Northern Irish noise-rock titans ASH are back with a vengeance, delivering a seriously groovy take on a classic and a music video that’s a full-on, blood-soaked Deadite dance party!
Fresh off a triumphant tour with The Darkness, the trio have unleashed their raucous take on Harry Belafonte’s ‘Jump In The Line,’ a track that’s been setting live shows ablaze for years.
“‘Jump In The Line’ has been our go-to outro music for live shows for the last few years, so it’s no surprise it’s buried its way into our subconscious,” the band explains. “We’ve somehow regurgitated it as a homage to The Ramones, and it has classic Ash DNA splashed all over it. Frenetic tempo; check. Infectious hooks; check. Melody to die for; check. Face melting solo; check. And finally, Mr. Hamilton’s blood curdling scream committed to tape. You betcha! What started as a fun idea in a rehearsal room turned into something too good not to release. Rock Your Body In Time! Oh Yeah! We Believe You!”
The music video, directed by Anthony Neale, is where things get truly wild. With Tim Wheeler as the sole band member present for filming, Neale crafted a narrative that throws him into a chaotic battle against his possessed, relentlessly dancing girlfriend.
“With only Tim available for the shoot, I had to think of a narrative that would suit the song and utilize Tim’s natural charms and onscreen presence,” Neale explains. “I knew he could act, as we had already done this with ‘Crashed Out Wasted,’ so I thought it would be amusing to nod to another film genre, this time horror. I had recently been watching some episodes of “Ash Vs The Evil Dead,” and I thought this would be a simple way of paying homage to Sam Raimi, Bruce Campbell et al and a nifty setting for the music video for ‘Jump In The Line’.
With the wonderful Mackenzie Stretch devising a dance routine and rehearsing a flying V ‘axe’ Vs Chainsaw fight with Tim (in his kitchen) inspired by the film Mandy, myself and the Director Of Photography Ciaron Craig planned a night of mayhem for Mr Wheeler having to fight off and repeatedly kill his possessed girlfriend who won’t stop dancing and won’t stay dead.”
This release follows their critically acclaimed 2023 album, Race The Night, which reached number 14 on the UK albums chart, marking their highest chart position in two decades. Following notable performances at BBC 6 Music in Belfast, BRITS week at The 100 Club, and Latitude, Ash continues to build on their recent success.
And if you’re craving more live action, fear not! They’re already confirmed for the Glastonbury Avalon Stage this summer.
Stream ‘Jump In The Line’ here and enjoy the Deadite bop below.
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