When New Orleans sludge supergroup Down announced their first shows of 2020 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the group's debut album, NOLA, it was unclear if co-founding guitarist — and Crowbar mastermind — Kirk Windstein would be participating. He left Down in 2013 to focus on his main band (he also has his first-ever solo album, Dream in Motion, due in January), and was replaced by Honky guitarist Bobby Landgraf. Down vocalist Philip Anselmo has hinted at Windstein's possible participation in recent interviews, but we didn't have confirmation from the man himself until now. "I'm in, 100 percent," Windstein tells Revolver. "The quote from Pepper [Keenan, Down and Corrosion of Conformity guitarist] was, 'If you ain't doing it, I ain't doing it.' Phil, Pepper and Jimmy [Bower, Down drummer and Eyehategod guitarist] are my three of my oldest, closest friends, so this is a no-brainer for me."
When asked if this means he's back in Down for keeps, Windstein replies, "As far as I know, I'm back in the band. Bobby Landgraf did a fantastic job, and he's a very good friend of mine. But once again, Down is back to what it started out as, which is a 100 percent complete side project. Everyone's other bands are the priority and that's that. But it's been six and a half years since I jammed with those guys, so I'm excited. It's gonna be fun."
