Interview: ASHBY

 

 

Ashby, you’ve just finished your album, pleased with it?

 

Incredibly pleased. Working with Allan Smyth at 2fly [recording studios] was amazing, the man’s a genius and his influences and input were more than welcome when we was recording.

 

Where was your first Sheffield gig held?

 

Our first gig in Sheffield was held at the Red House. We got the gig through another Sheffield band called The Talk, but really it was Neil Atkinson of N.A music that gave us the chance to break out into Sheffield's original music scene. It was him who was hosting and promoting the gig alongside The Talk and The Retrospectives.

 

What do you remember of it?

 

Incredible, small pub with a great sounding pa. Will, the bass player from The Retrospectives, was doing the sound and what a sound it was! Loud, just how we like it. There weren’t a lot of people there to be honest, but the ones that we're there we real music enthusiasts and enjoyed our music. We were so nervous, but after the second tune we kicked into action and did what we do best, SMASHED IT!

 

Have you gathered a following at all in Sheffield?

 

Yes, the gathering and following has grown ever since the first gig and still continues to grow every day!

 

You’re playing at the 02 academy here soon, is that the highlight so far?

 

Yeah, the O2 is our album launch. The album’s title is ‘NOT A LOOK IT'S A LIFESTYLE’. We have played the O2 before, but not on this scale. I mean, headlining the O2, launching your own album…WOW. It’s defiantly going to be the daddy so far in our original music career. Also, we're looking forward to supporting the mighty Clone Roses, the UK’s biggest Stone Roses tribute band, again at the O2 soon. Another great career highlight was to play alongside Tom Hingley of the mighty Inspiral Carpets, one of our influences.

 

What bands would you say your music resembles the most?

 

Our sound is a mix of influences really, it's mostly indie but we have like a punky, rocky influence too with solid bar chords, but indie riffs. Our main influences are; Stone Roses, The Jam, The Who, Oasis, Beady Eye, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, The Clash, Shed Seven, The Charlatans, Kasabian, Babyshambles, Libertines, Milburn, Arctic Monkeys and many other bands, the list goes on!

 

Apart from at the 02, when and where are your next gigs?

 

We have many gigs lined up for the future: Manchester, Leeds, Doncaster, Selby, Sheffield, Rotherham, Hull, Birmingham and lots more. To find out more, find us on Facebook. Just search Ashby, and you will find us. It would be much appreciated if you give us a follow on Twitter, as we have only just started to use it and need to get some numbers on there!! @AshbyBand.

 

 

NB: This interview was conducted before Ashby played at 02 Academy, Sheffield.