Drawing on it’s roots of 60’s Girl Group and British Beat sounds and 70’s NYC Punk, the quartet called The Downbeat 5 debuted in Boston in the late fall of 2000.

Jen D'Angora’s tough vocals and punching guitar spar fluently with the snarling lead guitar of garage rock vet, JJ Rassler. His earlier work in DMZ, the Odds, and the Queers segue smoothly into The Downbeat 5. Drummer Dan Eric Almquist and bassist Mike Yocco, formerly of John Sinclair’s Blues Scholars, make a solid rhythm section that the press has called “primal”.

A longtime hero of the bands, and new fan of The Downbeat 5, original guitarist for the Animals, Hilton Valentine, had this to say about them; “…Raw Driving Energy!!! Blistering 60’s Freakbeat !!!”

The Downbeat 5 maintain a timeless sound of tough, gritty rock ‘n’ roll.

Press Info

Have been reviewed in Village Voice, Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Austin American Statesman, and many other music rags.

Similar Artists

We usually play on "garage rock" bills.

Influences

The Rolling Stones, The New York Dolls, The Flamin Groovies, Dwight Twilley, Gram Parsons, T Rex, Patti Smith, The MC5, The Animals, Toe Rag Studios, Blondie, etc.

Bio

Drawing on its roots of 60’s Girl Group and British Beat sounds and 70’s NYC Punk, the quartet called The Downbeat 5 debuted in Boston in the late fall of 2000.

Early favorable press and choice bills immediately placed these loyal followers of grit on a steady roll of dates. Word spread, as did their fan-base, and the band found strong footholds throughout New England and New York City.

Jen D'Angora’s tough vocals and punching guitar spar fluently with the snarling lead guitar of garage rock vet, JJ Rassler. His earlier work in DMZ, the Odds, and the Queers segue smoothly into The Downbeat 5. Drummer Eric Almquist and bassist Mike Yocco, formerly of John Sinclair’s Blues Scholars, make a solid rhythm section that the press has called “primal”.

Averaging close to 50 gigs a year in ‘01/’02, The Downbeat 5 have played with bands such as the Wailers, the Pretty Things, The Flaming Stars, The Detroit Cobras, The Fleshtones, DMZ, Les Sexareenos, Mr Airplane Man, Lyres, Real Kids, Swinging Neckbreakers, and the Sons of Hercules.

An early 3 song demo brought the band solid airplay in 30 markets nationwide. Feb. 11, 2003, The Downbeat 5 release their first full length on Sympathy for the Record Industry, recorded and produced by the legendary Mike Mariconda in Austin, Texas.

A longtime hero of the bands, and new fan of The Downbeat 5, original guitarist for the Animals, Hilton Valentine, had this to say about them; “…Raw Driving Energy!!! Blistering 60’s Freak