Ashes of Jupiter
Ashes of Jupiter were formed officially in April 2017 as a 4 piece rock/metal group. Collectively, the men who make up this band have known each other for going on 15 years. Their chemistry as brothers translates seamlessly to the stage and their presence on said stage is most certainly one to be reckoned with. Their raw and passionate energy is visibly contagious and has audiences captivated at every show. Comprised of the simple yet effective formula of drums, bass, guitar, and vocals, the band’s success has been soaring with the catchy southern rock inspired tune, “Greed” and the ever-driving rhythm of fan favorite “Youtopia”. With the tone of Tim Scarberry’s signature guitar sound driving the melody, very often making one croon their neck to the progressions, this band’s prowess is one rarely or recently seen to this degree. Despite being a four-piece group, Robson Guy commands his instrument as if it were simultaneously a rhythm guitar and a bass, lending itself to the band’s signature sound. Add to that the drums and their owner and operator, Jared Houston who seamlessly combines precise syncopation with funky and laid back grooves, Jared’s expertly delivered sonic input in every song is not only powerful, but also something you can’t stop tapping out hours after you’ve listened to the last note of a song. Lastly, inspired by vocalists such as Myles Kennedy, Lajon Witherspoon, and Maynard James Keenan, Adam Liston conducts his voice as well as the crowd as he delivers well-received vocal complements to Tim’s melodic guitar virtuosity. Lauded as writing and composing some of the “catchiest vocal hooks”, Adam prides himself in delivering soaring and ear-worm-worthy melodies. This collective sound and presence all culminates into an amalgam of sounds in which fans of many different genres can all unite, including fans of metal, southern rock, jazz, screamo, djent, and even blues. The band have created a sound so unique, it’s as if TOOL, 311, and Primus had a lovechild with Creedance Clearwater Revival, Sevendust, and Alter Bridge. Ashes of Jupiter are able to seamlessly transition between dulcet melodies and brutal rhythms in their songs and the fan response is consistently palpable. It’s for this reason and all of the above reasons that Ashes of Jupiter will continue their rise and, like a fine whiskey, will only get better as time progresses. In less than a year and with no label or agency backing, Ashes of Jupiter have secured shows in support of national acts TRAPT, Arch Enemy, Trivium, and Pop Evil, New Years Day, and Stitched Up Heart. The band also earned a TV spot on state syndicated morning show, Good Day New Mexico, showcasing their skill and comical personalities. Finally, Ashes of Jupiter have been included in Albuquerque’s “Best of ‘Burque Music”; a city-wide contest for just musicians, in which the band have been nominated in 10 categories, including Best Metal Band, Best Rock Band, Best Band of 2017, and Band Most Deserving of a Record Deal, to name the most noteworthy names. The name of the game for the boys is love of music, love of fans, and caring for each other, and indeed, it shines through in every performance and every interaction. Their hard work clearly shows in their diligence for promoting and working. Ashes of Jupiter’s first EP release, “Celestial Warfare” is currently in progress and will be released this summer on all major digital distribution platforms as well as in CD format.
Adam Liston
Adam Liston started out with a very deep love of music. He started singing in choirs in school around the age of 10 and continued voice training throughout the rest of his now 32 years of life. The first singer that made a lasting, personal impression on Adam was Darin Keim from then local band, Staple. Adam continued learning techniques from his influences, including, Freddie Mercury, Lajon Witherspoon, Myles Kennedy, and Maynard James Keenan. Hands down, Adam’s favorite place to be is on stage with Jared, Rob, and Tim in Ashes of Jupiter.
Jared Houston
Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Jared grew up with a music loving family. His father Tom played drums and toured at the young age of 16. In eighth grade Jared started playing drums and percussion in middle school in both symphonic and jazz. He then continued throughout high school including drum line in the marching band. During the high school years Jared had a couple of garage bands and fell in love with the creative process in writing original material. When it came time to get a job, Jared started working at an Albuquerque favorite pizza place. It was here where he reconnected with Tim Scarberry and started a band called Underscore. Jared and Tim had known each other since kindergarten but never really hung out. Little did they know, this was a start to a crazy musical endeavor and participation in many projects. A few years later Robson Guy and Jared came together playing with the band Transfriction. Tim, Robson and Jared collaborated to create a group called The Pharynx Gift. Adam Liston then came into the picture with Tim and Jared in 2008 to create a band called Systolic. With Adam being in the Military, orders took him away to Washington just over a year later. Jared would continue to jam with Tim and other friends, open mic jazz nights, and even played with Robson in his band called Stem Ivory. Robson still continues Stem Ivory today but with a different drummer. In May 2017 Jared called Robson to see if he wanted to get together with Tim and Adam, in a new project called Ashes of Jupiter. Adam who’s military term came to an end moved back to Albuquerque in 2014. Robson agreed and now this culmination of long known best friends and amazing musicians forged together and took Albuquerque, NM by storm playing some great shows with national acts and making a long awaited dream of playing the Sunshine Theater, local big venue, a reality! Now a year later, an EP release is set to drop nation wide in June 2018, which was recorded at Rio Grande Studios. There they met Ken Riley, who is the mix engineer and producer at the studio. This was the boys first experience with a real professional studio and it was very surreal. Jared seeks influence from many different style drummers who include; Dave Weckel, John Bonham, Chad Sexton, Matt Halpern, Blake Richardson and Carter Beauford. Jared’s style and likes are eclectic of Classic Rock, Alternative, Punk, Funk, Jazz, Metal and Progressive Rock music.
