Two Thumbs Down

Two Thumbs Down got together mostly as a way to help Austin Ryder get his music into the world. As a kid he would listen to movie soundtracks and as he got older he got more into music as a result of a slightly declining mental state. In middle school and high school Ryder wrote songs that he would hide, now saying he was "rightfully embarrassed" of what he was writing. Now he makes music that he is proud to have people listen to. 

Three days before Ryder was set to perform his first show he asked his friends Lauren Porter and Will Diaz to play with him. Porter had owned a bass for a while, but never learned to play. She learned the songs Ryder had written just in time to accompany her friend on stage. Ryder's brother was supposed to be on drums for this show, but due to injury was unable to play. Diaz thought it would be fun to be a drummer so he stepped up. Their first EP was all Ryder's work. The group began working more collaboratively during their second EP; really becoming Two Thumbs Down. 

Two Thumbs Down brings a less conventional sound to the punk genre working drummer Will Diaz's saxophone skills and guitarist Ryder's talent on the glockenspiel. 

Porter brings in the spirit and chord progression style of the Riot Grrrl movement of the 90's to Two Thumbs Down. She had a Strokes CD that got stuck in the CD player of her car for a while. She was forced to listen to the album which has created a lot of influence. Ryder brings the DIY feel to the band. Using inspiration from Jeff Rosenstalk; an artist who leans into the creative visual side of music. Part of the appeal of the DIY scene is that it's not of the highest quality, but it makes the listener feel something and allows the artist to put their energy into being creative and having fun. Diaz takes Ryder's lead in terms of inspiration. Ryder is always showing the rest of his band new music. It tends to work out that everyone in the group has a similar taste; even though Porter tends to write heavier, angrier sounding music than the rest of Two Thumbs Down. 

Two Thumbs Down plays punk with a softer message about coming of age. They make music about growing up, going off to college and what it's like to be a kid figuring out the world. The freedom of punk allows their music get faster when they play live; sometimes punching out a song in half the time as their recored version. Along with the freedom of playing at a higher tempo punk allows Two Thumbs Down to be a bit more experimental on stage. 

Not only does punk as a genre encourage experimentation, the DIY punk scene is supportive. 

In general Two Thumbs Down makes music that is "scrappy, punchy, and honest.", which is really all a listener can ask for from any good punk band. 

Two Thumbs Down is currently working on recording an album. The new album has the same frustration in the angry sounding music yet still holds a heavy amount of optimism. Until this new album is out the prior work by Two Thumbs Down is available on all streaming services.