Ashfield was born in late 2004 when Corey Wheeler and Wes Redmond met through a Myspace ad. In early 2005, Corey answered an ad on backpage.com and met Geoff Strickland. The band started writing songs and discovered an immediate chemistry. Dave Price was added on bass and Ashfield performed it’s first show in September, 2005 to great demand. Ashfield then entered Globalsound Studios in late 2005 to record a 4-song demo with Tony Fiore. Ashfield began frequenting the Larimer Lounge and quickly became a headlining act for that venue.

2006 saw Ashfield continuing to expand their fan base and reputation as an exciting live band. Ashfield would go on to play venues such as Herman’s Hideaway, The Toad Tavern, Iliff Park Saloon and Wyatt’s Torch. Ashfield also began recording a 6-song EP in late 2006 with Silas Thomason and Dub Media.

Ashfield continued to build their reputation as a working band in 2007 picking up much where 2006 left off. The finishing touches were placed on the 6-song EP and Drug Addiction & A Girl was released in March, 2007 at The Gothic Theatre. This was followed up with a date at the Bluebird Theatre. Ashfield also continued to frequent and headline at Herman’s Hideaway and Wyatt’s Torch.

2008 brought a 2nd date at The Gothic Theatre, but several members of Ashfield were beginning to suffer burnout. Ashfield played its last show in January, 2009 at Herman’s Hideaway before going on hiatus. Over the next several months, Geoff and Corey continued jamming together and by mid 2010, both had the itch to start performing again. Phone calls were made and by June, 2011 Ashfield was back rehearsing and writing new material. Ashfield officially returned to the Denver music scene in August, 2011 at The Toad Tavern debuting several new songs as well as a new member, Jacob Nelson.

Ashfield has returned with a vengeance. Coming off an opening slot for The Dreaming at Moe’s Original BBQ in March, 2011, Ashfield will be entering the studio in April to record the follow up to 2007′s Drug Addiction & A Girl. Ashfield will again be working with Silas Thomason, and will begin principal production at The Decibel Garden. This is now. THIS IS OUR TIME!!!

This is what lead singer Wes Redmond had to say when he Got Rock’d:

Give me a brief history of the band?

Ashfield essentially began in 2004 when Corey and I met through a mutual acquaintance. We hooked up soon after and Corey put an ad out and found Dave, Geoff and Ryan. Dave left the band in 2005 and was replaced by Cody Smith, formerly of the band Rhythm Junky. Ryan left in ’06 I think? We went through a succession of guitar players, the longest being Tom Seater. Ashfield went on an extended hiatus from 2009-2011. When we reformed, Dave came back and Jake rounded out the line up. We played our first show with the current line up in Sept. of ’11 at The Toad.

In your own words what type of band are you and where do you fit into the Denver music scene?

In my opinion we’re a fairly straight forward rock ‘n roll band with a bit of a punk edge.

How did you guys get your start?

We started knocking around the usual clubs. Thursday nights at Herman’s, Wednesday shows at Larimer Lounge, Cricket on the Hill. We were a lot more punk influenced back then. Our very first show was at the Majestic in Aurora.

Who are your musical and non-musical influences?

My personal influences musically are Chino Moreno from Deftones and Maynard from Tool. I also have been known to channel Jim from Pennywise. More recently I’ve been pulling ideas listening to All That Remains, Evans Blue and Cold. Trying to change it up a little.

Non musical influences…..honestly I don’t really have any. I just try to live right.

Who or what inspires you to do what you do?

Fans, my wife and kids…..the guys in the band.I want to touch people the way my influences touched me. The Deftones literally changed my life. I want someone to feel that way about Ashfield.

As you create more music, do you find yourself getting more or less interested in seeking out and listening to new music made by other people…and why?

I’m always down to listen to new bands. If you only listen to what you’ve always listened to you get stagnant. Geoff introduced me to Brand New. They’re not a band I would have ever sought out on my own. Now there one of my favorites. Even the local musicians come up with some pretty awesome shit. I’ve been in this scene since ’97…. Back then locals used to cover each others songs. It was pretty cool….but one of my favorite songs ever was written by a local band in Arizona called Depth. I’m amazed they never made it.

Talk a little about your song writing process.

I really don’t have a process as an individual. I think of shit, write it down, bring it to practice. Most of the writing musically is done by the other guys. After they finish a song, I pick one of the 20 songs I wrote that month and see if it fits. The other guys are awesome. I just write about my experiences and hope people relate.

Which famous musicians do you admire? Why?

Chino. The dude has an absolutely amazing vocal range, and such a crazy way of explaining shit in a song…”hear me spit on you, wither I”. What the fuck? Awesome, that’s what the fuck. I can’t really put it into words…. I honestly think if I hadn’t seen the Deftones at Warp Tour in ’93 I might be in a completely different place right now. It was life changing.

What do you think of the music “battle” scene in Denver?

