Thumbs Down first started rehearsing in January '96, but the band existed long before that in the heads of co-founders and long-time friends Raf
(guitars) and Steven (vocals). As soon as they started going to hardcore shows, they had the dream of being in a band of their own. After some
line-up changes things stabilised when Ken (drums) and Roeland (bass) joined the ranks.
In December '96 they got to play their first show as support for the infamous Sick Of It All.. At that point the ball started rolling : Thumbs
Down began playing shows almost every week-end. A live demo-tape of dubious quality became a much sought after item.
Soon after that the boys started to fine-tune their songs and after playing a crazy show at the '97 Vort 'n Vis-festival, they headed for the studio. In
one week-end they recorded 12 songs at 'Studio 195' under guidance of Patrick Delabie. At the end of '97 'Genet Records' released the 9-song 7" /
mcd called 'Going For Gold'. This recording made sure Thumbs Down's name was well know across Europe, hence more shows followed.
In the first months of '98 Thumbs Down played with bands as Ensign, Ten Yard Fight, One King Down, Hands Tied and a lot more. A tour of The Netherlands,
Belgium and Germany followed with the Finnish band Endstand. This tour ended at the Geleen-festival, where both bands played incredible shows. In April
'98 the band had enough material to record a full-length.
Once again they went to 'Studio 195' where they recorded 20 songs over a two-week period. Things then slowed down until the '98 Vort 'n Vis-festival,
where the release-party of 'Crossroads' was held. More than a thousand kids from all across Europe were dancing and singing along, making it one of the
most unforgettable Thumbs Down shows ever.
With the release of 'Crossroads' Thumbs Down proved they could mix intelligent song-writing with their trademark catchiness. The 16 songs on
this recording display a wide range of possibilities within the hardcore-genre. Rave reviews, a small tour of Spain and more insane shows
followed during 1999.
This same year Thumbs Down signed a new record deal with I Scream Records and recorded their new record "Reality Check" at Andre Gielen's Hautregard
studio.
Now in the year 2000 it is with great pleasure that I Scream Records is releasing the new Thumbs Down recorded with great old school hardcore songs,
Steven's voice also and a much more mature sound "Reality Check" holds all the ingredients for a great hardcore record.