Rain Parade
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1981 in Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Founder | Matt Piucci, David Roback |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Rain Parade emerged as a prominent group within the Paisley Underground movement based in Los Angeles during the 1980s, later reuniting to resume touring activities starting in 2012.
Rain Parade during the 1980s (1981–1986)
The band was established in Los Angeles in 1981 by college friends Matt Piucci (guitar, vocals) and David Roback (guitar, vocals). Shortly thereafter, David’s brother Steven Roback (bass, vocals) joined the ensemble. Prior to this, David and Steven had collaborated with Susanna Hoffs from the Bangles. The lineup was further enhanced by Will Glenn (keyboards, violin) and Eddie Kalwa (drums). Their initial release was an independently issued single titled "What She's Done to Your Mind" in 1982.
Their first full-length album, Emergency Third Rail Power Trip (1983, Enigma/Zippo), garnered widespread critical praise for its combination of vibrant melodies and reflective lyricism. Critic Jim DeRogatis hailed it as "the best album from any Paisley Underground band," emphasizing the Roback brothers’ airy vocal delivery, Kalwa’s meticulous drumming, Glenn’s sitar and violin contributions, alongside complex dual-guitar arrangements reminiscent of the Byrds.
Following David Roback's departure to form Opal, the remaining members issued the mini-album Explosions in the Glass Palace (1984), which was acclaimed for its compelling guitar textures and somber thematic content. The song "No Easy Way Down" stood out as a signature example of the group’s distinctive psychedelic sound.
After releasing the single "You Are My Friend," drummer Eddie Kalwa exited and was succeeded by Mark Marcum; additionally, John Thoman (guitar, vocals) became part of the band. Under contract with Island Records, Rain Parade recorded a live album in Japan titled Beyond the Sunset and unveiled their third studio effort, Crashing Dream, in 1985.
Disbandment and subsequent endeavors (1986–2012)
The group disbanded in 1986 but briefly reunited in 1988 to complete a double album that ultimately remained unreleased.
Matt Piucci partnered with Tim Lee to produce the LP Can't Get Lost When You're Goin' Nowhere under the name Gone Fishin', later joining Crazy Horse.
Steven Roback went on to create Viva Saturn, issuing three albums through San Francisco’s Heyday Records, managed by Pat Thomas of Absolute Grey.
David Roback contributed to the psychedelic folk project Rainy Day alongside other Paisley Underground musicians before forming Clay Allison, which evolved into Opal featuring Kendra Smith. After Opal's dissolution, Roback founded Mazzy Star in 1989 with Hope Sandoval replacing Smith as lead vocalist.
Keyboardist Will Glenn took part in Rainy Day, the Three O'Clock, Viva Saturn, and also recorded with Mazzy Star under the name William Cooper. He passed away from cancer in 2001.
Mark Marcum joined the heavy metal outfit Savage Grace, appearing on their 1986 release After the Fall from Grace and a subsequent EP in 1987.
Reunion and resurgence (2012–present)
In 2012, Rain Parade reassembled and played a sold-out reunion concert at Cafe Du Nord in San Francisco featuring original members Matt Piucci, Steven Roback, John Thoman along with Mark Hanley, Alec Palao, and Gil Ray—formerly of Game Theory. This lineup also participated in a benefit event for Bobby Sutliff of the Windbreakers held in Atlanta in 2013.
December 2013 saw Rain Parade share the stage with reunited Paisley Underground acts—the Bangles, the Dream Syndicate, and the Three O'Clock—at both The Fillmore in San Francisco and The Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles for a charity concert supporting Education Through Music-Los Angeles.
Due to health complications, drummer Gil Ray departed in 2014 and was succeeded by Stephan Junca; Ray succumbed to cancer in 2017.
In November 2018, Rain Parade contributed three new tracks to the compilation 3 × 4, which featured covers performed by themselves alongside three other Paisley Underground bands. Initially released on purple “psychedelic swirl” vinyl for Record Store Day First, Yep Roc Records later issued it on LP, CD, and digital formats in February 2019.
David Roback passed away from metastatic cancer on February 25, 2020.
On August 4, 2023, Rain Parade unveiled Last Rays of a Dying Sun, marking their first studio album release in nearly four decades.
Albums
- Emergency Third Rail Power Trip (1983, Enigma/Zippo) – Reached No. 5 on the UK Indie chart
- Crashing Dream (1985, Island)
- Last Rays of a Dying Sun (2023, Flat Iron)
Live albums and compilations
- Beyond the Sunset (Live in Tokyo 1984) (1985) Restless/Island – Peaked at No. 78 in the UK
- Demolition (1991) – Collection of outtakes and previously unreleased tracks
- Emergency Third Rail Power Trip/Explosions in the Glass Palace (1992) Mau Mau
- Perfume River (2002) – Recorded live in New York, November 1984
- 3 × 4 (2018 compilation) Yep Roc Records – Achieved No. 27 on the Billboard Independent Albums chart
Singles and EPs
- "What She's Done to Your Mind" b/w "Kaleidoscope" (1982) Llama DK002
- Explosions in the Glass Palace mini-LP (1984) Enigma/Zippo – Attained No. 4 on UK Indie chart
- "Sad Eyes Kill" (1984)
- "You Are My Friend" (1985) Enigma/Zippo – Reached No. 28 on UK Indie chart