SingalongaAsh big in Japan

WHATEVER the musical equivalent of Roy of the Rovers is, Downpatrick trio Ash are currently experiencing it - this year alone they've seen their debut album, 1977 go straight in at No 1 in the albums chart (something neither U2 or The Cranberries could achieve), go on to sell one million copies and open up exotic new markets for them - they're not just big in Japan, but big in Australia and Thailand also.

Their appeal is simple, they play heads-down, no-nonsense, perfect three-minute power pop songs. Coming from where they do, they can tap into the collective folk memory of The Undertones and Stiff Little Fingers - influences which have now largely worn off - but as 1977 testifies, especially on the few tracks remaining that haven't been released as singles, they seem destined to progress in more of a Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh manner in the future. Which is food.

Although they remain with the not-so-small-anymore indie label Infectious in Europe, in the US they're signed to Reprise, part of the Warner empire, which, interestingly enough, is the same label Green Day are signed to.

Having consolidated their position on this side of the Atlantic, next year they will be carrying out more full frontal assaults on the North American market, as well as releasing the follow-up album.

With more great pop songs than you can shake a stick at - Kung Fu, Uncle Pat, Girl From Mars, Angel Interceptor, Goldfinger, Oh Yeah etc, expect the mosh pit at The Point gig to take on a singalongaAsh aspect, and also expect one of the gigs of the year from one of the bands of the year.