Barracuda

Mansfield based band 1971/72.

They played locally in Mansfield and Nottingham but further afield also and supported Blackfoot Sue, Curved Air, Pete Brown and in 1971 played a festival in Truro with very early Queen.

They were originally a three piece band consisting of:

Steve Harris: Percussion
Terry Horbury: Bass guitar
Dave Eppel: Guitar

In May 1971 they were advertising for a guitarist either to replace Dave Eppel or extend the line up. During the summer gigs carried on as a three piece.

JUNE 1971

JULY 1971

They took part in the Nottingham festival of 1971.

They also took part in a free rock concert on the Victoria Embankment, Nottingham along with Mick Allenby’s Medicine Hat, who would later rename themselves Pancho, and High Bread Mishap who had in their ranks Nick Turner and future Gaffa leader Wayne Evans.

AUGUST 1971

At some point they became a five piece band with the line up of:

Steve Harris: Percussion
John Ponka: Sax and Flute
Adrian Armstrong: Guitars
Bruno Brunning: Keyboards and percussion
Terry Horbury: Bass guitar

Adrian Armstrong had been with BOMB
John Ponka had been with Jaff-A-Band
Steve Harris had been with Woody Kern and Whichwhat

In August they secured a spot at the Tregye Festival near Truro, Cornwall alongside Hawkwind and Arthur Browns Kingdom Come. This festival is now of note because it featured an early appearance by the then little known “Queen”.

Here is a photo of Queen playing at this festival.

SEPT 1971

Barracuda were involved in another event on the Victoria Embankment, a charity gig for NSPCC, alongside “Pancho” and “Today”.

They supported Blackfoot Sue who were currently in the charts with “Standing in the Road”. Blackfoot Sue were replacements for Roxy Music who had suddenly achieved success and dropped the gig. A new Nottingham group Gaffa were also on the bill.

NOVEMBER 1972

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Not sure if the ad below is for a different group.