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Oriphiel · 12-11-2014, 08:14 AM

Fear not, gentle listeners of strange retro music, for I have returned! We've really cut into the vintage Garage Rock scene, haven't we? And we've even looked at some of the other styles of music being played at that time. But I haven't really talked about any Revival bands (except for The Pandoras), which is just a cryin' shame. Well, today i'm going to rectify that. But before we get started, make sure you grab your surfboard. You might need it...

Hop in, man! Come on, don't be a square!

The mid to late 1970's into the early 1980's saw many developments and movements in the world of music. There was the rise to power of the modern wave of Punk Rock, the beginning (and some might say the end) of the avant-garde and alternative creative playground of Post-Punk, the rise of Heavy Metal, the beginnings of modern Rap music (which would take off in the 1980's and 1990's), as well as an odd Pop culture that embraced all of these movements (a top radio hit could embrace any or all of these styles. For example, Blondie's (a Punk/Post-Punk Pop band) odd-ball hit "Rapture", which featured Rapping).

Needless to say, it was a fun time to be alive.

Another musical chapter in the story of the late 1970's was the 1960's Revival that culminated in various local scenes popping up across the world (remember when we talked about The Paisley Underground of the late 1970's/early 1980's?). One such scene was the Surf Rock Revival, comprised of bands who had an addiction to surfing, twangy guitars, and vocal harmonies! The most influential and well-known of these psycho-surfers was without a doubt...

Drop Out With The Barracudas

The Barracudas! Comprised of founding members guitarist Robin Wills and singer Jeremy Gluck, as well as drummer Nick Turner and bassist David Buckley, these boys were probably mournfully pining over the bitchin' waves and glittering beaches of California while cooling their heels in their native England (a country not exactly known for it's "Summer Fun"). Their career began when they put out the single "I Want My Woody Back" in 1979, a song that showed the world that Surf Rock was anything but dead. With the support of UK music legend John Peel (who you really need to look into, if you haven't already. He's been involved with virtually every musical movement of the UK, from Punk/Post-Punk to Techno and everything in-between), they garnered enough support to join EMI (the UK music giant). From there, they released their most successful single, "Summer Fun", which charted nationally in 1980!

With a hit under their belt, The Barracudas followed up with a steady line of singles, as well as their debut album, "Drop Out With the Barracudas" (1981). Building up a following of dedicated fans (apparently, their live performances were very impressionable, and they've released a good amount of live albums), they continued to play until the mid-1980's rolled around. Though they split up, they've reunited multiple times over the years, and are also very active in having their work reissued (by labels such as Voxx/Bomp!). Alright, it's time for the music. I've actually never listened to The Barracudas in depth before (though I've heard "I Want My Woody Back"), so this should be a new experience for both of us. Now, let's dive into the beautiful waves of this musical beach!

The Barracudas!

1. "I Can't Pretend" - A track from the golden age of punk, but with a twist of the clean vocal harmonies that Surf-Rock is known for. This one sounds very similar to The Ramones, so if you like them (Gabba Gabba , Hey!) you'll probably have a ball with this one. Honestly, this number has aged pretty well, and sounds like something that could make the radio rounds even today.

2. "(We're Living In) Violent Times" - It's surprising how well Surf-Rock and Punk go together, but so far The Barracudas have been more on the Punk/Post-Punk side of things. If it wasn't for the vocal harmonies, i'd say this was just a solid Alternative number. Still, it's a good song with a message that might resonate with you.

3. "Don't Let Go" - Another track that sounds heavily influenced by The Ramones, and in turn went on to influence the Punk sound of today. It's not hard to see where modern Punk bands, like Green Day, got their sound from. Not bad, but where's the Surf Rock? I was hoping for twangy guitars...

4. "Codeine" - A little slower and more intense than the last tracks, there isn't a single trace of the surfin' sound here. Rough and catchy, it's pretty good, but now I really feel like i'm listening to a modern Punk album.

