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DJ Ashba

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Ashba
Ashba, November 2010
Ashba, November 2010
Background information
Birth nameDaren Jay Ashba
Born (1972-11-10) November 10, 1972 (age 52)
Monticello, Indiana, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • guitarist
  • songwriter
  • record producer
  • graphic designer
InstrumentGuitar
Years active1987–present
Labels
Member ofAshba
Formerly of
Websitedjashba.com

Ashba (born Daren Jay Ashba on November 10, 1972) is an American musician, guitarist, songwriter, record producer, graphic designer, and entrepreneur. He is best known as the lead guitarist of Guns N' Roses from 2009 to 2015, and as a founding member of Sixx:A.M. He is also known for his work with Mötley Crüe, BulletBoys, Beautiful Creatures. He has also worked with various artists including Drowning Pool, Marion Raven, Aimee Allen and Neil Diamond.

Biography

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Early life

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Ashba was born in Monticello, Indiana. He was raised in Fairbury, Illinois. His mother was a classically trained pianist who began teaching him about music as a toddler. Ashba performed in his first piano recital at the age of five, where he played Beethoven's "Ode to Joy".[1] His next ambition was to learn the drums. He built kits out of garbage cans and pots and pans, until he finally acquired a real set at the age of six.[2] When he was eight, he took a job detasseling corn in the fields to earn enough money to buy his first guitar out of the Sears catalog. He would ride to his job in the corn fields on the bus with a guitarist from a local band, who would teach him a new chord each day on a fretboard that they had carved into the back of a bus seat with a pocket knife. For his 16th birthday, his father took him to his first concert: Mötley Crüe's Girls, Girls, Girls Tour. He later said, "The crowd, the music, the lights! It was the night I realized that no matter what it takes, I was gonna be on that stage one day."[3] At the age of 18, he packed up his possessions and moved to Hollywood to begin his career.

Solo, BulletBoys (1991–1999)

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Eventually, he joined the group Barracuda and toured with the band for two years. In 1996, he released his debut instrumental album, Addiction to the Friction.[4] In 1998, Ashba joined BulletBoys as part of the band's new lineup.[5][6] It was during his time with the band that he met Joe Lesté of Bang Tango.[7] In 1999, he departed the group to start a new band with Lesté, piecing together the band that would become Beautiful Creatures.

Beautiful Creatures (2000–2002)

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Main article: Beautiful Creatures (band)

After finding former Shake the Faith and No. 9 bassist Kenny Kweens, Ashba and Lesté hired session drummer Anthony Focx to become the group's second guitarist and Glen Sobel, another session drummer, was brought in to take over drums. This was the first lineup under the moniker Beautiful Creatures. Prior to naming, the band opened one show in Detroit, Michigan, for Kiss during their farewell tour after Ted Nugent pulled out.[8] The band then signed with Warner Bros. and released their self-titled debut Beautiful Creatures, produced by Marilyn Manson cohort Sean Beavan, on August 14, 2001.[9] Album track "1 A.M." was featured in the soundtrack for the 2001 horror film Valentine and TV series Smallville. "Ride" was featured on the soundtrack to the 2002 remake of Rollerball.[10] Despite appearing at Ozzfest as part of the Rolling Rock Tour, the band was dropped from their label due to poor album sales. On February 13, 2002, the band announced that Ashba had left the group and the band found a replacement and continued on.[11]

Solo (2003–2006)

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After his departure from Beautiful Creatures, he formed another solo band, ASHBA, with Bones Elias, bassist John Younger, and former Tuff guitarist Michael Thomas, who was Ashba's replacement in Beautiful Creatures before leaving the group in 2003.[12][13] Also in 2003, Ashba was invited to participate in the group Brides of Destruction with Nikki Sixx and Tracii Guns but turned it down to focus on his solo project.[14] In 2005, a small controversy was caused when it was suggested that neither Tommy Lee nor Mick Mars played on the new tracks for Mötley Crüe's compilation album Red, White & Crüe; duties were supposedly handled by Vandals drummer Josh Freese and Ashba as well as Mick being replaced by Ashba on their reunion tour. Ashba hit back at the rumors:

Just want to set the record straight. As much as I would love to play on tour with Mötley, it's simply not true...it's a rumor. I'll be in the studio and playing shows with ASHBA. I have all the respect in the world for Mötley Crüe and I can't wait to see Mick kick ass, as always.[15]

Guns N' Roses (2009-2015)

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Ashba with Guns N' Roses during a concert in Bangalore

On March 23, 2009, Ashba was announced as the new lead guitarist of Guns N' Roses replacing Robin Finck, who had left the band to rejoin Nine Inch Nails.[16][17]

When recounting his audition process with the band, Ashba said that when Axl Rose saw he was interested, he informed Guns N' Roses management that "if he shows up, he has the job".

