"Here's some footage of Kung Fu from The Annex / Spin party on 10/05/06. We were gonna post the whole show including the two new songs we played but the desk recording level on the audio was too hot and came out all distorted. We didn't want you guys to get the first new material in over 2 years and for it to sound like piss so you're just gonna have to wait a little while longer... January = leaks! We promise.

So anyway in the mean time here's Kung Fu back as a trio, recorded straight from the stage." - Ash

Before Tim went to L.A. to oversee the orchestra recording parts for both, Polaris and The Boy Who Lived In Hell (note the title change...) he spilt the beans on who's mixing the album, a potential collaboration, press shots, artwork and recording strings! Read on here.

"A pre-album tour will be announced soon and we'll start 'leaking' stuff in Jan. It just seems right to wait until in the new year. Things are going ahead with the new website. We're getting Warners to install the Vbulletin software then we'll get crackingon getting it up and running." - Mark. This tour will include the Birmingham Barfly, so it's likely to be a Barfly or mini venue tour.

"As the holidays approach we'd like to take the opportunity to wish all our fans and friends a great time over the holiday season. So Merry Christmas! or Happy Ramahanuqwanzmas to the PC brigade. Let's all hope Santa never heard the full story....

In the studio we're in the final stages of recording the album and are all set with a big name mixer for January. We've actually already got the first track nailed and in the bag! Tim is off to LA this weekend to oversee the recording of strings on 'Polaris' and 'The Boy Who Lived In Hell'. These are hopefully gonna turn out epic." - Ash

Short interview with Mark about his favourite music of 2006 on extrawack!.

New interview with Rick McMurray here, general stuff not much about the new album but it's good never the less.

"The last week's been pretty crazy as the wheels have begun turning on set up work for the new album's promotion.

We each got a fistfull of dollars from our lovely friends Alan and Nadine at Warners and we went out shopping for new clobber so that we don't look like tramps!

Kerrang! were in the studio a few weeks ago to check out what we've been up to. They took pics did a quick interview. There's a 2 page feature in the current issue on shelves now. They're also running a competition to win signed CD's and Merch!

Teaser of the new www.ash-official.com site should be up tomorrow...

Mark gives us the latest update from the recording of album '5.5', including plans for the rest of the recording, b-sides, album names and artwork and when live dates can be expected.

"A few days ago a little bird dropped by and told us that Bebo is fast becoming the biggest thing in the "online", especially in Ireland. So with us being so out of touch and living in New York we were pretty glad that little bird few across the Atlantic to pass on such valuable information... Without hesitation the new Ash-Official.bebo.com was created. The Bebo tag ID is: ash-official

"Kerrang! just popped into the studio to hang out and hear how the album's progressing. We played them 5-6 songs and they seems to be into what they heard and we also did a brief interview. They're going to be running a news feature in the next few weeks so remember to check the shelves. Photographer Dave Willis took some pics of Tim and Mark on the rooftop of our studio building which looked amazing. (Rick was home in Scotland...) Hopefully they'll see print. We also signed some copies of the US version of Meltdown (with bonus DVD) and gaves them some T-shirts which they're gonna run as a competition.

www.myspace.com/ash is now back up and running again, following the hack earlier in the week. Mark had all content saved so all links from pages on this site to Ash's Myspace site should still work.

www.myspace.com/ash is currently unavailable due to some hacking. This means that any links on this site to pages on Ash's Myspace will not work. Hopefully it'll be back up and running again soon.

Ash have set up two new official sites for the watching and downloading of their music and tour videos, find out more in the links section.

The guitars are almost done, the vocals are next. Tim gives us the latest update on Ash's new album direct from the studio in NYC..

Tim is interviewed in this weeks episode of 'This Note's For You' on RTE 1. It aired on Thursday night but you can watch the full programme online here. Select the Nov 2nd episode from the Archive menu to stream the right file.

It's the 4th installment in the 6 part series and it focuses on how songwriters become songwriters. If you have the time check this series out, it's actually a really cool insight to a diverse selection of songwriters and their craft.

Go to www.myspace.com/ash to see short video clips of new songs 'In Hell', 'Polaris', 'Shadows', 'Suicide Girls', 'Roulette', 'Blacklisted', 'Princess Six' and 'Shattered Glass' Ash have posted from the studio in NY. Some are new and some have been posted before and there are also other random studio moment videos.

