ANCHOR DOWN-you can't teach an old blog new tricks

The Fest 8 !!!!!

2009-09-21T14:55:00.001-07:00

So we have been accepted to play The Fest 8 in Gainesville Florida This year! We are super stoked for the opportunity and look forward to yet another great Halloween weekend in sunny Florida. As of now, all we know is that we will be playing on Saturday and a venue called Rum Runner's. As more details come in we'll post them here. Take care friends and we hope to see ya'll at The Fest!
-Alex, Matt, Lucas and Chad.

Anchor Down "Steel To Dust" is rated in the top Ten from Maximum Rock N Roll's review staff...

2009-09-06T00:17:00.000-07:00

Anchor Down "Steel To Dust" is rated in the top Ten from Maximum Rock N Roll's reviewer Ray Lujan...check it out.

"Top Tens

MRR (Maximum Rock N'Roll) Reviewers’ Current Top Tens (from MRR issue #316 • September 2009)

Diane Anastasio
XYX-Momento Ácido Contemporáneo-EP
THEE DEAD CLODETTES-Je Cherche un Garçon-EP
TUBERCULOSIS-tape
DIRECT CONTROL-Farewell-LP
HYGIENE-TV Girl-EP
LOGIC PROBLEM-No Center-EP
SHITTY LIMITS-Beware the Limits-LP
STATE POISON-Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing-EP
WOVEN BONES-Your Sorcery/Howlin’ Woof-45
V/A-No Bullshit Vol. 4-EP

Justin Briggs
(off this month — Happy birthday!)

Tim Brooks
SCATHA-After the Dust Settles-2xLP
MANIKIN-Stop the Sirens-LP
SHITTY LIMITS-Beware the Limits-LP
BASEBALL FURIES-Throw Them to the Lions-LP
GOVERNMENT WARNING-Executed-EP
HYGIENE-TV Girl-EP
ARRIVALS-My Generation-EP
V/A-No Bullshit Vol. 4-EP
SMART COPS-Cominciare a Vivere-EP

Robert Collins
AK 77/DEATH STATISTIC-split EP
BURNT CROSS-In Nature We Trust-EP
LYBIAN HIT SQUAD-live
ASPIRIN-We Do Painkilling To Your Anger-EP
STATE POISON-Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing-EP
SLICES-Nub City-EP
THE SESS-Brain Ruster/ABC-45
ECT/RECLUSIVE MUTE-split EP
THEE DEAD CLODETTES-Je Cherche un Garçon-EP
MORNE/WARPRAYER-split LP / XYX-EP

Layla Gibbon
XYX-Momento Ácido Contemporáneo-EP
THEE DEAD CLODETTES-Je Cherche un Garçon-EP
TUBERCULOSIS-live
SLICES-Nub City-EP
BLACK TIME/TY SEGALL-split LP
TY SEGALL-Cents-EP
LOS YETIS-Me Siento Loco-EP
HYGIENE-TV Girl-EP / NOVEDADES CARMINHA-LP
MIRRORS-LP / YUSSUF JERUSALEM-LP
ESKORBUTO/RIP-split LP / INTIFADA-EP

Bob Goldie
LOSER LIFE-Friends With a Demon-LP
DIRECT CONTROL-Farewell-LP
MAD MINDS-Can’t Take Much More-EP
FUTURE VIRGINS-Easiest Years-EP
MONKS-Pretty Suzanne/Monk Time-45
TOP TEN-Girls Understand/Don’t Talk About Us-45
SMART COPS-Cominciare A Vivere-EP
MIRRORS-Something That Would Never Do-LP
NERVOUS DOGS-Great Doors-EP
SECRET ARMY-Redemption-EP

Kenny Kaos
TOP TEN-Girls Understand/Don’t Talk About Us-45
LET’S DANCE-Calling All Cars-EP
LOVER!-Let’s Play a Game/Salt Water Surprise-45
LES HATEPINKS-Live at the Stork Club-LP
SHITTY LIMITS-Beware the Limits-LP
ROCKNROLL ADVENTURE KIDS-Hillbilly Psychosis-LP
LADIES-Hole Sailor-EP
HYGIENE-TV Girl-EP
LOS YETIS-Me Siente Loco-EP
THE SESS-Brain Ruster/ABC-45

Carolyn Keddy
JACK OBLIVIAN-Sweet Thang-45
TY SEGALL-Cents-EP
MAYYORS-Deads-12” / BASEBALL FURIES-LP
BLACK TIME/TY SEGALL-split LP
FRANCIS HAROLD AND THE HOLOGRAMS-45
WOVEN BONES-45 / SMART COPS-EP
HARD ONS with NEIL HAMBURGER-EP
OBLIVIANS-Barristers Ninetyfive-LP
OBLIVIANS and GORIES-live in Memphis
CHROME CRANKS-CD / V/A-World’s Lousy-EP

Paul Lucich
BLACK SUNDAY-Lights/Can’t Keep My Hands-45
DIGITAL LEATHER-Frest Secrets-EP
PINK NOISE-Alpha-LP
GARY WAR-Anhedonic Man-EP
BURNT CROSS-In Nature We Trust-EP
FUTURE VIRGINS-Easiest Years-EP
HARD SKIN-Same Meat Different Gravy-LP
FUNERAL ORATION-The Godsend-LP
HUNX AND HIS PUNX-Teardrops On My Telephone-EP
MANIKIN-Stop the Sirens-LP

Ray Lujan
GRABASS CHARLESTONS-Gone Fishin’-EP
DIRTY FILTHY MUGS-Half-Pint-CD
K-JELL-Refreshing Power-EP
NERVOUS DOGS-Great Doors-EP
LOVER!-Let’s Not Play a Game-EP
PUNKS NOT DAD-We Are the Dads-CD
VIVIAN GIRLS-Moped Girls/Death-45
ANCHOR DOWN-Steel to Dust-CD
POUR HABIT-Suiticide-CD
THE ZERO-live

Mark Murrmann
MAYYORS-Deads-12”
HUNCHES-Home Alone 5-LP
MIRRORS-Something That Would Never Do-LP
ESKORBUTO/RIP-split LP
XYX-Momento Ácido Contemporáneo-EP
DC SNIPERS-Reaction-LP
THE SESS-Brain Ruster/ABC-45
WAR PIGS-No Hope, No Faith, No Point-EP
JACK OBLIVIAN-Sweet Thang-45
TURN IT OFFS-Too Much Static-LP