He first toured with the band as part of the Chinese Democracy Tour where on December 11, 2009, Guns N' Roses played in Taiwan, and continued with the band for the next five years.[18]

Ashba would continue to tour with Guns N' Roses, including performing in the critically acclaimed Guns N' Roses residencies Appetite For Democracy in 2012 and No Trickery! An Evening of Destruction in 2014, culminating with the June 7 show that would go on to be the final performance with the Chinese Democracy lineup.

Ashba performing with Guns N' Roses in 2013

In 2014, a Blu-Ray and CD, recorded during the November 21, 2012 show was released as Appetite for Democracy 3D, marking the only official release to date from the 2009 lineup. However, several shows in 2011 and 2012 were recorded and live streamed to fans.

Very little is known about Ashba's contributions to a new Guns N' Roses record, however in 2013, a remix of Chinese Democracy track "Better" created by Ashba leaked onto the internet, marking the first leak of Guns N' Roses material since the 2008 Chinese Democracy leak from Antiquiet. 5 years later, in 2018, studio versions of his compositions "Mi Amor" and "The Ballad of Death", written for solo spots during Guns N' Roses live shows, surfaced on the internet. According to the GN'R News discord admin known as "Silkworms", these studio recordings contain the 2009 lineup of Guns N' Roses minus Axl Rose. The following year, more recordings from Ashba's time in Guns N' Roses would leak, including a video of a rehearsal for the 2009 Asia tour and a video from the 2010 South America tour, marking the only known "pro-shot" from what many fans consider to be the height of the 2009 era. Ashba confirmed that he submitted 8-10 songs to Guns N' Roses, however it is unknown when, and if, they will be released.[19] Ashba has also stated that Axl Rose has about 3 albums worth of stuff recorded that he's heard.[20] It is unknown if these tracks feature Ashba, and if they will ever be released.

In addition to his contributions with Guns N' Roses music, Ashba and his company, Ashba Media, helped with the design of Guns N' Roses stages and merchandise during his tenure in the band. They also helped to create that would be featured on Axl's piano, including artwork from the "Red Hand" version of Chinese Democracy, and special artwork designed for the Appetite For Democracy residency.

Ashba announced on July 27, 2015, that he was leaving the band, citing his commitment to his family and Sixx: A.M.[21][22] The statement read "I have reached a point in my life where I feel it's time to dedicate myself to my band Sixx:A.M., my adoring wife and family, and to the many new adventures that the future holds for me."[23]

Sixx: A.M.

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Main article: Sixx:A.M.
Ashba playing with Sixx:A.M. in 2016

In 2006 Ashba had set up Funny Farms Studios with Nikki Sixx.[24] They began writing and producing, and performing music together[25] which included collaborations with singer Marion Raven, whom Sixx had worked with before, on her Heads Will Roll EP[26] and album Set Me Free. James Michael also is credited on the albums.[27] In March 2007, Sixx penned "Reason I'm Alive" for Drowning Pool's new album Full Circle with both Sixx and Ashba co-producing the track.[28]

