Summer, sand, and surfing.

The Barracudas must have grown up in California, right? No, no. They hail from that other bastion of sunshine and surfboards — London.

Jeremy and Robin met at a punk concert in 1978, but their true passion lay in the garage and psych-rock of the previous decade, and together they formed a band to celebrate that passion. Although they named themselves after a song by mid-60’s L.A. garage rockers The Standells, The Barracudas started their musical career by emulating an even earlier era of California music: namely, surf rock. But with a punk attitude.

The band released their second single, “Summer Fun,” in July of 1980 and just managed to slide inside the UK Top 40 with their throwback punky pop. Unfortunately, they were pegged as a bit of a novelty act due to the beach-inspired outfits in publicity photos, as well as songs with titles such as “I Want My Woody Back,” “Subway Surfin,” “Barracuda Waver,” and “Surfers Are Back.”  By the time they ditched the retro beach image for their second album, the momentum was gone.

Their one hit song, however, was nothing but momentum. Catch the wave! How do you beat the summer heat? With summer fun!