Capdown
{{Short description|English punk rock band}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Capdown
| image = File:Capdown Live Norwich.jpg
| caption = Capdown performing at the University of East Anglia in 2005, with Jake Sims-Fielding in the foreground
| image_size =
| alias = Soap {{small|(Late 1990s)}}
| origin = Milton Keynes, England
| genre = Ska punk, hardcore punk
| years_active = {{flatlist|
- 1997–2007
- 2008
- {{nowrap|2010–2021}}
}}
| label = Household Name Records
Gravity DIP Records
Fierce Panda Records
| associated_acts =
| website = {{URL|capdown.net}}
| current_members = Jake Sims-Fielding
Robin "Boob" Goold
Keith Minter
Tim Macdonald
Andrew "Eddie" Hunt
| past_members =
}}
Capdown{{efn|Also initially spelled as CapDown, such as in the liner notes for Civil Disobedients}} is an English punk rock band from Milton Keynes. Originally known as Soap, their songs have political themes as alluded to by their name, which is a portmanteau of Capitalist Downfall. Mixing ska, punk, hardcore, dub, drum and bass, and reggae, Capdown built a reputation around their independent releases and numerous tours.
Career
The band members had been playing together since the age of 14. The band, originally known as Soap, had sent the demo of the Time For Change EP to the indie Household Name Records in 1998 and had played a gig with Link 80 at the record company's request, which led to them being signed onto the label. The EP was released in 1999 under the new name of the band, Capdown (short for Capitalist Downfall).{{cite web |title=Capdown |url=http://www.miltonkeynesnow.co.uk/citynights/profiles/capdown.htm |website=Milton Keynes Citizen |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011214032412/http://www.miltonkeynesnow.co.uk/citynights/profiles/capdown.htm |archive-date=14 December 2001}}{{cite magazine |first1=Edd |last1=Baldry |title=Household Name Records |url=https://archive.org/details/lasthours16/page/n44/mode/1up?q=capdown |magazine=Last Hours |location=London, UK |publisher= |pages=45–46 |date=Autumn 2007 |access-date= |issue=16}}{{cite web |title=Capdown : Time for Change CDep |url=http://www.kafren.ukgateway.net/releases/haus024.htm |website=Household Name Records |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010221041944/http://www.kafren.ukgateway.net/releases/haus024.htm |archive-date=21 February 2001}}{{cite web |last1=Dobson |first1=Matt |last2=Rose |first2=Danni |title=OneMetal Grill: Capdown |url=http://www.onemetal.com/music/grill/grill_capdown.asp |website=OneMetal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061206221501/http://www.onemetal.com/music/grill/grill_capdown.asp |archive-date=6 December 2006}}
In May 2000, Household Name Records released Capdown's debut album Civil Disobedients. The album featured hardcore, but also mixed in ska and dub. According to Drowned in Sound the album kick started an underground punk scene.{{cite web |last1=Patashnik |first1=Ben |title=Ska Wars: the life and death of a UK underground |url=http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/2512478-ska-wars--the-life-and-death-of-a-uk-underground |website=Drowned in Sound |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708070317/http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/2512478-ska-wars--the-life-and-death-of-a-uk-underground |archive-date=8 July 2012 |date=2 November 2007}} The album went on to be listed at 76 in the NME's top one hundred list for the decade.{{cite web|title=The Top 100 Greatest Albums Of The Decade|url=https://www.nme.com/list/the-top-100-greatest-albums-of-the-decade/158049/page/3|website=NME|accessdate=27 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091115080535/https://www.nme.com/list/the-top-100-greatest-albums-of-the-decade/158049/page/3 |archive-date=15 November 2009}} In the same year Capdown played nearly 250 gigs.{{cite web |title=Capdown - Civil Disobedients CD |url=http://www.householdnamerecords.co.uk/releases/haus032.htm |website=Household Name Records |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020815154632/http://www.householdnamerecords.co.uk/releases/haus032.htm |archive-date=15 August 2002}}