If you've been wondering what Ash's new material, recorded for album '5.5', sounds like, then this is what you have been waiting for! Mark Hamilton goes through and describes the sound of the 14 recorded album contenders, details of the 5.5 songs.

Mark has been speaking with NME.com about some of the new songs. The full interview to follow soon...

As mentioned in the previously Tim recorded a solo performance of Shining Light for an RTE show about Irish songwriters. He recorded it last winter before moving over to NY. That's Ash's old rehearsal room which is really an old outhouse that Tim's folks use for storing junk in.

Although this hasn't yet aired on TV it has suprisingly turned up online, watch it here and then click on the relevant link.

It looks likely that the first single from the new album '5.5' will be released in February/March next year, with the album following in late May or early June.

Mark: "Tim appears briefly talking about songwriting in this weeks episode of 'This Note's For You' on RTE 1. It aired on Thursday night but you can watch the full episode online here.

There's 4 more shows in the series to come and Tim will be focused on in one of them, he was filmed back home playing Shining Light in our old rehearsal garage but until they're aired we don't know which. If your living in Ireland check local listings for episode info. Current scheduled time slot is 10:15pm on Thursday nights."

Quality interview with Mark Hamilton by Irish fanzine Drop-D Ezine. With news about next years releases...

The latest interview with Mark Hamilton from the studio in New York. Taken from www.ash-official.com.

Here's a short interview with Rick from DONT Magazine and a review of last Thursday's Annex gig from extrawack!. More news coming from the studio soon...

The official lowdown and pictures from the Annex gig on Thursday night. Also more pictures on www.myspace.com/ash and here.

Another review from Thursday night's gig at the Annex on SPIN.com.

New tracks 'Roulette' and 'What Is the Meaning?' featured in the classic packed set Ash played at The Annex, NY last night.

Full set list: Lose Control, A Life Less Ordinary, Orpheus, Roulette, Oh Yeah, Kung Fu, Petrol, What Is the Meaning?, Girl from Mars, Vampire Love, Burn Baby Burn.

Two new videos of Rick from the NY studio up on www.myspace.com/ash. One of him laying down the drums for one of the new tracks and the other after making a pledge not to shave his beard until he'd finished recording, Mr McMurray prepares himself for public duty....

Following the band's live return at Arthur Baker's Return to New York Party on September 10th, Ash will be headlining Spin Magazine's Stolen Transmission party tonight at the Annex, New York and will be sure to be airing a few new numbers. See the Flyer for more details.

Also good news for all UK and Irish fans... "plenty of touring in the UK and Ireland is being discussed." - Mark.

The latest interview with Tim Wheeler from the studio in New York. Taken from www.ash-official.com.

"In the last few days we got the backing track to 'Dark and Stormy' nailed and last night Tim worked on some acoustics on 'Polaris' and 'End of the World'. We now have only got to record the backing tracks to 3 more before Rick leaves in a few weeks so we're doing well schedule-wise. We're also re-recording Roulette because we've decided to change the arrangement" - Ash

New videos and pictures up on www.myspace.com/ash.

News from the studio. Tim, Mark, Rick and Tav have sat down choosen the best 14 tracks, from the 30 demos, to record for the album. Nathan from Snow Patrol has been over and after hearing a few demo's said it was already better than their record.

Ash have also announced they'll be playing another gig in New York on 5th October. They'll be playing at The Annex and it'll be free! Details on www.myspace.com/ash.

Pictures and write up from the Return to New York gig here, taken from www.myspace.com/ash. And more equipment pictures on www.ash-gear.com.

"We were going to record it but Lance our sound guy forgot to press record. Doh! We do have a bunch of pics that'll go up on-line once we've sorted through them. The show went great, Rick talks about it here. Picture from gig.

We tried out 6 of the usual setlist tracks to show that it ain't a problem reverting back to 3 live. Obviously we're missing backing vocals at the moment but we're thinking of ways round that. Rick might even take some vocal lessons to see if he can do it. For me it's near impossible, if i open my month the hand stops moving and the bass stops. I guess it's like rubbing your belly and patting your head. Some people can't do it... "

Click Here for the latest interview with Rick McMurray, where he answers questions about Ash's return to three piece action at Sunday's Return To New York gig and the on-going recording of the new album. Taken from www.ash-official.com.

