Paisley Underground
tagStarted 1982Peak 1983-1986Last big hit 1989From Los Angeles, United States
Located in 3 routes
Early-80s Los Angeles revival fusing 60s psychedelia with jangling Byrds/Rickenbacker guitars, close harmonies and post-punk energy. Folk-rock chime, garage fuzz and dreamy reverb meet melodic songcraft and college-radio cool. Sunny, swirling and retro-minded yet propelled by the era's underground indie urgency.
History
Named after the paisley patterns and acid roots its bands embraced, the scene coalesced in early-80s LA around the Dream Syndicate, Rain Parade, the Three O'Clock and the Bangles. It bridged 60s nostalgia and 80s indie, fed college rock and jangle pop, and the four core bands reunited in 2018 for the covers project 3x4.
Defining artists
Essential listening
Sources
- Wikipedia: Paisley Underground
- Bandcamp Daily
- AllMusic
- Blurt Magazine