Ash have been on the music scene now since 1992, the grunge band who rode the Brit Pop wave and gave us hit after hit during the 90’s with their heavy sound and ability to produce fantastic anthems will not go away as they continue to produce records and tour for their adoring fans.
The Northern Ireland band have been back to a three piece since Charlotte Hatherley left the group in 2006. The remaining and original members, Tim Wheeler, Mark Hamilton and Rick McMurray have however recruited Bloc Party’s Russell Lissack, for their 2010 gigs, while Bloc Party are having some time out.
Ash are currently touring the UK before heading abroad, returning for the Leeds and Reading Festivals in August. The band are also half way through their A to Z collection, a pledge to release a new single every two weeks, each one categorised against a letter of the alphabet. It is a fantastic idea from a fantastic group.
On Sunday 5th July, Ash played The Duchess in York and Stereoboard.com were there to watch Ash perform live and boy were we in for a treat. The intimate venue was packed and nobody left disappointed, Ash performed sublimely, you could say everything was perfect.
The set was a mixture of the group’s classic hits such as ‘Oh Yeah,’ ‘Shining Light’ and ‘Burn Baby Burn’ and new releases, which are destined to become classics too. Every single track played in the set was top notch.
On stage, the group gave it 110% and more, visually they looked the part as they rocked, drenched in sweat, musically they were awesome and the crowd absolutely lapped it up. The place was alive and the atmosphere was electric.
Tim Wheeler’s guitar playing was faultless and his vocals as good as ever, he truly does have a unique voice, not dissimilar from Placebo’s Brian Molko. Tim nailed it; he oozed coolness and delivered fantastically. Mark Hamilton played his bass wonderfully, the sound was awesome and the sweat pouring off his face let you know how much head banging and rocking this guy did. He looked brilliant during the set and played even better. Rick McMurray’s drumming, kept everything in time and he too gave it his all, bashing the hell out of his kit with amazing quality and Russell Lissack’s inclusion was no bad move. He played brilliantly, giving the tracks an extra lift so nothing was lost when the group played their classics and allowing Tim Wheeler to concentrate on his vocals, rather than the guitar work of two.
This was without doubt one of the best gigs I have ever seen. The group have been around for a good few years now, yet they still sounded as fresh as the day they first appeared on the scene. The effort that went into the set was immense and this was not a short set, it was also followed by an encore as the adoring fans would not let them leave and who could blame them, the worst part about this gig was the fact it had to end.
If you are lucky enough to be going to the Leeds or Reading Festivals, make sure you don't miss their set. Ash rock!
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Tim Wheeler’s guitar playing was faultless and his vocals as good as ever, he truly does have a unique voice, not dissimilar from Placebo’s Brian Molko. Tim nailed it; he oozed coolness and delivered fantastically. Mark Hamilton played his bass wonderfully, the sound was awesome and the sweat pouring off his face let you know how much head banging and rocking this guy did. He looked brilliant during the set and played even better. Rick McMurray’s drumming, kept everything in time and he too gave it his all, bashing the hell out of his kit with amazing quality and Russell Lissack’s inclusion was no bad move. He played brilliantly, giving the tracks an extra lift so nothing was lost when the group played their classics and allowing Tim Wheeler to concentrate on his vocals, rather than the guitar work of two.