Ashba released the critically acclaimed album The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack after collaborating with Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx and producer James Michael under the name Sixx:A.M. in August, 2007 serving as a soundtrack to Sixx's autobiography The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star.[29] The single "Life is Beautiful" reached #2 on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks. Originally the group stated they had no intention of touring.[30] After constant support for the band and interest in a tour, they held a nationwide vote for tour dates. The tour was scheduled to start in spring 2008, but had been postponed to the summer due to unforeseeable circumstances.[31] On April 15, 2008, Sixx:A.M. announced they would be touring as part of Mötley Crüe's Crüe Fest, along with Buckcherry, Papa Roach and Trapt. The tour began on July 1, 2008, in West Palm Beach, Florida.[32] During Crüe Fest, Papa Roach drummer Tony Palermo served as a touring drummer for the band. A deluxe tour edition of The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack was released on November 25, 2008, which included a bonus live EP entitled Live Is Beautiful which features recorded performances from the band's summer tour. In April 2009, both James Michael and Nikki Sixx confirmed that the band was in the studio, recording new material. Sixx added that the new material is "inspiring. it feels like we may have topped ourselves on this album coming up, and can't wait for you to hear what it sounds like."[33]

On May 3, 2011, the Sixx:A.M. album This Is Gonna Hurt was released, followed by Modern Vintage in 2014, and their first headlining tour in the spring of 2015.[34]

In 2016, Sixx: A.M. released 2 full-length studio albums, Prayers for the Damned and Prayers for the Blessed, before embarking on a world tour.[35] Subsequent to the tour the group entered a hiatus, confirmed by Ashba and James Michael in February 2018.[36]

In 2019 Sixx A.M. reunited to record and release the charity single "Talk to Me", and announced the impending release of several other tracks recorded for a greatest hits album.

In 2021 Sixx A.M. released Greatest Hits, which featured three new songs. James Michael subsequently said that it was "a good way to kind of wrap of Sixx:A.M.'s body of work", while not ruling out future reunions.

Return to solo work (2017-present)

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In February 2018 Ashba and James Michael announced a collaborative project called Pyromantic, focused on mixing rock with pop and dance influences. By the following year Michael had exited the project.

By 2020 the Pyromantic project had evolved into a resurrection of the ASHBA name, now a solo project, with the release of the singles "Hypnotic", "Let's Dance", and "A Christmas Storm". The following year he released the cover single "Bella Ciao".[37]

Other work

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Ashba owns two corporations, Ashba Media, Inc. and Ashbaland Inc.[38] In 2003, he founded Ashba Media, Inc. This creative agency was announced the Agency of Record for Virgin Entertainment. AMI designs the look and feel of every Virgin Megastore. They also have other clients, such as Ovation guitars, Royal Underground and many more. Ashba contributed to Mötley Crüe's 2008 album Saints of Los Angeles penning all tracks with the exception of "This Ain't a Love Song".[39] The title track "Saints of Los Angeles" was nominated for a Grammy the same year.

Equipment

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Guitars
  • Schecter Guitar Research. As of 2016, now uses his very own Schecter DJ Ashba signature model from the Schecter USA Custom Shop.
  • Ernie Ball Music Man Axis guitars
Amps
  • Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier 100W heads, feeding Line 6 Spider Valve 412VS 240W 4X12 Guitar Speaker Cabinet Straight, loaded with Celestion Vintage 30s
  • Two modified Line 6 POD pro amp modules - Line 6 Vetta HD and Vetta HD II Heads
Pedals
  • Morley Dj Ashba Skeleton Wah Pedal
  • Digitech Whammy Pitch-Shifting Guitar Effects Pedal
  • GCX Ground Control PRO Midi Controller
  • Ernie Ball 6166 Mono Volume Pedal,

Personal life

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Ashba married Nathalia Henao on September 23, 2013, after one year of dating.[40]

In 2013, three Las Vegas police officers took Ashba and his girlfriend Nathalia Henao on a ride in a police helicopter, ending with Ashba proposing marriage to Henao. The three police officers involved were punished by the department for improper and unauthorized use of a police vehicle. One officer retired in anticipation of demotion, one was transferred and the pilot was banned from flying for the metro police department.[41]

In February 2023, it was announced Ashba and Henao would be divorcing after nine years of marriage.[42]

Since 2023, Ashba has been in a relationship with Kerri Kasem[43][44]

Discography

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Solo

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  • Addiction to the Friction (1996)
  • Songs for the Demented Mind (2012)

With Beautiful Creatures

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With Guns N' Roses

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With Sixx:A.M.

