(5 / 5)
When Ash exploded onto the music scene in 1996 with their debut album “1977”, the three teenagers from Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, brought a fresh burst of energy to guitar music.
With loud guitars, infectious melodies and a punk-rock spirit, they quickly became one of the defining bands of the Britpop era. Thirty years on, “1977” remains a brilliant snapshot of youth, full of the excitement and energy that made Ash stand out from the crowd.
Formed in 1992 by singer and guitarist Tim Wheeler, bassist Mark Hamilton and drummer Rick McMurray, Ash had already made a name for themselves with their 1994 mini-album “Trailer”. But it was “1977” that took them to a much bigger audience.
Released in May 1996, the album reached Number 1 in the UK and Ireland and went platinum in the UK. Packed with classic tracks including “Girl From Mars”, “Goldfinger”, “Kung Fu” and “Oh Yeah”, it remains one of the great guitar albums of the decade.
Now in 2026, the band are celebrating the album’s 30th anniversary with an expanded edition featuring the original album, additional recordings and a live performance of the complete record. Due for release on 16th October, it will be available digitally, as a double CD, a double LP pressed on green-and-black ‘InkPlosion’ EcoRecord vinyl.
The live recordings were captured at STABAL Studios in 2021, marking the album’s 25th anniversary. Hearing Ash perform “1977” in full shows proves just how well these songs have stood the test of time.
For longtime fans, the additional material is particularly rewarding. The collection reaches back to Ash’s formative years, including “Coasting” and “American Devil”, offering a glimpse into the band’s early development and the roots of their distinctive sound.
One of the biggest highlights is “Bittersweet Blue”, a long-lost song that has finally found its way into the world. Written before the “1977” recording sessions at Rockfield Studios, the track was performed live when Ash supported Therapy? at Dublin’s Point Depot in December 1995. It was recorded in early January 1996 but never made the album.
The song had become a favourite within the band, so much so that they were performing it live before the lyrics were even finished, with Tim Wheeler improvising words on stage. It remained part of Ash’s history until their back catalogue was moved to a new home for digitisation, when it emerged that some master tapes were missing. A decade later, as the anniversary release was being prepared, Tim Wheeler finally solved the mystery: the recording had been mislabelled.
What remained was incomplete, with drums, bass, rhythm guitars and a “scratch” vocal, but no finished lyrics. Tim Wheeler returned to the song and completed it, reconnecting with his teenage self to bring this forgotten piece of Ash history back to life. Released as a 7″ single with a new video, “Bittersweet Blue” is a great addition that fits comfortably alongside the songs that made “1977” so special.
The anniversary package offers plenty for collectors, too. The double LP features the original album on the first record and a selection of B-sides on the second, including “Day Of The Triffids”, “Luther Ingo’s Star Cruiser”, “Cantina Band”, “Sneaker” and “T Rex”. The CD and digital editions add four tracks to the original album: “Bittersweet Blue”, a 2026 version of “Oh Yeah”, a new mix of the “Girl From Mars” demo and an acoustic mix of “Gone The Dream”.
The second CD expands the experience further with 18 live tracks, bringing together the complete album and six additional songs: “Coasting”, “Sneaker”, “American Devil”, “T. Rex”, “Punk Boy” and “Silver Surfer”. Together, the recordings celebrate both the album itself and the early years that shaped Ash’s career.
Ash are also taking “1977” back on the road with a series of anniversary dates across the UK and Europe, following shows in Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong. The UK and Irish dates are scheduled for December, including shows in Manchester, Dublin, Belfast, Glasgow and London.
Thirty years after its release, “1977” still sounds exciting and full of life. Its combination of huge guitar riffs, irresistible melodies and youthful energy really has stood the test of time, while the additional recordings give a fuller picture of the band’s journey from their early demos to international success.
This anniversary edition is a celebration of a much-loved debut; a chance to hear these songs anew and discover material that has remained hidden for years. Three decades on, the magic of “1977” is still very much alive.
By Manja Williams
(1 / 5) ‘Dull Zone’
(2 / 5) ‘OK Zone’
(3 / 5) ‘Decent Zone’
(4 / 5) ‘Super Zone’
(5 / 5) ‘Awesome Zone’
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