Biography
Emma Goldman, the pioneering feminist and anarchist activist, is widely credited with originating the phrase "If I can't dance, I don't want to be in your revolution." Even if the attribution remains uncertain, the sentiment would likely resonate with Downtown Boys, the six-piece multiracial, gender-integrated, bilingual rock band from Providence, Rhode Island whose fierce yet joyous punk rock combines blazing energy, howling saxophones, and breakneck rhythms certain to ignite a pogo frenzy on the dancefloor. Vocalist Victoria Ruiz and guitarist Joey De Francesco assembled the group after crossing paths as coworkers at a luxury hotel in Providence, where she handled customer service and he worked in room service. During off-hours De Francesco also served as a labor organizer advocating for improved conditions and fairer wages among the hotel's predominantly Dominican staff. He performed with the activist marching band the What Cheer? Brigade, and upon resigning in protest he was joined by the ensemble for a modest but spirited demonstration whose footage later surpassed 4,800,000 online views.
Intent on creating music centered on social and political transformation, De Francesco and Ruiz launched Downtown Boys alongside fellow artists and activists Will Cioffi on alto sax, Emmett Fitzgerald on tenor sax, Norlan Olivo on drums, and Dan Schleifer on bass. The band issued a self-titled ten-song EP in June 2012, followed by a four-song vinyl 7" issued in February 2014 through Sister Polygon Records. Don Giovanni Records then signed the group, resulting in the May 2015 release of their debut full-length Full Communism, which introduced new alto saxophonist Adrienne Berry in place of Will Cioffi. Outside Downtown Boys, Ruiz and De Francesco participate in Malportado Kids, a project blending leftist punk with cumbia. The ensemble regrouped for its third album and first on the long-established indie imprint Sub Pop. Remaining socially and politically committed, the band previewed the record with the lead singles "Somos Chulas (No Somos Pendejas)" and "A Wall." Produced by Fugazi's Guy Picciotto, Cost of Living appeared in August 2017 and featured a streamlined lineup in which saxophonists Fitzgerald and Berry had departed, supplanted by Joe DeGeorge on sax and keyboards while Mary Regalado assumed bass duties from Dan Schleifer.
Intent on creating music centered on social and political transformation, De Francesco and Ruiz launched Downtown Boys alongside fellow artists and activists Will Cioffi on alto sax, Emmett Fitzgerald on tenor sax, Norlan Olivo on drums, and Dan Schleifer on bass. The band issued a self-titled ten-song EP in June 2012, followed by a four-song vinyl 7" issued in February 2014 through Sister Polygon Records. Don Giovanni Records then signed the group, resulting in the May 2015 release of their debut full-length Full Communism, which introduced new alto saxophonist Adrienne Berry in place of Will Cioffi. Outside Downtown Boys, Ruiz and De Francesco participate in Malportado Kids, a project blending leftist punk with cumbia. The ensemble regrouped for its third album and first on the long-established indie imprint Sub Pop. Remaining socially and politically committed, the band previewed the record with the lead singles "Somos Chulas (No Somos Pendejas)" and "A Wall." Produced by Fugazi's Guy Picciotto, Cost of Living appeared in August 2017 and featured a streamlined lineup in which saxophonists Fitzgerald and Berry had departed, supplanted by Joe DeGeorge on sax and keyboards while Mary Regalado assumed bass duties from Dan Schleifer.
Albums
Singles
