Unsigned Spotlight: Hold It Down
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Grant Dawson - vocals
Patrick Williams - guitar
Zach Paris - guitar
David Thompson - bass
Billy Mclean - drum kit
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Hold It Down? How long has the band been around?
"I actually became a part of a local music scene when I was ten or eleven years old, I would play guitar at open mic nights with a close friend of mine at this bar & grill called Circles. Soon after that I joined my first metal band called From The Gallows To The Grave (ridiculous name, I know). After that ended I became a vocalist for a local/touring band As Alice Sleeps from fourteen years old up until I was seventeen. Then after I stopped playing for that band and started playing guitar for Beyond The Barrier. That band was super tight to play with but we all went our separate ways." says our vocalist, Grant Dawson.
The rest of the band had been in odd and end local bands that never really made it far.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
It's funny, our name was actually the name of an old acoustic song that Grant wrote called Hold It Down!
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
Our writing process is pretty simple. Typically, our guitarists will structure a song together, record it, then our drummer Billy Mcclean Writes drums, Grant Dawson will feel out the song and add vocals.
"As far as topics go I generally write based on how the song makes me feel and/or how I'm feeling during the writing process. For Example, one of the songs on our upcoming Ep is about how we as humans feel the need to blend in and feel accepted by our peers, while doing so we are destroying the integrity of who we really are. Some of the lyrics are "We all collectively reduce ourselves to nothing and we make ourselves believe that in the end it was all just pretend, we're faking everything so we can function." - Grant Dawson
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
Honestly, we all have various inspirations that range all the way from stuff like The Beatles to Katy Perry and everything in between.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
For me, System Of A Down are the reason I started playing music. Love them, always will. - Grant Dawson
Killswitch Engage, I love their sound I always keep their tone in mind when I set my gear up. Killswitch always sounds just as good live as they do on record. - Patrick Williams
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc …
"I throw up and put it in my pocket for good luck." - Grant Dawson
"I like stretch and then pretend I'm skateboarding..." - Patrick Williams
"We drink coffee" - David Thompson and Billy Mclean
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
Signing to Carry The 4 PR. How could we not be stoked about that, Famous Last Words is on there with us! Their music is so good.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Honestly, we want to tour with I The Mighty! Those guys rule.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I think the only thing left to say is check us out…