Ashley Davies is regarded as one of Australia’s most innovative drummers and finest drummer/songwriters
Throughout a career spanning 2 decades, Davies has covered many miles of rich musical terrain and clocked up a dazzling score of credits to his name.
As one half of matt walker and Ashley davies, he won an ARIA award and opened for the likes of bob Dylan and patti smith, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Cruel Sea, Gomez, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, The Cowboy Junkies, ZZ Top, Cold Chisel and Junior Brown.
As a drummer who is able to adapt to many styles of drumming Davies has recorded, done sessions, toured and played live with some of Australia’s great and well known artists and also with those musicians and songwriters that he feels great appreciation musically for what they are doing. Jeff lang, chris whiitley, tex perkins, lisa miller, jordie lane, luluc, the backsliders, steve lucas (x), chris Wilson and the crown of thorns, abbie cardwell, rory ellis, nathan porter, dave mccomb, the blackeyed susans, tess mckenna. In 2000 he had the unique opportunity to be part of the Music As Medicine World Music Project and worked with Native American, Tibetan, Maori and Australian Aboriginal people to record the CD Welcome To The People.
As a composer, his music has featured in major Australian films such as Somersault, Australian Rules and the tele series The Silence. He has written soundtracks for films by Melbourne filmmaker Bayden Findlay. Mia Dyson and Matt Walker have also performed and recorded songs written by him.
In 2001 Davies launched his CD and live road show of Ned Kelly, which he produced with noted historian Ian Jones. This project tells the story of the legendary Australian outlaw and bushranger. The album won the 2001 Best Australian Debut CD in Rhythms Magazine Reader’s Poll. When it premiered at the Apollo Bay Music Festival it played to packed houses and was voted the highlight of the festival by the Melbourne Age newspaper. It has since toured to several Australian festivals including the prestigious Perth International Arts Festival.
With his new solo project Muscle Drum Music volumes 1 and 2, Ashley Davies comes to the fore as one of this country's great drummer-songwriters. A thrilling rhythmic adventure, Muscle Drum Music was recorded almost entirely by Davies on two drum kits, guitar, harmonica and with no loops or samples. true solo records, written from the drums up and built on their own driving grooves.
Press
Release:
Produced by Ashley Davies Muscle Drum Music Volume Two sees Ash stretch out on the same rhythm and musical themes he first hit on with MDM Vol 1. Ash is still playing the drums, guitars, harps and doing vocals but for this recording he called on some friends to add their musical expertise to the muscle drum music sound. Ross Irwin – Cat Empire (trumpet). Jake Mason – Cookin on Three Burners – (Hammond, piano). Craig Woodward – Headbelly Buzzard – (banjo, fiddle).
“I’ve been waiting for this since it’s predecessor, and I’ve gotta say right off the bat, I’m not disappointed in the slightest. This is masterful and it’s something I’ll be listening to for some time to come.” Sam Fell – Rhythms
“A lot more full and textured than your average drum clinic…… Davies’ gleeful momentum rarely fails to translate.” Michael Dwyer – Rolling Stone
“…a superb solo album…..reinstates this powerhouse drummer’s credentials…..made for winding the windows down and cranking the volume” Jarrod Watt – ABC Radio
“Toe-tapping rhythms, syncopated grooves and general percussive overload. A worthy alternative to doof-doof dance music for your next shindig.” Jesse Shrock –
A soundtrack that transports you to the crashing early morning waves of Australian surf beaches. CON SARAZEN mX Magazine,
With Muscle Drum Music, Davies reveals himself as a multi-faceted musical artist; one of those rare musicians who writes his own songs, plays all his own instruments, and is talented enough to justify being called a ‘one-man band’. Don’t you just hate them? SIMON GORDON The Dues
“A brilliant showcase for the musicality of the man best known for his beats.” Chris Lambie – Rhythms
Description: A thrilling rhythmic adventure, written from the drums up and built on its own driving grooves. instrumentals and song mixing RnB, jazz, latin, african drums and raw blues.
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Ashley Davies is regarded as one of Australia’s most innovative drummers and finest drummer/songwriters 
