Wildsurf
Encyclopedia
"Wildsurf" is a song by Ash
, release as the second single from the album Nu-Clear Sounds
on November 22, 1998, reaching number 31 in the UK singles chart. It was released as a single CD, a 7" vinyl, and as a cassette. "Wildsurf" scored a low placing in the charts (by the band's standards) due to the record company's unwillingness to promote it extensively, to Ash's disgust. It only made the "C List" at BBC Radio One.
"Wildsurf" has very much a summery feel to it. Tim once said of it: "I was reading Jack Kerouac's 'On The Road' while we were on the road and it really inspired this song. It's about living life, "burning like roman candles across the night". It means be positive and live your life well. Relax. The sound of it is sort of Nirvana
meets The Beach Boys
".
The CD2 version of the single features an extended version of "Wildsurf", an extended version which is played live. This version features an additional guitar solo by Hatherley. The song can also be found on the "Intergalactic Sonic 7″s" hits collection, as well as on the "Tokyo Blitz" DVD. The track was also remixed by Butch Vig
for release in America.
"Stormy Waters" (CD1) was the first song fully written by drummer Rick McMurray and is very much a fan-favourite, and regarded a "lost gem". Due to this, it also appears on the "Cosmic Debris" B-sides collection. McMurray wrote it for his girlfriend after their first argument.
The second CD1 B-side, "When I'm Tired" is another of the "Nu-Clear Sounds
" era bittersweet 'burn-out' songs, although with a slightly faster pace than some of its contemporaries.
The CD2 track, "Lose Control" is a cover of a Peak & Backwater song, not the song of the same title from 1977. It was performed regularly on the accompanying "Nu-Clear Sounds
" tour. It can also be found on the "Cosmic Debris" collection.
Lastly, "Gonna Do It Soon" is the second song written by Charlotte Hatherley. It was originally a Nightnurse
song (Hatherley's former band), but she re-worked the lyrics for the song to appear as a new Ash B-side.
The video was directed by Howard Greenhalgh. Ash said of the video: "Howard took us to the Natural History Museum
in London. There we shot performance against giant video screens and metallic globes. We also headed to East London for more performance shots in the Docklands area. The video follows a sci-fi looking chick obsessed with water. She has some kinda weird aqua car and then ends up surfing a tsunami which destroys the city. The final special effect shot is so tacky and crap it's laughable!"
CD2
7"
Promo CD
Ash (band)
Ash are an alternative rock band that formed in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland in 1992. The band has sold 8 million albums worldwide.-Band beginning, Trailer and 1977 :...
, release as the second single from the album Nu-Clear Sounds
Nu-Clear Sounds
Nu-Clear Sounds is the second official studio album by Ash, released on 5 October 1998. Despite not being as publicly acclaimed as the other albums, it was certified Gold by the BPI.On May 11, 1999 Nu-Clear Sounds was released in the United States....
on November 22, 1998, reaching number 31 in the UK singles chart. It was released as a single CD, a 7" vinyl, and as a cassette. "Wildsurf" scored a low placing in the charts (by the band's standards) due to the record company's unwillingness to promote it extensively, to Ash's disgust. It only made the "C List" at BBC Radio One.
"Wildsurf" has very much a summery feel to it. Tim once said of it: "I was reading Jack Kerouac's 'On The Road' while we were on the road and it really inspired this song. It's about living life, "burning like roman candles across the night". It means be positive and live your life well. Relax. The sound of it is sort of Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
meets The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group was initially composed of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Managed by the Wilsons' father Murry, The Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962...
".
The CD2 version of the single features an extended version of "Wildsurf", an extended version which is played live. This version features an additional guitar solo by Hatherley. The song can also be found on the "Intergalactic Sonic 7″s" hits collection, as well as on the "Tokyo Blitz" DVD. The track was also remixed by Butch Vig
Butch Vig
Butch Vig is an American musician and record producer, best known internationally as the drummer of the Madison, Wisconsin-based alternative rock band Garbage and the producer of multi-platinum selling album Nevermind by Nirvana....
for release in America.
"Stormy Waters" (CD1) was the first song fully written by drummer Rick McMurray and is very much a fan-favourite, and regarded a "lost gem". Due to this, it also appears on the "Cosmic Debris" B-sides collection. McMurray wrote it for his girlfriend after their first argument.
The second CD1 B-side, "When I'm Tired" is another of the "Nu-Clear Sounds
Nu-Clear Sounds
Nu-Clear Sounds is the second official studio album by Ash, released on 5 October 1998. Despite not being as publicly acclaimed as the other albums, it was certified Gold by the BPI.On May 11, 1999 Nu-Clear Sounds was released in the United States....
" era bittersweet 'burn-out' songs, although with a slightly faster pace than some of its contemporaries.
The CD2 track, "Lose Control" is a cover of a Peak & Backwater song, not the song of the same title from 1977. It was performed regularly on the accompanying "Nu-Clear Sounds
Nu-Clear Sounds
Nu-Clear Sounds is the second official studio album by Ash, released on 5 October 1998. Despite not being as publicly acclaimed as the other albums, it was certified Gold by the BPI.On May 11, 1999 Nu-Clear Sounds was released in the United States....
" tour. It can also be found on the "Cosmic Debris" collection.
Lastly, "Gonna Do It Soon" is the second song written by Charlotte Hatherley. It was originally a Nightnurse
Nightnurse
Nightnurse was an indie rock band from London, UK, who had some success in the late 1990s. They released three singles, with their second "Skirt" reaching no. 11 in the UK independent singles chart in February 1998...
song (Hatherley's former band), but she re-worked the lyrics for the song to appear as a new Ash B-side.
The video was directed by Howard Greenhalgh. Ash said of the video: "Howard took us to the Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is one of three large museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, England . Its main frontage is on Cromwell Road...
in London. There we shot performance against giant video screens and metallic globes. We also headed to East London for more performance shots in the Docklands area. The video follows a sci-fi looking chick obsessed with water. She has some kinda weird aqua car and then ends up surfing a tsunami which destroys the city. The final special effect shot is so tacky and crap it's laughable!"
Track listing
CD1- "Wildsurf" (Hatherley/Wheeler)
- "Stormy Waters" (McMurray)
- "When I'm Tired" (Wheeler)
CD2
- "Wildsurf (Extended version)" (Hatherley/Wheeler)
- "Lose Control" (Backwater/Peak)
- "Gonna Do It Soon" (Hatherley)
7"
- "Wildsurf" (Hatherley/Wheeler)
- "Stormy Waters" (McMurray)
Promo CD
- "Wildsurf" (Hatherley/Wheeler)
- "Wildsurf (Video)"