W.O.C.K On Vinyl: The Ash - The Singles (1970-71)

 Before things get too serious here at Rock On Vinyl, I thought it might be fun to post a song / album at the end of each month, that could be categorized as being either Weird, Obscure, Crazy or just plain Korny.

This Melbourne-based hard rock band, which operated between 1969-72, was strongly influenced by Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and Jethro Tull. There were three different lineups; the second (1971) included several members of noted Sydney band Lotus. The central member, and the only person common to all three lineups, was vocalist Criston Barker (also known as Criston Somerset) but the second lineup is also notable for the presence of drummer Derek Pellicci, who went on to play with Mississippi and LRB.

The Ash's debut single "Avignon" / "Sable", produced by John Farrar, is credited as one of the first locally-produced 45s to be released in a picture sleeve -- packaging which until then was usually only used for EPs. Vernon Joyson describes it as:

" ... a slow ballad in the early Bee Gees mould, whilst the riffy, although poorly recorded, flip side displayed a strong Anglophile influence, midways between Jethro Tull and Led Zeppelin."

The group also made a promotional film-clip for "Avignon" and was recently posted on YouTube by Criston (see towards bottom of post).

The Ash (Mk II)

It was the inaugural release for the newly established Havoc label, which was set up by Melbourne jazz saxophonist Frank "The Lion" Smith and agent-manager Rod De Courcy. Although the label lasted only four years (folding ca. 1975 after Smith died suddenly in 1974), HAVOC was notable for concentrating on new releases by Melbourne-based rock bands of the period, and their LPs, which were pressed in New Zealand, were renowned for their superior quality compared to the local product.

There was a major lineup change after the single came out, and by the time they recorded their next single the group consisted of Criston Barker (vocals), Ron Hood (guitar), Gary "Blockhead" Porthouse (bass) and Derek Pellicci (drums); Peter Gregory (ex The Expression) filled in on guitar for a short time.

The second Ash single "Midnight Witch" -- written by Doug Ford of The Masters Apprentices -- was produced by Havoc house engineer Gil Matthews (The Aztecs). Ian MacFarlane in the magazine 'Freedom Train' describes it as:

" ... hard hitting prog-psych, with a series of rich, staccato riffs and a throbbing bass line. The flip side is in similar mould if a little faster."

However Criston says the band was disappointed both with the production and a perceived lack of commitment from the label, so he and Derek moved to Sydney, hoping to make a new start. There they hooked up with Kim Dawson (guitar) and Warwick Wilkes (organ) both formerly of Lotus, plus noted bassist Tim Partridge, to become the the third and final lineup of The Ash. They performed regularly at Whisky A Go-Go, Chequers and numerous other Sydney venues until the group ended in 1972.

The Ash (Mk I) at the Thumpin' Tumb

Review: 'Midnight Witch' b/w 'Warrant' (Havoc H.1002) 1971

Now this is more like it! At least Ash was a decent rock band. They formed around January 1970 and early on signed to The Master's Apprentices' booking management agency Drum (which also looked after The Sect and The Expression). They got plenty of gigs around the Melbourne dance and discotheque circuit. That year Ash also issued one of the first singles on the original Havoc label. Their sound had an English hard-rock flavour, although 'Avignon' was closer to the Bee Gees with harmonies and acoustic guitars.

For the second Ash single the band went all out with the throbbing 'Midnight Witch' and the hard-hitting 'Warrant' on the flip. Fuelled by a series of rich, staccato riffs and fuzz leads, plus the ominous vocals. 'Midnight Witch'is a classic example of where psychedelia crossed over with progressive rock. 'Warrant'picks up the pace a notch or two and makes for a heady ride.

You can add Ash to a list of classic Aussie progressive psych bands like Blackfeather, latter-day Master's Apprentices, Healing Force, Lotus, Bakery, Tamam Shud, Kahvas Jute, Fraternity etc at least for this one incredible single. Lyrically it's a putdown rather than a song of praise: "You're just an evil heartbreaker. oh what you do to a man". The earlier connection with The Masters paid off because not only did guitarist Doug Ford pen 'Midnight Witch' but also he played those mind-blowing guitar riffs (and it sounds like him singing as well, although lead singer Criston Barker was probably on hand as well). "Midnight Witch' is so close to the Masters' "Future of Our Nation' (also written by Ford) in feel, chord structure and melody that the correlation is unmistakable.

