Rain Parade is a highly acclaimed neo-psychedlic band that gained notoriety as part of LA’s fabled Paisley Underground music scene in the early 1980s. The band’s signature sound combines hypnotic-melodic songwriting and 60s-inspired instrumentation with 70s punk influences and a darker lyrical approach, informed by late 20th- and early 21st-century themes.
Their debut LP, Emergency Third Rail Power Trip (Enigma US/Demon UK, 1983), featuring the songwriting talents of founding members Matt Piucci, Steven Roback, and David Roback (Mazzy Star, Opal), is internationally recognized as a masterpiece. Jim DeRogatis, Chicago rock critic notes that their debut LP is “…among the best psychedelic LPs of any era.”
The follow-up EP, Explosions In The Glass Palace (Enigma US /Demon UK, 1984), recorded after David left the band, garnered the same high praise, and its reputation has only grown since. Sid Griffin, author and leader of The Long Ryders said: “We were in the Paisley Underground with Rain Parade back in the 1980s… Explosions In The Glass Palace is and will forever be the BEST recording from a Paisley Underground band, be it us, The Dream Syndicate, The Bangles, The Three O’Clock or whomever.”
Noted as an influence by the likes of My Bloody Valentine, Ride, The Stone Roses, Primal Scream, Teenage Fanclub, The Asteroid # 4, and The UK Charlatans, among many others, Rain Parade creates truly timeless music.
In 2023, Rain Parade released a new LP Last Rays of a Dying Sun on Label 51 Recordings, receiving accolades from fans and critics alike. Writer Mark Deming said “this is a 21st Century version of the their trademark approach, with the nocturnal melodies, the thoughtful interplay of the guitars, the starry-eyed vocals and expert harmonies, and the gently insistent rhythms coming together with the same impact they summoned in their salad days.”
And they have been keeping busy touring and recording ever since!
In addition to Piucci and Roback, Rain Parade is again produced by Jim Hill, and features long-time Rain Parade guitarist John Thoman, guitarist Derek See (The Gentle Cycle, Chocolate Watch Band, Dean & Britta),and drummer/percussionist Stephan Junca (Billy Talbot Band, Jon Anderson, The Hellenes, boatclub).
