Ash is back after eight years with sixth album KABLAMMO! (Edel/earMusic). The Northern Ireland trio—vocalist/guitarist Tim Wheeler, bassist Mark Hamilton and drummer Rick McMurray—will be on tour supporting the LP in the U.K. starting later this month. Ash will also be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week.
McMurray: It was kind of daunting to get back on a bike for the first time since I was 15, but I’m just in love with it. I live in the edge of Edinburgh and I can be in the countryside in about 30 seconds. It’s great being able to get away even for a few minutes to clear my head. When our kids were born, we had this group for expectant parents and I made this friend with whom I became close. Unfortunately, him and his partner split up last year—but he got back into cycling as a sort of therapy to get him through a tough few months. He talked me into getting a bike. It was kind of a revolution—I try and keep my fitness levels up but sometimes it’s just pretty bad. Last year, when I got the bike, it was just kind of amazing, it was the first time I’d ridden a bike since I joined this band. It gives me a chance to kind of appreciate the countryside where I live. It’s something I’ve gotten used to, just getting out and about and exploring places. Edinburgh is just a great city for cycling.
Video after the jump.
