Artist description We are the downtrodden!

Music Style Rock

Musical Influences Rush, Bon Jovi, Megadeth, Tom Petty

Similar Artists disturbed

Artist History Downtrodden started back in December of 1992 with Mike Gregor (guitar), Don Stenhouse (guitar) and Les Sarfi (percussion), with Brian Lee (bass) joining in a couple months later. In January of 1993 Harlan Smith (vocals) finished the ensemble. Their first gig was coming up in February at the Live Wire in the Carriage House Inn in Calgary, so the guys practiced steadily for that first gig. Things went great that night, with the continuation of Downtrodden gigging steadily until Christmas of 1994 and even going into the studio to record a 9 song independent release. From that CD came the Downtrodden classic “Change It All”. Unfortunately, just after the release of the CD, personal problems arose for drummer Les Sarfi so he parted with Downtrodden and was replaced with drummer Darrell Anguish, thanks to him, a Saskatchewan tour rolled on. Upon their return though, Darrell decided to leave Downtrodden and the other members bringing Les back. In that time also, Brian Lee decided to leave Downtrodden. Bass players were auditioned until one night they came across Allan Robinson (Bruggy). The band continued to play through out Alberta until 1997. Then, the band decided to take a hiatus and involve themselves with other projects, until May 2002, when one night Harlan & Les were talking on the phone and decided that it was time for the hiatus to end. Les and Harlan called Bruggy to see if he was ready, he was but were told that Mike was out of the loop and had not played in 5 years. So they placed an ad in the local musician newspapers and recruited a player named Chris Walsh (Great player). In the meantime, Mike had been hearing rumors about the band getting back together, so he contacted the band and stated that he was interested in playing again. At that time Chris stepped down graciously and Mike stepped up and the old unit was once again. From the first rehearsal, it seemed that most of the chemistry was there, but Bruggy did not seem into it. Practise after practise it was the same thing. Three guys showing up with positive attitudes and one barely showing up at all. They all knew it was time to bring in another bass player. They placed an ad once again in the local musician newspapers hoping to get a phone call from a specific player that Les had previously jammed with. For a change Murphy was on their side and that specific player called. Rob Millar (specific player) is called in to audition (a formality), by the end of that evening he was offered the slot. With a maximum of 4 jam sessions, there was a lot of work to be done, but luckily Rob already knew a good majority of the set lists. With only 10 days before their first gig of June 28 and 29, 2002 at the Auditorium Hotel in Nanton.

Group Members Harlan Smith - Vocals Mike Gregor - Guitar Les Sarfi - Drums Rob Miller - Bass

Instruments Drums, Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Keyboard

Albums Downtrodden

Location Calgary, Alberta - Canada

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