Ash look back at 1997

Oh, it all happened in 1997: 12 months of bloody mayhem! The Spice Girls went supernova, the New Pop Explosion kicked in New Labour kicked the Tories out, Diana bowed out, and Liam ’n’ Noel got hitched. We ask our pop chums what they remember of the year past and what they’re looking forward to next year…

How did you feel as 1997 began?
Tim: Shit! I was a bit hungover!

What was your favourite album of 1997?
Tim: Either Cornershop or Primal Scream.
Charlotte: Radiohead.
Rick: Yeah, Radiohead.
Tim: Oh yeah, or Radiohead.

Which gig did you enjoy the most?
Tim: We were really looking forward to see the Ween show, but we never got the chance. Oh, I know! Make-Up in Belfast - fucking amazing. Best thing I’ve seen ever, cos I never saw Iggy and The Stooges. It was up there I reckon.

Which record did you most hate?
Rick: The A Life Less Ordinary soundtrack!
Tim: I thought that was pretty good.
Charlotte: Anything by Sleeper.
Tim: Yeah, that was terrible. Fucking second-rate Texas!

What was the year’s most moving experience?
Tim: It was on Fireworks Night at our manager’s parents-in-laws’ house and we were soaked to the fucking skin, just about to go home. Then, next door, by complete coincidence, these girls were just walking into the house, and one of them was singing “Girl From Mars”. There was no way they could have known we were next door, in the entire world. Which was really nice.

What was the non-event of 1997?
Rick: Steve Winwood and Paul Weller at Glastonbury!
Tim: Maybe the film A Life Less Ordinary.

Who was the man of 1997?
Tim: Ewan McGregor for narrating our [forthcoming] tour film. Oh, and Neil Hannon from Divine Comedy. He’s brilliant and he came and sang “Oh Yeah” with us at V97 - he showed me how to sing it right. He’s a star.

Who was the woman of 1997?
Tim: Charlotte Hatherley
Rick: For being stupid enough to join our band.

Who was the jerk of the year?
Rick: Me!
Tim: Alan Partridge - our hero. Can he be Man of the Year as well?
Rick: And Woman of the Year for liking “Bangkok Chick Boys”!

Who or what made the biggest impression on you this year?
Tim: Alan Partridge.

How did you feel about diana’s death?
Tim: Nothing to do with me. It’s sad but…
Mark: Yeah, it’s tragic, but it’s tragic when a kid dies in a house-fire and the papers don’t go crazy over that.

How did you feel about the election result?
Rick: I sat up to watch Portillo getting thrashed - that was great. I thoughTim: “That cunt’s fucked himself… I’ll have a beer!” And I put on my Crowded House T-shirt. It makes me feel young and crazy.
Tim: I didn’t really care to be honest.

What was the biggest hype of the year?
Tim: The Oasis album. Although I haven’t actually heard it.
Rick: There was so much hype that it all backfired and we didn’t bother to listen to the album in the end.

What was your favourite film/tv show?
Tim: I’m Alan Partridge, The Fast Show, The X-Files and Shooting Stars. And re-runs of The Kenny Everett Show on Paramount - it’s dead silly but it’s great. Films? I thought Scream was fucking funny.
Mark: Chasing Amy.

What was your most original thought?
Rick: To slip inside the eye of my mind.
Tim: It’s not that original, but we’ve really got into our minds’ eyes this year. I thought of some good new tunes - they’re all original.

Who’s the sexiest: Mark Lamarr, Richard Ashcroft or Brian Molko?
Tim: All of them, actually. I love Brian Molko as a friend. He’s such a geezer - really sound. And Ashcroft’s a real hero and Lamarr’s just cool. Ah, let’s go for him. Let’s go for the greasy lover.

Who’s the sexiest: Natalie Imbruglia, Saffron Republica, or Dannii Minogue?
Tim: Dannii.

What made you cry?
Rick: Seeing the sun made me cry. And when I shaved yesterday, pissed at three o’clock in the morning with a blunt razor.
Charlotte: My last gig with Nightnurse - that made me cry.

What did you spend the most money on in 1997?
Tim: A guitar! It’s a 1960 Les Paul Custom. But I only paid seven grand.

How do you feel as 1997 ends?
Rick: Shit!
Tim: Good! Anticipating next year really. I’m excited about the greatest album of all time.
Rick: But it’ll be the last album ever released. We won’t actually be here this time next year. Great fires will come from the sky and rain down death upon the planet.

What do you want from 1998?
Tim: To become the biggest winners. And I want respect.