Robson Guy
Robson was born in Long Beach, California and moved to Albuquerque with his family when he was young. His mother would wake him up at the crack of dawn and teach him to play lullabies on a Casio keyboard during their first few summers in New Mexico. He started playing guitar with his best friend at the age of ten. Between sneaking in to the local high school for skateboard runs, his friend would show him some basics on the fretboard and they would play simple covers together in the basement studio of his friend’s house in Bernalillo.
After leaving private school, where he sang in the choir, Robson joined the percussion section in band in the seventh grade. Indecisive as whether to pursue percussion or bass guitar, and his father told him he couldn’t pay for both, Robson negotiated a compromise—to keep renting the snare drum for band and to purchase a practice bass and amp as his only birthday present.
First thing he would do when he got home from school was crank up the bass amp and play until it was dinner time. He received some lessons where he learned more about the instrument and how to read tablature; after-which, he would skate to the nearby gas station every week to review new tabs in Guitar World magazine, absorbing and learning as many riffs and songs as possible. He would go through his sisters’ and father’s CD collections, listening to anything and everything from classic rock, R&B, hip-hop, gangster rap, pop, classical and jazz, to alternative, industrial, and metal. Until this point in his life, he had primarily only been exposed to gospel music. He would play lead guitar solos on the bass and play along to entire albums by Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, One Minute Silence, TOOL and Jane’s Addiction every night until he could flawlessly play along to the entire album. Practicing for hours daily, he immersed himself in every aspect of music and band culture.
At fourteen, after making steady progress, a group of musicians at his high school asked him to join their band for the upcoming battle of the bands competition. They were playing two originals and two covers—Metallica and Pantera. This was his first band and he had only heard Metallica and Pantera a few times on the radio. With only a month to prepare, he asked his father if they could go buy some new music. His father picked out some selections and Robson obtained three Metallica albums and one live Pantera album. Robson locked himself in his room and listened to every album incessantly, playing along in attempt to master every note in perfect time. They named the band Deception (which later became Against the Grain) and won the battle of the bands. After switching high schools, he parted ways with the band and joined a few other unsuccessful projects. During this time, he started listening to a lot of reggae, progressive, world, and funk music; he would go to festivals, similar to a regional Burning Man at a place far out in the Rio Rancho desert called “Three-Sided-Hole”, play in drum circles, jam with “Deadheads”, and learn a lot from the “hippie” communities. Robson would play with anyone and everyone, taking lessons, advice, constructive and destructive criticism wherever he could. Recruited by a local performing band, Once Misguided (later renamed Afterpill), at the age of seventeen, he began playing shows at the bars in the downtown and Nob Hill areas of Albuquerque, continuing to hone his craft. These band members were mentors; they pushed him, guided him, and taught him ways to improve. Robson played and toured with them diligently from the ages of seventeen to twenty-two. During these five years Robson was granted many offers. He would utilize every audition or jam session as an opportunity to study, explore, and self-reflect; he was eager to expand his repertoire, knowledge, and gear. At the age of nineteen, Robson met Jared while working as a server and sauce cook in a restaurant. Jared invited Robson to play with him and his best friend Tim. Unable to establish a solid creative vision, the three of them decided to go in different directions. Soon thereafter, Robson met a vocalist and a guitarist in need of a rhythm section. Robson told them he knew the perfect drummer, Jared. The four of them created a progressive, experimental, metal project called Transfriction. Within a week they recorded their “dollar demo”—a CD with two songs and lyrics, which they would sell for $1.00. They booked shows relentlessly for over a year and built a solid fan base and network of talented comrades in the local music scene. The time went quickly and Robson, frustrated with the band’s progress, the band’s evolution, and his personal, academic, artistic, and financial progress, decided to go back to school. He needed a break to evaluate the situation, his life, and his objectives.
The band had a falling out. Jared and Robson decided to call Tim to see about launching a new project, which Robson called The Pharynx Gift. With five songs, mostly instrumental, they began booking shows. The project had potential, but was quasi-haphazard. They needed a vocalist. Jared reached out to Adam to show him the material. Adam was very interested and immediately forged a deep friendship with Jared and Tim. At this same time Robson became focused on school and joined another band, Willy J and The Storytellers. The Pharynx Gift ultimately morphed into Systolic and the new formations of Willy J, Systolic, and Transfriction would sometimes play shows and competitions together at the local venues for a few years.
Systolic dissolved, Robson left Willy J., created Stem Ivory, an alternative rock band, and joined heavy stoner rock band The Horned God and metal band Illumina. For a year, during 2011 to 2012, Jared played drums for Stem Ivory and helped compose and record some of the original songs. About six years pass, Robson goes back to school, again, and Jared contacts Robson during the summer of 2017, asking him if he wants to come over to jam with Tim and Adam. Robson informs Jared he’s in school full-time, but would love to jam with them. The first session is refreshing and productive. One week turned into four and Robson books the first Ashes of Jupiter show within a month. Ashes of Jupiter then begins performing with major national and international touring acts in less than a year.
Tim Scarberry
Tim Scarberry has molded his playing from deep roots in classic rock, blues, funk, and metal. It all started when he saw the rendition of 10 Years After’s Alvin Lee shred through “I’m Going Home” during a special airing of Woodstock on PBS. Once Tim picked up the guitar, his influences grew and aligned more with Jimmy Page and Zakk Wylde. Tim is honored collaborate creatively along with Adam, Jared, and Robson to bring driving licks, melodic leads, and a great stage presence to Ashes of Jupiter.
