Ash in concert, 2006.

Daniel Ash (born 31 July 1957, in Northampton, England) is an innovative, textural guitarist for Bauhaus, Tones on Tail, Love and Rockets, and solo projects.

Life and work

As a founding member of the ground breaking Bauhaus, Tones on Tail and Love And Rockets, guitarist, saxophonist, singer, and songwriter Daniel Ash has distinguished himself in the world of contemporary music.

Daniel Ash during his time with Love & Rockets - Oakland, California, 1986

After starting going to gigs in his teenage years, he made a promise to himself that no matter what capacity, he would be on a stage, even if only banging a tambourine. He started playing guitar around the age of 15, but confessed to have been very lazy and only learned 3 chords and nothing more for about 3 years. Driven by a love of Rock 'n Roll Ash began playing in cover bands, often together with future band mates David J and Kevin Haskins who he had known since kindergarten. "The first gig I ever played was in the Glasgow Rangers Workman's Club".

Ash had become friends with Peter Murphy in his teenage years. Ash went to art school and Murphy to work in a printing factory. They met up 5 years later and Daniel suggested forming a band. Rigging up a makeshift rehearsal space, Ash played an Echo 12 - bar blues, while Murphy sang a series of newspaper articles. Four weeks after, they formed Bauhaus, and recorded "Bela Lugosi's Dead".

That song, issued in 1979, became the cornerstone of the gothic rock movement. From early on, he was intent on sounding original, and often tried to "make the guitar not sound like a guitar". His style is very simplistic and he favours using guitars with built in sustainers as well as an E-bow.

After nearly 5 years of recording and performing, Bauhaus broke up and Ash put together Tones on Tail with Bauhaus drummer Kevin Haskins. In 1984, Tones on Tail was disbanded, and Ash founded the influential Love and Rockets in 1985 with Kevin Haskins and David J, also of Bauhaus.

Despite being an influential alternative guitarist, he's often said that he's really not that interested in guitars, and that all he cares about is the overall sound of a song. During the last ten years, he's been experimenting more with electronic music, limiting the use of guitar as an extra element to the songs. Since the last reformation of Bauhaus however, he's been returning to a more guitar based rock sound.

Singles

See also

• Gothic rock

External links

• Official Site
• Danny Boy
• You Cheeky Monkey!