Among the L.A. groups dubbed Paisley Underground (
Dream Syndicate,
the Bangles,
Three O'Clock),
Rain Parade were the closest to being the real deal for their use of psychedelic flourishes throughout their first album. Formed in Los Angeles in the early '80s, the group consisted of
David Roback (vocals, guitar),
Steven Roback (vocals, bass),
Matt Piucci (vocals, guitar),
Will Glenn (keyboards), and
Eddie Kalwa (drums). Their first single, "What She's Done to Your Mind," was a certifiable hit on college radio, and the band quickly followed with a full-length LP for Enigma in 1983,
Emergency Third Rail Power Trip. For 1984's
Explosions in the Glass Palace, (Restless) the band lost
David Roback to
Opal, but
John Thoman took over and
Mark Marcum filled in for the departed
Eddie Kalwa. The re-formed band recorded the live album
Beyond the Sunset (1985, Restless) and
Crashing Dream (Island, 1986) before disbanding.
David Roback went on to finesse
Opal into
Mazzy Star,
Steven Roback and
Thoman worked as
Viva Saturn, and
Piucci recorded an album with
Crazy Horse -- yes, that
Crazy Horse.
–
Denise Sullivan, Rovi