ASH TOO HOT FOR RICK TO GET MARRIED

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Apr 25, 2004 | by MAEVE QUIGLY

ROCK band Ash are so busy drummer Rick McMurray can't even find time to squeeze in a wedding day.

Rick, 28, and his fiancee Helen Donnelly have found it just too hard to get some time off.

Rick confessed that at one point the couple made a booking for their wedding date - and promptly forgot about it.

He admitted: "I think what it comes down to is that we're too lazy to organise everything.

"I reckon we'll end up doing it in Vegas eventually, getting married by Elvis and having a celebration of cheeseburgers and French fries."

Ash are in secret talks with Star Wars creator George Lucas. The band - who are all huge Star Wars fans - are to meet up with the famous Hollywood director at his Skywalker Ranch in California next month.

It is rumoured the talks relate to games and a possible film, but Ash drummer Rick McMurray said the band had to stay tight -lipped on the project.

Rick explained: "We've signed a confidentiality agreement so we can't talk about it at all."

But Rick did admit their own horror film project Slashed - which included cameo roles from the Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl and Coldplay's Chris Martin and Jonny Buckland - has been put on hold in the run-up to the band's latest album Meltdown.

Rick said: "The Slashed film is one of those things that just ran on and on.

"The biggest problem with it was that Tav, our manager, was supposed to have quite a big role in the film.

"But for one reason or another he was never around to shoot his part and so things spiralled out of control a bit.

"We haven't filmed anything in around 18 months or so and at this stage we are all looking a bit older and a bit different.

"So I don't know how it's all going to work with continuity - we'll be keeping you posted, but all I can say is don't hold your breath."

Today Rick and bandmates Tim Wheeler, Mark Hamilton and Charlotte Hatherly are playing at BBC Radio One's One Big Weekend concert in Derry before a gig in their home town of Downpatrick tomorrow night - their first in 10 years back home.

Rick said: "We wanted to have a party in Downpatrick for the 10th anniversary of the band getting together but for one reason or another it never happened.

"But this year it's 10 years since we signed our record deal - the day after we last played a gig in Downpatrick.

"So it's a good anniversary to be marking at home.

"I'm not nervous about it, but I think Mark is getting very nervous about the whole thing.

"But we'll be fine - I'm sure the crowd will be drunker than us, so we probably will get away with it."

Ash will also do a special performance on a floating stage in Belfast's River Lagan on Wednesday as part of the BBC's Music Live event.

The new album Meltdown will be released on May 14 and the band will be back in Ireland in July to take part in the Oxegen festival - a date which will be a double celebration for Rick.

"We're playing at Oxegen on the weekend of my 29th birthday so it will be a great way to celebrate.

"I'm glad I'll be back in Ireland for it and I expect there's going to be a big party."