Its all about the band and the music

20 April 2001

"There's too much depressing music at the minute on the 'alternative' scene", says frontman Tim Wheeler of Ash. "There's no joyful music", implying that with their return, they will sort this out.

In Ash's absence in the music scene, the music charts have been dominated by depressed Americans in large shorts and caps, displaying their neuroses to fans who are half their age. "You've either got very angry people or very depressed people," says Mark Hamilton, the band’s bassist.

Their latest album ‘Free All Angels’ is a return to the band’s old form, which helped them reach the top of the charts with their debut song 1996's 1977. They have always made simple pop music very well, but it is their wistful sound like ‘Candy’ and ‘Someday’ that stands out. And their new tunes ‘Burn Baby Burn’ and ‘Guiding Light’ once again put them back at the top of the music charts.

Whereas bands of the same age looked as if they are overwhelmed by self-doubt or self-importance, Ash just go with it. Guitarist Charlotte Hatherley explains, "What's the problem? You have your photo taken, and you have to sit and talk with someone about the band every now and then, and in return you get to travel around the world and play to people every night."

But by their standards, the band has definitely mellowed and they clearly care about pop music. They will later play a short set at the Belfast record store. And although they are performing new songs from a record that is yet to be released, the response of the audience is very enthusiastic.