COLIN WILSON One of the most prolific bands of the Nineties, Northern Ireland's Ash, are back on the road with a new album and single on the way - and call in at the Waterfront in Norwich on Sunday night.

COLIN WILSON

One of the most prolific bands of the Nineties, Northern Ireland's Ash, are back on the road with a new album and single on the way - and call in at the Waterfront in Norwich on Sunday night. Between 1995 and 2004 the band had 16 top 40 singles in the UK.

Guitarist and singer Tim Wheeler and bass player Mark Hamilton's rock dream began in 1989 with a band called Vietnam. After trading it in for Ash they set drummer Rick McMurray to work. The band's first single, Jack Names the Planets, was followed by the memorably melodic trio Kung Fu, Girl From Mars and Angel Interceptor in 1995.

They recorded the album 1977 with Oasis producer Owen Morris. Released in 1996 it topped the chart in the first week of release.

The following year guitarist Charlotte Hatherley was hired and in 1998 Ash appeared with U2 in Belfast's Waterfront Hall and recorded their next album Nu-Clear Sounds.

Wheeler came back with the album Free All Angels and the band staked its future on the single Shining Light which restored them to the top 10 in February 2001 and won Wheeler the Ivor Novello award for Best Contemporary Song.

The compilation Intergalactic Sonic Sevens was released in 2002. Two years later, Ash released Meltdown recorded in California with Foo Fighters producer Nick Raskulinecz and a return to what they do best - powerful, melodic rock.

Sunday's date is one of only a few low-key gigs for the band.

They are now back to a three-piece following the departure of Charlotte Hatherely.

Supporting Ash will be Formation.

Doors 7pm, tickets £14, returns only - if any. Telephone 01603 508050.