Geoff Johnston gave my band some recognition in this week’s Dallas Observer. He names us as one of five local bands to look forward to in 2007 in his article, 5 x 2 = 10.

Being up front: I know Geoff. I’ve known him for almost 10 years. He started writing for the Observer last year and he had a personal rule that he wouldn’t write about his friends’ bands. I think it’s a good rule; still, it’s nice to see him relent a little and do the same thing other writers at that paper have been practicing for years.

Here’s what he wrote.

Ashburne Glen

Full disclosure: Awhile back we used to work at the Borders on Lovers Lane and Greenville Avenue with Jason Hensel, who until recently was the sole driving force behind mope-folk band Ashburne Glen. He swears up and down that it’s not a solo or singer-songwriter project, but that gloomy blend of Joy Division and Elliott Smith (with requisite minor-chord atmosphere and faux Brit accenting to match, natch) is pure Hensel. For years Ashburne Glen struggled with varying lineups and juggled various players, until a core unit finally materialized in 2006. Roommate/drummer Eric Grubbs and bassist Joshua Warr (Blackheart Society) brought fistfuls of thunder to accompany the blistering fretwork of Lance Pilgrim, singer-songwriter/guitarist for the Shapes and longtime OG (“Original Glenster”). Hensel may have had to relinquish some of the Glen’s more frail and dainty qualities, but in return he gets to front a pretty slammin’ rock outfit that’s starting to build some substantial steam.

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