Ash

The Knitting Factory, LA

June 9th 2005

After checking out the LA Premiere of the very cool and newly restored T Rex film “Born To Boogie,” we danced off to check out one of Ireland’s greatest exports, Ash.  In the UK Ash play to very sizable crowds and are always a popular festival draw.  However, here in La La Land they struggle to fill a midweek gig at the Knitting Factory.  Maybe it was the late set time that put people off – a shame if it was because Ash can really put on a great show.

Doing their best to mega plug their latest record, Meltdown, they played a set any fan would be privileged to witness.  The hardcore at the front loved every minute and there were several mosh moments seen.  A few rows back I spotted Quentin Tarantino no less, fresh from the MTV Movie Awards, rocking out and dancing almost non stop throughout the show.

The group looks great onstage and vocalist/ guitarist Tim Wheeler looks as though he was born clutching a Flying V.  He chatted amiably to his fans and even knocked back shots of Jaeger from them.  The new stuff rocked so hard with astonishingly heavy riffs. They made an amazingly full sound for a band of four.  Second guitarist and backing vocalist Charlotte Hatherly does a great job of adding that extra dimension to the sound.  New song highlights are the mini epic of "Orpheus" and the track "Clones," which has machine guns for drums all effortlessly laid down by tub thumper Rick and complemented perfectly by the thick danceable bass lines of moody guy Mark. 

Ash pulled out all the stops and blasted through a shit pile of hits and treated us to a sublime "Shining Light", a speed punk "Girl from Mars," and my personal fave "Oh Yeah".  After almost 2 hours everyone was more than satisfied with the spirited performance, and I'm certain the band made a bunch of new friends tonight.  -Glen

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