In the post-coital glow that followed their Robbie Williams support slot at Knebworth and their sold out gig at Somerset House in London, Ash have been speaking to XFM Online about their new material.
Just prior to their gig as part of the Grolch Somerset House Sessions show in London (August 8), Ash drummer Rick McMurray has been talking about Ash’s new songs, especially the four new tracks that the band have recently recorded,
“We did some demos just before we went to America,” he explained, “And we’ve been throwing a few new songs into the set since then. There’s “Orpheus” which is a classic Tim Wheeler summer song with big riffs and mad freak out bits in it, that’s quite a journey of a song. A musical journey.”
“We do a song called “Renegade Cavalcade” which has been getting comparisons to the Pixies or Nirvana, probably because its taken that quiet/loud/quiet/loud dynamic to the extreme. Once again it’s got Tim’s great melody on it. Most of the chorus consists of just one word, which is ‘Yeah’, so that’s kinda hooky.
“On a Wave is definitely one of the darker songs. It’s definitely got a dark vibe to it. It’s like satanic surfing. I think a lot of the new stuff has a bit of a darker edge to it. There are fewer references to summer in there. There’s a few in there - it’s Tim, he can’t help it - but generally the themes are about the darker side of love. It definitely a little bit different.”
“For my money, “Evil Eye” is gonna be the comeback single. It’s really instantaneous. Once again it’s go that quiet/loud thing going on. Just a real great pop/rock song.”
The band will start recording the new album in September in Los Angeles, and according to McMurray fans can expect a heavier record than 2002’s Free All Angels.
“We’ve been threatening to do a rock album over the past few years,” the drummer explained, “But we always seem to settle into the pop thing, especially with the last album, now we’ve got a new producer [Nick Raskulinecz - Foo Fighters] so it’s time to change things. It feels like the trough of depression after Nu-Clear Sounds has cleared. That chapter’s closed, its time to move on.”