Biography
"Deeply soulful and sincere, while still managing to rock. The Confessional makes me want to confess my darkest sins....and then commit them again..." -- Johanna Gohmann, Writer and Editor, MUZE Inc. New York City
All true stories! It's a headline you'd expect to see on some trashy tabloid but yeah it's a fact – all of the songs this Kentucky rock/grunge indie band does are based on a true story. Even the tales they tell between songs are bona fide. Ask drummer Jyn Yates and lead vocalist/guitarist Ashley Burchett about the time they saw the Grim Reaper headed toward them on a steamy May afternoon. With lead guitarist Jason Adams and bassist Nick Peay, no angel of death could stop them from blasting their way into your consciousness. With raw Janis Joplin-like vocals, Pink Floyd creativity and the driving rhythms of classic rock a la Zeppelin and GNR, this band is no wimpy band.
Sharing songwriting duties they offer straight-ahead confessionals like "Alone," a cut that could have come from an early Melissa Etheridge album, raw and earthy, centered on a rhythmic acoustic guitar. In contrast is the distinctive instrumental "Maney's Song," with Burchett's innovative guitar leading the way like a soulful Duanne Eddy, with drummer Jyn Yates laying a steady groove behind it.
The band has transformed into many different layers for the past few years. The group has performed all around Kentucky, including several stints at Headliners, the same place that's hosted artists as varied as Radio Head to Parliament. In their short time together they've played many gigs, sharing the stage with everyone from K's Choice lead singer Sarah Bettens, to singer-songwriter Jenn Foster, to banjo player and five time grammy winner Steve Cooley and Label X artist Teneia Sanders as well as snake charmers, fire spinners, roller derby girls and acrobats. The Grim Reaper hasn't been available.
They all come from musical families -- front porch pickers, established bands and rock/country singers. Their inspiration ranges from everything as vast as Dolly Parton to The Beatles.
Jyn Yates first sat behind a set of drums at the tender age of three and made her stage debut at thirteen, opening for Tim McGraw and the Kentucky Headhunters. With a huge musical family including a grandma who played the banjo, dulcimer and more, music was a likely choice. The Clash and Red Hot Chili Peppers probably wasn't what they had in mind but that's what led Jyn to where she is today. Along the way she played drums for members of Steve Wariner's band, for many other bands and as a studio musician on countless projects. When she's not touring she teaches students every week at Mom's Music in Louisville. Jyn also plays clarinet, saxophone, marimba, and all percussion instruments.
Ashley Burchett had an uncle who would strum country tunes on his guitar. She begged him to teach her and instead he showed up one day and casually dropped off a Mel Bay song book with instructions to teach herself. Many kids would have given up but Ashley locked herself in her room and plowed through the book, eventually steeping herself in the work of Guns n' Roses, Pink Floyd and just about anything with a guitar. After playing music while in college, she headed to Louisville where she met Jyn. Ash is also responsible for The Confessional's edgy vocals. She plays piano too and lists Slash, Tori Amos and Lindsey Buckingham as influences.
Whether you're the Grim Reaper or just look good in black you'll love their straight-ahead stories, innovative instrumentals, tough guitars and gritty but melodic vocals.
"Picture Janis Joplin jammin' with John Bonham in heaven, reinvented. Their songs are melodic, yet absolutely rockin', mixed with thought-provoking lyrics about real life, love and loss. See this band." -- Leigh Ann Yost, Recording Artist
Instrumentation
Ashley Burchett - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Nick Peay - Bass
Jyn Yates - Drums, Percussion
Jason Adams - Lead Guitar
Honorary member on album Deanna Burnell - Bass, Trumpet
Discography
We are about to release our first self-titled album, The Confessional.
2008 All Rights Reserved -- The Confessional
