BARRACUDAS Drop Out With The Barracudas (3-CD Deluxe Edition)

(Cherry Red Records) 75 tracks, digisleeve in gatefold box.

The definitive reissue of the Barracudas' iconic classic debut album, "Drop Out With The Barracudas," compiled by Barracudas songwriter/guitarist Robin Wills.

- It features 21 previously unreleased recordings from Robin's personal band archive. The album includes four brilliant singles - the infectious surf-pop chart hit 'Summer Fun' (UK #37), their anthemic manifesto '(I Wish It Could Be) 1965 Again', the surfing death record 'His Last Summer' and the power-pop nugget 'I Can't Pretend'.

Also included are both sides of their 45 debut, the 1979 indie chart hit 'I Want My Woody Back' / 'Subway Surfin'', which heralded the unlikely arrival of a surf group in London post-punk.

With the release of "Drop Out..." on EMI's Zonophone imprint in 1981, the Barracudas moved away from surf music, and the album was split into an "Up Side" and a "Down Side," the latter conveying a more melancholy mood and exploring the influence of 1960s West Coast rock and psychedelia.

Among the bonus tracks are demos, live recordings and rehearsals from 1977 to 1981, including an early version of the later live hit and fan favorite "Grammar Of Misery" and cover versions of "Wipe Out" by The Surfaris, "King Of The Surf" by The Trashmen, "Time Won't Let Me" by The Outsiders and the song "Slow Death" by The Flamin' Groovies, which the band performed live in Brighton before a hostile Stray Cats audience.

The 36-page booklet includes a new group interview by Phil Suggitt of Shindig! Magazine's Phil Suggitt with all four members of the band that made "Drop Out..." - singer Jeremy Gluck, guitarist Robin Wills, bassist David Buckley and drummer Nick Turner (later of Lords Of The New Church) are reunited for the first time in over 40 years.