Ash

From page 76 of Classic Rock Magazine November 2009



Cover of November 2009 issue.
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Gigs in village town halls; releasing 26 singles in 12 months. Gimmicks?

L ong-running alternative rockers Ash are about to undertake one of the most unusual tours ever: playing in 26 different towns in alphabetic al order from Aldershot to Zennor. Bassist Mark Hamilton thinks it's a great idea.

No less than 26 new Ash singles are being released in alphabetical order, bi-weekly, over the next 12 months.

The first, True Love 1980, is out on October 12. Its an electro-rock song that won't float everyone's boat, but over the course of the 26 there will be plenty for the fans that like the heavier end of Ash's music.

It's a gimmick, isn't it?

I suppose so. But they will come in a nice box, and a subscription package means all 26 singles can be bought for around £12, which is cheaper than a regular double CD.

Eaxctly whose idea was the alphabetical tour?

I think it came from our manager. With promoting the singles in mind, we wanted to stress there are 26 weeks in a year [vve make it 52 — Ed]. Then someone realised there are 26 letters of the alphabet, and a light bulb went on. It's definitely a bit of a novelty.

Your gig at the Gipsy Hill Tavern will probably be the biggest concert ever staged in Upper Norwood.

Oh, really? I didn't even know Upper Norwood existed until! saw the itinerary. But we can definitely show the place a good time.

But listing the show under U',

when it is in London, is a cheat. Couldn't you have played in Uttoxeter or Uckfield instead? There are few places that begin with hi: II didn't book the tour. You should take that up with our agent.

I guess they were just being creative.

Likewise, there's a show in 'eXmouth'. Clmon.

There's no place that really does start with 'X'.

Have Ashplayed Exmouth before? No. That's what swung the decision.

Are we all invited to the end of tour party in Zennor, Cornwall —if we can all fit it?

[believe the gig is in a tiny village hall. The population of the town is about 260 people. They're talking about putting up a marquee to get in as many as possible. We'll probably end up playing in the middle of the road. DL

The tour begins at the Vest end Centre in eAldershot on October 19.

Gotthard
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