WIPE OUT 1963 - 2016

[Stratpicker]

By way of something different – I was listening to those simple, raw juvenile sounds that we (well ME anyway) grew up with and loved it. And then on YT I saw RickyK and The Allnighters doing a crazy version of The Surfari's “Wipeout!” and I thought “why not see if I could emulate those very early sounds?”
The 1963 original was by some very young USA High School kids who formed a group (as you do) “The Surfaris” for their High School Prom and in the process ”writing” a tune or two. It was very much of its time and if it hadn’t been for the brilliant drumming of a very young Ron Wilson, it could possibly have sunk without trace.
I couldn’t do the manic madness Intro by Dale Smallin so instead I got a well known musical “Hero” of ours to count us in. And that simplistic “Lead break” by a 15/16 years old Jim Fuller on a Stratocaster of the day is SO HARD to copy, so what you've got here is an approximation!!
Harley Benton ST-62 Strat copy – Joyo ACTone – PC DAW – (Surf Reverb plug in in DAW). Thats it.
Not being a drummer and not having a Band (say “Aw!”) I made the entire BT in Band In A Box.
So – 53 years on - Here goes!.
Tin Hat on!! lol!!
http://app.box.com/s/4vhy2t9qp8vpa6diyjppf46r0n6dvvrt

The BT is freely available here, if it's of use to anyone -
http://app.box.com/s/hchbl5fe7uro4kldhgfh8e3jw5kyn6dz

The BIAB SGU file is available here -
http://app.box.com/s/ugr6nn475rt52r3tlkir4foh6fak32nq
It may require a reasonably up-to-date version of BIAB to play as it is ALL Real Tracks – no midi.
Ian

[rogera]

I think that you've made a good version of Wipe Out Ian and it's very reminiscent of the original.

I used to try to play this when in a Church youth club group and could never get anywhere near the solo part!

[bridev]

Top marks Ian. As Roger says a very good version mate. I remember playing this but couldn't get my fingers around the lead break either so we got the drummer (who was and still is an excellent stixman) to extend his solo. It sort of worked believe it or not. I could however do the manic "wipeout".

Was that played on your " practice" Strat by any chance? Thanks for sharing the BT. I will have a go at that with the Burns when I get the chance.

Cheers
Brian.

[Stratpicker]

Hi Roger - thank you. I never played this way back then. I was into The Shads in a big way and thought these American Surf Bands too juvenile. HOWEVER, now I've tried to play the darned thing I realise it wasnt that easy. lol!
Hi Bri - yes, it was played on "El Cheapo", the HB ST-62. Perfick!
Have fun with the BT.
cheers
ian

[bridev]

Hi Ian,
Nothing wrong with your approximation of the lead break, sounded OK to me. Out of curiosity I had a look on YouTube and found a tutorial for it. When demoed slowly it makes sense. Haven't been brave enough to try though
The "El Cheapo" sounds good BTW.
Cheers
Brian.
.

[cockroach]

There's a very good American book about the guitar instrumental 'surf music' era which has the full story of the group and recording the tune..

It was a Fender Duo-Sonic BTW, not a Strat (he had a Strat afterwards, probably when they made some money from the record or from gigs)

IIRC, apparently one of the chaps couldn't make the evening recording session, as his mum wouldn't let him stay out late!

The recording was made at Frank Zappa's studio incidentally- for publicity, after Wipeout charted, Frank put a sign up outside saying 'Wipeout recorded here'

After all this time, it's still a nifty tune- and whilst not too technical (!!) it's still fun to play...IF you can find a drummer who can remember the tune AND keep the tempo up!

Wipeout was big here in Australia- I had just arrived as a British migrant in 1963- it was all over the radio, along with Bombora (by The Atlantics) and Pipeline by the Chantays, and Scarlett O'Hara by Jet...(oh, and they kept playing Please Please Me too...)

[keithmantle]

Excellent Ian (took me back to playing 'kiss chase' they never caught me lol !!) the biab drumming was much more intricate than the original, can still hear those Rosetti Airstreams !.

[Stratpicker]

Hi John - many thanks for the in depth info about The Surfaris. All I had to go on was a pic on YT showing one of the guys holding a Strat. The other one must be the Duo-Sonic then. 1963 was a great year for Music!!!
Hi Keith - thanks, mate. I never played this in the 60's - was into Shads and then into R&B so no-one ever played Kiss Chase with me . Sob! Yes - the drums are more intricate - I just let BIAB go mad with the program. lol!
cheers
ian