Teenage wild thangs Ash went on to produce some classic albums in the past 30 years, yet 1977 was where it all started. Full of early anthems and that iconic Eric Cantona single cover on the earworm that was Kung Fu. To celebrate their debut they’ve released a new version of Oh Yeah live at STABAL Studios. Read on…
We had heard about Uncle Pat, about Jack naming his planets, had been blistered by Trailer, but it was in 1996 that Ash absolutely exploded with their debut album, 1977. How gutted they must have been to have missed a May the 4th release date by two days, that shrieking TIE Fighter fly-by leading into the blast of Lose Control, and lose control we did. Seeped in their love of American alt-rock and ear for a melody, the album, propelled by such now-classics as Girl From Mars, Angel Interceptor, Oh Yeah, and the fantastic Kung-Fu, caused a riot that saw the three Downpatrick youngsters thrust into the spotlight.
Reflecting back on that time with us a couple of years ago, frontman Tim Wheeler said that their “dreams were kind of coming true at a faster rate than we were able to process them…We were just 18 and had just literally left school. Two days later, we were playing Glastonbury. And then, a few weeks later, we were on Top of the Pops and in the top 40. So yeah, at that point, then we went off and really kicked off the touring, the worldwide touring and went to Japan, Australia and America. We kind of went straight from that into making 1977. In a year we were with the number one album. So yeah, it all went ballistic at that point.”
Originally released in 1996, 1977 is the #1 platinum-selling debut album that launched Ash from teenage upstarts to Britpop-era icons. Three decades on, this 30th Anniversary Edition celebrates the album that defined a generation with its breakneck energy, razor-sharp hooks and unforgettable anthems including ‘Girl From Mars,’, ‘Goldfinger’, ‘Kung Fu’ and ‘Oh Yeah’. The 30th Anniversary Edition will be available on 2LP EcoRecord Green & Black ‘InkPlosion’ vinyl in a Gatefold Sleeve, 2CD Digisleeve plus booklet, and digitally. Pre-save / Pre-order the new collection HERE.
The band are also announcing a global 1977 tour kicking off in September, with stops across Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and Europe – with Japanese dates to be announced shortly – before wrapping up in the UK and Ireland in December. Presale opens on 12th May and General Sale on 15th May. For more information, visit the band’s website HERE.
Also announced today is a very special live-streamed concert from the band, direct from Belfast’s Oh Yeah Centre. Taking place on 6th May 2026 (30 years to the day since 1977’s original release) at 8pm BST, the event is a must for fans old and new. Ash will play an intimate live acoustic set of those classic tracks from the album and the evening will be hosted by BBC Introducing’s Taylor Johnson, who will be chatting to the band and delving into the stories and inspirations behind the music that defined a generation. Whether you’re eager to relive the nostalgia of your 90’s teenage years or are discovering Ash for the first time, this is a unique opportunity not to be missed. Tickets are on sale now HERE.
The digital and 2CD edition features on Disc 1 the original album in full – 12 tracks of high-voltage power-pop that still sound as urgent and melodic as ever, such as ‘Lose Control’ and ‘Darkside Lightside’. It also includes four additional tracks: the long-lost, near-mythical track ‘Bittersweet Blue’, ‘Oh Yeah (2026 version), ‘Girl From Mars (Demo 2026 Mix) and ‘Gone The Dream (Acoustic 2026 Mix)’.
Disc 2 captures a special live set from STABAL Studios in 2021, where the band perform 1977 in full, along with fan favourites from the era, including ‘Oh Yeah’ released as the first track from the performance, plus ‘Coasting’, ‘Sneaker’, ‘American Devil’, and ‘Silver Surfer’.
The 2LP presents the original album across LP1 with a specially curated collection of B-sides on LP2, that highlight the depth and creativity of the 1977 era. Standout tracks include ‘Day Of The Triffids’, ‘Luther Ingo’s Star Cruiser’, ‘Astra Conversations With Toulouse Lautrec’, ‘Cantina Band’, ‘Sneaker’, ‘T Rex’ and more.
ASH – GLOBAL TOUR DATES 2026
14th June – Download festival (UK)
19th June – Isle of Wight festival (UK)
30th July – Y Not Festival, Pikehall, Derbyshire (UK)
31st July – Kendal Calling, Hackthorpe (UK)
4th Sept – Rosemount, Perth (AUS)
5th Sept – Freo Social, Fremantle (AUS)
8th Sept – Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide (AUS)
10th Sept – The Tivoli, Brisbane (AUS)
11th Sept – Northcote Theatre, Melbourne (AUS)
12th Sept – Metro Theatre, Sydney (AUS)
14th Sept – Tuning Fork, Aukland (NZ)
15th Sept – San Fran, Wellington (NZ)
21st Sept – Hard Rock Cafe, Singapore (SG)
23rd Sept – Hong Kong Portal, Hong Kong (HK)
10th Nov – De Helling, Utrecht (NL)
11th Nov – Gebaude 9, Cologne (DE)
12th Nov – Hole44, Berlin (DE)
15th Nov – Effenaar (Small Room), Eindhoven (NL)
1st Dec – Arena, Torquay (UK)
2nd Dec – O2 Guildhall, Southampton (UK)
4th Dec – Tramshed, Cardiff (UK)
5th Dec – UEA, Norwich (UK)
6th Dec – Rock City, Nottingham (UK)
8th Dec – Albert Hall, Manchester (UK)
9th Dec – Olympia, Dublin (IE)
10th Dec – Ulster Hall, Belfast (UK)
12th Dec – Boilershop, Newcastle (UK)
13th Dec – Barrowlands, Glasgow (UK)
15th Dec – O2 Institute, Birmingham (UK)
16th Dec – O2 Academy, Leeds (UK)
17th Dec – Roundhouse, London (UK)
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