And this would tie in time-wise, because the Masters had returned to Australia from their first London sojourn in December 1970 and left again in May 1971. So 'Midnight Witch' would have been recorded sometime in between. It doesn't sound like Ford plays on 'Warrant' so it's obvious that the band's two guitarists at the time. Peter Gregory (ex-Expression) and Ron Hood, were pretty hot in the riff department themselves. It even sounds like they're trying to emulate Black Sabbath because they nick a riff or two from 'War Pigs' and the vocal effects from "Wicked World". [review taken from 'The Complete Havoc Singles']

After Ash

Criston, Tim and Derek were soon headhunted for a new band, teaming up with Leith Corbett (Heart'n'Soul, Dave Miller Set) on guitar, to form Arthur & The Argonaughts. After just two rehearsals, they were late entries into the Bonopart's Battle of the Sounds, and in front of a panel of judges which included John McDonald and Stuart Coupe they won the contest outright. They then returned to Melbourne where they became an immediate hit on the local circuit. Ian Ferguson replaced Tim on bass, and the group's brief career culminated in a performance at the Sunbury festival in January 1973.

Leith Corbett then went to England, and Criston went back to Sydney, where he joined a band called Sunday Mourning before returning to Melbourne and forming Freeway, which consisted of Criston (bass). Steve Welch (guitar), Frank Chic (vocals), John Grant (keys), and Bill Lincoln (drums). They recorded one album Riding High.

Ash's Promo Video 'Avignon, 1970

In 1979. Criston joined Air Supply as bass guitarist and he was part of the lineup that recorded the hit album Lost In Love. In 1983 he formed Apollo Bay with Tony Slavich (ex Ariel) on keyboards. Criston has continued in the industry as a producer-engineer, recording several albums, producing numerous video clips and TV shows, writing editorial and composing music for documentaries; he has recently completed a new album of songs, to be released in 2008.

Ian Ryan went on to Chook and Buster Brown. Derek Pellicci joined the expanded lineup of Mississippi around the same time as Beeb Birtles, when the group (previously called Alison Gros) added a rhythm section so that they could tour to promote their debut single and album. Derek stayed on when Mississippi evolved into Little River Band in early 1975.

he Ash performing 'Midnight Witch' on the ABC-TV program Hit Scene, 1971

 
Gary Porthouse was in a number of groups after Ash, such as Kush, Linda George and Plant and Rocksteady. Derek Pellicci asked him to join a new band that was being formed, but wouldn't tell him anything about the band as it was all hush, hush and a big secret. Gary was playing with Kush at the time and said no to Derek's invitation. Later the band turned out to be the 'Little River Band'. As of 2021, Gary was still working in a one man band called Round the Block. [extract from Milesago.com]

Havoc Record label

Havoc Records was established in Melbourne in 1970 by Rod De Courcy and Frank Smith, and although it only operated for about three years, it made a significant impact on the Australian music scene in the early 1970s. Many of the Havoc singles were manufactured in New Zealand, shipped back to Australia and distributed independently in the black company sleeve.

Distribution was later taken up by Tempo Sales together with a new label design, a blue “psychedelic” distributed in the yellow Tempo sleeve. Apparently the label is a collectable label amongst collectors and all are quite rare.

This post consists of FLACs (ripped from CD) and MP3 (ripped from vinyl) as indicated, and includes label scans for all 45's. This WOCK post definately ticks off the Obscue box as Ash was such a short lived Aussie band recording only 2 singles, which are incredibily hard to come by. 

1970 Single MP3 (320)

01 - Avignon  3:02

02 - Sable   3:46

1971 Single FLAC

01 - Midnight Witch  4:06

02 - Warrant  3:02

Ash Link (63Mb)