Wildsurf

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"Wildsurf"
Single by Ash
B-side(s)	"Stormy Waters", "When I'm Tired", "Lose Control", "Gonna Do It Soon"
Released	November 22, 1998
Format	CD, 7", Cassette
Recorded	1998
Genre	Alternative Rock
Length	3:26
Label	Infectious
Producer(s)	Owen Morris
Chart positions
#31 (UK)
Ash singles chronology
"Jesus Says" (1998)	"Wildsurf" (1998)	"Shining Light" (2001)

"Wildsurf" was the second single released from the Nu-Clear Sounds album by the band Ash on November 22, 1998. 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 Bruce 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.

The CD2 track, "Lose Control" is a cover of a Peak & Backwater song, and was perhaps 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!"

[edit] Track Listing

CD1

1. "Wildsurf" (Hatherley/Wheeler)
2. "Stormy Waters" (McMurray)
3. "When I'm Tired" (Wheeler)

CD2

1. "Wildsurf (Extended Version)" (Hatherley/Wheeler)
2. "Lose Control" (Backwater/Peak)
3. "Gonna Do It Soon" (Hatherley)

7"

1. "Wildsurf" (Hatherley/Wheeler)
2. "Stormy Waters" (McMurray)

Promo CD

1. "Wildsurf" (Hatherley/Wheeler)
2. "Wildsurf (Video)"

[edit] References

http://www.walking-barefoot.com

Ash
Tim Wheeler | Mark Hamilton | Rick McMurray
Charlotte Hatherley
Ash Discography
Albums: Trailer | 1977 | Nu-Clear Sounds | Free All Angels | Meltdown | Twilight of the Innocents
Live albums and compilations: Live at the Wireless |Tokyo Blitz | Intergalactic Sonic 7″s
Singles: Jack Names the Planets | Petrol | Uncle Pat | Kung Fu | Girl From Mars | Angel Interceptor | Goldfinger | Oh Yeah | A Life Less Ordinary | Jesus Says | Wildsurf | Shining Light | Burn Baby Burn | Sometimes | Candy | There's A Star | Walking Barefoot | Envy | Clones | Orpheus | Starcrossed | Renegade Cavalcade | You Can't Have It All | Polaris
EPs and Fan Club Releases: Get Ready | Barbie | Got A Beautiful Face... Got A Fucked Up Inside | Numbskull | I'm On Drugs | Satellite Transmissions Volume 1 | Commando
Demo Tapes: Solar Happy | Shed | Home Demo | Garage Girl | Pipe Smokin' Brick
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