In early 2001, Capdown toured with a number of established American bands, including Less Than Jake{{cite web |title=Capdown review |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/southampton/music/capdown_rev.shtml |website=BBC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031204180524/http://www0.bbc.co.uk/southampton/music/capdown_rev.shtml |archive-date=4 December 2003 |date=2 October 2003}} and played the Deconstruction touring festival with Pennywise and Lagwagon.{{cite web|title=Anarchy in the UK |work=Metal Hammer |url=http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/article/?id=38948 |accessdate=19 December 2006 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927184208/http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/article/?id=38948 |archivedate=27 September 2007 |date=9 April 2001}}
In September 2001, Capdown released their second album, Pound for the Sound, receiving positive reviews from Kerrang!.{{cite web |title=Review:Pound for the Sound |work=Kerrang! |url=http://www.kerrang.com/nav?page=kerrang.reviews.artist.review&fixture_artist=148810&fixture_review=148235&resource=148235 |accessdate=19 December 2006 |archive-date=23 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060523062151/http://www.kerrang.com/nav?page=kerrang.reviews.artist.review |url-status=dead }} The following year saw tours with Bad Religion{{cite web|title=Capdown Support Bad Religion |work=Metal Hammer |url=http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/article/?id=39820 |accessdate=19 December 2006 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927183916/http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/article/?id=39820 |archivedate=27 September 2007 |date=16 January 2002 }} and Hundred Reasons.{{cite web |last1=Price |first1=Kate |title=Hundred Reasons/ Capdown Tour / Music News |website=Drowned in Sound |url=https://drownedinsound.com/news/2946-hundred-reasons-capdown-tour |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026112349/https://drownedinsound.com/news/2946-hundred-reasons-capdown-tour |archive-date=26 October 2015 |date=20 January 2002}} Capdown was featured in the 2002 BBC documentary Brassic Beats about the British ska punk scene.{{cite web |title=BBC - Radio 1 Documentaries - Brassic Beats |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/alt/stevelamacq/documentaries/brassic_beats20020923.shtml |website=BBC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030210084404/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/alt/stevelamacq/documentaries/brassic_beats20020923.shtml |archive-date=10 February 2003 |date=23 September 2002}}
In 2003 the band signed to Fierce Panda Records, releasing two EPs: Act Your Rage and New Revolutionaries. The former reached the 80th spot on the UK Singles Chart on 10 May 2003.{{cite web |title=Act Your Rage |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/act-your-rage/ |website=Official Charts |access-date=30 April 2023}}{{cite web |title=Act Your Rage |url=http://fiercepanda.co.uk/news.php?story=22 |website=Fierce Panda Records |access-date=1 May 2023 |date=8 May 2003}} As of November 2004, Civil Disobedients and Pound for the Sound have sold more than 30 thousand copies together.{{cite web |title=Get Your Skank On….Capdown Are Back! |url=https://werk.re/2004/11/19/get-your-skank-on-capdown-are-back/ |website=Werk.Re |access-date=1 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129030320/https://werk.re/2004/11/19/get-your-skank-on-capdown-are-back/ |archive-date=29 January 2023 |date=19 November 2004 |url-status=live}}
