Unless you've been holidaying on Uranus this year [hmmm... interesting choice of planet - Ed], you'll have noticed that power-popsters Ash have been busy releasing a new single every fortnight since the middle of last year. 26 of them! Are they mad? Ash, I mean? Nah - they've just outdone The Wedding Present's paltry attempt some years previously (1 new single every month for a year, 12 in all).

I've heard some of these singles - they've been rather good on the whole and the whole concept now bounces to a close, later this month. We are now up to Y which is "Sky Burial", released on 13th September, followed by the final letter Z, "There Is Hope Again" on 27th Sep. You can watch the video to one of the rare extra tracks ("Kamakura") available only on the Japan pressing of "A-Z Volume 1" right here.

To celebrate this landmark, as well as the impending 11th October release of the 'round-up' compilation CD "A-Z Volume 2", Ash are set to play three further live dates around the UK, including a huge party finale in London. The first two dates are in Scotland - Edinburgh's Liquid Rooms on 11th November and Dundee on 12th November, before heading south to Shepherd's Bush on 13th for a gig and an A-Z after-party (the latter of which is very limited indeed).

Tickets go on sale this Friday at 9am, priced at around £17.50 (although there is a £75 VIP ticket up for grabs, entitling you to attend a soundcheck party, the gig, an afterparty and a yap with the band. I imagine a tin of Andrews and a comfy bed might come in handy later on (not included). Don't miss out.