The Barracudas

The Barracudas
Origin London, England
Genres Garage rock revival, surf rock, jangle pop, pop punk
Years active 1979–1984, 1989, 2005–present
Labels EMI, Closer Records, Flicknife Records, NDN Records
Members Jeremy Gluck
Robin Wills
Chris Wilson
Rob Coyne
Yan Quellien
Past members Adam Phillips
Starkie Phillps
Nick Turner
David Buckley
Jim Dickson
Terry Smith
Steve Robinson

The Barracudas is an English surf rock band that formed in the late 1970s and is now based in England. The band's original line-up consisted of Jeremy Gluck (vocals), Robin Wills (guitar and vocals), Starkie Phillips (bass and vocals) and Adam Phillips (drums); but this formation was disrupted before the recording of the band's first 7" single when both the Phillips' left.[1]

The band is notable for their summer 1980 hit single "Summer Fun", which started with an excerpt from a spoof 1960s advertisement for the Plymouth Barracuda and included dialogue of announcers having difficulty pronouncing the word barracuda. The single reached number 37 in the UK Singles Chart, it has been described as "fun" with an attitude that can't be faulted.[2]

The band lasted until 1981 with a final performance in Madrid, however they have reformed on more than one occasion since that time.

Early history

The beginnings of the band have been traced back to 1978, when Gluck met Wills at a Dead Fingers Talk concert where the pair shared a passion for "garage" and "psychedelic" music from the 1960s.[3] Wills, a Swiss guitarist, subsequently left his band Unwanted and formed The Barracudas with Gluck, originally using the name RAF (the name, "Barracudas", was in reference to a Standells song that they both knew and loved).[1] For their inaugural recording, Gluck and Wills were joined by David Buckley on bass and vocals, and Nick Turner on drums and vocals; this line-up was to be the formative one for the band's most significant time together.

John Peel frequently played their independent single, "I Want My Woody Back", and consequently attracted the interest of the major labels. The band chose EMI. The band was pleased with the signing decision, as the label had hosted a number of favored musical acts: Jeremy loved The Beach Boys, Robin swore by the Flamin' Groovies, David loved the Beatles and Nick was a fan of both. The Barracudas made it to Top of the Pops and were occasionally mobbed on tour.

Recent activity

Originally perceived as a novelty surf act due to the first album, subsequent recordings showed them to be a fierce garage rock and roll band, in the mould of the 13th Floor Elevators and The Seeds. The band split in 1984, but reformed in 1989 to record "Wait For Everything", and then again in 2003. In 2005 they recorded the self-titled album on NDN. Throughout their career their live performances have been energetic and frenetic.

In 2014 , the band reissued their 2nd album "Meantime" as a limited edition pic-disc , under re-born CLOSER french label.

Discography

7" Singles

12" singles and EPs

Albums

References

  1. 1 2 MOD POP PUNK ARCHIVES (2003–2012). "The Barracudas: General Info - Bio". myspace.com. Myspace LLC. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  2. ↑ "THE BARRACUDAS". nostalgiacentral.com. Nostalgia Central. 2012 [1998]. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  3. ↑ "The Barracudas". rateyourmusic.com. rateyourmusic.com. 2000–2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.

External links

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