The Annex
NYC
Words by Cameron Cook
Photos by Abbey Braden

“This is a song we’ve been playing since we were 16 years old!” yelps Ash frontman Tim Wheeler before launching into “Petrol”, one of the most anthemic tracks from 1995′s Trailer album. The last time I saw Ash, I was 16-years-old, fresh out of Music 101, checking out one of my favorite bands play some of my favorite songs. Last night, at the weekly Stolen Transmission party at the Annex in NYC, my inner punk was released amongst a roomful of SUPER FANS as Ash played what one might imagine being the smallest show they’ve played in a while.

This was the first time I had witnessed Ash sans guitar chick extraordinaire Charlotte Hatherly (she left the band a few months ago to pursue her solo career). The remaining members had decided to revert to an all-male three-piece, which somehow, as much as we love Ms. Hatherly, contributed to the giddy atmosphere in the crowd, as if the nostalgia of boyband pin-ups gave the performance a little extra sheen.

But enough about that, let’s talk about the NEW SONGS! “Roulette” finds Ash discovering their inner New Order and mixing hi-hats and somewhat bleepy guitar tweaks to their normal balls-to-the-wall punk. “What is the Meaning?” is the standout of the evening, an apparent homage to the Buzzcocks which is Ash-by-numbers in the best way possible.

They make sure to bust out the oldies as well, and many a fan yells along: “Girl from Mars” goes from three minutes ditty to elongated sonic cocktease, with Tim withholding the chorus for as long as possible, whereas “Kung Fu” whips up an instant mosh pit. “We want to play for another hour, but we only have one more song rehearsed,” apologizes Tim at the end of the set, and an amazing (albeit once again, Charlotte-less) version of “Burn Baby Burn” brings everyone to a culminating punk-pop freakout. I don’t know about you, but my inner 16-year-old is adequately sated. Thank you, Ash.