One of their Live Albums, issued in 1983

5. "This Ain't My Time" - Hooray! A fuzz-guitar! I've actually heard this one before (The Barracudas put it on "Be A Caveman!", a best-of compilation for the Revival bands that worked with Voxx/Bomp records back in the day). Though it has a a slight taste of the Garage sound to it, this one is a Skate-Punk number through and through.

6. "I Saw My Death In A Dream Last Night" - This oddly titled track is another Punk number, this time with strange sound effects (and a little electric organ work). At this point, I've given up on waiting for a Surf number...

7. "Somewhere Outside" - Tune-wise, kind of reminds me of a lot of Post-Punk numbers from back in the day ( like Modern English's whole "I Melt With You" number).

8. "Summer Fun" - The waiting for a Surf Rock song pays off! A fun song with a great intro (which came from a vintage radio commercial for the Plymouth Barracuda). Though it vies for the Surf sound more than the other tracks, it's still very much ingrained in Punk. I like the Beach Boys-esque background harmonies near the end of the track!

9. "His Last Summer" - In the vein of "Dead Man's Curve", this one is a Surf Rock homage to a hip guy that dies tragically (though in a surfing accident, rather than while out hot rodin'). With great harmonies, a wonderful surfin' sound, electric organ work, and hilarious lyrics (Like when they say their dead friend is now "Surfin' through the stars on a gleamin' board. The eternal surf.") this one is one of the stand-out tracks of the album. My personal favorite so far!

10. "Surfers Are Back" - Yay, another surfin' track! This one opens with "Cowabunga!" and a drum roll, and you know exactly what's about to happen. Another stand-out track, this one will make you want to throw on your swimsuit and head for the coast!

11. "Somebody" - And we go right back to the Punk. This one kind of reminds me of The Clash and the Dead Kennedys. It's pretty fun, as well as being a bit rougher then the previous tracks. While I like the guitar solo, I kind of dislike the background chant-shouting during the chorus (You know, that thing that Def Leppard did all the time). But you know me, the less bells and whistles the better (Warning! There is a "Fuzz-Effect" clause in the fine-print of that sentiment).

12. "Campus Tramp" - I have no idea what a "Campus Tramp" is, but I suppose Punk Rock songs have an exemption from having to make sense. This is another Punk number, similar to the ones from the beginning of the album. Addendum: All I can say is "Fwooosh", the name of the song went right over my innocent little head!

The Barracudas reluctantly pose for the cover of their hit single

13. "On The Strip" - An ode to the heart of the life of every coastal city (complete with car/motorcycle engine sounds), this one has some pretty twangy Surf guitar work at times. Of course, the best part is when they harmonize the line "Good Vibrations!" (hooray for homages!).

14. "California Lament" - Kicking off with Beach Boys-esque vocal harmonies, this is another great track to contribute to the Surf atmosphere of the album. There's also pretty solid guitar work, and the trademark thumping echo-y drumming of the 80's. Lyrics-wise, this one is a bit strange, as it's (I think) about a cruise getting blown up by a bomb before the eager surfers aboard can reach California.

15. "I Wish It Could Be 1965 Again" - The final track of the album, we're treated to a Ramones-style rocker with fun background surf harmonies! Here, The Barracudas pine for the days of old, back in the age of hippies, live music television shows, pot roasts and rotary phones.

There is also a vintage group from the 1960's called "The Barracudas". Here's a picture of them.

The Barracudas hit hard with their unique brand of Surf-Punk, as well as mixing things up with more traditional and straight-forward Punk numbers (which i'm not a huge fan of, but I still had fun with them). With a nice energy to it, and a sound that has aged very well, modern Punk fans should really get a kick out of this one! Of course, I recommend it, but keep in mind that if you expect it to be all Beach Boy style numbers, you're in for a Punk Rock surprise!

