A John Hardman collaboration with rock band ASONO and J2 Music Productions.
The second album cover created in 2004 to help unsigned Rock band 'ASONO'.
Initially a logo was designed and created to be used for these two EP albums (Roses and Faith).
A year or so later, a great deal of interest was shown and we decided to 'refresh' the logo. A few ideas and concepts were created - transition is shown further below.
JANUARY 2007
Asono, the guitar driven foursome from Berkshire, are set to bring their edgy indie rock vibe to the States.
The members have become the talk of their native UK after less than two years on the London scene.
And just as their first single Street Full of Strangers is catching on with college radio stations and Top 40 outlets around the country, Asono will embark on a five-week tour in February and March that will take in LA, San Diego, San Francisco and Las Vegas before moving on to Texas.
Asono are Jonny Ross, lead vocal and guitar, Andrew Simmons, guitars and backing vocals, Jason Denhart, bass and backing vocals and Oli King, drums and backing vocals.
The band formed in 2003. All the members went to school at Bearwood College, Wokingham, and are based in Reading, Camberley and Ascot.
Popularity for Asono’s music, which is diverse and dynamic, is fast growing and the American tour is something they have wanted to do since forming.
Wise and talented beyond their years, the boys are already veterans and a huge part of London’s indie rock scene, which they have been part of since the summer of 2005. By a few weeks into autumn 2006, Asono had close to 50 gigs under their belt for the year.
In addition to performing at the London Astoria II, a major venue for up and coming bands, the quartet, whose oldest member is 20-year-old King from Reading, has headlined and filled a host of major venues on the London circuit including The Barfly, The Rock Garden, Dublin Castle, The Grand and even a headlining slot at the infamous Oxford University Summer Ball. Then just as they were getting revved up in mid-2005, Asono reached the finals of Emergenza’s Unsigned Competition, an event that attracted over 1,000 unsigned acts.
Since then they have played a cool variety of festivals, with their unforgettable 40 minute set at Guilfest 2006 landing them a live acoustic set on Delta FM. They will also soon be doing a live acoustic set on Eagle FM, another hot London station.
The band’s influences over the last three years have primarily been legendary American rock groups like Aerosmith and Pearl Jam. This tour gives the band a chance to perform their music to American audiences and see whether their future could lie across the pond.
The members have all taken two years out of education to focus on their music and this represents a great opportunity to get on the map in the eyes of the public and the record industry. Particularly as the band will be performing at South by South West in Texas at the end of the tour where over 8,000 music industry delegates descend on Austin for five solid days of live music from up and coming artists.
A powerful rock singer with stadium filling vocal power, Ross is generally the driving force behind the band’s song writing process for each tune. He has quickly developed into a charismatic showman who rivets crowds the minute he hits the stage.
His lead guitar work blends perfectly with Simmons’ lead and rhythm guitar to create a unique mood for every song. Denhart’s driving bass patterns and King’s technical wizardry create an ambitious yet concrete platform from which the two guitarists can really express themselves.
But beyond all the intense musicianship and exciting stage presence, Asono’s real heart lies in their songs, emotionally complex, stylistically diverse rock tracks that show a maturity way beyond each member’s years.
The band has so far released two EPs, the three song Someday (2005) and four song One Man Army (2006); they have combined them into a mini-album which has been an extraordinary seller from the bandstand and whose sales are bound to increase with a distribution deal and the release of the single Street Full Of Strangers.
When they reach the US, Asono will soon be able to see if the vision of Los Angeles they portray in She Loves LA is accurate.
“This one was written as a dirty love song,” Simmons said. “This guy loves the lady and takes her to LA where she falls in love with the lifestyle but says she’s no longer in love with him. The uplifting twist is that he eventually wants her out of his life.”
He added:“Even though we enjoy telling compelling stories, we also like to leave a little to the listener’s imagination.”
A gig held at Bearwood College on Sunday, supported by The Vice and Panikk Attakk, was all about letting people know what Asono are doing while also raising funds for the tour.
King said: “We just want to be able to show people what we are about. Most of us have been influenced by American bands and it’s a chance for us to really see what the American scene is all about.
“We really love playing for UK audiences but this is a chance for us to do something different. It is very exciting.”
Band manager Ben Ross added: “Sunday night’s gig was fantastic. It was really well supported and we are now well on our way to raising enough funds to pay for flights and accommodation.
“Bearwood College were extremely generous in allowing us to use the theatre and other facilities and Team Productions did a fantastic job of the sound. They both helped to make a very memorable occasion indeed.”
A series of two promo EP/singles were released in 2004: 'Roses' and 'Faith'.
Logo transition from 'original visual' to the final design, which became the release in 2006.
Final release cover in 2006.
ASONO rehearsing in 2004.
Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.Martin Luther King