The band received critical acclaim for their live performances.{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/somerset/content/articles/2007/03/12/capdown_bridgwater_review_feature.shtml |title=Somerset - Entertainment and Leisure - Review: Capdown |publisher=BBC |date=8 March 2007 |accessdate=2012-04-02}} In 2006, Capdown played at the first Slam Dunk Festival.{{cite web |last1=Convey |first1=Madison |title=Looking Back At 12 Years Of Slam Dunk Festival... - HTF Magazine |url=https://www.hitthefloor.com/features/looking-back-at-12-years-of-slam-dunk-festival/ |website=Hit The Floor |access-date=3 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029040728/https://www.hitthefloor.com/features/looking-back-at-12-years-of-slam-dunk-festival/ |archive-date=29 October 2020 |date=7 May 2018 |url-status=live}}
The final line-up consisted of Jake Sims-Fielding (vocals and saxophone), Robin "Boob" Goold (bass guitar), Keith Minter (guitar and vocals), Tim Macdonald (drums) and a new addition, Andrew "Eddie" Hunt (keyboards/samples).{{cite web |title=Capdown announce February tour and new album |url=http://www.betweenplanets.co.uk/2006/12/12/capdown-announce-february-tour-and-new-album/ |website=Betweenplanets |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928041852/http://www.betweenplanets.co.uk/2006/12/12/capdown-announce-february-tour-and-new-album/ |archive-date=28 September 2007 |date=12 December 2006}}
They released their final album on 5 February 2007, entitled Wind Up Toys on Fierce Panda Records.{{cite web |last1=Diver |first1=Mike | title=Capdown return in 2007| website=Drowned in Sound| url=http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/1404791| accessdate=10 February 2007| archive-date=16 December 2006 |date=14 December 2006| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061216060529/http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/1404791| url-status=dead}}
The band split up after their final UK tour, which was due to be 9 November 2007, in their home town of Milton Keynes.{{cite web |title=Capdown call it quits |url=https://www.music-news.com/news/UK/15256/news |website=Music-News.com |access-date=30 April 2023 |date=20 September 2007}}{{cite web |title=Capdown - Last Ever Show in Milton Keynes 09/11/07 |url=https://www.banquetrecords.com/capdown/last-ever-show-in-milton-keynes-09-11-07/capdowncoachweb |website=Banquet Records |access-date=1 May 2023}} However their 'final show' took place on 7 June 2008, at the Pitz club in Milton Keynes,{{cite web |title=Capdown - Milton Keynes, UK - Punk / Hardcore / Ska |url=http://www.myspace.com/capdown |website=MySpace |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009143453/http://www.myspace.com:80/capdown |archive-date=9 October 2008}}{{Better source needed|date=April 2023}}{{cite news |work=The Independent |date=7 June 2008 |location=London, England |title=Gig of the week |first1=Kevin |last1=Harley |quote=Milton Keynes. Capdown Ska-punk band. 7.30pm, £11, The Pitz, Woughton Centre, Rainbow Drive (01908-660392)}} following a 'warm up' at the Peel in Kingston upon Thames on 5 June 2008.{{cite web |title=Capdown - At the peel - 5th June 08 |url=https://www.banquetrecords.com/capdown/at-the-peel---5th-june-08/capdown050608 |website=Banquet Records |access-date=1 May 2023}}
It was announced in 2010 that Capdown were to reform exclusively for the Slam Dunk Festival, held in London and Leeds on 29 and 30 May that year.{{cite web |last1=McGarry |first1=Liam |title=Feature: Slam Dunk Festival 2010 Preview - Vans "Off The Wall" Stage |url=http://www.alterthepress.com/2010/05/feature-slam-dunk-festival-2010-preview_877.html |website=Alter The Press |access-date=1 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605040817/http://www.alterthepress.com:80/2010/05/feature-slam-dunk-festival-2010-preview_877.html |archive-date=5 June 2010 |date=May 2010}}{{cite web |title=2010 Slam Dunk Festival Line Up |url=https://gigwise.com/features/54759/ |website=Gigwise |access-date=1 May 2023 |date=18 February 2010}}{{cite web |title=Capdown - Slam Dunk Festival |url=http://www.slamdunkmusic.com/slam-dunk-festival/bands/capdown |website=Slam Dunk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101026205834/http://www.slamdunkmusic.com/slam-dunk-festival/bands/capdown |archive-date=26 October 2010}} However, the band also played at the Rebellion Festival in Blackpool on 6 August 2011.