The Three O'Clock’s 'Sixteen Tambourines' 40th Anniversary Edition out October 20

Very exciting news with today's announcement that legendary band The Three O'Clock's "Sixteen Tambourines" will be released as a special 40th Anniversary Edition on Oct. 20, 2023 courtesy of Yep Roc Records. On a released note, read my review of The Three O'Clock's memorable concert in Santa Ana, CA in December 2013 HERE. Additionally, the band performed at Coachella in April 2013; read my coverage of that appearance HERE.

The official media release about the forthcoming "Sixteen Tambourines" reissue is below...Robert Kinsler

Yep Roc Records Announces 40th Anniversary Edition of The Three O'Clock’s Sixteen Tambourines Out October 20, 2023 

 

Remastered Album Features Brand-New Double Front Artwork

 

Baroque Hoedown Features Four Songs Not On Original EP Out Now

 

Yep Roc Records celebrates the 40th anniversary of Sixteen Tambourines by The Three O’Clock, one of the core groups in L.A. 's Paisley Underground scene, with a remastered edition of the band’s second album featuring new artwork. 

 

Out October 20 and available on CD and LP (transparent green vinyl), Sixteen Tambourines was remastered by Bill Inglot and Dave Schultz, lacquer cut at Bernie Grundman Mastering, with the vinyl pressed at Citizen Vinyl in Asheville, NC; pre-order here.

 

Blending psychedelic pop with contemporary sounds, Sixteen Tambourines was produced by Earle Mankey, who encouraged the band in their experimentation. The result yielded a college-radio hit, "Jet Fighter," which remains one of the group's most well-known songs. Other standouts include, "A Day In Erotica," "Stupid Einstein," "Fall to the Ground," and their version of the Bee Gees "In My Own Time." 

 

Originally released in October 1983, for the anniversary reissue the band updated the artwork which features a double front cover, meaning no matter which way you view the album, it will always appear like you are looking at the front cover - front cover image with the opening for LP or CD on the right side. The photos used for the new cover(s) are never-before-seen images taken from the era the album was recorded.

 

Remastered by Bill Inglot and Dave Schultz, the 40th anniversary reissue of the band’s seminal debut Baroque Hoedown was released earlier this year and originally available only for Record Store Day. Now available for wide release, the expanded edition of the debut EP features the five original songs with four additional recordings from the era to create a full-length album. One of the new songs is a cover of Pink Floyd's "Lucifer Sam.” The album is available for order here.

 

The Three O'Clock –  Michael Quercio (vocals, bass guitar, percussion); Danny Benair (drums); Louis Gutierrez (guitars, vocals, percussion); and Mark Mariano (keyboards, vocals, percussion); were the quintessential L.A. Paisley Underground band. Lead singer/bassist Michael Quercio coined the term to describe the bands that incorporated their love of various sixties music with more modern sounds, including the Dream Syndicate, Rain Parade, and The Bangles.

 

Beginning as the Salvation Army in 1982, and forsaking the name due to a conflict with the actual organization, The Three O'Clock originally included Quercio and guitarist Louis Gutierrez. Their self-titled debut in 1982 featured a garage-y sound. When ex-The Quick drummer Danny Benair and keyboardist Mickey Mariano joined for the follow-up EP, Baroque Hoedown and the LP Sixteen Tambourines in 1983, the band found a more polished, perfect pop sound.

 

In 1985, the band released Arrive Without Travelling for I.R.S. Records, followed by Ever After. Gutierrez departed in 1986. For their Warner Bros./Paisley Park debut (Prince was a fan), Vermillion, Jason Falkner joined to play guitar for what would be the band’s last album release. 

 

After years of turning down offers to reunite, in 2013, the band’s original lineup (minus Mariano, who was replaced by Adam Merrin of the 88) re-formed to play the Coachella Festival. In November 2018, Yep Roc Records released three new recordings by The Three O'Clock as part of a compilation album called 3 × 4, including The Dream Syndicate, The Bangles, and Rain Parade, with each of the four bands covering songs by the other bands (Read my review of the "3 x 4" collection HERE).

