IT'S seven years since Ash first blew the roof off Tim Wheeler's dad's garage with their explosive riffage and rip-snorting sound of youth.

But they're still one of the most effervescent punk pop bands on the planet and still very youthful.

Yes they've had their difficult phases, their breakdowns and line-up changes. They've lost direction, found it again, gone back to their roots and recorded a masterpiece of a fourth album, while still only a couple of years older than Coldplay.

The album, Free All Angels, carried a heavyweight punch, which sent shock waves around the world of bubblegum pop when it held the mighty Janet Jackson off the top spot.

And now as the summer festival season beckons, Ash are back where they belong, taking their rightful place among the headliners of this year's Carling Weekend, Reading Leeds festivals.

Lead singer Wheeler is delighted the band have been moved up the bill and has happy memories of the previous times his band have entertained at the festival.

He said: " In '95, we were third from the top. That was insane because it really kicked off that year. That was the first year the Foo Fighters did it and the tent almost came down, but we were the second most rockin' band. We had guys climbing up to the top of the tent and stuff, so it was pretty mad.

They clearly love the Carling Weekend, Leeds Festival, which over the years has developed a reputation as the cutting edge alternative rock festival, attracting many of the scene's top names like Rage Against The Machine, The Beastie Boys and Nirvana. Headlining the second, they go head-to-head with Travis who currently occupy the number one spot with their new album, Invisible Band.

But Wheeler is unfazed by the prospect of going up against Fran Healy and Co.

As he sees it, the two bands appeal to very different audiences.

He said: "I think if you want to go and sing along to some nice tunes you go and see Travis and if you want a bit of rock you come and see us.

Before the festival the Ash release their third single of the year, Sometimes, then head off across South East Asia, taking in Japan and New Zealand, before returning to the UK shores for some winter shows.