{{cite web |last1=Joice |first1=Andy |title=Rebellion Festival update |url=https://www.punktastic.com/news/rebellion-festival-update/ |website=Punktastic |access-date=30 April 2023 |date=27 November 2010}}{{cite web |title=Bands |url=http://www.rebellionfestivals.com/index.php?page=bands |website=Rebellion Festivals |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814014540/http://www.rebellionfestivals.com/index.php?page=bands |archive-date=14 August 2011}} In addition, they appeared at the Hevy Music Festival in Kent, between 5 and 8 August 2011{{cite web |last1=Aylott |first1=Tom |title=Capdown July/August tour |url=http://www.punktastic.com/news/capdown-julyaugust-tour/ |website=Punktastic |access-date=30 April 2023 |date=11 April 2011}} and at the Reading and Leeds Festival on 27–28 August 2011.{{cite web |title=Capdown / Anti Vigilante / Skets |url=https://www.banquetrecords.com/capdown-anti-vigilante-skets/the-peel/capdown250811 |website=Banquet Records |access-date=1 May 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Aylott |first1=Tom |title=The Mighty Mighty Bosstones – Reading Festival |url=http://www.punktastic.com/live-reviews/the-mighty-mighty-bosstones-reading-festival/ |website=Punktastic |access-date=30 April 2023 |date=13 September 2011}} In December 2014 the band played together with Me First and the Gimme Gimmes and The Skints on the Jägermeister Music Tour.{{cite web |last1=Munro |first1=Scott |title=Capdown reform for UK shows |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/capdown-reform-for-uk-shows |website=Louder |access-date=30 April 2023 |date=26 November 2014}}
In May 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, and September 2021, the band played at the Slam Dunk Festival in Leeds and Hatfield, United Kingdom.{{cite web |last1=Sugden |first1=Dave |title=Gallows and Capdown added to Slam Dunk Festival line up |url=https://www.leedsmusicscene.net/article/16496/ |website=Leeds Music Scene |access-date=3 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513133707/https://www.leedsmusicscene.net/article/16496/ |archive-date=13 May 2012 |date=24 April 2012 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Slam Dunk Festival 2014 line-up latest |url=https://www.whtimes.co.uk/things-to-do/22508727.slam-dunk-festival-2014-line-up-latest/ |website=Welwyn Hatfield Times |access-date=3 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503003957/https://www.whtimes.co.uk/things-to-do/22508727.slam-dunk-festival-2014-line-up-latest/ |archive-date=3 May 2023 |date=6 April 2014 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Harrison |first1=Steven |title=Slam Dunk 2016 |url=https://www.arfm.co.uk/index.php/component/k2/item/58-slam-dunk-2016 |website=ARfm |access-date=1 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501125726/https://www.arfm.co.uk/index.php/component/k2/item/58-slam-dunk-2016 |archive-date=1 May 2023 |date=25 January 2016}}{{cite web |last1=Lavin |first1=Will |title=Slam Dunk announces third wave of acts ahead of popular May festival |url=https://www.joe.co.uk/entertainment/slam-dunk-announces-third-wave-of-acts-ahead-of-popular-may-festival-159799 |website=Joe |access-date=1 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130034047/https://www.joe.co.uk/entertainment/slam-dunk-announces-third-wave-of-acts-ahead-of-popular-may-festival-159799 |archive-date=30 January 2018 |date=29 January 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Carter |first1=Emily |title=Slam Dunk announce Frank Turner, Alkaline Trio, Funeral For A Friend… |url=https://www.kerrang.com/slam-dunk-announce-frank-turner-alkaline-trio-funeral-for-a-friend-and-more |website=Kerrang! |access-date=30 April 2023 |date=18 June 2021}}
Other projects
