Representative Albums: "Emergency Third Rail Power Trip/Explosions in the Glass Palace," "Emergency Third Rail Power Trip," "Explosions in the Glass Palace"
Biography
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 thoroughout 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, All Music Guide
The band was founded by college roommates Matt Piucci (guitar, vocals) and David Roback (guitar, vocals) in 1981, originally as The Sidewalks.[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.[1]
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.[1] 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.[1] 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.[2]
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.[1] The rest of the band formed Viva Saturn. After Rainy Day, David Roback formed Opal, and later Mazzy Star.
Discography
Singles, EPs
"What She's Done To Your Mind" (1982) Llama
"You Are My Friend" (1985) Enigma/Zippo (UK Indie #28)[3]
Albums
Emergency Third Rail Power Trip (1983) Enigma/Zippo (UK Indie #5)[3]
Explosions in the Glass Palace mini-LP (1984) Enigma/Zippo (UK Indie #4)[3]
Beyond The Sunset (live in Tokyo 1984) (1985) Restless/Island (UK #78)[1]
Crashing Dream (1985) Island
Demolition (1991) Outtakes and unreleased material
Emergency Third Rail Power Trip/Explosions in the Glass Palace (1992) Mau Mau
Perfume River (2002) Live in New York, November 1984
