Charlie Baldonado (guitar/keyboards/vocals) and Jenny Homer (vocals/guitar) along with Nancy McCoy (bass) Janine Cooper (bass) Mike Marasse (drums) John Hoffer (drums) Rob Jacobs (drums)
If you begin listening to Downy Mildew these days, there's a real sense of having found a hidden treasure, of knowing of something that so many will never know. Downy Mildew may never have garnered the cult worship of their deepest influences, R.E.M. and 10,000 Maniacs, but they certainly made some of the most dreamy and delightful alternative jangle rock you'll ever come across. They weren't simply another of R.E.M.'s or 10,000 Maniacs' many sound-a-likes either, as they took the jangle pop sound to its dreamiest, most care-free hemispheres (revealing strong Rain Parade and Dream Syndicate influences). Their sound is defined by soaring melodies and chiming guitars over poetic, wandering lyrics, delivered beautifully by Jenny Homer's sweet, toneful vocals and Charlie Baldonado's Byrds-like guitar shimmers. Homer's voice is absolutely gorgeous, strong yet astoundingly pure, and capable of commanding a wide and emotional range. This further beffudles me as to why Baldonado ever sang lead on so many Downy Mildew songs, as the man simply hasn't the voice (although his backround vocals against Homer's leads are wonderful). Steven Gustafson of 10,000 Maniacs has an excellent voice, yet he never sang outside of concerts; Michael Timmins of Cowboy Junkies can deliver pleasant vocals, yet he only hums the occasional harmony; yet for some reason, Downy Mildew chose to give Charlie Baldonado lead vocal duties on an average of three songs per album. All this aside the man was the creative life-force behind the band, writing the better half, if not all of, the music and creating a glistening guitar atmosphere that so compliments Jenny Homer's vocals. I am not sure why it is that Downy Mildew never quite acquired a following as devoted as 10,000 Maniacs or R.E.M., but at this point I don't care. They are a great band.
Downy Mildew formed around the musical partership of songwriting team Charlie Baldonado (guitar/keyboards/vocals) and Jenny Homer (vocals/guitar) along with Nancy McCoy (bass) and Mike Marasse (drums). They first began working L.A. in 1986, and released a self-titled EP that year on Texas Hotel. They released a full-length album, Broomtree, in 1987. It was a youthful and playful record, offering an introduction to Downy Mildew's embryotic jangley, dreamy world. Between this point and the release of 1988's Mincing Steps, Marasse was replaced by John Hoffer (ex-Leaving Trains) and a fifth member was added, violinist Salvador Garza, who's haunting string cascades added to the all-around artsy, sophisticated feel of what was quickly developing into a progressive alterna-pop band.
By 1991 Downy Mildew had acquired a contract with indie label High Street (a subsidary of Windham Hill). Hoffer was replaced by yet another new drummer, Rob Jacobs, in the middle of recording, resulting in the listing of two drummers in the liner notes of An Oncoming Train (1992, High Street). It was a melodic, breezy record, marking the band's full transformation from a college jangle pop band to a progressive alternative folk pop outfit. "An Oncoming Train" and "Elevator" are spright, sweet melodies augmented by shimmering atmospheres, while the album had its darker, more reflective moments in the form of "A Borrowed Chant" and "Child". The lyrics ("I will not be released/My blessings/I left them on the sink/Save them for a traveling salesman"; "He'd like to do the noble thing/Like kneel before and oncoming train/The stainlessness of that act of pain/Is used upon the other one/To make them feel again") were as fleeting and ambiant as ever, marked by a well-worded sense of poetry and vivid images of abtract emotional reflections. At this point High Street re-issued all of the band's previous releases. Nancy McCoy also departed to raise a family, and was replaced by former Pet Clarke member Janine Cooper (bass/backing vocals).