 

Sixteen Tambourine Tracklisting: 

Side A

1.Jet Fighter

2. Stupid Einstein 

3. And So We Run 

4. Fall to the Ground 

5. A Day in Erotica

Side B

1.Tomorrow

2. In My Own Time

3. On My Own

4. When Lightning Starts

5. Seeing Is Believing

 

Baroque Hoedown Tracklisting:
Side 1

1.With A Cantaloupe Girlfriend

2. I Go Wild

3. Marjorie Tells Me

4. Lucifer Sam

 

Side 2

1.Sorry 

2. In Love In Too

3. All In Good Time

4. Feel A Whole Lot Better

5. As Real As Real

Album Reviews: X, Whitney Rose, Game Theory, Action Skulls

Music fans were recently surprised (and delighted) with the surprise release of a new album from groundbreaking band X, a stunning new album from rising country songstress Whitney Rose, as well as a terrific collection featuring '80s great Game Theory. I also celebrate a latter-day classic from the super group Action Skulls.

The cover artwork for "ALPHABETLAND" pulled from
an original painting by Wayne White, who was set
designer on 'Pee-Wee's Playhouse' for many years.

Artist: X
Title: ALPHABETLAND (Fat Possum Records)
You might like if you enjoy: X, John Doe, early punk rock
Tell me more: Listening to the new X album ALPHABETLAND, it's unbelievable to think this marks the Los Angeles quartet's first new album with their original lineup in 35 years. Released without advance notice on April 23, the music is explosive, raw and powerful, offering up that same potent spirit that marked the essential titles featuring singer Exene Cervenka, co-singer/bassist John Doe, guitarist Billy Zoom and drummer D.J. Bonebrake spanning from 1980's Los Angeles to 1985's Ain't Love Grand! Kicking things off with the driving title track, the signature co-vocals from Cervenka and Doe shimmer in unison over the driving rhythm. The anthemic "Free" soars, its run enhanced by some edgy lead guitar lines from Zoom. The infectious rocker "Strange Life," rapid-fire "Delta 88 Nightmare" and haunting "Angel On The Road" are early standouts. The wonderfully melodic "Cyrano DeBerger's Back" (enhanced by a dance groove and Zoom's saxophone play), raw punk rock blast "Goodbye Year, Goodbye" and poetic spoken word finale "All The Time in The Year" cap this welcome return from one of L.A. great bands. Information: xtheband.com.

Artist: Whitney Rose
Title: We Still Go To Rodeos (McG Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Emmylou Harris, Carlene Carter, Alice Wallace
Tell me more: Country songstress Whitney Rose is back with her latest and decidedly strongest album to date, the wonderful We Still Go To Rodeos. The new album was produced by Paul Kolderie, whose first-rate resume covers the celebrated and far-flung ranks of Radiohead, Uncle Tupelo, Lou Reed, Pixies and Morphine. More importantly, all of the dozen cuts on We Still Go To Rodeos were penned by Rose; the diversity and force of that songwriting certifies the early promise displayed on 2015's Raul Malo-produced Heartbreaker of the Year that served to introduce the talented Rose.  The Austin-based artist's rich and seductive soprano has an alluring radiance, equally deft at commanding uptempo country rockers ("In a Rut," "I'd Rather Be Alone," "Better Man"), mid tempo material ("Believe Me, Angela," "Don't Give Up On Me") and nuanced ballads ("Home With You," "A Hundred Shades of Blue," "Through the Cracks"). The musicianship across the disc is truly stellar; guitar great Gurf Morlix (Lucinda Williams, Warren Zevon), drummer Lisa Pankratz (Dave Alvin, Billy Joe Shaver), bassist Brad Fordham (Jerry Jeff Walker, Dave Alvin) and other notables bring a wealth of command to add to the obvious power of the project. Information: whitneyrosemusic.com.