12-11-2014, 08:14 AM	#35 (permalink)
Oriphiel Ask me how! Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: The States Posts: 5,354	Fear not, gentle listeners of strange retro music, for I have returned! We've really cut into the vintage Garage Rock scene, haven't we? And we've even looked at some of the other styles of music being played at that time. But I haven't really talked about any Revival bands (except for The Pandoras), which is just a cryin' shame. Well, today i'm going to rectify that. But before we get started, make sure you grab your surfboard. You might need it... Hop in, man! Come on, don't be a square! The mid to late 1970's into the early 1980's saw many developments and movements in the world of music. There was the rise to power of the modern wave of Punk Rock, the beginning (and some might say the end) of the avant-garde and alternative creative playground of Post-Punk, the rise of Heavy Metal, the beginnings of modern Rap music (which would take off in the 1980's and 1990's), as well as an odd Pop culture that embraced all of these movements (a top radio hit could embrace any or all of these styles. For example, Blondie's (a Punk/Post-Punk Pop band) odd-ball hit "Rapture", which featured Rapping). Needless to say, it was a fun time to be alive. Another musical chapter in the story of the late 1970's was the 1960's Revival that culminated in various local scenes popping up across the world (remember when we talked about The Paisley Underground of the late 1970's/early 1980's?). One such scene was the Surf Rock Revival, comprised of bands who had an addiction to surfing, twangy guitars, and vocal harmonies! The most influential and well-known of these psycho-surfers was without a doubt... Drop Out With The Barracudas The Barracudas! Comprised of founding members guitarist Robin Wills and singer Jeremy Gluck, as well as drummer Nick Turner and bassist David Buckley, these boys were probably mournfully pining over the bitchin' waves and glittering beaches of California while cooling their heels in their native England (a country not exactly known for it's "Summer Fun"). Their career began when they put out the single "I Want My Woody Back" in 1979, a song that showed the world that Surf Rock was anything but dead. With the support of UK music legend John Peel (who you really need to look into, if you haven't already. He's been involved with virtually every musical movement of the UK, from Punk/Post-Punk to Techno and everything in-between), they garnered enough support to join EMI (the UK music giant). From there, they released their most successful single, "Summer Fun", which charted nationally in 1980! With a hit under their belt, The Barracudas followed up with a steady line of singles, as well as their debut album, "Drop Out With the Barracudas" (1981). Building up a following of dedicated fans (apparently, their live performances were very impressionable, and they've released a good amount of live albums), they continued to play until the mid-1980's rolled around. Though they split up, they've reunited multiple times over the years, and are also very active in having their work reissued (by labels such as Voxx/Bomp!). Alright, it's time for the music. I've actually never listened to The Barracudas in depth before (though I've heard "I Want My Woody Back"), so this should be a new experience for both of us. Now, let's dive into the beautiful waves of this musical beach! The Barracudas! 1. "I Can't Pretend" - A track from the golden age of punk, but with a twist of the clean vocal harmonies that Surf-Rock is known for. This one sounds very similar to The Ramones, so if you like them (Gabba Gabba , Hey!) you'll probably have a ball with this one. Honestly, this number has aged pretty well, and sounds like something that could make the radio rounds even today. 2. "(We're Living In) Violent Times" - It's surprising how well Surf-Rock and Punk go together, but so far The Barracudas have been more on the Punk/Post-Punk side of things. If it wasn't for the vocal harmonies, i'd say this was just a solid Alternative number. Still, it's a good song with a message that might resonate with you. 3. "Don't Let Go" - Another track that sounds heavily influenced by The Ramones, and in turn went on to influence the Punk sound of today. It's not hard to see where modern Punk bands, like Green Day, got their sound from. Not bad, but where's the Surf Rock? I was hoping for twangy guitars... 