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Production, songwriting and guest credits

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Year Album title Band Record label Credits
2002 I'd Start a Revolution If I Could Get Up in the Morning Aimee Allen Elektra Unreleased Guitars on "Revolution"
2003 Welcome to Blue Island Enuff Z'Nuff Perris Records Guitars on "87 Days"
2003 Outlaw Volleyball Original soundtrack Sumthing Distribution Composer, Primary Artist on "Feel This" and "Who Am I"
2005 Heads Will Roll EP Marion Raven Eleven Seven Co-writer "Spit You Out"
2007 Set Me Free Marion Raven Eleven Seven/Warner Bros. Co-writer "Set Me Free" and "Thank You For Loving Me"
2007 Full Circle Drowning Pool Eleven Seven Co-producer on "Reason I'm Alive"
2007 The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack Sixx:A.M. Eleven Seven Co-writer and producer
2007 Saints of Los Angeles Mötley Crüe Eleven Seven/Universal Music Group Co-writer on all tracks except "This Ain't a Love Song"
2009 A Cherry Cherry Christmas Neil Diamond American, Columbia Writer on "Meditations on a Winter (instrumental)"[45]
2009 Whatever Gets You Off The Last Vegas Eleven Seven Co-producer
2011 This Is Gonna Hurt Sixx:A.M. Eleven Seven Co-writer and producer
2011 Memories of a Beautiful Disaster James Durbin Wind-Up Records Co-writer "Crawling Home"
2014 Modern Vintage Sixx:A.M. Eleven Seven Music Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
2016 Prayers for the Damned Sixx:A.M. Eleven Seven Music Lead Guitar, Composer, Backing Vocals
2016 Prayers for the Blessed Sixx:A.M. Eleven Seven Music Lead Guitar, Composer, Backing Vocals
2021 The Body Remembers Debbie Gibson StarGirl Records Guitars on "Legendary", "Freedom", and "What Are We Gonna Do?"