Bruce Roehrs
HAMMERLOCK/BEFORE I HANG-live
BURNT CROSS-In Nature We Trust-EP
SPREAD ’EM-Pizza Crisis-EP
LADIES-Hole Sailor-EP
NEVER HEALED-Untitled I/Untitled II-45
DIRECT CONTROL-LP / HARRINGTON SAINTS-EP
DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR-Our Glory Days-EP
SMART COPS-EP / V/A-Speed Punk Metal Crust-EP
FUNERAL SHOCK-California’s Dying-45
GOVERNMENT WARNING-Execute-EP

Fred Schrunk
FUTURE VIRGINS-Easiest Years-EP
OK?-Everything Is Going To Be-EP
XYX-Momento Ácido Contemporáneo-EP
WHAT IF-Ivy’s Birthday-EP
STREET EATERS/WHITE NIGHT-split EP
ADD/C/LANDLORD-split EP
AK 77/DEATH STATISTIC-split EP
DOG FACED HERMANS-Hum of Life-LP
MAYYORS-Deads-12”
SHITTY LIMITS-Beware the Limits-LP

Cissie Scurlock
ESKORBUTO/RIP-split LP
ILEGAL-demo
SLICES-Nub City-EP
DIRECT CONTROL-Farewell-LP
INTIFADA-Sounds So Good-EP
MANIKIN-Stop the Sirens-LP
HARD SKIN-Same Meat Different Gravy-LP
XYX-Momento Ácido Contemporáneo-EP
ASPIRIN-We Do Painkilling To Your Anger-EP
LOGIC PROBLEM-EP / STATE POISON-EP"

Stoked! They usually hate everybody...

10 Things Zine (Blog): Write up on Anchor Down

2009-09-06T00:04:00.000-07:00

"Seattle's Born Anchors seem to be getting a lot of hype these days. When you write about music you can tell what bands are getting THE PUSH by the amount of mail and email you get from labels and promotional companies about a band. From a music fan's perspective, most of you miss this entire aspect of behind the scenes promotion, from the phone calls and press packs, to the constant nagging from PR companies. I think the PR firm barrage often pays off and might be worth it for a band trying to break bigger when they release an album, but there is also something sorta false about it. Because the reason why a band is getting a lot of press attention isn't necessarily because of how good their music or live performance is.

With Born Anchors, it's gotten them on KNDD and KEXP and great press in local publications, including Megan Seling from The Stranger saying “Born Anchors are the most exciting rock band in Seattle right now…” That kind of promo blitz tends to actually work the opposite of how it's supposed to with people like me. When a band is getting too much hype, I ignore them, or at least I realize they sure don't need me to cover them, the mainstream local press is already doing that quite well. So if you want to see what the hype is about, you can check out Born Anchors at the Capitol Hill Block Party... and try not to fall asleep during their set.

My "job," and that of the underground press, is hopefully at least occasionally focusing your attention on the things not getting written about in the mainstream. It's about giving press to less touched-on subjects. In my case, that means pulling together histories and photos of Northwest bands, labels and places that are somewhat or fully forgotten. There is a lot of Northwest and punk rock history that isn't well documented on the Web that's still important, even if just to me. I also try to shine the spotlight on what I see as brilliant, but often press-neglected bands, currently rocking local stages and basements. So, instead of following the hype, I want to focus your attention on another Northwest "Anchor" band...

Anchor Down from Portland, Oregon:
Anchor Down have been labeled entirely too much with the "pop punk" tag, which I find even lazier than my music writing. Their sound is more melodic punk with balls. They kind of have a Monsula crossed with Bouncing Souls feel to them, with sometimes gruff vocals, layered melodic guitars, super catchy songs and occasional sing-a-long choruses. This is comfort food for people like me that grew up listening to '90s melodic punk. They have a new 6-song EP out entitled "Steel to Dust" I picked up when I saw them a few weeks ago. It's excellent, plus they sold me the CD and a t-shirt for $10, pretty much unheard of low prices in today's world. You can catch a few of their songs over here.

Anchor Down is currently on tour, they will be playing Seattle next August 26th at The Morgue with locals Success and Texas bands The Anchor and O Pioneers. Two Anchor bands for the price of one!

Posted by Dan 10Things
http://10thingszine.blogspot.com/2009/07/anchor-down.html

7" inch review on punknews.org

2009-08-29T17:53:00.000-07:00

"Vinyl has seen a resurgence in recent years that has had a mixed impact on music fans. Many are excited about releases being put out on vinyl for the first time, the medium being used to expand art and basically about having big old pieces of wax. However, an equal number are frustrated with albums being delayed due to pressing plants being overrun, the apparent quick cash-in of reissues (and reissuing the same album 100 times) and 7” records costing up to $12 for a single song which is just a remix of an album track. While you can never please everyone, Suburban Home has made a valiant attempt with this four-way split featuring new music from In the Red, Anchor Down, Bastards of Young and Drunken Boat.

The split opens with In the Red’s thumping, mid-tempo “Here We Will All Die.” The track features classic Mike Hale gruff vocals. The melody seems to spend each verse climbing up like an old wooden rollercoaster and every chorus putting that potential energy into use by crashing down in half the time. It’s the sort of song that could accompany nights alone or drunken revelry with friends, depending on the mood.

Following up is Portland’s own Anchor Down with “All Perfume,” a track that may (for better or worse) draw some Gaslight Anthem comparisons, more for its romantic lyrics than anything else. The vocals come across cleaner than on the band's debut, Steel to Dust, fitting the track's slower and more melodic tone. As the track reaches its conclusion, Anchor Down tape into their biggest strength: the ability to write great, fist-pumping sing-along lines, making the track stick in your head after it’s done.

The flipside is kicked off with Bastards of Young’s “Earthquake Weather.” The song swings somewhere between street punk anthems and more melodic Midwestern punk. As it goes on, the track definitely has a more rock 'n’ roll vibe than the first half of the split, even breaking out in full-on piano and harmonica solos (respectively).

Closing out the album is Drunken Boats with “Hell Freezes Over.” The track is the best choice of the four for a closer. With its slow melody and bluesy sound, the track is the embodiment of the winding down of a night at the bar. The dual male/female vocals as the track closes out are a perfect way to slip out of the evening.

