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X-clusive: Ash On New Album And Darkness Supergroup

added 07 December 2004 at 11.17

Ahead of his surprise appearance at this weekend’s Xfm Winter Wonderland extravaganza, Ash frontman Tim Wheeler has spoken exclusively to Xfm Online about his new songs and his band’s plans for 2005.

Following the UK success of their last album ‘Meltdown’, the band have confirmed that they will begin 2005 by concentrating on their American campaign – not that this has stopped the band writing new material.

“I’ve been writing a bunch of songs on tour and it’s sounding really good,” Wheeler enthused, “It’s really strong material and I’m looking forward to having some time to work on them. I don’t know what style it’s going to take yet, but maybe it’ll go back to more of a songwriting thing rather than the emphasis on the band.

“We’re starting 2005 in Japan and then onto America because the album’s just getting released there,” he continued. “We’ve built up a great live fan base out there, but never really crossed over onto radio or MTV. I think this record we’ve made is the right kind of record for that. We’ll just keep persevering, which is how we see a lot of bands doing it – I think The Clash took about thirteen tours before they made it.

“Going to America keeps things fresh for us. We’re established and known at a certain level over here, but in the States it puts all the fight back into it and the challenge is still there. Going back there feels like being a new band.”

Wheeler also commented on his ‘supergroup’ featuring Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins (whom the band are currently supporting on their Christmas tour) and diminutive lothario Har Mar Superstar.

“I met Justin at Knebworth last year and he instantly invited me to join his band White Slave,” he explained, “But I think it’s more of a figment of Justin’s imagination. I’m proud to be a member of a secret club that doesn’t actually exist though. It’s the ultimate secret band - we’ve never even had a rehearsal. In fact I don’t think the three of us have ever even been in same room at the same time.”

Ash release the single ‘Renegade Cavalcade’ this week (December 6) and are currently supporting The Darkness on their arena tour.

• Cardiff International Arena (December 6)
• Birmingham NEC Arena (7, 8)
• London Wembley Arena (10, 11 & 12)

Tagged as Ash, archive

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