Downshift

Downshift was started in 1996 by Eric Fortner and his brother Marc Fortner. After placing ads in local music directories, Brian Baumgartner joined as guitarist. After a failed attempt with one singer, Eric again placed ads and was contacted by Ryan Encinas. Downshift played their first show in January of 1997 at the Danville Grange. More shows followed, and soon after the recording of their first demo, Flame Still Burns, Nate Olsen stepped in as second guitarist. As the music got progressively heavier, the band started to steer away from the old school sound a lot of the local bands had at the time. Around December of 1997, Downshift was approached by Full Swing Records to put out a split 7” with another local band, Strength by Strength. The Soul Stealer demo came out of those recordings, showing the bands lean towards the metallic new school feel of today’s hardcore.

In March of 1998, Breakout Records wanted a track from Downshift for their compilation, California Hardcore: A Call to Arms. Along with three other songs (known as the Nineteen Ninety Hate demo), they recorded Hammer. This was the definitive step towards the metal/hardcore feel they have today. After watching the reaction towards Hammer, Downshift knew they were headed in the right direction.

In May of 98, Eric had to quit due to the pressures of having a family. Ryan’s brother Adam stepped in, and Downshift decided to change their name to Sworn Vengeance (http://www.last.fm/music/Sworn+Vengeance). The change was due to feeling no connection with the old name, and also having a new powerful name to go along with the music they were playing.