It’s impossible to please all the people all the time (that’s what some old president said [maybe it was fool, I’m not a historian]) but with a 7” that contains four new songs, by four awesome bands, includes a digital download and costs only $5, it’s hard to imagine anyone not liking this. Of course, with literally eight different vinyl/cover variations, I’m sure someone will complain. So, while this 7” may not unify the world (or even the punk community), maybe it will make some people pretty stoked.

(4/5 stars)-Dante3000-www.punknews.org"

pick the 7" up at:
www.vinylcollective.com

This is Why We Tour!!!

2009-07-31T16:40:00.000-07:00

Some times you need a lot of words to describe what you're feeling. This is not one of those situations.

19 Days, 17 Shows, 11 People, 3 Bands, 2 Vans, 1 Heart, 0 Air Conditioning.

Bastards of Fun Tour

2009-07-17T10:06:00.000-07:00

We're half way through our west coast run with our boys in Bastards Of Young and In The Red and we thought we'd throw out some shout outs. First off, much love to all the dudes in the other bands and their inspirational sets every night. Second, every one needs to hunt down and hug Vanessa (from Lubricated Zine) and Lisa (from AMP Magazine)? These two sweethearts took our lame, stinking, crude selves and made the first part of tour feel like home. Third, Frankie B from Campfire Island is one of the most legit human being on the planet. If you're ever going through Olympia, WA you need to buy this guy a cup of tea and know that you are in the company of one of the raddest people in the scene. Thanks everyone for coming out, this means the world to us.
Matt, Alex, Chad, Lucas

The Savage Sounds 7"

2009-06-26T08:40:00.000-07:00

Pre-sales are up for our Split 7" with In The Red, Bastards Of Young, and Drunken Boat. By the grace of Virgil and the Suburban Home crew this record is available here. Corresponding to this summer's west coast tour the 7" will feature a new song by each of band.

Track Listing:
In the Red “Here We All Die”
Anchor Down “All Perfume”
Bastards of Young “Earthquake Weather”
Drunken Boat “Hell Freezes Over”

To make things more exciting each band has their own color cover (ours is Grey) and is available in both red and black vinyl. The albums cheap and their are not very many so pre-order yours now.

Hugs and Rock & Roll
Matt, Alex, Chad, and Lucas

Mid May and The Bay

2009-06-07T18:23:00.000-07:00

In the middle of May we drove down to the Bay area and had an incredible 3 days. Leaving at 10pm on a Thursday Alex drove all night to our buddy AJ’s house (where this photo was promptly taken). After some much needed In & Out, Matt tracked some bass lines and we were off to play at Gilman Street. The next afternoon we played in Santa Rosa and then again that night at Thee Parkside in San Francisco. Once we were all loaded out, we kidnapped the awesome guys from Sound Scene Revolution and recorded the interview that can now be found at www.soundscenerevolution.com. If that were not enough we then headed out and recorded the final vocals on a track until 7:00am the next morning. We slept a little, drank mimosa’s with the queen of Zine Vanessa, and then Alex drove us all the way back home. We love all you bay area cats, thanks so much for the good time.
Chad, Lucas, Matt, Alex
Ps. Check out the supremo Podcast review at Rocket Fuel.

Lucas' Birthday Show!

2009-05-30T15:46:00.001-07:00

To celebrate Lucas’ birthday this Thursday we’re playing with Arizona’s very own RUMSPRINGER and our friends in DRAWBACK. It’s 21 and over of course so bring your drinking hats and give Lucas a big-ol’hug. In honor of it all, we’re also going to change up our set list to include Another One Lost and maybe even a brand new song. See you then….
We’re writing, we’re drinking, and we’re having a blast,
Lucas, Alex, Chad, Matt

Anchor Down goes indie rock...SIKE!

2009-05-13T04:29:00.000-07:00

Ha HA HA HA we love this one!

So as a homage to this review we took a new promo photo...hope you like it!

"Anchor Down- “Steel To Dust” – The tracks are mastered great and Anchor Down harmonizes very well together. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I just can’t get into them at all. There are times during a few of the songs that I think I’m going to love them, but then my attention starts to wander and I realize the songs over. Strangely I kept listening and giving the album another chance and not once did it interest me. It’s weird because it’s almost like I wanted to like “Steel To Dust” more than I actually liked “Steel To Dust”. In no way am I saying it’s a bad album, it just has too much of an alternative rock/indie rock taste to it. That’s just a taste that usually makes me gag like a runway model. Luckily for me “Steel To Dust” doesn’t possess enough alt/indie rock to give me the dry heaves, but it does possess enough to not be overly interested. I could see many people liking this album. Probably most of them being into bands such as; Against Me!, Alkaline Trio, Verlaines, Blur or The Jesus and Mary Chain. rate 3/5"

-punkrockreview.org

"Steel To Dust" Review from Whatwehate.com

2009-05-04T16:35:00.000-07:00

So the reviews of our new record keep coming in and so far they are looking pretty good. Here's the latest from punk blog whatwehate.com. Enjoy!

"Anchor Down hail from Portland, Oregon, but their sound is straight out of New Jersey — a sort of no-frills, anthemic punk rock that bands like Let Me Run and The Gaslight Anthem are currently rocking. Their debut EP Steel to Dust serves as a solid look into the band’s world.

Most of these six songs rely on crunchy, catchy guitar work and solid choruses. “Bromancing The Stones”, “El Radio” and “Never Was A Lesson Learned (Remember Me)” are all prime examples of this, but each song has a certain unique glimmer to it that keep them from running together too much; in “Stones” it’s the well-placed, sloshy backup vocals and dynamic drumming, in “El Radio” it’s the infectious, poppy underbelly and in “Lesson” it’s the huge chorus around which the song is built.

Steel To Dust isn’t a flawless performance, however. The vocals on “Red Ink” don’t really seem to match the music (although the hook itself is probably the best one here) and the vocals in “Word War 1″ could be a little more dynamic. “Crass A Nova” runs a little long but the guitar work is solid enough, so no biggie.

It’ll be interesting to hear what Anchor Down can do for a full-length, but the potential is certainly here. Steel to Dust is a fun EP, even if it’s a little conventional at times.

