Crocodiles is the debut album by Echo & the Bunnymen. who formed in 1978 with Ian McCulloch (lead vocals), Will Sergeant (lead guitar), Les Pattinson (bass) and a drum machine (that would be the actual Mr. Echo, Young Ones fans).
The record was released on July 18th, 1980 and contains the songs “Pictures on My Wall” and “Rescue” had previously been released as singles. (Watch above the film “Pictures On My Wall”, highlighting the songs “Pictures On My Wall”, “Rescue”, “Stars Are Stars”, and “All That Jazz” from Crocodiles, among other tracks from the early part of Echo and The Bunnymen’s career.)
Crocodiles was recorded at Eden Studios in London and at Rockfield Studios near Monmouth, and was produced by Bill Drummond and David Balfe—while Ian Broudie had already produced the single “Rescue”.
Their first single, “The Pictures on My Wall” was released in May of 1979 on the independent label Zoo Records. Afterwards, the band signed with WEA subsidiary label Korova and then hired drummer Pete de Freitas who officially joined the band on recording the second single “Rescue”, and a re-recorded version of the first single, “Pictures on My Wall” (there is indeed a significant difference between both versions).
The photo of the band featured on the cover of the Crocodiles was taken by photographer Brian Griffin in woods near Rickmansworth, this would be the first of many cover shots with the them of isolation and nature.