Artist: Game Theory
Title: Across the Barrier of Sound: Postscript (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Game Theory, The Three O'Clock, Big Star, the Loud Family
Tell me more: History is filled with immensely talented top-tier artists who earned the well-deserved accolade of the music press and a dedicated cult following without scoring much-deserved commercial success. Such was the case with Davis, California-spawned Game Theory, a band led by singer-guitarist Scott Miller that released some of the most eclectic and impressive albums of the 1980s. Following Miller's tragic death at the age of 53 in April 2013, Los Angeles label Omnivore Recordings began issuing a series of deluxe reissue editions of a parade of masterworks from Game Theory; now the band's final chapter (1989-90) never previously showcased outside of some rare tour dates is chronicled via the marvelous just-released Across the Barrier of Sound: Postscript. In addition to Miller, this late edition version of the troupe featured bassist-singer Michael Querico (of The Three O'Clock fame), Gil Ray (guitar, keyboards), and Jozef Becker (drums). Across the Barrier of Sound: Postscript features a total of two dozen tracks including a score of terrific demos, live tracks and home recordings. The compilation opens with a powerful home recording of the Beatles' "All My Loving" where Miller sings the first verse completely a cappella. The driving rocker "My Free Ride," wistful home demo of "Go Back To Sleep Little Susie (Aerodeliria)," psychedelia-laced "Forget All About It" and jangle pop jewel "Inverness" are early collection highlights on the collection. The dreamy pop of "Water," acoustic baroque sortie "Even You," the probing "Some Grand Vision" and fiery acoustic home demo of "Idiot Son" hit their mark with equal potency later on the disc. Among the other winning selections on the fantastic disc is a live version of the Monkees' classic "The Door Into Summer" and radio session recording of Miller covering Alex Chilton's Big Star favorite "Back Of A Car." Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.



LATTER-DAY LOST CLASSIC

The cover artwork for "Angels Hear" was designed
by celebrated actress/artist Angela Cartwright.

Artist: Action Skulls
Title: Angels Hear (CD Baby)
You might like if you enjoy: The Bangles, the Jayhawks, Barnes & Barnes, the Cowsills
Tell me more: Exploring that sonic sweet spot where Americana, power pop, garage rock and alt rock meet, the debut LP from Action Skulls (Angels Hear) is a gem that somehow escaped more widespread attention when it was released in September 2017. A bona fide super group, Action Skulls' featured John Cowsill (a veteran of the Cowsills as well as a current member of Mike Love's The Beach Boys), Bill Mumy (one half of Barnes & Barnes, as well as a famed actor known for several appearances on the original "Twilight Zone" and role as Will Robinson on "Lost in Space"), Vicki Peterson (lead guitarist of the Bangles) and the late Rick "the bass player" Rosas (an in-demand bassist for the likes of Neil Young, Joe Walsh, Buffalo Springfield and Jerry Lee Lewis who passed away from lung disease prior to the release of the disc). This wonderful 11-track album is filled with songs that are intimate, uniformly beautiful and tap into the best strains of classic Laurel Canyon stylings. The jangly Paisley Underground album opener "Mainstream," soaring "If I See You in Another World," Baroque pop "Faith Waltz," country-flavored "Feed My Hungry Heart" (bolstered by some killer harmonies) and stunning album closer "The Land of Dreams" resonate as much today as when the album was released. Although the physical edition appears to no longer be available, listeners can get the wonderful album via digital / mp3 online. Information: amazon.com.



Robert Kinsler

Power Pop Shimmers Via Expanded Editions

Fans of melodic rock and power pop will want to catch up and pick up three terrific deluxe editions available now.

Artist: Badfinger
Titles: Badfinger — Expanded Edition; Wish You Were Here — Expanded Edition (Real Gone Music)
You might like if you enjoy: The Beatles, Paul McCartney, John Lennon
Tell me more: Power pop aficionados recognize Badfinger as one of the genre's greatest ever musical heroes, with the groundbreaking quartet's first four LPs released on Apple Records generating bona fide hits such as "Come and Get It," "No Matter What," "Day After Day" and "Baby Blue." The Welsh group's move to Warner Bros. Records in 1973 would result in several more brilliant efforts. Both discs — Badfinger and subsequent Wish You Were Here — have recently been released in expanded editions that are glorious. 

