IT'S not everyday that a band has a problem having too many potential hit singles on one album. But Irish rockers Ash believe that their forthcoming album, which they are currently putting the finishing touches to, is by far their best work to date.

The band released a debut mini-album in 1994 called Trailer, while they were all 17 years old. Their first album came two years later in the shape of 1977 (named after the year the band members were born).

1977 was a monster success and contained five top 40 singles, including the top ten hits Oh Yeah and Goldfinger.

After an exhausting tour, the band went back in the studio and came up with the next album Nu-Clear Sounds which, although wasn't as commercial as 1977, demonstrated Ash's talent of writing quality tunes.

Their new album, which is due out early next year, is, according to Ash, a return to the early days of 1977.

"It's like what we were doing with 1977. Lots of melodic pop songs with heavy guitars," says bass player Mark Hamilton.

"But we're also experimenting with a lot more samples. We have spent a lot of time on the sound this time around."

The new album seems to have given band members Tim Wheeler, Mark Hamilton, Rick McMurray and Charlotte Hatherley a new enthusiasm which has rubbed off on their work.

"I don't like using the word commercial and pop, but they're very melodic and we can see it being quite a big album.

"The record company reckon we've got about seven or eight hit singles. The big problem will be which ones will be singles - but it's a nice problem to have.

"We're hitting a peak that we haven't done before. Tim's really come together with the songs.

"We went into the studio the second to last week in August. The studio was in Marbella and we were there about eight weeks. We had a fantastic time there.

"All the girls, drinking and the partying rubbed off on the record and there is a good vibe. It was a pleasure to do, it all came so easy."

And the band hit the road later this month on a tour of smaller venues that fans voted for on the official Ash website.

They kick off at Kingston and reach Salisbury Arts Centre on November 27.

"This is really a profile building tour. We're getting out into more backwater towns, playing places that aren't on your major tour circuit.

"We're mad for it and we haven't been playing properly live, so we need to get good again."

Once the band have finished their smaller tour, they are set to go on a spring world tour, with a massive promotional campaign.

"We've got a big trick up our sleeve for next year with the arena tour, and we've got big financial backing from some major companies.

"We're going to do something that we know will grab a lot of headlines. It will be scandalous and a lot of people are going to be upset - but, at the moment, it's top secret!"

Ash appear at Salisbury Arts Centre on November 27. A handful of tickets are still available priced £9. Telephone 01722 321744 for more details.

You can also check out their brilliant new, improved website at www.ash-official.com