The Downstrokes

This Close to Vertigo

The new album from The Downstrokes. Ten high energy rockers with traces of the Ramones, The Replacements, Thin Lizzy, and D Generation in their DNA. Mastered by legendary punk producer (The Queers, Screeching Weasel) Mass Giorgini, This Close To Vertigo continues the band's development and growth. The first album to feature drummer Kyle Wagoner joining LaFemina, Summerfield, and Wood, the album starts with a barrage of drums on "Kaput," looks at the lives of "Go Nowhere Kids," rips like a tornado through "Downtown Queen City," and takes us on a ride in "A Flying Metal Deathtrap."

The first single is a fresh recording of "UFO Baby" with a video by PJ. Sykes.

This Close to Vertigo was made possible in part by a grant from the Maryland States Arts Council and features cover art by Bill Dunlap.

“Straddling a line between garage rok and pop punk is no easy feat, but The Downstrokes pull it off. Hopefully it doesn't take too long for their third full-length.” Art Ettinger, Razorcake

“What’s great about this album is that it manages to keep a sense of melody despite having almost Pussy Galore-levels of noisy chaos.” - Julie River, New Noise Magazine

“Ripsnorting riff-tastic This Close is harsh, hot, rock ’n’ roll.” - Jack Rabid, Big Takeover Magazine

"Ultimately, This Close To Vertigo is a really solid record from punk veterans with worthwhile stories to tell. " - Tom Trauma, That's Good Enough for Me

“The guitars on This Close to Vertigo are catchy in a conventional, RAMONES-worship way. They got stuck in my head easily. I mean, how is ‘Go Nowhere Kids’ not already a song?” - Dov Malzberg, Maximum RocknRoll