Don't Look Down

Pop-punk quartet Don't Look Down featured vocalist/guitarist Ryan Ogren, guitarist Matt Emburgia, drummer Tom Parker, and bassist Jesse Rendell. The group came together in New Jersey during late 1998 and quickly began performing covers at area all-ages punk events. Those appearances opened doors to more prominent support slots as well as sponsorship deals from surf and skate brands. In 2000 the band signed to Iguana and delivered Start the Show in 2002. Echoing the style of MXPX and Jimmy Eat World, the record drew extra vitality from the members’ frequent backyard and basement performances. A lengthy tour supported the album. Early in 2003 Don't Look Down moved to Nitro and released the Five EP that June. Additional road work followed, among them several Warped Tour appearances, before Fear in Love arrived in fall 2004. Breakup speculation surfaced not long afterward, yet no official statement addressed the claims; Ogren later joined Over It in 2006.