DJ Ashba spent nearly a decade on stage with two of rock’s most recognized names, Guns N’ Roses and Sixx:A.M., before most fans ever learned his full story. His path started in a small Indiana town, ran through Los Angeles club circuits, and eventually landed him arena tours, signature guitars, and a second career as a graphic designer and entrepreneur. This profile covers how he got there, band by band, and what he’s doing today.
Early Life and Background
Daren Jay “DJ” Ashba was born on November 10, 1972, in Monticello, Indiana. His family moved to Fairbury, Illinois, when he was still a baby, and that’s where he grew up. DJ Ashba
Music entered his life early. He started on piano at age three, took up drums at six, and bought his first guitar at eight after saving money from working in cornfields. Guitar became his focus from that point forward, and by his teenage years he was already set on making music his career.
At nineteen, Ashba left the Midwest for California and joined a band called Barracuda — his first real step into the Los Angeles rock circuit that would define the next three decades of his life.
Early Bands and Career Start
After two years with Barracuda, Ashba released a solo instrumental album, Addicted to Friction, in 1996. It showcased his guitar playing without a full band around it, and it opened doors within the LA rock community.
In 1998, he joined BulletBoys as part of a reshaped lineup. That stint put him in direct contact with musicians who would shape the next phase of his career, including Joe Lesté of Bang Tango. DJ Ashba
Beautiful Creatures
Ashba and Lesté teamed up in 1999 to form Beautiful Creatures. The lineup came together with bassist Kenny Kweens, session drummer Anthony Focx (who later moved to second guitar), and drummer Glen Sobel. The band built a following within the hard rock scene of the early 2000s before Ashba eventually moved on to a solo project.
Between 2002 and 2007, he formed a self-titled solo band called ASHBA, working with bassist John Younger, drummer Blas “Bones” Elias, and guitarist Michael Thomas. During this stretch, Nikki Sixx and Tracii Guns invited him to join their new project, Brides of Destruction. He turned it down to keep building his own material — a decision that mattered more than it seemed at the time, since he and Sixx would reconnect a few years later under very different circumstances.
Sixx:A.M.
In 2007, Ashba co-founded Sixx:A.M. with Nikki Sixx and James Michael. The band’s debut, The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack, was written as a companion to Sixx’s memoir of the same name and included the single “Life Is Beautiful,” which became the most-played rock song of 2008.
Sixx:A.M. wasn’t originally built as a touring act — it started as a studio project — but its popularity pushed the three members to keep writing and eventually take the music on the road. The band released six studio albums total, and it remains the project most closely tied to Ashba’s songwriting identity.
Guns N’ Roses Years (2009–2015)
On March 23, 2009, Ashba was announced as the new lead guitarist for Guns N’ Roses, stepping into the role after Robin Finck departed to rejoin Nine Inch Nails. He joined the band on the Chinese Democracy Tour, playing shows across North America, Asia, and South America, including a December 2009 stop in Taiwan.
He spent six years with Guns N’ Roses, a run that put him in front of the largest audiences of his career. In July 2015, he announced his departure, saying at the time that he wanted to focus on Sixx:A.M., his family, and other projects ahead. He later spoke about his time in the band with respect, noting the mutual regard he and Axl Rose had for each other during his tenure.
Beyond Music: Graphic Design and Business
Ashba’s work outside music runs almost as deep as his guitar career. He’s the founder of Ashba Media, a graphic design and branding company, and he’s worked on design projects that extend well past album art or merchandise.
He’s also stepped into consumer products directly, including launching Ashba Water, a bottled water brand he introduced under his own name. It’s a smaller-scale venture compared to his music catalog, but it reflects a pattern in his career: he tends to build things himself rather than just lending his name to someone else’s project.
Guitar Gear and Signature Models
Ashba has released signature instruments with two major guitar makers. Schecter Guitar Research built the DJ Ashba Diamond Series model, featuring a matte carbon grey finish, black racing stripes, a “birds on a wire” neck inlay, an EMG-81 bridge pickup, a Sustainiac system in the neck, and a Floyd Rose 1500 Series bridge for tuning stability. It was originally offered only through Schecter’s USA Custom Shop before a more accessible South Korean-built version followed.
Gibson also built him a signature Les Paul, produced in a run of just 100 units. Ashba played the prototype extensively during his Guns N’ Roses and Sixx:A.M. years — a piece of that history resurfaced publicly in 2024 when the original prototype turned up for sale on the television show Pawn Stars, still carrying visible wear from years on stage.
He also partnered with Dean Markley USA on a signature set of guitar strings, custom-gauged for his playing style.
Personal Life
Ashba married Nathalia Henao in 2013. The couple does not have children together. He’s been open in interviews about balancing touring life with family, citing that balance as one of the reasons behind his 2015 exit from Guns N’ Roses.
Where He Is Now
Ashba remains active with Sixx:A.M. alongside Nikki Sixx and James Michael, and he continues to run Ashba Media. His signature Schecter guitar is still in production and remains a common choice among players looking for a high-output, stage-ready instrument built for hard rock and metal styles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is DJ Ashba? DJ Ashba is an American guitarist, songwriter, record producer, and graphic designer, best known as the former lead guitarist of Guns N’ Roses and a founding member of Sixx:A.M.
What bands has DJ Ashba played in? He has played in Barracuda, BulletBoys, Beautiful Creatures, his solo project ASHBA, Sixx:A.M., and Guns N’ Roses.
When did DJ Ashba join and leave Guns N’ Roses? He joined in March 2009, replacing Robin Finck, and left the band in July 2015.
Does DJ Ashba have a signature guitar? Yes. He has a signature model with Schecter Guitar Research (the DJ Ashba Diamond Series) and a limited-run signature Les Paul built by Gibson.
Is DJ Ashba still making music? Yes. He continues to record and perform with Sixx:A.M.
