Ash

Mark Hamilton (bass guitar) and Tim Wheeler (vocals, and guitar) were both born in Downpatrick Northern Ireland, in 1977. After finding a love for music and all things rock they both got guitars and started playing cover versions, badly according to Tim. After listening to 'Twisted Sister' and 'Iron Maiden', they formed a heavy metal band in the early 90's with a few friends at school, called 'Vietnam'. However after a couple of gigs many dropped out leaving Tim and Mark without a drummer. They eventually found one in Rick McMurray, who was two years older. Encouraged by the sounds of 'Nirvana', 'Mudhoney' and the 'Pixies' the band set about writing their own material, under the name 'Ash', which had been chosen at random from a dictionary.



'Goldfinger' released in 1996, became the bands first and well deserved top 5 hit. The bands debut album '1977', the year Wheeler and Hamilton were born, and the year Star Wars was released, followed, an album which ranged from the raw 'Lose Control' and 'I'd Give You Anything', to the slow emotion filled 'Gone The Dream' and 'Lost In You'. The album would top the UK album charts and go on to sell over a million copies worldwide. 'Oh Yeah' followed 'Goldfinger' into the top 10, and became the anthem of the summer. By 1997 Ash were selling out the London Astoria, touring the world and headlining Glastonbury (twice).



The band recruited Charlotte Hatherley from the band 'Nightnurse', on rhythm guitar, keyboards, and backing vocals. Charlotte's first single with the band 'A Life Less Ordinary' was released in October 1997 and scored the band another top ten hit.



The band then went away to write the follow-up to '1977', and it emerged in late 1998. The bands second proper album 'Nu-Clear Sounds' was again produced by Owen Morris with the help of Chris Kimsey, and again like '1977' ranged from raw rock like 'Projects', 'Death Trip 21', 'Fortune Teller' and 'Numbskull' to the beautiful 'Folksong', 'Low Ebb', and the gorgeous 'I'm Gonna Fall'. Despite suffering from a bout of writers block during the writing of the album, it was released to critical acclaim.



Ash returned from their long silence in January 2001, returning to their punk-pop roots with the release of the single 'Shining Light'. The single saw Ash return to the top ten, after a five year absence. The band followed this up with another top 20 radio-friendly hit 'Burn Baby Burn' (originally entitled Slow Suicide but changed at the demand of radio). The bands third full album 'Free All Angles' followed to rave reviews, many critics hailing Ash the most important band in Britain, the album went straight to number 1 in the UK album chart, ahead of Janet Jackson.



Tim wrote 'Free All Angels' on a self-confessed rollercoaster of love, on 'Meltdown' we get a glimpse into the darker heart of Ash. From the gutbusting title track down, which Tim wrote after going on the February 2003 peace march about the anger of the situation where 'you go on a walk with two million people and it doesn't seem to make a difference'. Here is a side of Ash that few people will have known existed. 'Vampire Love' sees Tim taking a lead from Dylan by throwing loads of images down to create a big picture, a mood. And then there's 'Clones' the heaviest thing Ash have ever done in terms of both music and themes. That's a song where there's someone who stands out from the crowd, someone who seems to be different, and all of a sudden they let you down, says Tim. That the band chose this as the fans' first taste of 'Meltdown' should tell you all you need to know about the new, beefed-up Ash.



In 2006 Charlotte and the boys went their seperate ways, Charlotte to concentrate on her solo career, the boys to concentrate on their next album. Buying a space in New York the boys built their own studio and set to work writing songs for the next stage of their life as a band, codename TOTI. Over the next year a rebuild of the band's website, fanbase and music took place, a new album and its b-sides were recorded, small gigs were played in New York and the press bandwagon started again. In early 2007 the Higher Education tour of UK universities was announced, the band's first tour as a three piece in nearly ten years. All of the dates sold out, and the atmosphere at every gig was electric. New songs were played as well as old favourites, and the fans got as close as possible to the band due to their easy-going nature and love of good company. After the tour came dates in Northern Ireland, the revelation of the album title (by way of an online Hangman game on the official website) and the first single You Can't Have it All, which entered into the UK charts at 16. Soon after came the Visions tour in Germany which was well received by all, and still to come this year are second single Polaris, and two weeks later album number 5, Twilight of the Innocents. A second UK tour is being scheduled for later in the year, and the band are playing the Isle of Wight and Carling (Reading & Leeds) Festivals this year, as well as more dates in Ireland and a return to the far east to play the Fuji Rock Festival.



For up to the date news on Ash visit the official band website here