(2009, Solidarity)

Bryne-What We Hate.com "

The Punksite.com reviews Steel To Dust eh?

2009-04-27T01:10:00.000-07:00

Anchor Down-Steel To Dust-Solidarity Recordings 2009

"Portland's Anchor Down are a underground pop-punk band. That sums them up quite nicely because they're not pretending to be anything more than that. Pulling from influences ranging from Dillinger Four to Descendents, Anchor Down combines all the different elements of the pop-punk format and mold them together into one melting pot; and it is that molding that makes Steel To Dust - their debut six song EP - so memorable, catchy and fun.

Many people point out similarities to Chuck Ragan (Hot Water Music) and Matt Skiba (Alkaline Trio) when they talk about Anchor Down's vocalist Alex Hudjohn and they are right in some aspects. But to me, the most striking thing about Hudjohn's vocals is the similarity to Mighty Mighty Bosstones vocalist Dicky Barrett. While not always as low as Barrett, Hudjohn's vocals have the same intonation as him - particularly on Red Ink. It's a weird sensation to hear vocals so similar to Barrett used in such a decisively different fashion but it is that off putting sensation that makes the vocals more memorable; because they seem odd but work so well nonetheless.

The Bosstones are the only ska band that has left an implant on Steel To Dust as the rest of it is pure underground pop-punk. There's gritty moments of Dillinger Four and Lawrence Arms thrown in through distorted guitar riffs alongside the signature skate-punk sound of The Bouncing Souls. World War 1's lyrics feel as if they're trying to write from the point of view of The Souls or Gaslight Anthem (although they aren't quite as good as either of them yet), but it makes it so that you can't help but chant along the final verse of "These words are our bullets / these chords are our swords / we're marching in time / we're waging a war".

You can hear some Nothington in the music, with some Gainesville punk style as well but all of it is more curved and more controlled than the Gainesville scene and instead points more towards the Fat style of pop punk (Dead To Me). It can sometimes be predictable, but it is always fun, energetic and catchy. The call and return chorus of Crass-A-Nova, the bass and drum intro to Red Ink, the Hot Water Music melody of El Radio; it's what pop-punk fans want to hear and Anchor Down delivers it in spade."

-Bobby Gorman-The Punk Site
www.thepunksite.com

Punknews.org Review of "Steel To Dust"...Get Nostalgic already...would you!

2009-04-24T21:01:00.000-07:00

We are very excited to share with you our Punknews.org review of our new album on Solidarity Recordings titled "Steel To Dust". 3 1/2 outta 5 from Dante300 isn't so bad for some "lumberjack looking motherfuckers" as Sean "Lack-a-thrills" Hills called us...some how he felt he was complimenting us on our Northwestern style and we will take it. But, I can say with 200% assurance that no member of Anchor Down is a member of the logging industry (for many reasons) unless of course you consider our bathroom breaks "logging". Skid over punknews.org and check it out! Get Nostalgic already...would you!

"ANCHOR DOWN-Steel To Dust-Solidarity Recordings CD/LP

It's easy to romanticize about one's past. Sometimes I find myself looking back on times gone by where a group of friends would seem to spend endless nights idling away at nothing. We'd leave a movie, show, party or whatever function we were at that night, and pile into someones 1980-something or other with a rear door that didn't open and three functioning seat belts and peel out like a bat out of hell (even though there was nowhere to really go). Someone would flip through an oversized CD binder and pick out whatever melodic punk band we were digging at the time; Bouncing Souls, the Broadways, NOFX, Operation Ivy all laid side by side, waiting to get selected and put into the portable CD player that was connected to the car's tape deck through a weird adapter that was purchased at Radio Shack. These albums required being played as loud as possible, as we all shouted along in the backseat and the car filled with the smoke of the driver's Camel Wides.

We'd drive around all night doing whatever came to mind (plans were not a perquisite). Sometimes it would be driving to the top of the hill overlooking the city and shooting the shit until the sun came up. Sometimes we'd just go to the home of whoever had parents out of town and hang out there. Jump off roofs into pools, drink at the local park, blow shit up with Mexican fireworks, anything to stay out later and spend more time with the people who you related to more than anything else in the world. Anchor Down's six-song EP Steel to Dust, on Solidarity Records would be the perfect soundtrack to those nights and it's a disc that I'm still excited to listen to now."

-Dante3000-Punknews.org

http://www.punknews.org/review/8245

Love and Respect,
-Lucas,Alex, Chad, Matt-Anchor Down

Oooh A Bad Review...wah wah wah...

2009-04-09T16:05:00.000-07:00

So when you send out your records for review you always get a few that go like this...and seeing as how we do what we do regardless of opinion we won't hide em from you...enjoy!

Anchor Down "Steel to Dust" EP
"When I listened to these guys on their myspace a while back I wasn't sure what to recon. I didn't really even pay that much attention, but I knew they were playing shows with my friends back in Portland. I got the EP, listened through and immediately thought what I knew what was in the back of my head before, "who are these guys trying to impress?" I never think about that, but I felt these guys really wanted to be liked. They have the breaks and catchiness that pop punkers cling to, the sharp kick drum and riffs that backward hat wearing West Coasters love and the gritty voice and beards that just might draw some Razorcake readers into their basement shows. To me it comes off a little trite and a little forced. Most of the lyrics just seem to try to provoke emotion and nostalgia from the listener. Trust me. Portland doesn't have any nostalgia. It all just seems really generic to me. "We are the last of the so called dreamers, we are the last of the true believers". I can't tell if that's trying to rip off Gaslight Anthem or Bouncing Souls or both. Not to mention the backing vocals on El Radio destroy what could be a pretty decent song. I think these guys have it in them to be a great band as long as they tone it down a bit as they do in "Crass-a-nova" and "Never was a lesson learned". I feel those songs are sincere and it's nice they're not so in your face. To me this is not what a debut should be. They put too much time in to production and making sure every lick and drum fill was perfect that they forgot how far simplicity in lyrics and music goes and they absolutely lost me. They should have put out a shitty seven inch to start out and I would have loved it. Ease up on her, eh?"

