Ash, looking barely aged since the release of the outstanding 1977 album way back in 1996, are belatedly celebrating the 25th anniversary at the cavernous Roundhouse, where The Doors, Pink Floyd, The Ramones and The Saints rattled the rafters. The band in general, and singer, guitarist and chief songwriter Tim Wheeler in particular are a prodigious talent, churning out hit after hit albums and sparkling singles.
This show has been postponed for 18 months, and after a long intro tape the tension is palpable, before Wheeler bounces through the verse of Goldfinger, and the delirious crowd drown him out on the chorus. This is going to be classic!
Shining Light and Sometimes are sublime ballads, roughed up a little in the live setting, but still testament to the craft of Wheeler, in contrast to the malleable metal of Orpheus and Buzzkill, heavily bearded drummer Rick McMurray in his percussive element. The 5 singles (remember them?) lifted from 1977, Goldfinger,Kung Fu, Angel Interceptor, Girl From Mars and the ace in the hole Oh Yeah are solid gold nuggets, and time travel back to carefree teenage years (even by those with greying temples).
The amphetamine rush of Walking Barefoot treads a similar path, with the surprise appearance of Charlotte Hatherly, long term band member, receiving a huge welcome, her tasty guitar fills bulking uptake sound. Lose Control did exactly that, Mark Hamilton, contorting his lanky frame and hammering his bass at ankle level. The band gave a moving tribute to recently deceased manager Steve Strange, who sagely convinced Wheeler to swap the title from Slow Suicide to Burn Baby Burn, and burn up the charts.
The Buzzcocks and Undertones are obvious touchstones, but the band have transcended their influences to plough their own furrow, and leave the Roundhouse a smoking ruin.
John Williams
