Rain Parade

Infobox musical artist
Name = Rain Parade


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Origin = Los Angeles, California, United States
Genre = Paisley Underground
Years_active = 1981-1986, 1988
Label = Enigma, Zippo, Island
Associated_acts = Rainy Day, Opal, Viva Saturn, Gone Fishin', Mazzy Star
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Current_members = David Roback (1981-84)
Matt Piucci
Will Glenn
Steven Roback
Eddie Kalwa (1981-85)
Mark Marcum (1985-86)
John Thoman (1985-86)
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The Rain Parade were a band active in the Paisley Underground scene in Los Angeles in the 1980s.

History

The band was founded by college roommates Matt Piucci (guitar, vocals) and David Roback (guitar, vocals) in 1981, originally as The Sidewalks.Strong, Martin C. (1999) "The Great Alternative & Indie Discography", Canongate, ISBN 0-86241-913-1] David's brother Steven Roback (bass, vocals) joined the band shortly thereafter. David and Steven had been in a band called The Unconscious with neighbor Susanna Hoffs (who went on to lead the most famous of the Paisley Underground bands, The Bangles.) The band soon added Will Glenn (keyboards and violin) and later Eddie Kalwa (drums). They self-released their debut single, "What She's Done to Your Mind" on their "Llama" label in 1982.

This led to a deal with local independent rock label Enigma Records, who released the band's debut album, "Emergency Third Rail Power Trip", in 1983.

David Roback left to form a new band, Rainy Day, the rest of the band continuing to record as a four piece, releasing the mini-LP, "Explosions in the Glass Palace" in 1984. After a single, "You Are My Friend", Kalwa left, his replacement being Mark Marcum, and John Thoman (guitar, vocals) was added to the line-up. The band signed to Island Records, and a live album ("Beyond The Sunset") recorded in Japan, and a third album, "Crashing Dream", came out in 1985.Larkin, Colin (1992) "The Guinness Who's Who of Indie & New Wave Music", Guinness Publishing, ISBN 0-85112-579-4] This album was supported by a European tour, underwritten by Island Records, and garnered good support in smaller club venues.

The band split in 1986, with Piucci forming Gone Fishin' and later joining Crazy Horse. The band reformed in 1988 to finish off a double album they had started, but it was never released. The rest of the band formed Viva Saturn. After Rainy Day, David Roback formed Opal, and later Mazzy Star.

Discography

ingles, EPs

*"What She's Done To Your Mind" (1982) Llama
*"You Are My Friend" (1985) Enigma/Zippo (UK Indie #28)Lazell, Barry (1997) "Indie Hits 1980-1989", Cherry Red Books, ISBN 0-9517206-9-4]

Albums

*"Emergency Third Rail Power Trip" (1983) Enigma/Zippo (UK Indie #5)
*"Explosions in the Glass Palace" mini-LP (1984) Enigma/Zippo (UK Indie #4)
*"Beyond The Sunset (live in Tokyo 1984)" (1985) Restless/Island (UK #78)
*"Crashing Dream" (1985) Island
*"Emergency Third Rail Power Trip/Explosions in the Glass Palace" (1992) Mau Mau

ee also

*Opal
*Mazzy Star

References

External links

* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:zne997ujkrht~T1 Rain Parade on the All Music Guide]
* [http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/05/remembering_the_rain_parade.html Alan McGee on the Rain Parade in his Guardian Newspaper Column]