Up-Load UK, Gigs News & reviews Ash Download Interview

Prior to their appearance on the second stage on Saturday at this year’s Download Festival we did a quick interview with Rick McMurray , the drummer from Ash . Check out what he had to say to us.

Up-load	You have been booked to play the second stage at the Download festival this year. Are you looking forward to it and how did the booking come about ?
Rick	It’s the first time we've played at download, but we're really looking forward to it. we were all musically weaned on metal, particularly iron maiden, metallica and megadeth. and kerrang was our musical bible i 1980s northern ireland.
Up-load	When did you know you were playing ?
Rick	we found out about it a few months ago and have been itching to get there ever since.
Up-load	Will you be spending the whole weekend at the festival?
Rick	Unfortunately we're in Austria the day before so we're gonna miss judas priest and kiss. hopefully we'll make it in time to catch ace frehley!
Up-load	Is there anyone else you are looking forward to seeing at the festival?
Rick	looking forward to catching up with fighting with wire for a beer or two.
Up-load	Have you been to Download before?
Rick	No. this is gonna be our first time, although we have played Donington before.
Up-load	What other bands would you like to share the stage with past or present?
Rick	I would love to have played download with iron maiden headlining. they're just the quintessential metal fest band. i'd also love to have seen arch enemy and lamb of god, who i've been listening to a lot recently.
Up-load	Have any of you ever had a stalker or over obsessive fan ?
Rick	We've had our fair share of stalkers. its a bit unnerving when they turn up at the studio, lurking in the darkness. the actual darkness that occurs when the sun is shining on the opposite side of the world, as opposed to the band .
Up-load	What has been the highlight of your career so far ?
Rick	I guess the number one albums were pretty amazing, but as a live band, playing reading festival so many times has been brilliant. it has always had an amazing vibe for us and is the one gig where we all still get really nervous beforehand.
Up-load	If you hadn’t been in a band, what do you think you would have done with your life career wise?
Rick	I dread to think... so i won't if that's ok.
Up-load	If you could change places with anyone for a day – who would it be and why?
Rick	My girlfriend. I'm awesome in bed.
	Now for a few silly random questions ...... Jam doughnuts or iced ring doughnuts? Iced ring doughnuts. Playstation or Nintendo Wii? I'd love a wii. Vodka or Beer? Beer MacDonalds or Burger King? No thanks. Women with tattoo’s or no tattoo’s? If they have tattoos they'd better be good Shoes – slip on or lace up? slip on. i'm lazy. Boxer shorts or briefs? Boxer shorts. they're better for you. and the older you get the more room you need in there for the comedy pendulous sack.