Chief Ash Roadie Leif Bodnarchuk has reported that the Return to New York gig went well and Tim's Silver Gretsch Jet also made it's live return. For more info go to www.ash-gear.com.

Leif: "Gig was fine. they stripped it all down to nothing, it was a piece of cake. Sounded fine."

On Sunday 10th September Ash played their first gig back as the original three piece Ash line up, at Arthur Baker's Return to New York party in New York, and debuted two new songs 'Roulette' (formerly 'Keep It In')and 'What Is the Meaning?'.

These songs are both on the list of New Material Ash are recording in their Manhattan studio for the new album.

Ash will play their first gig back as a three piece at Arthur Baker's New York fashion week, Return To New York party at Happy Valley, New York tonight.

Developers are planning to flatten the legendary London venue, The Astoria and the entire block on the corner of Tottenham Court Road to put up a shopping centre! Because there's obviously not enough shops on Oxford Street.

Ash are pretty pissed off at this as it's kinda felt like their spiritual home and it's central London's only great venue. They've performed there close to 20 times over the years and have loads of great memories including the 5 night, 'Ashtoria' run, numerous NME Brat nights and Club FROG and GAY appearances. And are sure all Ash fans will still want to be able to see them and other acts play there in the future!

Ash have revealed details of their first gig back as a three piece, since Charlotte officially left in January, unfortunately for UK fans the gig is in New York.

The boys will be Arthur Baker's upcoming Return To New York party on Sunday 10th September, at Happy Valley, during New York Fashion Week.

Ash will only be playing for 30 minutes but a couple of new ones will be getting their debuts! As for tickets, they dunno much other than what it says on the flyer, $10 on the door... should be a fun night.

Click Here for the latest installment of our Ash-in-the-studio-making-an-album epic with Mark Hamilton. Taken from www.ash-official.com.

A new interview with Tim about the demos and the recording of the new album, taken from www.ash-official.com.

Tim has denied that there is any truth in the rumours that Ash will be recruiting a second guitarist for live gigs, "at the moment we've no intention of getting another guitarist/saxophonist/zither player/conjuror/morris dancer or compere. alright perhaps a morris dancer...."

While Rick is still in Scotland readying himself for this DJing debut this Saturday, Tim and Mark are working of some of the other demo tracks, so recording can continue once Rick gets to back to NYC.

Ash drummer Rick McMurray will be DJing at the Club Noir, in Edinburgh on Saturday 12th August. For further details on how see DJ Loveless play vintage, retro and modern sounds at The World's Biggest Burlesque Club go to www.myspace.com/ash.

This season play Ash Fantasy English Premier League Football, with fans from the Offical Ash Message and both Mark and Tim. Entrance is free and for full details on how to join go to www.myspace.com/ash.

Yesterday Tim flew back to NYC from vacation, recording to re-commence soon...

Though it previously thought that Ash would perform live as a 3 piece again, following Charlotte's departure in January, it is now thought that Ash will have a second live guitarist. Though the recording set up will continue to be just Mark, Rick and Tim. And the new tunes have been described as 'very "pop" and 1977ish'.

News from Tim's brother on new tracks 'Suicide Girls' and 'Shattered Glass' and other goings on in the new studio...

"The lyrics are mush deeper than heretofore (particularly shattered glass) which gets under the skin. Still recognisably ash with great melody. You're in for a real treat.

Mark explains what Record labels Ash are on nowadays...

"We are still on Record Collection in the US. Our boss Korda Marshall is the guy who signed us to infectious in 95. Infectious was an then a tiny indie with just 2 staff. Korda got funding from Australian label Mushroom.

Ever had a question for Ash? Well more than likely you're not the only one, so the band have written answers to 30 FAQs on www.myspace.com/ash.

To celebrate his birthday here's a progress report on the new album from Rick. Taken from www.ash-official.com.

Ash are now taking a break from recording, 'Shattered Glass' and 'Suicide Girls' are completed and 'Princess 6' and 'Roulette' (formerly 'Keep It In') are well on the well, further details.

