Online Encyclopedia
Ash (band)
Ash is a band which was originally formed in Downpatrick (Northern Ireland) in 1990. 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.
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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.
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 first album proper. (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 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”.
2004
On June 29 Ash released Meltdown and saw them release “Clones”.
On August 16th Charlotte Hatherley releases her first solo album "Grey Will Fade", preceded by singles “Kim Wilde” (released for free via her website) and “Summer”.
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)
- "Get Ready " – (December 1995 )
- "Goldfinger " – (April 15 1996)
- "Oh Yeah " – (June 24 1996)
- "Barbie " – (March 1 1997)
- "A Life Less Ordinary " – (October 25 1997
- "Jesus Says " – (September 21 1998)
- "Wildsurf " – (November 23 1998)
- "Shining Light" – (January 29 2001)
- "Sometimes " – (June 9 2001)
- "Candy " – (October 1 2001)
- "There’s a Star " – (December 31 2001)
- "Burn Baby Burn " – (April 2 2002)
- "Envy " – (August 26 2002)
- "Jack Names the Planets " – (December 2 2002)
- "I’m on Drugs " – (February 15 2003)
- "Clones " – (February 25 2004)