-Ben "Mopydick radio"
"Send in your mp3s so I can talk shit."
www.myspace.com/mopydickradio

Steel To Dust Reviewed by National Underground

2009-03-28T22:59:00.000-07:00

Steel To Dust Reviewed on NationalUnderground.org
"UNDER A ROCK" by Matthew Winters

"Pop punk is not hard to find. Just wander down to your local mall and find the Hot Topic and look in their CD bins. Usually you can find exactly what you are looking for, if that is that what you are looking for. However to find good, honest to God pop punk you have to wander around and dig under some rocks.

A rock that I looked under was in Denver at the Old Curtis Street Pub at the last Blackout Pact show in January, and under that rock I found one of best pop-punk bands out there. Anchor Down, hailing from Portland, Oregon, was that band. They performed at that show with so much energy and vitality that it instantly made me perk up and pay attention to what they were singing. They raced through much of their then unreleased EP, Steel To Dust, and held the crowd’s attention in a sea of very good punk and hardcore that cold night in January. I was a little disappointed after the show when I met and talked with the band to find that their music had not yet been released.

So it was my pleasure to give Steel to Dust a listen when it came out a couple of weeks ago. The album is an unabashed ode to their very much showing pop punk roots. Alex, vocalist, recalls Chuck Regan and Matt Skiba at their most interesting and harmonious, the backing vocals are spot on especially on opener “Bromancing the Stones”, which might boast one of the best punk song titles in recent memory. Bassist Matt, rides high in the mix a lot of the time on the record but it does not detract from the recording, quite the opposite – it brings in elements from earlier pop innovators like Descendents and the band that is their most easily companion player, the now defunct Latterman. Like Latterman, Anchor Down plays fast, easily enjoyable pop punk that is very positive in its nature and unrelenting in its upbeat tempo.

Perhaps the best song on the record is the closer “World War I”. It is the song that every pissed off touring punk band can relate to. After months and months of touring and being angry, tired, and hungry, dealing with “another bullshit parking lot start(ing) to feel like home” and above it all to still be able to sing “These words are our bullets / These chords are our swords / We’re marching in time / We’re waging a war” is pretty impressive and endearing to the listener.

Steel to Dust is not without its flaws. Like any band on a first release when they are doing it DIY it can sound a little flawed and Steel to Dust is victim of that. The lyrics can get a little muffled and distorted at points. The drums on “Never Was a Lessoned Learned (Remember Me)” are really tinny and sound as if the microphones were running a little hot that day. Overall, however, the song writing and the band’s energy make up for any of the flaws that are on the EP.

Anchor Down have a long road ahead of them, a west coast tour coming up and the endless promotion that comes with putting out an EP, but I think that this band will not stay under the rock very long."

3-21-09 Saturday Night 12Am to 2am ANCHOR DOWN on KAOS 89.3 fm WA

2009-03-21T02:20:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody...
If you find yourself hanging out at home this Saturday 3-21-09 at midnight jump online (http://www.kaosradio.org/) and spend some time with Anchor Down. We will be co-hosting/guests on Olympia WA's Campfire island show with our new buddy/host Frank B from 12am to 2am. We will be playing some tracks off our new record "Steel To Dust" and playing some good ol punk tunes from our personal collections as well as just plain hanging out on air. We support independent radio and our buddy Frank has one of the best independent punk shows on the West Coast...check em out

"Campfire Island is a radio show broadcasting on KAOS 89.3 FM (in Olympia, WA) every Saturday at midnight (Pacific). We play punk music and music made by punks...

The KAOS signal reaches from the southern parts of Tacoma to the north part of Centrailia. So if you're otherwise out of that area, catch us on the Internet stream at http://www.kaosradio.org/

The radio show is named after Joe Strummer's last painting, which his friends received on a Christmas Card the day he died. For the full story, watch: "The Future is Unwritten: JOE STRUMMER" by Julian Temple.

"

Here was a recent playlist of theirs:

Against Me - “We Laugh at Danger (And Break All The Rules)”
Dillinger Four - “A Jingle For The Product”
Off With Their Heads - “S.O.S”
Jawbreaker - “Chesterfield King”
The Legionnaires - “Off With Their Heads” (MD)
The Legionnaires - “Violent-World” (MD)
The Clash - “Straight to Hell” (MD)
The Shorebirds - “Gonna Get Ugly”
Brutal Knights - “I Do Nothing”
Fugazi - “Margin Walker”
Rancid - “If the Kids Are United” (MD)
U.S. Bombs - “Goin’ Out” (MD)
Buju Banton “Rancid” - “Misty Days” (MD)
Anchor Down - “Bromancing the Stones”
Dead to Me - “Special Professional”
Lemuria - “Hawaiian T-Shirt”
The Measure [SA] - Murderous Bugs with Giant Needles
Cockpit - “Hot Damn” (MD)
Cockpit - “Puke” (MD)
The Shuggs - “AM FM” (MD)
Old Growth - “Machine Life”
Tubers - “We Are All Very Frozen
The Shaking Hands - “Liars are for Punching”
Chris Wollard and the Ship Theives - “All The Things You Know”
Samiam - “Don’t Break Me”
J.Church - “Good Judge of Character”
Lungfish - “Kissing”
Big Black - “Texas”
Scratch Acid - “Cannibal”
Sixes - “Apocrypha”
Gorilla Biscuits - “Start Today”
Hot Water Music - “A Flight and A Crash”
Useless ID - “Isolate Me”
Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros - “X-Ray Style” (MD)

Anchor Down to be featured in Vain magazines SPRING issue...

2009-03-19T02:30:00.000-07:00

We just got word that Anchor Down will be featured in Vain magazine's SPRING issue. We don't know to what extent that really means quite yet but we do know this about them...

"Vain Magazine is a quarterly publication that combines the innocence of art with the modernity of the world. Established by artists to provide art-enthusiasts of all kinds with a new form of collaborative art, Vain connects and combines writing, visuals, and music to immerse its readers in beauty. Each publication comes with an audio cd showcasing independent and up-and-coming artists.

Our process is simple. We find something good, then expand it. To avoid taking away any of its “goodness,” we let the artists collaborate. We find musicians to compose music off of writing. We find writers to couple good art. We like it when we’re filled with yummy art-goodness.