1994 saw Downy Mildew hit their peak, with the brilliant Slow Sky. If you just buy one Downy Mildew album, make sure it's this one. It is without question the perfect realization of their psychedelic free-spirited jangle-pop style, perfectly sweet and perfectly melodic. The energetic, dreamy "Left Foot Down" is without question one of the best songs written in the last ten years. "Your Blue Eye" is a slow, crooning reflection and "Girls by the Lake" is a glistening, thoughtful bit of melodic-cholia. This was the last Downy Mildew album to appear. I am unsure if they are still together or not, although I tend to doubt it. It is unfortunate that more individuals, especially fans of jangle-pop, aren't exposed to this band, for it is a fairly great deprivation. Perhaps one of these days, we'll all be graced with another Downy Mildew album.
I just posted left foot down from the show on 10/13. also I posted another song look for them under downy mildew. I was ecstatic to see them again! Well worth the harrowing trip in the rain into downtown LA.
Great set tonight. I left right after Jet Plane cuz I have to teach in the morning in Long Beach. I was the bald guy annoying you with my camera flash left of the stage. I'll post the good ones in Photobucket and send you the link in a couple of days. :)
In honor of Downey Mildew's upcoming show, I have posted (with their permission) a recording of the band's appearance at Safari Sam's - HB in its entirety. This show took place on July 5th, 1985.
Call it a wish list, I'd like to hear the following: Offering, Big Surprise, Elevator, Sleep!, Girls By The Lake, That He Wrote, Your Blue Eye, The Kitchen, Hollow Girl, AND EXPERIENCE IN THE FAR SOUTHWEST!!!!!
Hello Charlie and Jenny! Was a fan many years before I had the pleasure of booking the band at the Howard St. Tavern in Omaha in 92/93(?). Thanks for all the exquisite music. Jenny, your voice still sends me into rapture after 20 years. All the best.
Thanks for the add. I was a huge fan of yours in the 80's/90's. Saw you at VAC and more. Used to have all the albums but lots of moving and drugs...well, some got misplaced. I think I still have one album. Peace.
Heya, our album (Meet in California, When We're Dead) was just released on Bondarev records and through itunes. Check it out if you get the chance to have a looksee. Bondarev will also put out the CD soon, with an EP due in the new year. T XO
Thank You for adding me to your friends and for maintaining this site dedicated to the brilliant Downy Mildew. Once heard, never forgotten. Beautiful music.
This is cool that you made a site
for Downy Mildew. One of the greatest
American bands from the late eighties.
But, seriously, why bother bagging on
Charlie's voice. It seems petty to me.
I've been a fan for 20 years and have been I search of the 2nd album on CD which I can't find. I'm also interested in the DVD which is pictured in your "Pics." Back in 1986/7 I was going to Torrance High and I happened onto your EP via KXLU and Zed Records. I made a tape of broomtree and took with me on a roadtrip to SFO with a couple of friends that Summer. DM went up against Janes Addiction, Black Flag ,Tom Waits and Young Marble Giants for air time. The rest is history.
I've been a fan for 20 years and have been I search of the 2nd album on CD which I can't find. I'm also interested in the DVD which is pictured in your "Pics." Back in 1986/7 I was going to Torrance High and I happened onto your EP via KXLU and Zed Records. I made a tape of broomtree and took with me on a roadtrip to SFO that Summer. DM went up against Janes Addiction, Black Flag ,Tom Waits and Young Marble Giants. The rest is history.
A poem for your day:
.
.
Rest In All Love Is
------------------
I love you like this...
dark, i can barely see your eyes...
so dark my eyes are useless. My
heart opens wide its light on you
and your face brightens like the
static on a TV screen, or like the moment
we die and things begin to go all white
and
then
you're an angel laying before me...
the same one that has been there all along,
the one my eyes turned into something else and I
am ashamed I was deceived.
Then,
I see you, I see you like the energy that flows through my limbs,
now, like the breath that takes the universe and
gently creates another, now, like my feet walking
on glass, now, like I was never there.
I love you like I was never there. So gently, never there. In the dark
where I can barely see, and, rest in all that love is.