While none of the songs here yielded radio play paydirt, don't be fooled; many tracks on the discs rank alongside the best material ever completed by the seminal lineup of Pete Ham (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Joey Molland (vocals, guitar), Mike Gibbins (vocals, drums, guitar) and Tom Evans (vocals, bass). The far-flung material showcased on "Badfinger" includes the breezy folk rocker "Shine On," the soul-meets-blues blaster "Island," Memphis soul-mining "Matted Spam" and intoxicating rock ballad "Lonely You." "Wish You Were Here" — often considered Badfinger's most outstanding album — shines with the likes of the melodic rocker "Just a Chance," alluring alt country-flavored "Your So Fine," Beatlesque "Know One Knows," ambitious "Dennis" and poetic "King of the Load." Those songs and others evoke powerful emotions 45 years after they were recorded by producer Chris Thomas at Caribou Ranch in Colorado. Both albums have been remastered and each includes a number of bonus tracks (such as alternate and work-in-progress mixes). Sadly, Pete Ham — only 27 — would commit suicide shortly after the release of "Wish You Were Here." Information: RealGoneMusic.com.

Artist: Permanent Green Light
Title: Hallucinations (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Three O'Clock, Game Theory, dada
Tell me more: When I caught the reunited The Three O'Clock at Coachella in April 2013 it brought back a slew of great memories of watching the Paisley Underground band tear it up in area clubs back in Los Angeles in the 1980s. Michael Quercio, lead singer and bassist of The Three O'Clock, also made his mark on the Southern California musical underground in the '90s courtesy of Permanent Green Light; that band is celebrated across the stunning Hallucinations available now via Omnivore Recordings. Quercio, singer-guitarist Matt Devine and drummer Chris Bruckner shine across the compilation featuring a mix of choice cuts and terrific sounding four-track cassette demos. The trio's driving, melodic and harmonies-bolstered songs not only stand the test of time but tear away the years with otherworldly force. Every track on this set is recommended with the driving "(You & I Are The) Summertime" (heard in both its demo form and finished studio recording), infectious "We Could Just Die," wistful "The Goddess Bunny," blistering previously-unheard 4-track demo "Lovely To Love Me" and baroque nugget "Marianne Gave Up Her Hand" among my faves. The 16-page booklet that comes with the audio CD provides a wealth of period photographs, ephemera, and reflections from the three band members along with friends and fans. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.



Robert Kinsler

Collections enhance legacy of groundbreaking artists

Without a doubt, 2018 has seen a slew of amazing reissues and retro-minded collections that rank among the most essential titles of the year. In this column I highlight three astounding releases worthy of exploration by music fans.

Artists: The Bangles, The Three O'Clock, The Dream Syndicate, Rain Parade
Title: 3 X 4 (Yep Roc Records)
You might like if you enjoy: The Bangles, Steve Wynn
Tell me more: Los Angeles' so-called "Paisley Underground" was an exciting genre blending garage rock, jangly power pop and psychedelic rock that emerged at the dawn of the 1980s. The movement's best-known proponents – the Bangles, Rain Parade, the Dream Syndicate and the Three O'Clock – have joined forces on a must-hear collection where each group performs one song from each of the other three outfits – hence the clever title 3 X 4. Every cut on the 12-track disc is fantastic, capturing the individual talents of the groups and strength of the songwriting. The Dream Syndicate brings an almost Neil Young and Crazy Horse muscular approach to Rain Parade's "You Are My Friend." Rain Parade brings a Beatlesque touch to Three O'Clock's atmospheric "As Real As Real." Susanna Hoffs' shimmering lead vocals help propel the Bangles' lovely take on Rain Parade's dreamy "Talking In My Sleep." The Dream Syndicate offers up a rollicking take on the Bangles' classic "Hero Take a Fall," the version bolstered by the lush harmonies of Vicki Peterson and Linda Pitmon. The melancholy-drenched "Real World" finds Rain Parade bringing new depth to the Bangles favorite. 3 X 4 is one of the most glorious releases of 2018. Information: YepRoc.com.

