Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

The gentle refrain of well observed lyrics and well played music is not a usual thought when people think of Texas or its arts side. Although Pantera and Bowling For Soup, arguably two of the better known bands that British audiences will be aware of, divide music opinion, one with their own particular brand of Thrash Metal and the other for their party driven image, they still have a considerable following.

Out of the Texan haze comes the three-piece, Ashbury Keys, proving that neither do you have to play superbly fast and loud nor have disdain heaped upon you by a section of the public to be considered cool and interesting. Their latest E.P., Wake Up, sees the band, David Keys on vocals and guitar, Darwin Keys on drums and vocals and Bill Waters on bass and vocals; go through their five tracks with comfortable precision and a talent that rather foot-tapping and hugely enjoyable.

The five tracks flow pleasantly and with some great vision and the tracks Oh My God, Hero and Swimmer especially draw on some real depth of character that seems out of reach till you hit the West Coast region on the American music highway. It does seem unfair sometimes that the East Coast has its sophistication and adaptability and the West Coast it fluidity and charm and the southern middle portion can be seen to languish far behind all the other areas of America but in Ashbury Keys that distinction may soon change.

This Texas trio is a real taste of Western Rock and Roll with a touch of undiluted Southern Comfort which stirs the soul. By far one of the best bands to come out of the state for a long time, Ashbury Keys combine the power of well written lyrics with the Lone Star state sensibilities that make the music of that area unlike almost anything else from the United States of America.

Wake Up is well worth dipping your toes into and once the music is playing you won’t have any choice but to wake up and take in a great act to come out of Texas.

Ian D. Hall