I was first introduced to Welcome to Ashley through a mutual friend, Vince Cassamatta. Vince had just finished recording WTA’s latest record and Darby and I were in preliminary talks to have Vince work on our album. When Darby sent me the details on last weeks show, both of us were excited to be sharing the bill with WTA. I approached Vince with the idea of us writing a piece on WTA and he said that Coley, the lead singer, would be all for it. So the email exchange began, after all, us front men have to stick together. Being my first interview I asked Coley some pretty lame questions But I think that he did a pretty good job at giving some honest insightful answers. (Thanks Coley!)

Jason: Name?

Coley: Coley Kennedy

J: Role in Welcome To Ashley?

C: Lead Vocals

J: In 1992, What was your favorite band? In other words, who are your early influences?
C: It would have to be the Replacements or Morrissey. This was Moz’s best lineup - Gary Day, Boz Boorer, Alain Whyte, Spencer Cobrin.

J: In 2002, what was your favorite band? (Why am I obsessed with years ending in 2?)
C: Hmmm… I believe I was listening to A LOT of Big Star. 

J: Latest 5 Songs on iPod random? C: Big Star “Take Care”, The Clash “Straight To Hell”, Echo and the Bunnymen “The Game”, Elvis Presley “When I’m With My Baby”, The Pogues “Rainy Night In Soho”

J: Blue or Green?

C: Depends on the dayJ: Are you sure it’s not Grey?

J: Favorite venue to see a show?

C: Empty Bottle

J: Last show you saw live?

C: Pool of Frogs at Darkroom

I’ve waited to finish writing this piece about WTA until after experiencing their live show. I’m really glad that I did. Their stage show was really intimate, even at one point thanking their biggest fan and throwing him some dap. My father loved the drumming style of Sherrlia Bailey, and I really dug the over-driving sound of Pete Javier’s guitar licks. Jeremy Barrett held down stage right with his groove-laden 4 string performance. Last but not least, Coley really captured the vibe of the night slanking across center stage all night, crooning out catchy hooks that burrowed their way into my subconscious. Just a solid show all around. I look forward to catching a show in the near future.

I’ll leave you with a taste of WTA’s latest video : Nothing But Grey Skies Ahead.

— Jason Abraham