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ASH
+ Street Legal
@ The Gov, Adelaide,
8th October 2024
(Live Review)

Review by Colin Reid

Photos by Michael Selge (@oz.craftypics)

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ASH / Photo – @oz.craftypics

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Recent Praise for Ash Live:

“Their Set is a speeding cavalcade of hits; the cascading riffs of Petrol into a Firebrand Jack Names The Planets; Angel Interceptor giving way to the severed brakes romance of A Life Less Ordinary.  When new song Crashed Out Wasted delves into the downside of chasing one’s youth to the bottom of every bottle is a moment of bliss-pop respite from a torrent of classics” (Mark Beaumont)

“This crack commando, buzz rock trio” (NME)

“Wheeler was as animated as ever, waving his famous Flying V around, bassist Mark Hamilton was all across the stage, and drummer Rick McMurray was furious and faultless behind the kit” (Scenestr)

“One of the most exciting live bands you’ve ever witnessed” (Rate Your Music)

“The entire venue now a heaving mass of smiling faces and sweaty bodies” (Golden Plec)

“Ash rule. They are geniuses. Gods maybe” (NME)

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ASH / Photo – @oz.craftypics

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Local Adelaide act Street Legal opened up for Northern Irish band Ash last night at The Gov. Wearing a band uniform of white shirts and black pants and with lead singer Matthew Hayward in trademark white tuxedo the five band members filled the stage and also the venue with a big confident sound.  Their singles ‘Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow’ and closing number ‘Cardio’ were standouts.  They had a style and confidence about them that suggests they should be more than a regional support slot opening band, lets hope that they can continue to pick up some radio play.  Matthew was clearly excited to have picked up the Ash gig and spoke about his love of the band since their opening ‘1977’ album.  Looking out into the audience he asked “is anyone hear under the age of 25? Congratulations! Your parents must have fabulous record collections!”

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Street Legal / Photo – @oz.craftypics

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The crowd had been fairly sparse but started to build in anticipation of Ash.  The band were in Australia only last year and it is great to see them back so soon.  In what is being billed as ‘The Singles’ tour the night promised to be a tour de force through the band’s back catalogue of hits as well as a sprinkling of newer tracks from 2023 album ‘Race the night’.

Coming onto the stage it is almost like déjà-vu from last year’s gig.  Drummer Rick McMurray with big beard and trucker cap, bass player Mark Hamilton taking the left of stage with his Gibson Thunderbird and Tim Wheeler on the right wearing the biggest beaming smile.  That guy simply exudes positive vibes!

We were promised a singles night and we sure got it as first ‘Goldfinger’ then ‘Wildsurf’, ‘A Life less Ordinary’, ‘Angel Interceptor’ and ‘Jack names the Planets’ were all peeled off “Hey Adelaide how you doing?” asks Tim “we’re not doing all 63 singles tonight, maybe another time”. 

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ASH / Photo – @oz.craftypics

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It is loud, fast and full of energy and smiles!  They are a band with so many great songs characterised by explosive super-charged million dollar riffs and catchy hooks.  It is fuzzy guitar power pop delivered at pace with great vocals and harmonies between Tim and Rick as all the while Mark pulls a million shapes, twisting and turning the Thunderbird through the air as he rhythmically drove the songs along on the three stringed bass.

The band are in full swing with a juggernaut of sound. The drum solo that Rick takes in ‘Orphesus’ is immense! And the cut down Tim only intro into ‘Shining Light’ is a wonderful calm before the storm moment.

Taking a moment for a swig of beer, Tim swaps out his guitar and they launch into ‘Walking Barefoot’. From the ‘Free All Angels’ album.  Then back on his flying V guitar they continue the tour de force through the set list with ‘Sometimes’ and ‘Oh Yeah’ being highlights before Tim had some fun in “Braindead’ with the guitar getting a workout being played above his head.

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ASH / Photo – @oz.craftypics

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All huge songs, what a back catalogue, full of great guitar work and crowd singing and cell phone captures.  It has to come to an end and they close out the regular set with ‘Kung Fu’ and ‘Girl from Mars’.  It might not have been full but the atmosphere was amazing and the roof nearly came off as the crowd sang “I still love you girl from Mars” back to the band.

A short break led the audience into a shout of “one more song”.  “Oh really Adelaide?” replied Tim “we were planning on doing two!”  My throat is still sore after screaming out the lyrics to final track ‘Burn Baby Burn’.  “We’ll be back soon” says Tim as the three guys form up to take a bow and the applause of a very satisfied audience.

Ash plays Brisbane on Thursday night followed by gigs in Melbourne and Sydney.

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ASH / Photo – @oz.craftypics

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Check out Michael Selge’s (@oz.craftypics) full gallery of this event HERE

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ASH / Photo – @oz.craftypics

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ASH
October 2024
Australian Tour Dates

Sunday 6th October – PERTH – Rosemount Hotel
Tuesday 8th October – ADELAIDE – The Gov
Thursday 10th October – BRISBANE – The Triffid
Friday 11th October – MELBOURNE – 170 Russell
Saturday 12th October – SYDNEY – Manning Bar

TICKETS: HERE

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Follow ASH
Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – Tiktok
Linktree

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Recent interview (below) HERE

Interview with
TIM WHEELER
from ASH
(26th September, 2024)

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Watch the full interview below

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AMNPLIFY – DB