4. "Codeine" - A little slower and more intense than the last tracks, there isn't a single trace of the surfin' sound here. Rough and catchy, it's pretty good, but now I really feel like i'm listening to a modern Punk album. One of their Live Albums, issued in 1983 5. "This Ain't My Time" - Hooray! A fuzz-guitar! I've actually heard this one before (The Barracudas put it on "Be A Caveman!", a best-of compilation for the Revival bands that worked with Voxx/Bomp records back in the day). Though it has a a slight taste of the Garage sound to it, this one is a Skate-Punk number through and through. 6. "I Saw My Death In A Dream Last Night" - This oddly titled track is another Punk number, this time with strange sound effects (and a little electric organ work). At this point, I've given up on waiting for a Surf number... 7. "Somewhere Outside" - Tune-wise, kind of reminds me of a lot of Post-Punk numbers from back in the day ( like Modern English's whole "I Melt With You" number). 8. "Summer Fun" - The waiting for a Surf Rock song pays off! A fun song with a great intro (which came from a vintage radio commercial for the Plymouth Barracuda). Though it vies for the Surf sound more than the other tracks, it's still very much ingrained in Punk. I like the Beach Boys-esque background harmonies near the end of the track! 9. "His Last Summer" - In the vein of "Dead Man's Curve", this one is a Surf Rock homage to a hip guy that dies tragically (though in a surfing accident, rather than while out hot rodin'). With great harmonies, a wonderful surfin' sound, electric organ work, and hilarious lyrics (Like when they say their dead friend is now "Surfin' through the stars on a gleamin' board. The eternal surf.") this one is one of the stand-out tracks of the album. My personal favorite so far! 10. "Surfers Are Back" - Yay, another surfin' track! This one opens with "Cowabunga!" and a drum roll, and you know exactly what's about to happen. Another stand-out track, this one will make you want to throw on your swimsuit and head for the coast! 11. "Somebody" - And we go right back to the Punk. This one kind of reminds me of The Clash and the Dead Kennedys. It's pretty fun, as well as being a bit rougher then the previous tracks. While I like the guitar solo, I kind of dislike the background chant-shouting during the chorus (You know, that thing that Def Leppard did all the time). But you know me, the less bells and whistles the better (Warning! There is a "Fuzz-Effect" clause in the fine-print of that sentiment). 12. "Campus Tramp" - I have no idea what a "Campus Tramp" is, but I suppose Punk Rock songs have an exemption from having to make sense. This is another Punk number, similar to the ones from the beginning of the album. Addendum: All I can say is "Fwooosh", the name of the song went right over my innocent little head! The Barracudas reluctantly pose for the cover of their hit single 13. "On The Strip" - An ode to the heart of the life of every coastal city (complete with car/motorcycle engine sounds), this one has some pretty twangy Surf guitar work at times. Of course, the best part is when they harmonize the line "Good Vibrations!" (hooray for homages!). 14. "California Lament" - Kicking off with Beach Boys-esque vocal harmonies, this is another great track to contribute to the Surf atmosphere of the album. There's also pretty solid guitar work, and the trademark thumping echo-y drumming of the 80's. Lyrics-wise, this one is a bit strange, as it's (I think) about a cruise getting blown up by a bomb before the eager surfers aboard can reach California. 15. "I Wish It Could Be 1965 Again" - The final track of the album, we're treated to a Ramones-style rocker with fun background surf harmonies! Here, The Barracudas pine for the days of old, back in the age of hippies, live music television shows, pot roasts and rotary phones. There is also a vintage group from the 1960's called "The Barracudas". Here's a picture of them. The Barracudas hit hard with their unique brand of Surf-Punk, as well as mixing things up with more traditional and straight-forward Punk numbers (which i'm not a huge fan of, but I still had fun with them). With a nice energy to it, and a sound that has aged very well, modern Punk fans should really get a kick out of this one! Of course, I recommend it, but keep in mind that if you expect it to be all Beach Boy style numbers, you're in for a Punk Rock surprise! Last edited by Oriphiel; 12-14-2014 at 05:15 AM.