Formed in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland by Tim Wheeler (vocals and guitar), Mark Hamilton (bass) and Rick McMurray (drums), Ash released their first studio album ‘1977’ and were then joined by Charlotte Hatherley (guitar) for a further 3 studio albums ‘Nu-Clear Sounds’, ‘Free All Angels’ and ‘Meltdown’. Charlotte left the band in 2006 and the band went on to record and release ‘Twilight of the Innocents’ before launching the innovative A-Z series which saw the band release a single every fortnight for a year. Bloc Party’s Russell Lissack has joined the band on stage since 2010.
Rick McMurray joined us for our 5GB series before their show Tuesday night at Vinyl!
What’s the first gig you ever attended?
My first gig was Aerosmith in Belfast in 1989 I think. It was on the Pump tour. I was so short I could barely see anything, but it was louder than bombs and the best think I’d (n)ever seen!
What is the best gig that you ever played/performed?
Probably Reading Festival 2001. We headlined the second stage which was in a tent and it was so full it was scary. There was 5000 people outside trying to get in to see us. It was just crazy. Mind you I’ve just remembered our headline set at Fuji 2007 in Japan. They had to close the field and we broke the attendance record for that stage. And we played a blinder.
What is the best gig you have ever seen?
The Cramps in a bullring in Portugal. We had the honour of supporting them along with Suicidal Tendencies(!), but Lux Interior was the most amazing performer ever. He seemed to be possessed by the music and their version of Surfing Bird was astonishing. Lux beat a hole in the stage and dropped through it to end the show.
Gig you would most like to play?
We’ve just done some shows with Weezer including two Memory shows where they played the Blue album one night and Pinkerton the next. If you’re reading this guys, you need to take Ash out on a Weezer cruise. Lets do a round the world one this time! You know it makes sense.
What would be the lineup for your dream gig?
Ash, Weezer, Nirvana, Pixies, Led Zeppelin, ABBA, Flaming Lips, Nick Cave, Grinderman, Queens of the Stoneage, The Smiths, Julian Cope, Echo and the Bunnymen Lafaro and Bloc Party.
See Ash with Interstellar this Tuesday, November 13th at Vinyl!
