Ash
Northern Ireland | Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Britpop | 1992 - present
Ash are an alternative rock band that formed in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland in 1992. Ash officially formed in 1992, reportedly having taken their name from the first word they liked in the dictionary. The media originally pegged Ash's music as Britpop when the band first found mainstream success. They have had a devoted following since the mid-90's.
The original band members were Tim Wheeler (vocals and guitar), Mark Hamilton (bass guitar) and James Heatley (drums). Initially inspired by Twisted Sister and Iron Maiden in the early 1990s, Wheeler and Hamilton formed a heavy metal band called Vietnam with a few school friends. After two gigs, they were left stranded when their bandmates left. Requiring a drummer, when Heatley left to go to university they had a few drinks with Rick McMurray who was a year ahead of them in school and had switched from playing the guitar to drums. With McMurray on board, they set out to develop a style of music inspired by grunge bands such as Nirvana, Mudhoney and Pixies.