References

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  1. ^ "The Story Behind the Music: Q&A with HARMAN Ambassador DJ Ashba". HARMAN Newsroom. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  2. ^ "Dj Ashba of Guns N' Roses / Sixx:AM (INTERVIEW)". glidemagazine.com. 13 March 2012. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  3. ^ Blabbermouth (2011-12-10). "DJ ASHBA: How I Landed GUNS N' ROSES Gig". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  4. ^ "Ashba – Addiction to the Friction music CD discography". Heavyharmonies.com. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
  5. ^ "Steven Adler Goes From Guns To Bullets While Ex-Guns Remain Active". Mtv.com. 1998-07-07. Archived from the original on January 15, 2009. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
  6. ^ "Artists :: BULLETBOYS". MusicMight. 2009-03-21. Archived from the original on 2010-01-28. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
  7. ^ "Metal Sludge – 20 Questions with DJ Ashba, 10/15/02". Metalsludge.tv. 2002-10-15. Archived from the original on 2012-03-07. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
  8. ^ "Rock Circus interview with Kenny, Anthony, DJ and Joe from Beautiful Creatures". Rockcircustv.com. Archived from the original on 2012-03-01. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
  9. ^ Beautiful Creatures - Beautiful Creatures | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 2022-03-31
  10. ^ "Beautiful Creatures". IMDb. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  11. ^ "BEAUTIFUL CREATURES Part With Guitarist, Vow To Carry On – February 13, 2002". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Archived from the original on 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
  12. ^ "Former BEAUTIFUL CREATURES Duo Join Forces In ASHBA – May 17, 2003". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Archived from the original on 2003-09-14. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
  13. ^ "Black Velvet Rock Music Magazine - www.blackvelvetmagazine.com". blackvelvetmagazine.com. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  14. ^ "Interview with D.J. Ashba ~ Brian Rademacher: When you first met Nikki Sixx what was your impression? Date: October 2007". Rockeyez.com. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
  15. ^ "Guitarist DJ ASHBA Rejects MÖTLEY CRÜE Rumors – January 9, 2005". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Archived from the original on 2012-09-07. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
  16. ^ GUNS N' ROSES NAMES DJ ASHBA AS BAND'S NEWEST AXEMAN March 21, 2009 Archived September 1, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ "GUNS N' ROSES Joined By SIXX: A.M. Guitarist D.J. ASHBA – March 21, 2009". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Archived from the original on 2011-08-05. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
  18. ^ "GUNS N' ROSES Plays Longest Concert Ever In Tokyo – December 19, 2009". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Archived from the original on 2009-12-23. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
  19. ^ "DJ Ashba says he submitted "8 to 10" new Guns N' Roses songs to Axl Rose during his tenure, but they never materialized". Guitar World. 27 January 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  20. ^ "Guns N' Roses have three albums of new music". Elle. 19 May 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  21. ^ "DJ Ashba Leaving Guns N' Roses After Six Years". Rolling Stone. 27 July 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  22. ^ "Guitarist DJ Ashba Exits Guns N' Roses". Loudwire. 27 July 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  23. ^ "DJ Ashba Quits Guns N' Roses". Ultimate Classic Rock. 27 July 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  24. ^ "NIKKI SIXX, DJ ASHBA Team Up To Launch FUNNY FARM Studios – July 14, 2006". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Archived from the original on 2012-09-08. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
  25. ^ "MÖTLEY CRÜE's SIXX Completes 'Eight New Tracks With No Destination In Mind' – September 22, 2006". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Archived from the original on 2012-09-07. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
  26. ^ Anne Carlini (2006). "The Call of The Raven is Upon Us!". Exclusive Magazine. Retrieved 2007-03-27.
  27. ^ "MÖTLEY CRÜE Bassist, Ex-BEAUTIFUL CREATURES Guitarist Guest On New MARION RAVEN Single – December 19, 2006". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Archived from the original on 2012-09-15. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
  28. ^ "MÖTLEY CRÜE Bassist, Ex-BEAUTIFUL CREATURES Guitarist Write, Produce Songs For DROWNING POOL – March 2, 2007". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Archived from the original on March 8, 2007. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
  29. ^ "NIKKI SIXX's 'The Heroin Diaries': Book, Album Release Dates Announced – May 8, 2007". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Archived from the original on 2012-09-15. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
  30. ^ "Metal News – Nikki Sixx Denies Sixx:A.M. Tour". Metalunderground.com. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
  31. ^ Sixx:A.M. 2–28 Archived June 7, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  32. ^ Concert Announcement: Cruefest with Motley Crue, STLtoday.com
  33. ^ "Nikki Sixx Says New Sixx: AM Songs Are 'All So Inspiring', date: April 28, 2009". Ultimate-guitar.com. 2009-04-28. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
  34. ^ Blabbermouth (2015-04-10). "Video: SIXX: A.M. Kicks Off First-Ever Headlining Tour In San Francisco". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  35. ^ Blabbermouth (2016-03-01). "SIXX: A.M. To Release 'Prayers For The Damned Vol. 1' Album In April; Listen To First Single 'Rise'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  36. ^ Childers, Chad (February 11, 2018). "Sixx: A.M.'s James Michael + DJ Ashba Announce New Band Pyromantic". Loudwire. Retrieved 2018-02-12.
  37. ^ Blabbermouth (2021-10-29). "Hear Ex-GUNS N' ROSES Guitarist DJ ASHBA's Cover Of Italian Folk Classic 'Bella Ciao'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  38. ^ Crawford, Allyson B. "DJ Ashba: The Bring Back Glam! Interview Posted on Monday, December 8, 2008". Bringbackglam.com. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
  39. ^ Williams, Adam (2008-08-01). "Mötley Crüe: Saints of Los Angeles < Reviews". PopMatters. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
  40. ^ Hartmann, Graham (24 September 2013). "Guns N' Roses Guitarist DJ Ashba Marries Nathalia Henao". Loudwire. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
  41. ^ "Marriage Proposal by Guns N' Roses' DJ Ashba Results in Stiff Punishment of Police Officers Read More: DJ Ashba's Marriage Proposal Leads to Punishments of Police Officers". loudwire.com. 3 January 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  42. ^ "After 9 beautiful years of marriage". Facebook. 2023-02-12. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
  43. ^ "Kerri Kasem and Ashba Collaborate In Love". KLAS 8 News. 2024-06-11. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
  44. ^ "Happy New Year". Facebook. 2025-01-01. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
  45. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Review: A Cherry Cherry Christmas". Allmusic. Retrieved 11 October 2009.
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