From the west coast of Canada comes a group of musicians whose years of combined experience and musical talent combine to honor a great Canadian musical icon.
Ashbury West, A Tribute to the music of Neil Young, hails from Vancouver Island and was established in 2011 by musician Gordie Cheyne. Committed to create a sound that is true to the original,
Ashbury West brings a familiar yet fresh twist to what are some of the most recognized songs from the great Neil Young.
The band plays the Bridge Lounge in Courtenay on Sept. 7.
Gordie Cheyne (guitars/vocals/harmonica) was born in Toronto and started playing guitar at 17; by 19 he was playing with his first
band. He has played in many bands across Canada, in many genres (rock, metal, country and gospel) as rhythm guitarist and/or lead vocalist.
He has recorded original songs on CD, tape and vinyl. He has worked with many of Canada’s top artists as a sound engineer and has engineered/produced for films and bands in Victoria, where he now makes his home.
When not playing with Ashbury West you will find him hosting an open mic at the V Lounge at the Red Lion Inn in Victoria or travelling up and down the Island performing original material with Dale Manason’s Nashville-Style Guitar Pull raising money for local food banks.
Christopher Tate (lead guitar/vocals/piano/lap steel) was born in Manchester, England. He later moved to Toronto, where he
performed in several acts as a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Canada wide. From winning the Thunder Bay Band Wars with
the Wanted Band, releasing an 11-song album Don’t Take My Rock n Roll and to his present project as one of the founding members of the band Rhodeo Drive, Christopher tears it up with his ripping guitar solos and demanding stage presence.
Matt Noble (bass guitar/vocals) is a B.C.-born bassist, singer, songwriter who resides in Victoria. Matt has dedicated the last 12 years of his life to refining his style and songwriting characteristics, while exploring the world of emotion, believing music is the only true way of communicating feeling or thought. Matt also performs with local Alternative Metal band, Watering Dead Flowers. As a bassist in a guitar-dominated world, Matt yearns to break the contemporary mould of what makes a good bassist and in turn a good musician, constantly striving for stronger rhythms, dynamic earth-shaking pulse and tear-jerking melody, Matt blends the best of yesteryear's influences with a fresh positive energy that demands attention in everywhere he goes.
Matty (the Animal) Stockman (drums/vocals) was born in London, Ont. Matt is a drummer’s drummer. His ability to find and take the groove to the next level with backup vocals that adds to a
dynamite rhythm section to any style of music. Bringing his colourful personality and wardrobe to the stage, he adds an undeniable depth to the music. Matt has been performing with the award-winning (Best Live Act Vancouver Island Music Awards) country/rock act the Turnpike Bandits for the past five years.
Ashbury West presents its Neil Young tribute Sept. 7 at the Bridge Lounge in Courtenay. Advance tickets are at the Bridge and at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8.
— Ashbury West