 Down formed in 1991 with vocalist / songwriter Phil Anselmo of Pantera , guitarist Pepper Keenan of Corrosion of Conformity , second guitarist Kirk <unk> and bassist Todd Strange of Crowbar , and drummer Jimmy Bower of Eyehategod . All of the band members were longtime friends , and shared interest in bands such as Black Sabbath , Trouble , and Saint Vitus , which would significantly influence the music they made . The band made a three @-@ track demo for underground trading . In an effort to build a fan base , the band would ask heavy metal fans if they had ever " heard of this band , Down " and hand them copies of the tape without telling the person that they were in the band . Eventually , the tape was distributed throughout the United States and Down played a small concert in its hometown . A record executive from Elektra Records was attending the show . When he found out who the members of the band were , he signed Down to a recording contract . 
