Who can forget Ash? The alternative rock band from Northern Ireland was one of the flagbearers of 1990s Britpop. They’ve had chart-topping records, toured the world, provided unforgettable songs for movies (Angus, A Life Less Ordinary) and videos (Gran Turismo) and even produced a teen slasher film! Eight years ago the three piece — vocalist and guitarist Tim Wheeler, bassist Mark Hamilton and drummer Rick McMurray — decided they would stop releasing conventional albums. Instead, Ash put out 26 singles in The A-Z Series in 2009, one every two weeks. This month, however, Ash will release their first album in eight years, KABLAMMO!  McMurray talks about the band’s 20-year evolution, the changes in the music industry, why they’ve released a new album and where Angus is now.

Hometown: A little village called Kilinchy on the shores of Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland. It’s so small Main Street’s southern side is comprised mostly of fields.

Current residence: Edinburgh, Scotland

So, KABLAMMO!  Why did you decide to put out a new album and why that name?

We said in 2007 we’d not do any more albums as a band. I guess when we decided we were going to go back on that we knew we had to make something that would live up to our most successful work. That was the driving force behind the record. The name is inspired by the fact we’ve been away for so long. Bang! Ash are back in your life with a new record! It’s supposed to be fun and a little bit tongue in cheek.

Why has it been eight years since your last album was released? What have you been doing in the meantime?

Since the last album release we embarked on the A-Z series, which saw us release 26 singles in one year, which took us through to late 2010. Since then, Tim released a solo record called Lost Domain and myself and Mark have been starting our families. (Separately; we’re not that close!)

What was your big goal with KABLAMMO!?

I’d be more than happy if our fans held this record up there with our most loved work. That was our aim when we were working on it, and for us we feel like we’ve done what we set out to do.

What's been the highlight of your careers as a band?

I guess having two number one albums in the UK would be a highlight. More so because it’s given us the opportunity to have a long-term career as musicians.

Yes, I was shocked to realize you’d been together for more than 20 years. How did you stay together for all that time?

It’s all about doing what is best for the band rather than looking for personal glory.

And the music industry has changed significantly since you first came out. Has that changed your creative process?

It has changed massively in the last 10 to 15 years and seems to continually develop and evoke as technology changes. I think it’s important for bands to look to future trends as an opportunity to challenge themselves. There’s no going back to what it used to be like so it’s either embrace it or forget it really.

What about personal experiences? Which ones mark your musical creation and process?

I’ve found since having a family, that has influenced my process quite a bit. Having to be separated from those you love and who depend on you I think subliminally affects the process insofar as it makes me want to make the most out of the time away from them. I really want to make everything count.

I was a big fan of the Angus soundtrack, which was how many of your American fans came to know you. How does it feel that it's 20 years old now?

I often wonder what the intervening 20 years have done to Angus. Is he successful and happy, or has he had struggled under the weight of 20 years of neoliberalism, crushing his spirit and ruining his life? I hope not.

Which artists influenced you musically when you started out, and which ones do you enjoy listening to now?

Nirvana was a massive influence on our sound in the early days, as were Pixies, Ride and Sonic Youth. This was all filtered through our love of pop music, especially ABBA. On the new record we weren’t really looking at other bands as an inspiration. It was more a case of wanting this to stand up with our best material.

What's your earliest memory of liking music?

I remember having a babysitter around the age of eight, who would play lots of stuff by The Who and the Kinks, which made a strong impression on me. It was like nothing I’d heard before. Later when I was aged 10, I borrowed lots of Iron Maiden records off my older brother. I remember thinking to myself as I looked at the pictures on the sleeve that that’s what I wanted to do.