Download, a hardcore band from Virginia Beach, VA, formed in 2002 with the line-up of Keith Chapin (vocals), and former Reign Of Terror members Ernie Caltenback (guitar), Kevin Newburn (bass/vocals), and Rob Cox (drums). Later on Ernie was replaced with Reign Of Terror’s Mark Fogg. After cutting their teeth with numerous gigs, the band went through a series of member changes. The band finally settled with Keith, and Kevin while adding Jimmy McGinnis as their sole guitarist, and Steve Miller as their drummer. For a few years they would keep this line-up, making themselves a staple in the local music scene of Hampton Roads, VA. They also did their first east coast tour during this time. In 2006, Download recruited former Six Steps South drummer Jamie Smith to fulfill drum duties in the band. Later that year Download decided for the first time to add a second guitarist. After a short period of auditioning guitarists, former Six Steps South vocalist Travis Spaulding was offered the position. Now a five piece band, they began further excelling their position, not only as a local band, but a regional and east coast band as well. Download won first place in an online voting contest to play local radio station FM99 WNOR’s Lunatic Luau 11 at the Virginia Beach Amphitheater. After releasing their debut cd, We Only Bleed For Family, they embarked on a small east coast tour in support of it. Upon their return, FM99 did another online contest for the FM99 Rock Awards, their alternative to the Grammy Awards. Download won first place in the category of best local band. After further support for the debut album, they decided to enter the studio again to record the follow-up entitled Everything We Stand For. At this point, it becomes very obvious that the band is heading into a more metal oriented style than just the straight up hardcore from the years before. The band’s growth delved more into influences like ‘80’s thrash metal, crossover, and even styles such as doom metal and sludge while still maintaining their hardcore roots. Download once again stormed up the east coast to support the release to very welcoming audiences. FM99 announced Lunatic Luau 12 to be held at the Virginia Beach Amphitheater, and held a contest similar to the previous Luau. Download once again won first place to play the show alongside metal brethren Arsis, Hatebreed, and many others. With the band gaining popularity on the east coast, nothing could have prepared them for what happened next. December 25^th 2009 in the late evening hours, vocalist Keith Chapin was tragically killed in his home. Shaken by the loss of their friend, brother, and front man, Download went on hiatus to take the time to mourn their loss, and figure out what was next. After much soul searching, Download decided to take the advice of their friends, and keep going. They knew that the quickest way to get back into the music was to keep it going as a four piece. Travis having been the vocalist for Six Steps South as well as 454 stepped up to sing for the band along with Kevin. Trying to replace Keith would have meant auditioning singers who not only can do the vocal style, but have the same stage presence. An order like that could have taken months, maybe even a year. Download, turned all of their tentative shows that would have been cancelled due to the tragedy, into benefit shows for his next of kin. As a four piece band, not recruiting a new member, they were able to actually perform at the final benefit show. The show was regarded by the audience as an amazing set in which Keith would have been very proud. Feeling optimistic about being able to recover from the tragedy, Download is currently working on new material, and playing a modest amount of shows until they are ready to hit it full time again. Keep on the lookout for Download playing a venue near you.