Vain believes that it isn’t impossible to make something with integrity. By providing artists with an avenue of hope for publication, we make it our goal to promote the betterment, growth, and popularity of the arts, not forcing it in any direction but instead showcasing its development. Above all, Vain should be viewed as a standard, not a barrier, a building block, not a wall.Check em out online here:
www.callmevain.com"

Well fuckin A!!! Sounds good to us!!! We will keep you updated as more info rolls in.

our new record "STEEL TO DUST" record review on Seattlesubsonic.com

2009-03-16T03:49:00.000-07:00

"Anchor Down Turns Steel into Dust…
Wednesday, March 11th, 2009

It is not very often that I come across an album that I just can’t stop listening to. Sure, there are times where I pick something up and it will occupy my time for a few days…but Portland based Anchor Down’s new EP Steel to Dust has been on almost nonstop rotation ever since guitarist/vocalist Lucas Andrews dropped it into my hands last weekend. And for good reason, too…This EP is just plain amazing!

Anchor Down are the culmination of many years of musical development. Although only together about a year, each member of the band has vast experience in music…when they all came together, it just clicked. 3/4 Portland, 1/4 Seattle, this four-piece brings a double axed attack with intricate guitar solos, dueling raspy and harmonious vocals, and it is all anchored by a strong rhythm section. This is what melodic punk is meant to be.

Although reminiscent of many bands that have come before them, Anchor Down seems to take a little bit from many different influences as well as add a sound all their own. Having already drawn comparisons to the likes of Alkaline Trio, American Steel, and the Lawrence Arms, this debut EP picks up where Dillinger Four’s C I V I L W A R left off in the lexicon of punk rock releases, combining driving guitars with melodious punk hooks and lyrics dripping with self-analyzation. In short, the EP is near perfect…Here are a few tracks for your enjoyment:

For all you Seattlites and Portlanders, the cd is already available at your local independent record stores (except for Easy Street Music-Queen Anne)…for the rest of you, the album will be released nationally on March 24th on Solidarity Recordings, in conjunction with the release of the vinyl (which all you vinyl freaks will want to pick up… 400 copies on orange, 100 copies on blue, and 50 copies on clear vinyl). Now that you love it, go out and buy it!"

-C.C.-SeattleSubsonic.com

early 2009 sound bite

2009-03-14T22:58:00.000-07:00

2009 is hardly prepared for all that we’ve got in store for it. Amp Magazine covered us in their latest issue, we’re starting to get some pre-release reviews of “Steel To Dust” ( including Seattle SubSonic), we’ve booked studio time in May, and have a ton of shows coming up. If that weren’t enough we also have a new web store up and running with everything from t-shirts to our new Beer Koozies.

You all are amazing.
Alex,Matt,Lucas,Chad

Anchor Down "Steel To Dust" CD/12inch EP

2009-01-03T18:31:00.000-08:00

Anchor Down "Steel To Dust" CD/12inch EP

Track Listing:
1) Bromancing the Stones
2) El Radio
3) Crass-a-nova
4) Never Was A Lesson Learned(Remember Me)
5) Red Ink
6) Word War 1

Happy New Year Everyone!

Some new news for a new year:

First off...we redesigned our little myspace home and incorporated some of our upcoming album art we are so fucking stoked on.

Also, as a New Year's treat we have uploaded yet another song off Steel To Dust (cd/12inch vinyl coming soon on Solidarity Recordings) to our myspace player. The song is called "Never Was A Lesson Learned (remember me)" and we hope you like it as much as we do.

The album art is finished and the masters are in...we are anticipating the CD to come out Late Feb early March 09 and the 12inch colored Vinyl shortly there after. We want to thank everybody involved especially Randy and Solidarity Recordings we are super excited to share our record with you all.

All of the artwork for the record was done by the master Keith Rosson (www.keithrosson.com) who is a fellow PDX-er as well.

Love and Respect,
Lucas, Alex, Sean, Chad

FREE!!! Solidarity Recordings Holiday Comp/Sampler 2008

2009-01-03T18:26:00.000-08:00

HOLIDAY GIFT FROM SOLIDARITY RECORDINGS!!!!!!!!

Happy Holidays to all! I am proud to announce the first annual Solidarity Recordings Holiday Comp/Sampler 2008! Its a (30) track digital download comp/sampler, and the greatest thing is its FREE!! I wanna thank all the great bands that contributed a track. I hope everyone enjoys it, and i hope everyone has a safe and fun holiday season! Enjoy!

Randy (Solidarity Recordings)

download link:
http://digital.deadformat.net

download code:
jinglebells

Tracklist
1. The Hot Toddies - Santa Baby
2. The Atom Age - One Minute to Midnight
3. Lemuria - Mechanical
4. Anchor Down - El Radio
5. For.The.Win. - Another Day
6. Olehole - Chimps Night Out
7. The Queers - I Can't Stay Mad At You
8. O Pioneers - Dead City Sound
9. Echoes of Harpers Ferry - Endangered Species
10. I-Spy - Appliances and Cars
11. imadethismistake - Clear Skies Beyond Tallahassee
12. Anchor Arms - Cold Blooded
13. Hanalei - One Big Night
14. Slow Fade - A Day In Slow Motion
15. Pteradon -Hey Freddie Mercury
16. Like Claws! - Ache (Jawbreaker Cover)
17. The Action Design - Connect/Disconnect
18. Wayne Arms - A Kind of Revolution
19. Mike Park - Crowd (Operation Ivy Cover)
20. Bastards of Young - New Reaction
21. The Ghost - Gem, Mint Ten
22. Ok Pilot - Are You Afraid of the Sting
23. The Honor System - Muffled by Concrete
24. Yeti Hands - Goodnight Firefly
25. Amanda Stahl - Run Away
26. Arms Aloft - Comfort at Any Cost
27. Success! - Trains, Planes, Bicycle Mobiles
28. The Damage Done - Teen Bop Hit Factory
29. Get Dead - Leave a Message
30. Hanalei - Moth to Flame

Bremerton WA on Friday September 26th and What's Up Kitsap article

2008-09-24T16:39:00.000-07:00

WEEKEND WROCK | Anchor Down, Schoolyard Heroes anchor in Kitsap

By BILL MICKELSON
North Kitsap Herald Arts and Entertainment Reporter

Anchor Down brings a message of unity from Portland, Schoolyard Heroes melt faces for SCRV and a show to save the Winterland in Kitsap's docket of rock.