Following the original demise of Capdown, both Goold and Macdonald worked on a new band, The Maccalites, alongside Simon Wells from Snuff/Southport.{{cite web |last1=Macdonald |first1=Ross| title=Pick It Up Yo: Top 6 Ska Punk Bands|website=Keepitfast.com| url=http://www.keepitfast.com/top-6-ska-punk-bands-feature-mp3/| accessdate=15 December 2009 }} Goold, Minter and Macdonald are also members of rock band This Contrast Kills.{{cite web |author1=Paul |title=Punktastic Interviews: Capdown |url=http://www.punktastic.com/interviews/313 |website=Punktastic |access-date=30 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223010510/http://www.punktastic.com/interviews/313 |archive-date=23 February 2012 |date=21 February 2010}}{{cite web |author1=Paul |title=This Contrast Kills – The Corrupted Luxury EP |url=https://www.punktastic.com/album-reviews/this-contrast-kills-the-corrupted-luxury-ep/ |website=Punktastic |access-date=1 May 2023 |date=10 March 2010}}
Since 2012 Robin Goold and Tim Macdonald have been working on The GetGone with Ben Hyman, David Lloyd (1000 Hz) and Rob Blay. The band have released the 5 track Stories and Ruses EP in 2013,{{cite web |last1=Aylott |first1=Tom |title=First play of the new EP from The GetGone |url=http://www.punktastic.com/radar/first-play-of-the-new-ep-from-the-getgone/ |website=Punktastic |access-date=30 April 2023 |date=3 February 2014}} and their debut album One Thousand Ways To Live in April 2016. Both recorded and produced by Capdown's Keith Minter.{{cite web |title=Gnarwolves & the Get Gone Shake Up a Monday Night at the Craufurd |url=https://totalmk.co.uk/music/gnarwolves-the-get-gone-shake-up-a-monday-night-at-the-craufurd |website=Total MK |access-date=3 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502182756/https://totalmk.co.uk/music/gnarwolves-the-get-gone-shake-up-a-monday-night-at-the-craufurd |archive-date=2 May 2023 |date=20 June 2015 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Homepage |url=https://ac1studios.com |website=ac1studios.com |access-date=1 May 2023}}
As of 2013 Tim Macdonald has been playing drums in the UK Hardcore band Menshevik along with Steve Pitcher of Vanilla Pod, Dan Hawcroft previously of Whizzwood and Robert Dempsey of Mustard City Rockers.{{cite web |last1=O'Beirne |first1=Oran |title=Menshevik - UK Hardcore - Punk |url=https://www.overdrive.ie/time-meet-menshevik/ |website=Overdrive |access-date=30 April 2023 |date=13 December 2013}}
Discography
=Albums=
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
!Album title !Label |
|---|
| 2000 |
| 2001
|Household Name |
| 2007 |
=Singles=
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
!Title !Label |
|---|
| 2003
|Act Your Rage |
| 2003
|New Revolutionaries |
| 2006
|Keeping Up Appearances |
| 2007
|Surviving the Death of a Genre |
| 2007
|No Matter What |
=Music videos=
- Act Your Rage (2003){{cite web |title=Capdown - Act Your Rage |url=http://fiercepanda.co.uk/videos.php?video=56 |website=Fierce Panda Records |access-date=1 May 2023}}
- New Revolutionaries (2003)
=Other releases=
Critical reception
In 2021, Louder included the band in a 'best of' list, saying "Capdown kick-started something of a movement here in the UK ...", and that if things had gone differently it could have been massive.{{Cite web |first1=Mike |last1=Rampton |date=2021-06-24 |title=The 10 best songs by 10 ska punk bands you'd forgotten ever existed |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-10-best-songs-by-10-ska-punk-bands-youd-forgotten-ever-existed |access-date=2022-07-18 |website=Louder }}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.capdown.net Official site]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20060508174225/http://www.gravitydip.com/band.jsp?capdown Gravity DIP Records Page]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20061206221501/http://www.onemetal.com/music/grill/grill_capdown.asp Interview with Jake] at Onemetal
{{Authority control}}
Category:Musical groups established in 1997
Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2007
Category:Underground punk scene in the United Kingdom
Category:Third-wave ska groups
Category:Entertainers from Milton Keynes
Category:English ska musical groups
Category:Fierce Panda Records artists