Album Notes

"I got tired of renting studio time in these so called 'real' studios and walking away with recordings that didn't sound like me," singer/songwriter David Keys laments. "Why spend all that money and not be happy with the end result? I decided that we would buy our own recording gear and do it ourselves." That is exactly what Ashbury Keys did. Recorded and produced by Alan Doss of Galactic Cowboys fame, Ashbury Keys will release "Growing Up", its third full-length release at the Engine Room on Saturday, August 21, 2004.

"I can't say enough about the virtues of having your own recording studio. I mean, I've got keyboard parts on this CD! Growing up listening to bands like the Cars, I've always wanted keyboards, but the cost was too prohibitive to experiment in a real studio." After the band members decided to take the leap, Ashbury Keys bought some recording gear and went to work recording its first batch of new material since the release of the last CD, "Dancers", in 2001.

"Most of my songs are about relationships. Sometimes they're great, sometimes they're not, but it's the emotions of difficult relationships that inspire me to write. I'm a big Morrissey fan. Not many people can say it better than him." Don't get David wrong. The new songs are not about sadness and that whole "nobody loves me" vibe. The songs on "Growing up" are also not all about David's life. David goes on to explain, "It's just the way life is. I think the CD reflects the ups and downs we've all had these last few years." Along with brother Darwin on drums, Bill Walter on bass, Alex Tittel on guitar, and Alan Doss on Keyboards, "Growing Up" beautifully captures how melodic and rocking a broken heart can be.

On expectations for the new CD, brother Darwin of Pushmonkey fame says, "If one person can relate to what David's singing about, then it's a success. From my experiences in the music business, I can tell you we are not in this for the money. As long as people like a great melody and can relate to where we're coming from, we will be releasing material for many years."

Since its inception, the band has been performing throughout Texas, while writing and recording new material. During that time, Ashbury Keys and its members have accomplished the following:


• Nominated for the best pop/rock band Houston Press Awards

• Featured performance on a nationally televised Disney special

• Support act for Deftones, Oleander, Evan Dando, Fastball, Splender, Pushmonkey and several major label artists that you probably never heard of

• Members have collaborated with multi-platinum producer Mike Clink (Guns and Roses) and Grammy award winner Paul Leary (Sublime, Butthole Surfers,U2)

• 2001 SXSW Conference performance

• Independently released three full length CD's




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Ashbury Keys in the News!
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• The Houstonian Online 09/2004
• The Daily Cougar 08/2004
• Houston Chronicle 08/2004
• The Daily Cougar 03/2002
• Houston Press 2001 Music Awards 07/2001
• Houston Press 2000 Music Awards 07/2000
• Houston Press 04/2001
• Houston Press 08/1999

** See our Website for links **
http://www.ashburykeys.com/bio/

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