FRIDAY

ANCHOR DOWN w/ The Damage Done, The Extinct, Artimus Maximus, Hearts Divided and S.O.S at 7 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Charleston Music Venue, 333 Callow Ave. in Bremerton. All ages, bar w/ ID, $5 cover.

Anchor Down is a band of fairly ordinary dudes, coming to town with a extraordinary message of unity. Earlier this summer they helped in putting together “The Birth of The Northwest Gentleman,” a self-funded experiment in DIY, they said, which brought together two indie labels and four Northwest punk rock bands — two from Portland and two from Seattle — for a four-way split, that will come out only on vinyl later this month.

“It kind of symbolizes the obvious cohesiveness of the NW punk scene and encourages everyone to work together,” Anchor Down guitarist Lucas Bennett said.

They’ll bring that ideal to a likewise idealistic setting in Bremerton this Friday.

“It’s not about the rock star image or how much money you have,” guitarist Alex Hudjohn noted. “It’s about connecting with real people on a real level.”

I think they’ll fit in on Callow Avenue.

ASH ST. Show Video 9.13.08

2008-09-16T17:21:00.000-07:00

Our good friend Colby, who just happens to play drums in a great PDX band called "Early Times", was kind enough to video our show at the Ash St. Saloon last Saturday night...here is what that was like.

"BROMANCING THE STONES"

"RED INK"

"Word War 1"

WASCO HOUSE SHOW VIDEO(s)

2008-08-29T03:23:00.000-07:00

Hola Compadres...Our dear friend Colby from the band Early Times(Portland,OR)was kind enough to video Anchor Down's set at 3337 NE WASCO. Portland on Tuesday night. Here is some of that footage...Enjoy!

You can also find more videos of Anchor Down and Early Times live here...
http://www.youtube.com/user/earlytimes07

Show Report!

2008-08-06T02:04:00.001-07:00

Come out and have a beer with us!

Getting Solid...Solidarity Recordings...

2008-06-08T01:57:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody...
I hope the weekend is treating you all well.

We had a blast in Seattle last night and shared the stage with some really GREAT bands!!! The Damage Done and Speaker Speaker kicked some ass for sure! We love those guys!

We have received some GREAT news for our friends/fans...
Solidarity Recordings is going to release our first record (cd/vinyl) as Anchor Down in early 2009. Solidarity Recordings is a great label who is putting out vinyl releases by "The Honor System", "The Ghost", "Hanalei", "Like Claws", "Wardogs", "Olehole" and now "Anchor Down".

Please take a trip over to their myspace and send them some love!

http://www.myspace.com/solidarityrecordings

Here is a great write up about the label and the man behind it...

"Randy Stahl, a 28 year old long-time punk enthusiast from Encinitas, California has recently started up Solidarity Recordings. The label, which has been a lingering idea for nearly ten years and has finally come to fruition, already has slated up an impressive lineup of upcoming releases. Describing the endeavor in his own words Randy explains, "I am doing this label to put out records I love and feel that other people need to hear". Primarily focusing on punk, post-punk, and the minimalist solo efforts of a handful of previously established independent artists, the label plans to initially only release material on vinyl and in the digital download format. Furthermore, Randy will be re-releasing a fair amount of material that until now has been confined to compact disc. Distribution will be handled by Vinyl Collective and Suburban Home, but Solidarity will also be doing mail order via the internet.

While there's promises of much more to come, the label's first run of confirmed releases for 2008/9 include the following:

The Honor System "Single File'" 12' rerelease
Hanalei/Like Claws split 7'
Hanalei "We Are All Natural Disasters" 12' rerelease
Hanalei "Parts & Accessories" 12' rerelease
Wardogs 7' - co-release with Asian Man Records

Solidarity also has tentative plans to rerelease both albums by the now defunct Chicago by way of Berkeley band The Ghost on vinyl. The band has approved, but a response from New York based Some Records, which released both of The Ghost's albums, "This is a Hospital" and "This Pen Is A Weapon", is still pending unanswered.

Add Solidarity Recordings to your friends and check out all the bands on Solidarity if you haven't.

We love all of his bands and are extremely happy to be a part of his label!

Love Always,
ANCHOR DOWN!

T-SHIRTS MADE BY US!!!!

2008-06-04T23:54:00.000-07:00

We spent the good part of this evening silk screening some Anchor Down Shirts and patches for our upcoming shows. Thanks to Ike from THE CIVIES for the tips and equiptment also thanks to the beer drinking boys from Bitchin Summer and Kevin from The Disliked as well as our Northern California friends Kirsten and Christi for hangin out with us and making a rather tedious task way more fun. We will be selling the "New" Shirts at our JUNE 5th Satyricon show for only $5 because it is Lucas' birthday and he wanted to spread the joy to all the Anchor Down fans. Here is what they look like..
We have small Medium and Large available. See you Thursday and Friday.
A.D.

Talkin bout it, talkin bout it, talkin bout it (sung to the tune of funkytown)

2008-05-30T12:43:00.000-07:00

Hello Peeps...So we have generated some attention from our near by friends the state of California and are real happy to team up with them. At least internet radio sees the value of punk rock...Our song Word War 1 has been played in rotation on bunkradio.com and insomniaradio.net and they also said some nice things...like

DR. PETE’s REVIEW ON ANCHOR DOWN

With a sound that could fill the Columbia Gorge, Anchor Down from Portland, Oregon is making a huge statement in that city's music scene. To hell with Greg Oden, Anchor Down is the next big thing splashing down in the city of roses. This dynamic foursome describes themselves as punk and rock, which I would like to qualify with the added description – ass kicking rock. Pelting listeners with chunky guitar and rhythm, their music is intoxicating.

And well, you have got to like any band that can pull great recommendations from great looking women…many thanks to Kirsten and Christi from Sacto for turning me onto these guys. Anchor Down has one of the first rules of rock n' roll down solid – where the women go, men will follow. If this band keeps it up, the will soon be filling clubs with throngs of both.

Of the the songs Anchor Down has posted at www.myspace.com/anchordownportland I would have to choose "El Radio" as my odds-on favorite. The song has just enough uniqueness to get noticed and break through – it is like something from Iggy Pop and the Stooges with a 2008 flair; a perfect blend of rebellion and melody.

So all you kiddies out their…keep tabs on Anchor Down and hit them up and add them to your growing friends - a) you won't regret it and b) as the Quaker Oaks guy says, "It's the right thing to do".

