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Water Rats

London, United Kingdom

March 28, 2000

Show notes

Low key secret show for family and media to preview 18 new songs. “Burn Baby Burn” was titled “Slow Suicide” and “Seventh Circle” was titled “Singapore Song” on the set list at the time. “Where I’m Calling From” later appeared on Charlotte’s debut solo album.

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Set list

  1. Shark
  2. Pacific Palisades
  3. Nicole
  4. Shining Light
  5. Walking Barefoot
  6. Seventh Circle
  7. Envy
  8. Candy
  9. Skullfull of Sulphur
  10. Sometimes
  11. Submission
  12. There’s a Star
  13. Burn Baby Burn
  14. Where I’m Calling From
  15. A Life Less Ordinary
  16. Chinese New Year
  17. Get In
  18. Goy’s Scars
  19. Stay in Love Forever
  20. Numbskull

Review

Ash are here tonight for a special low-key secret gig at the London’s Water Rats venue in front of a audience of around 80 specially invited friends. The idea is to debut and test new songs, only “A Life Less Ordinary” and “Numbskull” are included in the set, there’s no “Girl From Mars” or “Goldfinger”. Ash debut 18 new songs tonight in the set. Two of which are fronted by Charlotte Hatherley, who gives her vocals to the delicate, “Where I’m Calling From” and the brooding and menacing “Get In”.

The new songs see Ash following the tune-laden punk pop path of the album 1977 and it’s hit singles “Oh Yeah” and “Goldfinger”. Although the set starts with the punk heavy “Shark”, which passes at lightening speed, yet still has the trademark Ash chorus that will swim round your head for weeks. “There’s a Star”, “Walking Barefoot” and “Pacific Palisades” standout as possible singles with there catchy choruses. While “Chinese New Year” and “Singapore Song” are the new “Lost in You”, guaranteed tearjerkers, with their delicately picked chords.

Review from NME