He's got
hairier, her skirts have got shorter, it can only mean one thing, Ash have returned,
older, distinctly heavier and ready to rock.
Ok so the drummers still ugly and the bass player still hides away in the shadows but there they were, filling the Zodiac with their infectious, riftastic sounds. Ash swept to fame on the crest of Britpop with their debut album, '1977' fantastically energetic and full of youthful exuberance, producing such instant classics as 'Goldfinger' and 'Kung Fu' Much alcohol-aided, drug-fuelled rock and roll like behaviour resulted in 'Nuclear Sounds' a product of the pressure to release a decent follow-up to their multi-million selling debut.
The sensation that was Ash seemingly petered away until 2001's 'Free All Angels' established the fact they were no Brit pop has-beens. The eagerly anticipated follow-up, 'Meltdown' due out in May was the reason for this low-key, mini-tour, a chance to preview their new tracks. After enduring the truly awful support 'Winnebago Deal' who consisted of two overgrown adolescents, a lot of sweaty head-banging and incoherent screaming, Ash took to the stage with an effortless cool, aided by Tim Wheeler's new tattoo that just oozed 'I'm a rock-star' and the long long legs and bare feet of guitarist Charlotte Hatherley.
Launching straight into 'Girl From Mars' setting the atmosphere for the night ahead, Ash's intention to rock out and enjoy themselves was evident. The new material was played with the confidence of a band that has reached artistic and technical maturity. 'Evil Eye' with its catchy upbeat tempo and hook-laden chorus was a stand-out track and sure to be a highlight of the new record. The audience's reaction safely confirmed 'Evil Eye's' status among the Ash's classics, proving Tim Wheeler to be a master in the art of tune-smithery.
The new single,
'Clones' is a blend of Foo Fighters-esque melodic aggression and Tim Wheeler's
distinctive Irish charm. Bouncing around like the happy little leprechaun that
he is, he peppered the promotion of the new album with a healthy bunch of sure
fire crowd pleasers. Even though they played all eleven of their new tracks
there was no sense of tedium in the audience or the feeling that they were waiting
for something they knew, so instantly catchy was the new material such as 'Renegade
Cavalcade' Ash left the stage with a crowd baying for more; they returned with
an encore of memorable classics which culminated in 'Burn Baby Burn' it seemed
to reward fans for listening to the unfamiliar (but excellent) promotional set.
With their new look and fresh sound, 2004 looks set to be a 'Meltdown' for Ash, it's as if '1977's' baby has come at last.
Charlotte Pattullo
