Paisley Underground, The Shangri-Las’ Leader of the Pack & Opinions on Tacocat
In early ‘80s California, a new kind of music was brewing that blended the psychedelic sounds of the '60s with the modern day post-punk ethos. This week, Jim and Greg reflect on the Paisley Underground movement. They'll discuss the prominent bands like The Bangles, explore what made the scene so special and explain its impact on indie rock. Jim and Greg will also look back at the 1964 hit by The Shangri-Las, "Leader of the Pack," for its 55th anniversary. Plus, they'll review the new record from the colorful Seattle punk band Tacocat.
Paisley Underground
Led by the four crucial bands The Bangles, The Dream Syndicate, The Three O’Clock and Rain Parade, the Paisley Underground was all about re-interpreting the bright, psychedelic music of '60s acts like The Beatles and The Byrds and blending it with the attitude of the '80s. They used droning guitars, grounded drumming and far out, but sometimes dark, lyrics to make an impact on indie rock forever. Even the inimitable Prince was smitten, naming his own estate and record label "Paisley Park," working with the Bangles and signing The Three O'Clock! Jim and Greg discuss the rise and fall of the Paisley Underground and share where its influence is seen today in music. They also talk about the 2019 collaborative album, 3x4, on which the bands cover each others' songs decades later.
The Shangri-Las - "Leader of the Pack"
2019 marks the 55th anniversary of the song "Leader of the Pack" by The Shangri-Las. For one week in 1964, The Shangri-Las sat atop the Billboard Hot 100, in front of legendary groups like The Supremes, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks and The Beach Boys. While it only stayed on the Hot 100 for 12 weeks, the track's impact has extended far beyond 1964. Sound Opinions producer Alex Claiborne talks with writer Ada Wolin about her book Golden Hits of the Shangri-Las and about the group's lasting impact on music and pop culture, as well as their influence over notable punk acts like Blondie and The New York Dolls.
This Mess Is A Place Tacocat
Seattle pop punk quartet Tacocat's fourth album, This Mess Is A Place, is their first release for stalwart record label Sub Pop. Jim first got into the band when a listener suggested their 2016 album Lost Time as one of the best of that year. He was instantly hooked on the catchy melodies and feminist themes. He finds more to love on This Mess Is A Place, flitting between slices of slacker life and weightier themes like the death of democracy and climate change. He enjoys the increased emphasis on the backing vocals and harmonies. He cites "What a time to be barely alive?" in "Crystal Ball" as the line of the year. Greg enjoys it as well, especially the "deceptively smart" lyrics, which he reads as mocking the jaded attitude of some of their peers. However, he feels it's a little too clean for his taste. He preferred the garage rock vibe and biting guitars of the two previous albums, Lost Time and NVM.
