Ashhollow "Ashhollow" 1973 US Southern Rock/Hard Rock/Psychedelic Rock/Acid Rock <br /> <br />Ashhollow were an unusual quintet formed in Oklahoma in the early 1970's, who mixed Hard Rock grit and Psychedelic melody with a rural Southern Rock feel. <br />Their lone release appears to have been a six song self-titled (bootleg?) CD issued retrospectively by Limited Records in a limited edition of 1000 copies. <br />According to the scant info in the booklet, the tracks were recorded in 1973 and originally only pressed as an acetate. <br />At times their music brings to mind early EPITAPH or Muscle Shoals period LYNYRD SKYNYRD with a little WISHBONE ASH mixed in for good measure. <br />Fellow Okies ASHBURY also come to mind during the quieter passages in their songs, especially in the second track, "Cat's Eye". <br />The tight and complex jazz-flecked drumming combines beautifully with the taut basswork and subtly psychedelic guitar melodies throughout to give the band's a distinctive sound, that becomes more compulsive with each successive play. <br />Don't expect wigged out guitar-heavy abandon, this is carefully constructed and artfully melodic stuff, but it does rock, albeit in a slightly woozy late night fashion. <br />The band appear to have fizzled out by the mid to late '70's, a real pity as they plainly had serious musical chops and songwriting suss aplenty. <br />Who knows how far they could have gone with the right breaks, a sympathetic producer and a supportive record label. <br />Gary Bruce returned to playing drums with a new band called ZAZOO in the late '70's. <br />Zazoo had a song, "Glorify It On The Screen", included on the Various Artists compilation LP, "Oklahoma City Live Vol. 1", released by Backstage Music/Producers Workshop in 1980, but appear not to have released any further music. <br />Bruce also played on some solo recordings by Bill Kirtley, his former Ashhollow bandmate, in the early '80's. <br />If you're open-minded in your love of obscure old-school vintage rock music, give Ashhollow a listen. <br />They're a treat for the ears. <br />Intruigingly, whilst researching this blurb i found another band called Ashhollow, also from Oklahoma. <br />Only this 3 piece were formed in 2004 and play grungy Garage Rock, but they have at least one thing in common with their predecessor, a member with the surname Kirtley. <br />I wonder if this Kirtley is following in the footsteps of his father or uncle, right down to the band name? <br /> <br />Bill Kirtley <br />Gary Bruce <br />Mike Hanna <br />Michael Stewart <br />Frank Polermo
