Archived from the original on 13 August 2008. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
3. ^ Big day Out 2004 line-up Archived 30 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine
4. ^ Splendour in the Grass 2003 line-up[dead link‍]
5. ^ Splendour in the Grass 2005 line-up Archived 6 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine
6. ^ The Falls Festival. "Falls Festival 2004 lineup". Fallsfestival.com. Archived from the original on 3 December 2011. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
7. ^ "Homebake 203 lineup". Homebake.com.au. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
8. ^ "Southbound 2006 line-up". Archived from the original on 25 October 2007. Retrieved 4 January 2008.
9. ^ a b c Schlechte, Ted (3 June 2010). "Optamus Primed". The West Australian. West Australian Newspapers. Archived from the original on 22 September 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2010.
10. ^ a b c Hayes, Joshua Downsyde – Kicking Up The Dust X-Press Magazine 14 August 2008 (page 14)
11. ^ Nuff Respect Archived 29 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine, Fuller, Chris Groove Magazine #4.
12. ^ "Downsyde – Biography". All Media Guide. Retrieved 1 September 2010. [dead link‍]
13. ^ "2003 DMA nominations". Residentadvisor.net. Archived from the original on 18 May 2007. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
14. ^ "2003 Motorola DMA Winners Announced". Dance Music Awards. 2003. Archived from the original on 8 February 2004. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
15. ^ "Hydrofunk Records – Land of the Giants". Hydrofunk.com.au. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
16. ^ WAM website Archived 29 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine
17. ^ "2005 J Award nomination". Australia: ABC. Archived from the original on 4 August 2011. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
18. ^ "ABC TV guide December 2007". Australia: ABC. 7 December 2007. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
19. ^ "Funkola – Funkola". Certified Scribe. 22 July 2007. Archived from the original on 3 August 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
20. ^ "Downsyde: All City". Heatseeker.com.au. Archived from the original on 5 April 2006. Retrieved 1 October 2008.
21. ^ Mumbai Festival schedule[permanent dead link‍]
22. ^ a b Schlechte, Ted (16 October 2008). "Fortune & Fame". The Drum Media. Archived from the original on 29 August 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2008.
23. ^ "Fortune & Fame:Downsyde @JPlay". JPlay. Retrieved 1 October 2008.
24. ^ "Hip Hop Release: Downsyde – All City". Planet Urban. 9 September 2008. Archived from the original on 15 September 2008. Retrieved 8 October 2008.
25. ^ "Downsyde chase Fortune & Fame on tour". In The Mix. 11 September 2008. Archived from the original on 16 October 2008. Retrieved 8 October 2008.
26. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (pdf ed.). Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 86.
27. ^ 2003 DMA Nominations[permanent dead link‍]
28. ^ "The J Award 2005". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2005. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
29. ^ APRAP December 2001 page 22
30. ^ 2003 West Australian Music Industry Award Winners Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
31. ^ 2005 West Australian Music Industry Award Winners Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
32. ^ "WAMi AWARDS CONGRATULATIONS". WAMi Festival 2006. WAMi Festival. 2006. Archived from the original on 24 February 2006. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
33. ^ 2007 West Australian Music Industry Award Winners Archived 22 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine
34. ^ 2008 West Australian Music Industry Award Winners Archived 28 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Downsyde

* Optamus (Scott Griffiths)
* Dazastah (D. Reutens)

Studio albums|

* Epinonimous (2000)
* Land of the Giants (2003)
* When the Dust Settles (2004)
* All City (2008)

Singles|

* "Gifted Life"
* "El Questro"
* "Clap Your Hands"
* "Lesfortunate"

Authority control databases: Artists |

* MusicBrainz

|

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