Featured Songs
- The Bangles, "Getting Out of Hand," Getting Out of Hand (Single), Downkiddie, 1981
- The Shangri-Las, "Leader of the Pack," Leader of the Park (Single), Red Bird, 1964
- Rain Parade, "What's She Done to Your Mind," Emergency Third Rail Power Trip, Restless, 1983
- Green on Red, "Sixteen Ways," Gas Food Lodging, Enigma, 1985
- The Beatles, "Tomorrow Never Knows," Revolver, Parlophone, 1966
- X, "Los Angeles," Los Angeles, Slash, 1980
- Rainy Day, "I'll Keep It with Mine," Rainy Day, Llama, 1984
- Rainy Day, "Sloop John B," Rainy Day, Llama, 1984
- Tony Conrad and Faust, "The Side of the Machine," Outside the Dream Syndicate, Caroline, 1973
- The Velvet Underground and Nico, "Sunday Morning," The Velvet Underground & Nico, Verve, 1967
- The Dream Syndicate, "The Days of Wine and Roses," The Days of Wine & Roses, Ruby/Slash, 1982
- Rain Parade, "Talking In My Sleep," Emergency Third Rail Power Trip, Restless, 1983
- Rain Parade, "This Can't Be Today," Emergency Third Rail Power Trip, Restless, 1983
- Rain Parade, "Kaleidoscope," Emergency Third Rail Power Trip, Restless, 1983
- Rain Parade, "Look at Merri," Emergency Third Rail Power Trip, Restless, 1983
- Mazzy Star, "Fade into You," So Tonight That I Might See, Capitol, 1993
- The Bangles, "Going Down to Liverpool," All Over the Place, Columbia, 1984
- The Bangles, "James," All Over the Place, Columbia, 1984
- The Mamas & the Papas, "California Dreamin'," If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears, Dunhill, 1966
- The Bangles, "Dover Beach," All Over the Place, Columbia, 1984
- The Bangles, "In a Different Light," Different Light, Columbia, 1986
- The Bangles, "Walk Like an Egyptian," Different Light, Columbia, 1986
- The Bangles, "Hero Takes a Fall," All Over the Place, Columbia, 1984
- The Bangles, "Manic Monday," Different Light, Columbia, 1986
- The Three O'Clock, "When Lightning Starts," Sixteen Tambourines, Frontier, 1983
- The Three O'Clock, "Her Head's Revolving," Arrive Without Travelling, I.R.S., 1985
- The Three O'Clock, "On Paper," Vermillion, Paisley Park, 1988
- Rain Parade, "As Real As Real," 3 x 4: The Bangles, The Three O'Clock, The Dream Syndicate, Rain Parade, Yep Roc, 2019
- The Dream Syndicate, "Hero Takes a Fall," 3 x 4: The Bangles, The Three O'Clock, The Dream Syndicate, Rain Parade, Yep Roc, 2019
- The Chills, "Kaleidoscope World," Kaleidoscope World, Flying Nun, 1986
- The Verlaines, "Death and the Maiden," Juvenilia, Flying Nun, 1987
- Echo & the Bunnymen, "Bring On the Dancing Horses," Songs to Learn & Sing, Sire, 1985
- Mercury Rev, "Car Wash Hair (Full Pull)," Yerself Is Steam, Columbia, 1991
- Slowdive, "Alison," Souvlaki, Creation, 1993
- Tacocat, "Grains of Salt," This Mess Is A Place, Sub Pop, 2019
- Twisted Sister, "Leader of the Pack," Come Out and Play, Atlantic, 1985
- Best Coast, "Boyfriend," Crazy For You, Mexican Summer, 2010
- Tacocat, "Hologram," This Mess Is A Place, Sub Pop, 2019
- Tacocat, "Rose-Colored Sky," This Mess Is A Place, Sub Pop, 2019
- Tacocat, "This Is Anarchy," NVM, Hardly Art, 2014
- Tacocat, "Meet Me At La Palma," This Mess Is A Place, Sub Pop, 2019
- Tacocat, "Crystal Ball," This Mess Is A Place, Sub Pop, 2019
- De La Soul, "The Magic Number," 3 Feet High and Rising, Tommy Boy, 1989
- Doris Day, "All Alone," The Love Album, Concord, 1994
- The Doors, "The End," The Doors, Elektra, 1967
- Mdou Moctar, "Kamane Tarhanin," Ilana (The Creator), Sahel Sounds, 2018
- The Staple Singers, "I'll Take You There," Be Altitude: Respect Yourself, Stax, 1972
- Gil Scott-Heron, "Whitey On The Moon," Small Talk at 125th and Lenox, Flying Dutchman, 1970
Dear Listeners,
For more than 15 years, Sound Opinions was a production of WBEZ, Chicago's public radio station. Now that the show is independent, we're inviting you to join the band and lend a hand! We need your support more than ever because now we have to do all the behind-the-scenes work that WBEZ handled before (like buying insurance and paying for podcast hosting, ugh). Plus, we have some exciting ideas we'd like to try now that there's no one to tell us no!