Ash (band)

Ash is a band which was originally formed in Downpatrick (Northern Ireland) in 1992. Before the formation of Ash, Mark and Tim played in a high school band called "Vietnam" with some of their friends. Ash's music, though originally commonly described as Britpop, has also been catagorised as indie, rock and punk.

The original band members were Tim Wheeler (vocals / guitar), Mark Hamilton (bass guitar) and Rick McMurray (drums), who were later joined by Charlotte Hatherley (guitar/vocals).

Initially inspired by Twisted Sister and Iron Maiden in the early 90s, Tim and Mark formed a heavy metal band called Vietnam with a few schoolfriends. After barely a couple of gigs they were left on their own when the others left. Requiring a drummer they had a few drinks with Rick, who was in the year above them at school and had switched from playing the guitar to drums. They then ambitiously decided to try to develop their own music.

In 2002 Q magazine named Ash as one of the "50 Bands To See Before You Die".

1992

Ash officially formed. They created three demo tapes this year, "Solar Happy" in June, "Shed" in September, and the "Home Demo Tape" in November. These tapes featured their earliest material and the first recordings of some songs that would later be on their 1995 release, "Trailer", including "Intense Thing," "Get Out," "Obscure Thing," and their future single, "Jack Names The Planets."

1993

In 1993 Ash made the demo tape, "Garage Girl," which featured "Jack Names The Planets" and "Intense Thing" taken from Shed, as well as some new tracks including "Petrol." They released their compilation demo tape, "Pipe Smokin' Brick" later this year, which featured an assortment of their best demo songs from the other 4 demo tapes. The demo tapes had not gained much attention yet and Ash was still playing small shows at local clubs.

1994

In early 1994 Stephen Taverner came across ‘’Garage Girl’’ the bands demo tape. Suitably impressed Steve put up the money so that they could press 2000 7” copies of Jack Names the Planets” - (February 1994 ) on Steve’s own LaLaLand record label. The band were on their way.

Ash released their first album, "Trailer," in October of this year, which only included 7 songs. This album would later be released in the United States in 1995 with 4 bonus tracks, making it have 11 songs total.

They received some priceless airplay from D.J. Steve Lamacq on BBC Radio 1 and so followed up their debut single with “Petrol”, (August 5 1994), and “Uncle Pat” – (October 17 1994) on their new label Infectious Records .

1995

They then began to work with Owen Morris on 1977 which was to become their next album. (Owen had worked on Oasis’ debut album Definitely Maybe and produced their second (What's the Story) Morning Glory.

1996

1996 saw them release the singles “Goldfinger” and “Oh Yeah” either side of ‘’1977’’.

1997

February 17 had them release Live at the Wireless, as the title suggests a live album, recorded at the Triple J Studios in Australia. The UK fans could buy a limited edition CD of it on the bands own Deathstar label. The lads then recruited Charlotte Hatherley who had previously been with the band Nightnurse and she made her gig debut at a few small gigs a week before appearing at the V97 festival . She went down a storm, as did the first single that she appeared on, “A Life Less Ordinary” which was the soundtrack to the Ewan McGregor / Cameron Diaz film of the same name.

1998

In September 98 Ash released “Jesus Says” the following month the second album proper Nu-Clear Sounds and in November “Wildsurf”.

2001

The single 'Shining Light' is released in January 2001, followed by the No. 1 album 'Free All Angels' in April. Subsequent singles released from 'Free All Angels' were 'Burn Baby Burn' (April), 'Sometimes' (July), 'Candy' (October) and 'There's A Star' (December). The latter features a B-Side written and sung by Charlotte Hatherley.

2002

A new single 'Envy' is released, followed shortly afterwards by the singles collection 'Intergalactic Sonic 7's'.

2004

On June 29 Ash released Meltdown. It goes top ten in the UK. Band team up with Lucasarts for new Star Wars game. "Clones", taken from the album "Meltdown" is the first music to be used in anything Star Wars related that hasn't been composed by John Williams.On August 16th Charlotte Hatherley releases her first solo album "Grey Will Fade" on Stephen Taverner's Double Dragon Music label ([1]), preceded by singles “Kim Wilde” (released for free via her website) and “Summer”. Both album and single achieve top 40 status in the UK.

2005

Star Wars Republic Commando game to finally be released using "Clones" as title music. "Meltdown" get's a US release date of March 8th, through Warner Bros imprint Record Collection. Hatherley shoots groundbreaking new video for single "Bastardo". Video features award winning comedians Simon Pegg (Spaced and Shaun of the Dead) and David Walliams (Little Britain), along with Lucy Davis, Julia Davies, Alice Lowe and Lauren Laverne. It is also directed by Edgar Wright (Spaced and Shaun of the Dead).

Discography

Albums

• Trailer – (October 1994 )
• 1977 – (May 6 1996)
• Live at the Wireless – (February 17 1997)
• Nu-Clear Sounds – (October 5 1998)
• Free All Angels – (April 23 2001)
• Intergalactic Sonic 7’’s – (September 9 2002)
• Meltdown - (May 17 2004)

Singles

• "Jack Names the Planets” - (February 1994)
• "Petrol" - (August 5 1994)
• "Uncle Pat" – (October 17 1994)
• "Kung Fu" – (March 20 1995)
• "Girl From Mars " – (July 31st 1995)
• "Angel Interceptor " – (October 9 1995)
• "Goldfinger " – (April 15 1996)
• "Oh Yeah" – (June 24 1996)
• "A Life Less Ordinary " – (October 25 1997)
• "Jesus Says " – (September 21 1998)
• "Wildsurf " – (November 23 1998)
• "Shining Light" – (January 29 2001)
• "Burn Baby Burn " – (April 2 2001)
• "Sometimes " – (June 9 2001)
• "Candy " – (October 1 2001)
• "There’s a Star " – (December 31 2001)
• "Envy " – (August 26 2002)
• "Jack Names the Planets " – (December 2 2002)
• "Clones " – (February 25 2004)
• "Orpheus " – (May 3 2004)
• "Starcrossed " – (July 19 2004)
• "Renegade Cavalcade " – (December 6 2004)

EP’s

• "Numbskull" – (April 26 1999)
• "Satellite Transmissions Volume 1 " – (May 2003)

Fan Club Releases

• "Get Ready " – (December 1995)
• "Barbie " – (March 1 1997)
• "I’m On Drugs " – (February 15 2003)

Demo Tapes

• "Solar Happy" – (July 1992)
• "Shed" – (September 1992)
• "Home Demo" – (November 1992)
• "Garage Girl" – (February 1993)
• "Pipe Smokin' Brick" – (1993)

External links and references

• Official Site
• Walking Barefoot
• Ash Bandnews
• Live photos of Ash