Peace,

Dr. Pete Bunkradio.com Local Roots

Anchor Down on Insomniaradio.net

"Attention all pastors, church leaders, and acolytes! Oh wait…Shit. Wrong Anchordown.

Out of Portland, Oregon sails a more fiery version of Anchor Down; swilling beer, belting out anthemic punk rock cannonfire as they bear down on your city, and providing a fresh outtake on the rigors of DIY culture - touring, self made albums, record label dysfunction, and the quest to see all the hard work come together in the end.

Earlier this year they finished up this song 'Word War I' which was part of the first few songs songs recorded at Castle bITCHIN studios. WWI is currently free for download at the link above along with another called 'El Radio'.

Also, Anchor Down has a load of updates, including photos, band member news, and some wicked tour posters created by bandmember Lucas Andrews. Check their blog as well as a choice poster further below."

Insomniaradio.net-Written by Charles Stepczyk

SHOWS SHOWS SHOWS!!!!!

2008-05-20T05:45:00.001-07:00

CLICK ON POSTER TO SEE A LARGE VERSION
ALL POSTERS DESIGNED BY L.ANDREWS!!!!PLEASE COME OUT AND SHOW SUPPORT!!!

Show, Show, Show, your boat.

2008-04-16T17:01:00.000-07:00

So we have got some great shows lined up for the next few months. We are gonna be busy boys, so keep updated on all that's going down here and on our myspace page. Our first show is on the 26th of April with Bitchin Summer and Drawback at The Speakeasy, SE 6th and Taylor (21+ show starts at 9pm) here in beautiful Portland OR. The next show is on the 31st of May with My New Vice, Pacific Blasting, And Suburban Anthem at The Ash St. Saloon (21+ show starts at 9pm). Thanks to our virtuoso band mate Lucas, we have these super rad fliers! Check the myspace for more fliers and for upcoming shows. Thanks for all your continued support and we hope to see you at the shows!

Spring Cleaning...hmm maybe not?

2008-04-01T00:59:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody...
It's Spring! Or at least that's what people in other states tell us. Here in the Northwest it is Winter-ish and icy cold so we decided to celebrate our Spring/Winter by doing a little Spring/Winter cleaning and revamping of our myspace page. Stop by and let us know how you like the new duds and feel free to comment.

In Other News:
Our good friend John Ryan Brubaker (www.pixelgrain.org) snapped some cool photos of us and you should check those out too as well as his other works! We had shit loads of fun and you can see that on our myspace page!

In Show News:
we are booking shows and we will be playing in the PDX (Portland) area in April and May. Details will be posted as they come in.

Enjoy that sun if you already have it! We will make sure to catch some snowflakes for you all!

Good Day,
.Anchor Down.

NEW SONG just Posted!!!!

2008-02-13T03:43:00.000-08:00

We spent tonight mixing "Word War I", the first of the songs we have recorded at Castle bITCHIN studios. You can Download it NOW! on our Myspace page. The songs were engineered by "Led" with the help of Chris Bivin. The song was Mixed by Lucas Andrews...hey do you recognize him? he is I, and I play in Anchor Down! We are glad to share our music with you all! We will be posting more songs as soon as we can.ENJOY!

MERCH IS HERE!

2008-01-30T17:23:00.000-08:00

Yay! We just received our stickers from 123-stickers.com and made a bunch of different button designs so if you see us around town...just ask we will be more than happy to give you some! We are talking about getting some t-shirts and stuff made as well as finishing up our 4 song CD and possibly having that available too...we will keep you all in the know!

These Vox Are Coming Down

2008-01-29T12:30:00.001-08:00

Sunday brought about one hell of a day of tracking. A little guitar work, a little sampling of the new Loved Ones album, a lot of beer, and of coarse Alex destroying all. Its really amazing to see where this is all going and how each of our abilities works with each others.
I can't wait for you all to hear these tunes.
If you like fist pumping -hell with you all- anthems you're going to dig this. Thanks again to the Bitchin dudes, especially Led for reigning us all in and beating the best out of us.

It's been a long night...Ax magic while you were sleeping!

2008-01-26T11:08:00.002-08:00

So we were up till 4am recording guitar tracks and i am so excited about them that i only slept 4 hours. They just kept playing in my brain like a beautiful broken record. Luke slayed it and Led is the best producer ever! Huge thanks to the Bitchins for not shooting us in the face when guitar was blazin at 3am. I am so proud of what we have done and I know it will only get better with time. Next stop, vocal town! but right now, bed time.

lates.

Alex.

Hey BASS HEADS!...BASS Tracks are done! Jan 25, 2008

2008-01-25T17:10:00.000-08:00

We hit "Castle Bitchin " Studio again last night (Thursday,Jan 24, 2008). With no hesitation Mr. Matt Brown laid down some amazing BASS tracks! With the assistance of Friends/Producers, Chris Bivin and "Led" aka Brian Ledger as well as the Anchor Down boys we came up "Roses" no pun intended. Thus far our 4 song recording sounds GREAT! We are really excited about everything and can't wait to share it with everyone. Until next time...keep on keepin on!
-AD

TRUE BROMANCE!...Castle Bitchin Jan. 2008

2008-01-23T13:55:00.000-08:00

Alex and Matt listening to playback at "Castle Bitchin" Studios January 2008

Castle Bitchin Invasion!...Demo Recording Jan. 2008

2008-01-23T13:48:00.000-08:00

Alex layed down some scratch guitar at "Castle Bitchin" Studio January 2008 while Mr. Chad Noakes was recording his drum tracks and fucking nailed em in record time! For the Drums we used 4 mics total and were amazed with how great the drums sound. In a matter of 3 takes each, Chad rips through the Drum tracks for the 4 songs we are recording! We are still unsure of what will happen with these songs as far as releasing them or just demo-ing them for reference purposes...but as soon as we know, You will know.
-AD

Good News For People Who LOve GOOD NEWS!

2008-01-22T20:48:00.000-08:00

Hey this will be our new BLOG space to document the ongoing progress and experience for the Portland Oregon based band "Anchor Down". In this here BLOG we will include pictures and recording journals as well as upcoming ideas and plans. It is more for us as a band to have a little scrapbook type of experience. Feel free to browse and comment. ENJOY!