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Matthew Ashman

Matthew James Ashman (3 November 1960 – 21 November 1995) was an English guitarist and songwriter, renowned for his contributions to the and music scenes as a key member of the bands and . Born in , , Ashman joined in 1978, where he played on their debut album (1979), helping to define the band's raw, experimental sound that blended with tribal rhythms and influences. In 1980, following Adam Ant's decision to reform the band without him, Ashman co-founded with former Ants drummer Dave Barbarossa, bassist , and teenage vocalist , under the production guidance of . The group's debut album See Jungle! See Jungle! Go Join Your Gang Yeah, City All Over! Go Ape Crazy! (1981) and singles like "C30, C60, C90, Go!" and a cover of "" (1982) achieved commercial success, reaching the Top 10 with tracks that fused riffs, , and pop sensibilities delivered through Ashman's distinctive Gretsch hollow-body guitar playing. His and energetic stage presence also became emblematic of the era's and aesthetics. After disbanded in 1983, Ashman pursued session work, contributing guitar to projects including Wendy James's solo album Now Ain't the Time for Feelin' Sorry (1993) and the French band Oui 3, while forming his own groups such as Chiefs of Relief and, later, , whose debut album he was recording with at the time of his death. Ashman, who had been managing since childhood, died on 21 November 1995 in at age 35 from complications related to the condition, shortly after his 35th birthday.

Early life and education

Upbringing in Mill Hill

Matthew Ashman was born on 3 November 1960 in , a suburban district in , . His birth was registered in the district during the final quarter of that year. Ashman grew up in during the , a when the area continued to expand as part of London's post-Second suburban development, characterized by residential growth and a stable community environment. This suburban setting, which had seen significant building in the inter-war years and further infilling after 1945, provided the backdrop for his formative years in a typical British family household.

Musical beginnings

Matthew Ashman, raised in the suburb of , began his musical journey by picking up his first guitar while still attending school in the mid-1970s. This self-taught pursuit laid the foundation for his entry into the local music scene, where he honed his skills amid the emerging and rock influences of the era. Around 1977, at the age of 16, Ashman formed and joined his first band, Staffix, taking on the role of lead guitarist and vocalist alongside rhythm guitarist Hal Malik, Jasper Stainthorpe, and Geoff Harvey. The group traveled from to perform at the on July 6, 1977, delivering a two-hour opening set that included original compositions like "Dragonflight" and covers, powered by their own PA system and a borrowed generator. This appearance marked Ashman's stage debut, exposing him to the vibrant festival environment. During this formative period, Ashman developed a distinctive guitar style characterized by energetic, rollicking riffs, often played on a prominent hollow-body guitar. He also adopted a early on, drawing inspiration from Robert De Niro's character in the 1976 film , which complemented his dynamic and visually striking performance approach.

Professional career

Adam and the Ants

Matthew Ashman joined Adam and the Ants as lead guitarist in June 1978, shortly after leaving his previous band, The Kameras. His recruitment came in time for the band's performance at the Debutantes' Party at the Hard Rock Cafe on June 6, 1978, marking the start of his involvement in the group's emerging post-punk sound. With Ashman's angular, jazz-influenced guitar style—honed earlier in his teenage band Staffix—adding texture to the lineup alongside Adam Ant on vocals and guitar, bassist Andy Warren, and drummer Dave Barbarossa, the band began cultivating an underground following through intense live shows across the UK punk circuit. Ashman's contributions extended to the band's early recordings, including their debut EP Young Parisians, released in October 1978 on , where he provided guitar and piano parts that underscored the tracks' tribal rhythms and satirical edge. The EP captured the band's raw energy during this transitional phase from punk's aggression to new wave's theatricality, helping to solidify their cult status in London's scene despite limited commercial success. This period of gigging and recording laid the groundwork for their full-length debut. In 1979, Ashman played a key role in recording the band's debut album Dirk Wears White Sox, released on 30 November by Do It Records, contributing distinctive guitar lines to tracks such as "Cartrouble (Parts 1 & 2)," with its driving riff, and "Tabletalk," featuring his piercing leads amid the album's claustrophobic soundscapes. The album, produced by the band themselves, reflected their evolution toward a more experimental aesthetic while retaining roots, and Ashman's interplay with Ant's rhythms helped propel it to No. 1 on the Independent Albums Chart, boosting their underground reputation. Ashman departed in , along with drummer Dave Barbarossa and bassist , influenced by manager Malcolm McLaren's vision for a new project, which ultimately led to the original band's dissolution. This split occurred amid internal tensions and creative shifts, ending Ashman's two-year tenure during which he helped define the group's innovative sound.

Bow Wow Wow

Following the split from in early 1980, guitarist Matthew Ashman co-founded with bassist and drummer , recruiting 13-year-old vocalist under the management of . The band signed with in July 1980, releasing their debut EP C·30 C·60 C·90 Go! later that month, which peaked at number 34 on the . This was followed by the Your Cassette Pet in November 1980, reaching number 58 on the and marking the group's innovative cassette-only format as a novelty in the post-punk era. After a dispute with , Bow Wow Wow signed to in 1981, issuing their major-label debut studio album See Jungle! See Jungle! Go Join Your Gang Yeah, City All Over! Go Ape Crazy! in October of that year. The album peaked at number 26 on the and featured the band's first top 10 single, "Go Wild in the Country," which reached number 7. Ashman's signature sound during this period relied heavily on his Gretsch White Falcon guitar, blending rockabilly twang with new wave energy to define the band's eclectic style. The group's image, orchestrated by , proved highly controversial, centering on Lwin's youth and provocative tribal aesthetics inspired by , which drew criticism for sexualizing a minor. Bow Wow Wow's final album, When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going, arrived in February on , with lead single "Do You Wanna Hold Me?" charting at number 47 in the UK and number 3 in the . The band's last concert in 1983 ended dramatically when Ashman fell off and injured his , contributing to their subsequent breakup. After the breakup of in 1983, Ashman pursued session work as a , including contributions to the Oui 3 in the late 1980s.

