"Wildsurf" is a song by Ash, release as the second single from the albumNu-Clear Sounds on 22 November 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 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. This is the only song from Nu-Clear Sounds selected for Ash's greatest hits album released in 2011 The Best of Ash.
B-sides
"Stormy Waters" 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, but she re-worked the lyrics for the song to appear as a new Ash B-side.
Music video
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!"
