Punk-pop act Ash unveils dates chosen by fans

LONDON--Pop-punk group Ash has finalized the itinerary for its upcoming club tour, which will start in London on Nov. 23. The 20 dates on the tour were chosen by fans after the group asked would-be attendees to vote for their favorite locations via Ash's official website.

Venue choices on the tour were also influenced by the four-piece's preference to play clubs that had capacity for no more than 600 people--band members want to be able to see "the whites of [their fans'] eyes."

Ash was formed in Ulster, Northern Ireland, by vocalist Tim Wheeler and bassist Mark Hamilton in 1989 when both were only 12 years old. The band's punkish, power-guitar sound caught on with British university students after the band's debut album, "1977," came out in 1996. Popular hits included "Girl From Mars" and "Kung Fu."

Ash is currently in Spain working on its third LP with producer Owen Morris (Billy Bragg, New Order). Its last album "Nu Clear Sounds" was released in 1998.