Since the band’s formation at Glen Ames Sr Public school in Toronto in 1998, Down With Webster made a local name for themselves releasing the EP “The Reverb Session ’03”, which they would distribute at shows and concerts around the area. Originally comprised of vocalists Bucky, Cam, and Kap, vocalist and guitarist Pat, bassist and keyboardist Tyler, drummer Marty, and DJ Diggy, the band established themselves in the underground music scene. After playing at Lee’s Palace during 2008’s Canadian Music Week, both Timbaland and KISS frontman Gene Simmons expressed an interest in signing the group to their labels, however in 2009 Down With Webster signed with Universal/Motown. The same year arrived the band’s debut EP proper “Time to Win, Vol. 1” and the group subsequently supported the release as the opening act for Forever The Sickest Kids and Timbaland. Aided by the popular singles “Your Man” and “Rich Girl$” the album peaked at No. 50 in the Canadian Albums Chart and was later certified gold.
“Time to Win, Vol. 2” arrived in October 2011, following a series of Juno, Canadian Radio Music Awards and MuchMusic Video Awards nominations. The EP reached No. 9 on the Candian Album Chart, led by the single “She’s Dope”. After the release vocalist and hype man Kap left the group citing musical differences and Down With Webster embarked on their impressive Face The Music tour of Canada and the U.S.
Ahead of their first full-length album Down with Webster released the single “One in a Million” in March 2013. The band subsequently released the second single “Party for Your Life” and third single “Chills” before issuing the album “Party for Your Life” in January 2014. The album earned strong reviews from critics and a Juno nomination for Pop Album of the Year.
A modern mix of rap and rock, Down with Webster puts on a very lively show. One of Canada's hidden musical gems, this might be one show that can be, depending on your participation, akin to a cardio class. But even if you don't jump around to the superb melodies, your mind will go from calm to full throttle as you get taken on a musical ride. The mix of styles works extremely well together.
The show and the music are a rollercoaster ride of styles alternating between relaxed, college rock and a faster, harder rock all interspersed with very energetic rap sections. You can see the crowd go from mellow swaying to moshing several times within the same song. The band themselves mirror their musical style - going from relaxed and unanimated playing to jumping and running around the stage.
Despite this apparent complexity and the screaming of vocalist Cameron Hunter as he works the crowd into a frenzy between songs, the feeling is patently unpretentious and still quite intimae. It's apparent that this is a group of musicians still very much in touch with their humble beginnings as a school talent show project. It is great to see all the members of the group work together to bring you a show without many frills but always busy - in quiet parts the rappers work the crowd and help with percussion and keep everyone involved while during their performance, the rest of the band moves to the background to let them take center stage.