I took this photo of Ash Wednesday backstage after the concert of Einsturzende Neubauten at Divadlo Archa in Prague November 2010. Ash Wednesday is known as a synth pioneer. He has broken new ground worldwide with his innovative synth sounds that varied with electronica to punk to industrial and to new approaches to digital sampling. Ash was one of the first to combine experimental analog synesizer textures with punk/rock rhythms. It all began in 1976 with the Australian band JAB and then he carried on with Australian band The Models in 1979. He joined with Al Webb and Andrew Picouleau to do experimental recording projects called "The Metronomes". He worked on many projects and collaborations, too many to mention. One important collaboration: the band Crashland! Ash pursued new directions with this band and developed his approach to digital sampling.
Ash moved to Berlin in 1992 and lived there for 5 years. He worked with Nina Hagen with preproduction and programming for her 1995 album ReuD euch (Bee Happy). He began working with Einsturzende Neubauten in 1997 and went on tours and recorded a number of albums with them. He continues working with them, but he is also based in Melbourne. He reunited with ex-Crashland! Vocalist Lyn Gordon to form “The Tingler” and released a CD in 2000. He continues to divide his time between Melbourne and Berlin creating his special sounds. I met Ash awhile ago in Berlin. I never know where I might run into him. I do not see myself going to Australia any time soon, but I am sure that I will turn a corner or walk into a room and meet him on these shores some time soon.