Ashdowne

Author: Tim  //  Category: UK bands

Ashdowne from Leicester in the UK, have been around since 2004, a change in drummer recently hasn’t upset the tempo, as the new drummer has known the band for along time. The current line-up of: Lee Wakeling (Lead Vocals & Rhythm Guitars), Andy Kempin (Lead Guitars & Vocals), Ben Hepworth (Bass Guitar) and Gripper (Drums, Percussion & vocals) are planning to up their live performance and take the band to the next step.

Having just built a new studio themselves in an old office, which they just started using a couple of weeks ago, (hey guys if you have any spare time….) they are working on some new material and working on a new set alongside an acoustic set for smaller venues are completely prepared for a real drive over the coming year.

Ashdowne

Ashdowne

Instantly recognizable with the powerful guitar loop back that is their signature, Ashdowne feel far from a parody of U2. It is always a great pleasure when I hear a band who I expect to find little common ground, provide something new to my ears. The outfit play superbly together, enabling the drums and bass to have room to breathe within full guitar riffs. The distinctive vocal sits perfectly above the tracks, creating some real additional value to the world of indie music.

Ashdowne are not a band I have had the opportunity to hear live, but on listening I am led to visualise a large stage and festival setting, however it is controlled music which is played really well, which I envisage will make them a great band to see in a smaller venue. With their disparate backgrounds and different influences, Ashdowne create music which is distinctive and they deserve more prominence.

As of yet there isn’t any live footage of the band with Gripper on drums, as soon as something is available I will get it posted, for now we will have to run with the Footsteps video.

website

With their extensive tour schedule coming up, I hope to be able to bring a review of a live performance to the blog pretty soon.

As a sounding board for Ashdowne, I recommend their album ‘A warning to the Curious‘  Ashdowne - A Warning to the Curious.

The answer to the conundrum set on the bands myspace blog as to why ‘gripper‘ has his name, is on the indie bands blog newsletter coming out on the 30th November 2009, sign up here.

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