Pop-punk veterans Ash are in the mood for celebrating. This year the band's 1996 chart-topping debut album, "1977," will turn 20 years old, and frontman/guitarist Tim Wheeler says he and his bandmates — drummer Rick McMurray and bassist Mark Hamilton — are looking to plan some festivities.
"It's a big year. We're talking about celebrating it, actually ... maybe play a few shows in the U.K.," Wheeler says before adding that he'd like to head to North America, Europe and possibly come back for more Japan gigs.
At the same time, Ash is still reveling over the release of last year's "Kablammo!," the trio's sixth full-length album and first in eight years. After spending a few years experimenting with newfangled ways to release its music, the band decided to return to the traditional album format. "Kablammo!" proved to be just the energizing boost Ash needed.