Ash (band)

Ash are a Northern Irish rock band formed in Downpatrick, County Down, in 1992. The original lineup consisted of Tim Wheeler (vocals, guitar), Mark Hamilton (guitar), and Rick McMurray (drums). They emerged from the Britpop scene of the mid-1990s, though their sound incorporated elements of punk rock, power pop, and alternative rock.

Ash achieved mainstream success with the release of their debut album, 1977, in 1996. The album, featuring singles like "Kung Fu", "Girl From Mars", and "Oh Yeah", was a critical and commercial success, reaching number one on the UK Albums Chart and establishing the band as a significant force in the British music scene.

The band's follow-up album, Nu-Clear Sounds, released in 1998, explored a darker and heavier sound. Though initially receiving mixed reviews, it has since been reappraised by some critics.

In 2001, Ash released Free All Angels, which saw a return to a more melodic and accessible sound. It proved to be another commercial success, spawning hit singles such as "Burn Baby Burn", "Shining Light", and "Walking Barefoot".

The band continued to release albums throughout the 2000s and 2010s, including Meltdown (2004), Twilight of the Innocents (2007), A–Z Series (a year-long project of releasing a new single every two weeks in 2009), Kablammo! (2015), and Islands (2018).

Ash are known for their energetic live performances and their consistent output of catchy and well-crafted songs. They have received numerous awards and nominations throughout their career, including multiple NME Awards and Brit Award nominations. They continue to tour and record music, maintaining a loyal fanbase.