At Rockfield Studios in Wales, the peaceful midsummer setting is interrupted by the roar of a tractor. Ash frontman Tim Wheeler momentarily breaks from his line of thought to consider the madness of the situation.

His band’s album was due to be finished by April. Certainly, that’s how the band felt when they quit Wales on a plane for the Hot Press Awards in Belfast, April 9. Everyone was in such high spirits on the night, reckoning that out of the 22 songs they’d recorded, they had a dozen great ones in the bag. The band’s manager, Tav, was pleased to reveal that there were maybe six bankable singles worth considering.

Back then, drummer Rick was talking about Iggy, the New York Dolls, Lou Reed and the Stones, circa Sticky Fingers, and saying nice things about producer Chris Kimsey, who’d worked with so many proper rock legends of the ‘70s, such as Led Zeppelin and the Stones. There was speculation that the artist Jim Fitzpatrick, famously associated with Thin Lizzy, would be helping them with some design projects.

On May 19, the band made another dramatic flight out of Rockfield to appear with U2, David Trimble and John Hume at the Waterfront in Belfast, as part of the ‘Yes’ campaign for the Good Friday Agreement. Again, there was a feeling that the band were making progress, and they played a bunch of new songs that night, including ‘Pickefoo’, ‘Fifties Song’ and ‘Velvets’. They were bold and trashy, just like they had predicted. Charlotte was taking her own photos of the media ranks, clearly amused with the drama of the day.

But here we are in July and the record still isn’t finished. Tim explains that the record just didn’t have the definitive sound they were looking for. So they called up Owen Morris, the studio stalwart who produced their 1977 debut plus the best stuff from Oasis and The Verve. One brand new song was recorded from scratch and their old mate was given the task of remixing everything else.

sleeve design

“That’s why we’re back at Rockfield,” Tim explains, more excited than weary. “When we got to the mixing stage, it wasn’t turning out how we wanted it. Owen’s really enjoying doing this record with us. He came in at a late stage and didn’t have to do all the hard work of recording. He’s just having a laugh.”

Sadly, the Jim Fitzpatrick connection won’t be realised for new sleeve design, although something’s definitely planned for further ahead. Some pictures taken on a recent New York trip will be used instead. Meanwhile, the Ash tour movie, tentatively titled No One Said It Was Gonna Be Easy, is still revving away in the background. Rumours suggest that manager Tav has a special event lined up for each of the upcoming months, to further the already spectacular Ash story. You shouldn’t doubt that for a moment.

The chief reason that we’re on the phone to Tim is to talk over the Ash plans for Killyleagh Castle on August 1. The gig is important in many ways. Firstly, it will be a real homecoming for the band, their inauguration as the undisputed stars of the County Down. Rick was actually reared in the area, so the significance is totally right.

Secondly, the choice of Ash as the headliners for this event, signals a different style for Killyleagh, which formerly hosted the likes of Van Morrison and The Saw Doctors. Ash will be supported by their mates Mogwai and Kenickie, ensuring that the mood is proudly young and alive. The night before this at Killyleagh will be given over to Fun Lovin’ Criminals and Cornershop.

“I love Mogwai,” Tim enthuses. “I’ve seen them a good few times and I’m a fan. I haven’t seen Kenickie for ages, but I’m looking forward to the new line-up.”

So is there any trepidation about doing such a high-profile show?

“I dunno, there could be a bit of that, but it should do well. As soon as the idea came up, we thought, yeah, it has to be done. When I was growing up here, you would never have conceived of the idea. And we’ll be digging out loads of new songs.”

costly

pilgrimages

There’s a third reason for hailing the ongoing progress of the Killyleagh gig. As an outdoor venue, it’s nice and different. The more quality places there are in the north, then there’s less reason for the punters up here to make their costly pilgrimages to Cork and Dublin. Sure, there’ll always be the likes of Slane which will be worth the effort, but it’s also great to see a series of VFM shows nearby.

One of the factors that allows Northern Ireland to host the likes of Texas, Dylan, Kula Shaker and Ash over the summer is sponsorship. Promoter Eamon McCann was completely upfront about this during a launch for the Killyleagh gigs. He recognised that so many events in England – such as Phoenix and Universe – have been scuppered due to poor ticket sales and crippling economics. Yet here’s Wonderland Promotions, actually increasing their involvement in music in the north each year. In a word, the facilitator is Guinness.

So how does Tim Wheeler feel about corporate sponsorship in rock and roll?

“Well, Guinness is alright by me. As long as it’s not something really terrible.”

So what if it was something like nuclear missiles?

“That’s really funny,” he chortles, “‘Cause we’re gonna call the album Nuclear Science!”

And with that he’s off to his mixing desk, to a fierce deadline and a bunch of songs that include ‘Jesus Says’ (formerly ‘Velvets’), ‘Ebbing Away’, ‘Where’s Our Love Gone’, ‘Numbskull’, ‘I’m Gonna Fall’, ‘Projects’ (a Mark Hamilton song, formerly ‘Pickefoo’), and ‘Fortune Teller’.

It’ll surely go platinum. Maybe even plutonium . . .