“On our shows we see kids from 14 years old to people who are 50-60 years old. It's crazy!”

Down shall play live in Bulgaria for the first time ever on July 25, 2008 - a mega-event headlined by Metallica and scheduled for the 50,000-capacity Vassil Levski National Stadium in the capital Sofia. Isn't this a good reason to get in touch with Phil Anselmo's band? It definitely is, so let's find out more from drummer Jimmy Bower...

Stefan Yordanov: Hey Jimmy, how are you doing?

Jimmy Bower: I'm doing good, how about you?

S. Y.: I'm doing fine, thank you.

J. B.: Good.

S. Y.: What time is it where you are?

J. B.: It's about noon.

S. Y.: Aha-a, it's evening here.

J. B.: Wow!

S. Y.: My first question is what is your favorite instrument? What do you prefer-drums or guitar, I mean, in Super Joint Ritual you played guitar and in Down you are playing drums...

J. B.: I have played guitar since I was 18 and I've played drums since I was 12, so I mean, I guess drums, you know? I do like drums more, but the creative process that guitar can give you is awesome as well, you know. You can't really write a riff on a drum kit, huh...

S. Y.: Talking about SJR and guitar playing, do you aim to reform SJR sometime in the future?

J. B.: No. No, it's done man. We finished with that.

S. Y.: Creatively done or?

J. B.: Yeah, I mean, as a band we're not doing anything anymore, but we had a great time with it, you know?

S. Y.: Yes, absolutely, it's easily seen on the videos you made.

J. B.: Ha-ha-ha-ha...

S. Y.: I mean, like a bunch of Venom fans having fun.

J. B.: Well, I'm motherfuckin' not. He-he-he-he...

S. Y.: OK, just one more question about SJR. Do you see DevilDriver as some kind of, you know, follow up of SJR? Because the only band that sounds similar in a way like SJR is DevilDriver, or at least I think so...

J. B.: Well, may be... Hm, hm... Like they are carrying the torch.

S. Y.: They personally call you, at least this is what I read, the Godfather of Southern Metal... Do you agree with that?

J. B.: No. No, I think that’s a little overstated. I think... I've been involved in a lot of things in the New Orleans metal scene over the past 20 years and tried to be a good a influence and a good participant in the scene, you know. I played in a lot of bands and stuff like that, you know? I feel weird about that, the whole godfather thing...

S. Y.: We all know that you played in Eyehategod, Crowbar, SJR and all these legendary bands, but on the other hand Godfathers never say they are Godfathers, right?

J. B.: I just fell weird about this...

S. Y.: Yes, I see, but talking about this, now there's a new generation of southern rock sounding bands like Maylene & The Sons of Disaster and Every Time I Die. How do you feel about these bands? Do you like them?

J. B.: Yeah, I think they are great man. I think there's a lot of killer new bands out that are keeping metal alive, you know? I know those guys and I at home I got drunk with them. We have drinks.

S. Y.: Good! Do you have any other favorite bands?

J. B.: Uh, I like, let me see, Witchcraft, I like Witchcraft...

S. Y.: From Sweden, right?

J. B.: Yeah... High on Fire... I'm really stuck in the 70's man. I still listen to a lot of stuff like that, so...

S. Y.: Weird stuff from 70's...

J. B.: Yeah, like Captain Beyond and stuff like that, you know?

S. Y.: Well, Witchcraft sound a bit like a 70's band.

J. B.: Yeah, yeah, those bands have a huge influence on Down like Witchfinder General, St. Vitus, The Obsessed...

S. Y.: Yeah, Witchfinder General from England. They were part of this NWOBHM thing, right?

J. B.: Yeah, right.

S. Y.: OK, here's the next question: Is Down going to record another album after this successful album or it's just now and you never know what will happen? Are you definitely into making another album or it's just this?

J. B.: We are definitely making another record. We all made this constant decision that now Down is the main band that will keep it going. We went through a lot of tragedies and through a lot of healing to get to this point, you know, and we are ready to roll, you know?

S. Y.: But it's not going to take another 10 years, right?

J. B.: No, man, no... I can understand the aggravation of that. It will definitely be soon, man, definitely. Maybe next year.

S. Y.: Good. So, now you are full-time band and you are absolutely focused on it?

J. B.: Totally, man, totally, it's a number 1 priority.

S. Y.: Well, Down is bigger than ever now, but are there any new fans, I mean, younger people who are into Down now, who were never there in 1995?

J. B.: Of course. On our shows we see kids from, you know, 14 years old to people who are 50-60 years old. It's crazy. We get all different kinds of, you know, and different ages of fans, you know? And we are constantly growing as a band, so...

S. Y.: How is Phil now?

J. B.: he's fine. He's doing great, man. he's in the best shape he's ever been. He's singing great. I spotted him on a birthday party the other day and we had a big party and it was a surprise party. You never know anything about it, so it was fun.

S. Y.: He had some bitter relationship with some media. Is everything now OK?

J. B.: Yeah, everything is OK now, man. It's just you tell somebody the wrong thing and in the past one thing drew another. I can understand why he was upset, you know?

S. Y.: OK, a general question now: How is New Orleans nowadays, I mean after the tragedy New Orleans suffered? Is it getting better?

J. B.: Yes, It's getting better every day man, thank you for asking. It's building and there's no much money around, but it's...

S. Y.: Yeah, I heard about that.

J. B.: Yeah, but it's doing as best as it can. We live in an old city, ha-ha-ha.

S. Y.: I know that. You are coming to Bulgaria in the end of July?

J. B.: Mhm...

S. Y.: ...with Metallica. It's your first time in Bulgaria actually, so many people, I don't know, but I think at least one third of the people are waiting for you.

J. B.: You think so man? Thanks a lot.

S. Y.: May be not that many but surely there are lots of people who are going to this concert to see you. May be one third of the audience will be there for Down I think...

J. B.: That's exciting, man.

S. Y.: But my question is actually how do you feel about being a support band for Metallica? How do you feel about that?

J. B.: I feel great, man. I think it's a great opportunity for the band. They are friends of ours and it should be fun. I think it's a good show, you know? I think it's a really good show and totally... I don't know, man. We just can't wait to see what Bulgaria has to offer, you know, ha-ha-ha. It's gonna be a killer show, man.

S. Y.: You promise?

J. B.: I promise you, bro, I promise.

S. Y.: Thank you very much, Jimmy, for this interview and for this opportunity for our listeners to hear your voice and to hear your promise and I wish you good luck and say hi to the other guys.

J. B.: I will do. Thank you, sir and I appreciate the opportunity and we will be there and we will be strong, I promise.

Copyright: Tangra Mega Rock