Chiefs of Relief

Chiefs of Relief was formed in 1984, with Matthew Ashman serving as and in this transitional project after his departure from . The lineup included drummer Paul , formerly of the ; bassist Lance Burman; and keyboardist Duncan Greig, who contributed vocals as well. This ensemble aimed to explore a hybrid of rock and dance influences, drawing on the punk-era backgrounds of its core members. The band debuted with the single "Holiday" b/w "I Don't Mind, She Don't Care" in 1984, released on . They followed with "Freedom to Rock" b/w "Dream Baby" in 1985 and "Weekend" b/w "Kiss of Life" in 1987. These tracks showcased Ashman's angular guitar riffs, a style carried over from his Bow Wow Wow era, integrated with Greig's keyboard textures and Cook's driving percussion. In 1988, Chiefs of Relief issued their self-titled debut album on , produced by and Jeffrey Lesser. The record blended sensibilities with rock elements, including originals like "Kickin' Out a Noise" and covers that highlighted the band's electro-punk leanings. Despite touring support slots with acts like , the album received modest attention and failed to achieve significant commercial breakthrough in the competitive landscape of the late 1980s. Internal dynamics, including lineup stability amid shifting musical trends, contributed to the band's dissolution by 1989. Following the end of Chiefs of Relief, Ashman continued session work, including guitar contributions to Wendy James's solo album Now Ain't the Time for Feelin' Sorry (1993).

Agent Provocateur

was formed in the early as a British collaboration featuring Matthew Ashman on guitar, alongside (also known as ), Danny Saber (formerly of ), Dan Peppe (of Themroc), and vocalist Cleo Torez. The project marked Ashman's return to music after a period away from the industry following the end of Chiefs of Relief, blending his signature guitar style with emerging and elements. The band concentrated on studio work, recording material that showcased Ashman's multi-instrumental contributions, including guitar, , , and backing vocals on tracks like "." While specific live performances are not well-documented, the group's activity centered on sessions that captured a fusion of Ashman's influences with the evolving 1990s scene, reflecting the shifting toward dance-oriented sounds. This effort continued until Ashman's involvement ended in 1995. Following Ashman's death, the band posthumously released their sole album, , in 1997 on the Wall of Sound label. The record compiled unreleased recordings from those sessions, featuring guest vocals by on the single "Agent Dan" and remixes by artists such as the and Monkey Mafia. It highlighted Ashman's enduring guitar work, providing a nostalgic bridge to his earlier era amid the rise of and genres.

Later life and legacy

Health struggles and death

Ashman was diagnosed with in 1983 during Bow Wow Wow's extensive touring schedule, following a severe onstage in where he fell approximately 20 feet from the stage at an venue, fracturing his arm. Blood tests conducted after the injury revealed his condition, which had gone undiagnosed despite prior symptoms of serious illness during the band's grueling 50-date tour; without prompt medical intervention, experts noted he risked blindness or death within weeks. In the years following his diagnosis, Ashman managed his while pursuing musical projects, including his work with Chiefs of Relief and later in the early , though specific details on his daily management or lifestyle adjustments remain scarce. By the mid-, complications from the disease had worsened, leading to his hospitalization in in November 1995. Ashman lapsed into a diabetic coma during his hospital stay and died on 21 November 1995 at the age of 35, with the official cause listed as complications arising from diabetes.

Influence and tributes

Matthew Ashman's distinctive guitar work, particularly his use of the Gretsch White Falcon, blended rockabilly twang with new wave energy, creating a signature sound that fused tribal rhythms and punk attitude in tracks like those on Bow Wow Wow's See Jungle! See Jungle! Go Join Your Gang Yeah, City All Over! Go Ape Crazy! (1981). This approach influenced subsequent guitarists seeking to merge retro influences with post-punk edge, most notably Red Hot Chili Peppers' John Frusciante, who has repeatedly cited Ashman as a key inspiration for his rhythm playing and even acquired a 1950s Gretsch White Falcon modeled after Ashman's instrument. Frusciante praised Ashman's style in interviews, highlighting its rhythmic drive and simplicity as a model for effective, non-virtuosic guitar work that prioritized feel over technical flash. Regarded as one of the more underrated guitarists of the 1980s new wave scene, Ashman's contributions extended beyond sound to visual and performative elements, where his signature Mohawk hairstyle and high-energy stage presence helped define the era's punk-inflected aesthetics. His dynamic performances, often featuring acrobatic movements and audience interaction, embodied the rebellious spirit of post-punk, influencing the visual style and theatricality of bands in the Ants and Bow Wow Wow orbits. On the 15th anniversary of Ashman's death, a tribute concert titled "Kick Down the Doors: A Celebration of Matthew Ashman" was held on 21 2010 at the in , featuring reunions of key collaborators including and of , who performed classics like "" to honor his legacy. The event also included performances by , of the , and others from Ashman's circle, underscoring his enduring impact on the British punk and communities. In October 2025, during a concert at in , paid tribute to Ashman by dedicating the song "The Man Mountain" to him.

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