Artist: Ten Years After
Title: Live At The Fillmore East (Chrysalis Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton
Tell me more: Although Ten Years After is best known for their fiery performance of "I'm Going Home" at Woodstock in August 1969 and the 1971 radio hit "I'd Love to Change the World," the British blues rock band released a score of Top 40 albums on the UK Albums Chart and US Billboard 200 in the late 1960s and early '70s. Now one of the British quartet's best live albums has been reissued and sounds better than ever. Live At The Fillmore East is a two-disc concert recording (originally released in 2001) drawing a dozen tracks from the band's performances at the Fillmore East in New York City on Feb. 27 and 28, 1970. Those who loved Ten Years After's exhilarating approach in concert will want to get this live set featuring singer-guitarist Alvin Lee and company's extended takes on many of their best early material including a amped-up take on the 1930s blues standard "Good Morning Little School Girl," breathtaking 11-minute run through "I'm Going Home," a blistering version of Chuck Berry's "Roll Over Beethoven" and the marathon drum solo "The Hobbit" featuring Ric Lee. Listening to this amazing collection is to be reminded why Alvin Lee ranked with Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton as one of the greatest electric guitarists of his generation. Information: ChrysalisRecordings.com.

Artist: Prince

Title: Piano & A Microphone 1983 (Warner Bros. Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Prince
Tell me more: Die hard fans of Prince likely picked up Piano & A Microphone 1983 the instant it was released, but casual fans of the artist may have somehow overlooked this fascinating glimpse at another side of Prince. Recorded in 1983 at the artist's Kiowa Trail home studio in Minnesota, Piano & A Microphone spans a mere 35 minutes but immerses the listener with every creative bend. In addition to early versions of his own "17 Days," "Purple Rain" and "Strange Relationship," the intimate recording finds the artist performing a soulful version of Joni Mitchell's "A Case of You" and a raw version of the traditional 19th century spiritual "Mary Don't You Weep." The home studio cassette recording has been lovingly enhanced, and the simple teaming of Prince's vocals and accompanying piano is mesmerizing from start to finish. Information: OfficialPrinceMusic.com.  


Robert Kinsler

The Three O'Clock thrills intimate crowd at the Constellation Room

From left, Louis Gutierrez, Steve Wynn, Vicki Peterson and
Michael Quercio. Photo credit: Robert Kinsler

When I caught the Three O'Clock at the 2013 Coachella Festival back on April 21 (click here to see my review), it was an absolute thrill to see the legendary Los Angeles-based quartet back in action 25 years after going on hiatus. That same feeling swept over me again at the Paisley Underground champ's headlining performance at the Constellation Room in Santa Ana last night (Dec. 3, 2013).

The band's hour-long set on Tuesday night featured fiery and forceful performances of their most beloved 1980s material. 

Members of Dream Syndicate and The Bangles joined the 
Three O'Clock for a spirited encore. Photo: George A. Paul

Indeed, singer-bassist Michael Quercio, guitarist Louis Gutierrez, drummer Danny Benair and keyboardist Adam Merrin performed the majority of the 20 tracks featured on the summertime-issued The Hidden World Revealed via Omnivore Recordings. Songs such as the rollicking "I Go Wild," propulsive power-pop gem "Jet Fighter" and more ambitious psychedelic-tinged "As Real As Real" were delivered with the same might as when I caught the band 30 or so years ago.

And what an encore! Shortly after finishing up their breathtaking hour-long set with the fan favorite "With a Cantaloupe Girlfriend," the band came back on stage joined by several musical pals including The Dream Syndicate's Steve Wynn and Bangles guitarist Vicki Peterson. Opening with a shining cover of The Byrds' "Feel A Whole Lot Better," the ensemble of players also performed a fitting tribute to the late Lou Reed via a strong version of The Velvet Underground's "There She Goes Again." The night ended with Peterson taking lead vocals on an especially gripping cover of "Time Will Show The Wiser," (which as Benair explained to me later) was a take on Fairport Convention's version of the The Merry-Go-Round original featured on that L.A. band's 1967 debut.

If you live in Southern California and have never seen the Three O'Clock, make sure to try and catch the special concert at The Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles at 8 p.m. on Friday night, Dec. 6. Read writer George A. Paul's special feature story on the benefit concert, which also will feature The Bangles, Rain Parade and The Dream Syndicate.