Desperate for a sneak preview of Ash's eagerly awaited Meltdown album? Well, hotpress.com is delighted to announce that the boys – and girl – are making one of the stand-outs, 'Clones', available for paid download on Wednesday February 25.

With Foo Fighters producer Nick Raskulinecz at the helm, it heralds a harder-edged sound for the band who are playing Passport: Back To The Bars shows at Woughton Centre, Milton Keynes (February 22); TJ's, Newport (23); Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth (24); Sugarmill, Stoke (26); Mill, Preston (27); and Town Hall, Middlesborough (29).

Available from www.ash-official.com, the download will cost you £1stg with a credit card or if you're in Blighty £1.50stg SMS.

Meanwhile, another new Ash tune, 'Orpheus', has been co-opted onto the soundtrack of new zombie movie Sean Of The Dead. The film is directed by Edgar Wright who, lucky blighter, just happens to be Charlotte's boyfriend.

Finally, Tim Wheeler has been showing off his large new tattoo of a Phoenix which was designed by the same bloke who did the Meltdown cover artwork.