More pictures of Mark and Rick up on www.myspace.com/ash, including a bit of spring cleaning...

There's another video of Tim playing in the studio is up on www.myspace.com/ash. Also Ash guitar tech Leif Bodnarchuk speaks to Shure.

Firstly a video of Tim editing in the studio is up at www.myspace.com/ash. Also going in the studio Tim pro-tools wizard at work on 'Shattered Glass' edits, the band are 'Shattered' after 18 takes of recording and the book of wives is left open at Keep It In.

News from the studio on how the recordings going and Suicide Girls, Princess Six and Shattered Glass.

The book of wives opens on Princess Six... and Tim with six string Ricky.

The recording of new track 'Princess Six' is well under way, Rick and Tim have been working out a few changes, and there's a video up on www.myspace.com/ash of the ending of the song. There's also a second video up on Myspace of Rick doing a mic test.

Recording is going well, with the first mix nearing completion, Ash's Myspace.

More photos and another video of Rick drumming from the studio on Ash's Myspace, including a picture of audio genius Jeff Blenkinsopp.

Here is an interview with Mark about the latest news from the NYC studio, taken from www.ash-official.com.

Rick now has his own page on myspace www.myspace.com/onionrick. Go and find out more about the legend that is Rick McMurray...

Here's the equipment which will shape the sound of the whole album and the audio council.

A further video of Tim and Rick in the studio has been added to Ash's Myspace, dated 17th June, and a picture of Rick's very shiny drum kit.

Play along with Rita, part 1 in 352 part series... Suicide Girls on Myspace.

There's now another video of Tim, playing a solo on the Gretsch in the studio up on www.myspace.com/ash. The 1977 single videos have also been added The Myspace.

Could this be a clue to another new song called 'Shattered Glass': "The Book of Wives paves the way for Shattered Glass" www.myspace.com/ash. There is also a video added of Tim playing guitar in the studio.

The Album Section has now been completed re-designed with loads more detailed added. There's also a new video up on Ash's Myspace of Rick drumming in the new studio.

Pre-recording rehearsals started yesterday. There are also some live videos, from Ash's Paddy's day gig in 2004, up on www.myspace.com/ash.

The Official Ash website www.ash-official.com was re-launched on Friday and is now a blog. Though it looks very basic at the moment, Mark has said "don't worry, there's gonna be a whole new site coming too, the blog will be for current news" and it all kicks off with an interview with Tim about the recording of the new album... The interview in full is also here.

Mark has said descriptions of the new demos will follow soon, but not just yet, as demo's can drasticallly change once they record them for real but he'll give a brief sypnosis soon.

And though the current Ash vibe is of a rock 3 piece, Mark doesn't reckon the album will be as heavy as Meltdown, nothing as heavy as Clones or Detonator as of yet.

To mark the launch of the new look ashtabs, all sections will be re-designed soon, here are the working titles of the new demos.

"All the gear has arrived in New York for the start of recording in a few weeks. Some wiring work still has to be done but once that's completed we'll be ready to rock!" Studio Photos

First things first, Tim has now made public the link to his page www.MysteryRecordings.com, via the new Official Myspace Ash Page, where the song 'End of the World', which I believe to be a solo effort, can be downloaded. To download directly go here.

Arthur Baker and Tim Wheeler collaboration Glow is released today on CD, 7" and 12" vinyl.

Also on the Glow Release Details Page, Comments from Arthur Baker about how Glow came around.

The release of single Glow has been delayed a week, due to manfacturing problems. Click on the Glow banner or image to the left, for the release details and reviews.

Glow is a collaboration between Tim Wheeler and dance (and A Life Less Ordinary) producer Arthur Baker and is listed as 'Arthur Baker feat. Tim Wheeler' and available on CD, 7" and 12" vinyl. Lifted from Arthur Baker's forthcoming collaboration album, the track had it's first airplay by John Peel, during an Ash session in June 2001.

The track entitled 'Glow', to be released on March 20th, is a collaboration with dance (and A Life Less Ordinary) producer Arthur Baker and is listed as 'Arthur Baker feat. Tim Wheeler'. Lifted from Arthur Baker's forthcoming collaboration album, the track had it's first airplay by John Peel, during an Ash session in June 2001.

There are also rumours that there could be more solo stuff to come from Tim...