Rain Parade were one of the key US guitar-based acts in the fabled LA Paisley Underground scene in the early 1980s and a huge influence on the UK indie scene that emerged later that decade. Having recently issued a well received new album entitled ‘Last Rays Of A Dying Sun’ (their first in 38 years and only their third full-length studio recording), and with their much admired back catalogue soon to be reactivated, they will tour the UK and mainland European in June 2024 on what will be their first visit to this side of the pond since 1985. The trip culminates in an appearance at the Azkena Festival (near Bilbao), their first ever show in Spain.
The full list of dates is:
06.06.24 OSLO (NO) John Dee Club tickets
07.06.24 STOCKHOLM (SE) Kafé Himlavalvet tickets
08.06.24 MALMO (SE) Medley tickets
09.06.24 COPENHAGEN (DK) Loppen tickets
11.06.24 HAMBURG (DE) Nochtspeicher tickets
12.06.24 AMSTERDAM (NL) Paradiso Zonnehuis tickets
13.06.24 ANTWERP (BE) Djingel Djangel tickets
14.06.24 BRISTOL Strange Brew tickets
15.06.24 LEEDS Brudenell Social Club tickets
16.06.24 MANCHESTER Night & Day tickets
18.06.24 NOTTINGHAM Metronome tickets
19.06.24 LONDON 229 tickets
21.06.24 VITORIA-GASTEIZ (ES) Azkena Festival tickets
Founded in 1981, Rain Parade quickly gained attention as a leading light of the Paisley Underground scene in Los Angeles. Their signature sound has always combined hypnotic, melodic songwriting and ’60s psych-inspired instrumentation (chiming guitars, eastern-inflected motifs, multi-part vocal harmonies) with ’70s punk influences and a darker lyrical approach fully informed by late 20th (and early 21st) century themes.
Their debut album, ‘Emergency Third Rail Power Trip’ (1983), featured the songwriting, vocal and instrumental talents of founding members Matt Piucci, Steven Roback and David Roback in equal measure and is internationally recognised as a masterpiece. Its follow-up, the ‘Explosions In The Glass Palace’ EP (1984), was recorded after David Roback’s departure (to join Rainy Day prior to forming Opal and Mazzy Star) and received similar high praise. Sid Griffin of contemporaries The Long Ryders states that “‘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 whoever.”
