Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Rock band Downstairs. Seated is Brian Jones (Giako-Ma), wiith Bas (left) and Andrew Campbell standing. Alvin Peart completes the line-up. - Contributed

Rock 'N Roll has been searching and has found Downstairs, Jamaica's authentic rock band. With a new album on the horizon, the band is hoping to capture the world with the essence of their music.

Alvin Peart on drums, bass guitarist Andrew Campbell, lead guitarist Neville Lyn 'Bas' and lead vocalist/songwriter Bryan Jones form Downstairs. After ten years in the business, the underground sound has re-emerged "wicked, tougher by far," claims Jones.

Their first album, How Many Reasons, a primarily promotional CD, hit the music scene with its strumming beats and strong vocals (when). "The reception to us was good. Some people are blown away, some are in awe, some are just curious", Jones said.

After an amiable split from management, the group experienced numerous ups and downs. However, they finally got their act together and found a new manager, Kurt Gordon. With a new album to be released tentatively entitled Forty Days, the group plans to come back with a bang. "Forty Days comes from the forty days of everything, stress, inspiration, everything it took to make this album. It was just a very significant period for us, change in studio, management, just inevitable transitions," Jones explained.

Not an easy feat

He hopes the transition will carry their music as far as possible, to local and international listeners. Being a rock band in Jamaica hasn't been an easy feat. According to Jones, more and more persons locally have been exposed to rock 'n roll through cable but the music in Jamaica can still be seen as a novelty.

The sound of the band itself is unque, combining rock music and an intangible Jamaican flavour. " Our sound is our own, I can't really link it wid anyone else. It's rock, metal and has a local flavour. I wouldn't call it reggae, but the music has something there that is Jamaican that you can't pinpoint," Bryan Jones commented.

According to him, one of the group's strong points is the freedom they have to do what they want. The members know how to deliver their music and connect with the audience. This time around, they claimed to have captured the essence of rock 'n roll.

'The reception to us was good. Some people are blown away, some are in awe, some are just curious,' Jones said.