Shit. Honestly just…. Shit. I don’t see the point. It’s like half the promoters don’t even check the genre before booking the band. How can you rate a metal band against a reggae group? Or a punk band against an MC? Ridiculous. We once played a battle for for some d-bag promoter at Cervantes. Like 30 bands on the bill and 26 of them sucked. Don’t get me wrong, nobody is great when they start out, but playing a show with no singer? No finished songs? If your Carlos Santana you can play alone…. But you’re not Carlos Santana. Now of course there are exceptions… The @Cheers battle was pretty cool. The Best of the West battle had us play with 2 other really good bands. One of the best shows we played. I don’t know… Maybe I’m just bitter.

Do you get nervous before a performance?

Not anymore. I used to throw up before shows back in the day. Before Ashfield. Now I live for it. The shows, not throwing up….

Do you have any unusual rituals on show days?

Not so much.

How often and for how long do you practice?

The band plays twice a week for 2 or 3 hours. My work schedule prevented me from being there all the time. But I practice a lot in my own. We record our practices so I’m always writing and singing shit in the car.

How do you balance your music with other obligations – mate, children, job?

It’s been a bit rough. My wife’s disabled and we have two kids. Plus I’ve been working overnight for the past 2 years. My family and extended family are very supportive. My wife puts up with a lot of shit to be sure. It comes together somehow…

What do you like most and least about being a musician?

Most? Hearing the ideas in your head come to fruition. Sometimes songs turn out crazy different then you thought it would sound, sometimes it’s so good you can’t believe it’s you. Sometimes you like ” did I just write a Beastie Boys song?”

Least…. Probably the unknown. Am I good enough to do this for a living? I get jealous of people I know that make it. I’m happy for them sure, but part of me is like…. Am I not good enough? I knew Ivan from 5 finger. He replaced me in a band I was in a long time ago. Then the drummer from the same band I was in got signed to Warner bros last summer. Gemini Syndome. Both are great artists in great bands and deserve to be where they are. But you know?….

What is your take on the independent music scene in Denver?

It’s getting a lot better. Music goes through cycles. Denver has always been on the outside curve in my opinion. Like…. Why are there still rap/rock bands out here? Anyway, we’ve played with way more talented bands this time around then we were playing with from ’05-’09.

Since music sales have become predominately online how so you feel that has changed the industry?

At our level it really hasn’t. I know as a consumer I like it better. With iTunes and what not you can buy the single and sample the other songs before buying so your not stuck with a shitty album and a great single. On the other hand, as an artist you want people to listen to your music… And pay for it. I’m not down for music piracy. I pay for everything I own.

Where do you see yourself in 1 year and 5 years from now?

One year…. Hopefully gaining the momentum we need. Playing Warp Tour, strong sales on American Misery…(plug).

5 years…. I’d love to say we’d be doing an interview with you on break from our sold out world tour with the Deftones.

Describe your live show.

Frenetic. We have fun, but we’re professional. I have a lot of fun man.

What are your biggest obstacles as a band?

Communication. That and getting people to stay for a whole show. I don’t understand why you pay for a ticket and leave after you friends band is done.

What aspect of making music excites you the most right now?

Everything about it. Everything. Laying down tracks, hearing it played back to you. The fans singing your songs with you loud enough to hear them over the music. Love it.

What is the most unusual place you have ever played a show?

At a frat party in NY in a ring of fire.

Lately what musical periods or styles do you find yourself most drawn to as a listener?

That’s such a hard thing to answer. I don’t really get the sub genres and classifications going on right now. I like a lot of the stuff out there from Fallout Boy to Avenged Sevenfold. I’m really into the Beastie Boys as well….

Name a band or musician, past or present, who you flat-out LOVE and think more people should be listening to and what is your favorite song by them?

I’m assuming you know my answer already. Deftones. Favorite song? Damn. I could give you a favorite song from each album. Why don’t we just go with the album Around the Fur in its entirety.

Are you currently writing any new material? If yes… How do the new songs differ from your older material?

The new material is amazing to me. I feel it the way I never did before. This time around its more emotional.

How do you feel that social networking has affected the music business especially for you guys?

It’s great. I don’t ave to stand out on the street corner handing out flyers. Now it’s select all, invite.

How do you generally promote your shows?

Facebook, reverb nation, Trevor rocks Denver…

What are you up to music-wise right now?

We are in studio with Silas and In Your Head productions recording our sophomore album “American Misery”.

If any band would call in right now and ask you to go out on tour with them which band do you wish it would be?

Really? Guess.

Be sure to visit their website and social media pages:

Ashfield on facebook

www.ashfieldband.com

Video streaming by Ustream

We had internet issues on Thursday so we decided to have a special Friday afternoon edition of Trevor’s Top 5. The guys from Pressure Point came down to hang out and talk about the Top 5  and the shows they have coming up!

Trevor Top 5
1. Pressure Point – Pressure on the G
2. Sanity’s Edge – Fallen Awake
3. Flood Of Souls – Dead
4. Michael Marrow – Gimme
5. Astreya – Ladybug

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