Unabashedly and unashamed, Lights Over Ashfield touts themselves as a local band focused on original music who sometimes toss into their shows covers of anything from Better than Ezra to Bruce Springstein.  

With songs that are intelligent and artistic, the band offers the audience tunes that may not be easy to sing along to upon first exposure but that could easily become part of everyday rotation in their playlists.

What makes Lights Over Ashfield a must-see act is the fact that carbon copies just don’t do the four-member band justice.  Unlike many local performers and some major stars, Lights Over Ashfield sounds better live than on clean, crisp, cut CDs.

Adding to the appeal is the energy and enthusiasm exhibited by lead singer, Damian Gessel, and the rest of the band.  Gessel takes over the stage and beyond in the performances and connects with the audience through raw emotion and penetrating eye contact.

Each member of the band, brings their own elements of excellence that combine to make a sound so well managed listeners might wonder when not if they will no longer be able to see Lights Over Ashfield several nights a month as they move on to bigger venues outside the area. 

Ed Burke takes the drums to task, cigarette hanging loosely from his lips, and thrills the crowd when he offers a postlude to songs.

Troy Moser performs with the four strings like nothing else is needed, offering a solid base of style and sound for equally talented guitarist Jamie Rodgers to build on and blow and unsuspecting crowd away.

When listening to the band, it is hard to get around the fact that each song is a story and each story, if allowed, can help us focus on and connect with the human condition. 

So sorely lacking in much novice original work, the lyrics of songs by Lights Over Ashfield offer the audience an opportunity for reflection on modern life. 

Lyrics for all their songs have been provided on their MySpace lyrics page, and range from messages of love and loss to a message that can easily be interpreted as commentary on the sickening sinking of our collective spirit after a national disaster like 9/11.  What’s more, the songs transport us to our own space, including sung images of work and home.

Unfortunately, Lights Over Ashfield recently dropped two shows scheduled for Striker’s Pub, Pottsville and Yocko’s Bar and Grill, Minersville, creating a bit of anxiety among the faithful.  However, Gessel and company have much to work with and for as they continue to gain local sponsors, fans and venues seeking their sound to entertain desperately wanting Skooks. 

Their upcoming shows include a mix of bar atmosphere and open-air venues.

This Skook Owl’s recommendation? Be sure to see the Lights before they pull out of our backyard “Ashfield”.