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AMBIENT TRASH can best be described as “instrumental prog rock”. But, that description doesn’t do the music enough credit. You can expect a wild ride through heavy rock, edgy funk, bluesy jamming, and everything in between with their music. The band’s self-titled debut album covers all of the above. It’ll take seeing the band live to realize they cover all of those genres with the same amount of energy and excitement.

This instrumental trio was formed in 2008 on the backs of guitarist and songwriter Ron Sanborn and bassist/songwriter Rob Brothers. Their decision was to go in a direction they’d always wanted to, but finally found the balls to go with. The two forged a partnership nearly 20 years ago in Albuquerque-based Petting Zoo, and several projects after that. It was an interesting decision to fill out the trio with drummer Rich Nance. (no longer with the band) Nance was the drummer for Seventh Sign, a huge success, and, of course, Petting Zoo’s bitter rival in the early 90’s. The three spent significant amounts of time working to define a sound with their songwriting. It soon became apparent that there would be no use in confining themselves to a particular style when any and all seemed to work out just fine. After a year of writing and developing that sound, then almost another year hammering it out in different clubs and venues, it became obvious that an album was in order. The result is “Ambient Trash”, the band’s long-awaited debut album. Now the band is ready to unleash its sound and fury on an unsuspecting...and probably uncaring, public.

Rob Brothers, a.k.a. “Swami” Rob, is a 27-year vet of both the bass guitar and the local band scene. You wouldn’t know it from listening to his playing, however. He’d be the first one to tell you that if he would just pick up the bass and actually PRACTICE IT every once in awhile, he might be decent. But, a love of watching football, playing Xbox, and sleeping prevents him from ever reaching the next level as a player. He’s more than willing to hide behind the talents of his bandmates and just look like he’s playing something cool when he’s really just riding their coattails. In fact, coattail riding is one skill he’s mastered over the years, just ask any of his former bandmates. Besides...who really cares about the bass player anyway?

Ron Sanborn began guitar at the age of 16, just before electricity became a reality. After numerous stints with various bands, he decided to turn to God. Plying his wares with Christian bands, he quickly realized God didn’t want anything to do with him. So, he turned back to the simple atheistic lifestyle. His production and songwriting endeavors over the years have dulled his abilities as a guitarist, and it frequently shows too. His years as a house painter and general contractor have taken their toll on his fingers, so as a result his guitar playing suffers quite a bit. But, he also realizes that the louder you play, the less people notice your lack of chops. Don’t be fooled into thinking his lack of tonality makes him some jazz monster either: he doesn’t understand a lick of music theory and doesn’t even try.