The line snaked out into the street and fans inside helped themselves to strong drinks as Ireland's guitar-pop gods Ash took the stage at the Annex in New York City for a special installment of the club's Stolen Transmission night, presented by Southern Comfort and Spin. "We've been playing this song since we were 16," said Ash frontman Tim Wheeler before breaking into the opening chords of "Petrol" off the band's 1994 debut, Trailer. The band blasted through bass-heavy, guitar-ripping songs like "Roulette" and "What Is the Meaning" off their forthcoming sixth studio album, which is "really fucking strong," Wheeler boasted to SPIN.com. The album will feature Ash as a pared-down trio -- guitarist/vocalist Charlotte Hatherley recently left the band.

"I think we have a lot to prove," Wheeler continued. "It's got to be our best album yet, and we're not going to stop till we get to that point." After Ash closed with a scorching version of "Burn Baby Burn," Karenplusone from the Tarts of Pleasure and TVT Records' Gurj Bassi delivered the tunes downstairs, Gina Bon Jersey spun girl group classics upstairs, and patrons sipped on free SoCo cocktails all night long. STORY BY KATIE HEATH. PHOTOS BY JAY CHEN

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