Meet the
Downstrokes
Our
Story
Message From Us
Formed in 2014, the original line up featured Furious Hours survivors Mike Holland and Gerry LaFemina teaming up with different bass players and drummers until Jamie Lockard and Bill Poorbaugh joined the band. After several successful shows, Jamie was replaced by Aaron Hoel, and the band became a cornerstone of a resurgent Western Maryland punk scene. Recent changes have seen a new line up featuring Leigh Abraham on drums, Greg Wood on bass, and Robin Summerfield on lead guitar, as they celebrate the band's appearance on both the Best of Savage Mountain 2017 compilation (Aces & 8's/Snubbed Records) and the Live Your Gimmick comp (Tunafor Sushi Records). A record, New York Girl, featuring the LaFemina-Holland-Poorbaugh-Hoel line was released in August 2018. 2019 sees the band playing out regularly and recording a host of new songs for compilations and a future E.P. release, Fall in Love with Punk Rock Again.
GERRY LAFEMINA
​His students call him Professor Punk Rock. A noted poet and writer, LaFemina's been playing punk rock since the 80s NYHC scene, singing for Expletive Deleted, then in the ska band Tom Collins & the Cocktail Shakers. Since the early 2000s, he's been shaking Appalachia first with the Furious Hours and now with The Downstrokes.
VOCALS & GUITAR
ROBIN SUMMERFIELD
Robin’s Telecaster/Twin Combo rig may reveal an unrequited love for jangle pop and indie rock. Nevertheless, with some high-gain additions to the signal chain and few, if any, minor chords, Robin’s less than traditional punk stylings have been a welcome addition to the Downstrokes' sound. Earplugs are recommended as that single coil at the bridge offers plenty of feedback, but don’t miss out on the liberal supply of bending and squealing coming out of that big Fender Twin.
LEAD GUITAR
GREG WOOD
Hailing from the home of the Stooges and the MC5, Greg's been playing bass since 1993. A devotee of the Sex Pistols, Heartbreakers, and Ramone's he's a fan of New York City's alternative music history.
BASS GUITAR
Leigh Abraham
Leigh first played drums in 1980. Played cello in the Montgomery County Youth Symphony for many years. Out of “retirement” playing drums with The Downstrokes. Graduate of Allegany College. From DC area. Live in Barton with wife and 2 kids. Major influences Devo, The Cars, New York Dolls, Roky Erickson, Morphine, Iggy Pop, Frank Zappa, The Dictators and Dread Zeppelin.