Matt Piucci and Steven Roback have been writing songs together since 1981, and are co-founders, along with David Roback, of Rain Parade. Their debut album, Emergency Third Rail Power Trip, released by Enigma Records in the US and Demon Records in the UK in 1983, is internationally recognized as a masterpiece. Jim DeRogatis, Chicago rock critic notes that their debut LP is “…among the best psychedelic LPs of any era.”
The follow up EP, Explosions In The Glass Palace (Enigma US; Demon UK 1984), recorded after David Roback left the band, garnered the same high praise, and its reputation has been steadily increasing ever since. Sid Griffin, author and leader of The Long Ryders has said: “We were in the Paisley Underground with Rain Parade back in the 1980s… 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 whomever.”
Noted as an influence by the likes of My Bloody Valentine, Ride, The Stone Roses, Primal Scream, Teenage Fanclub, The Asteroid # 4, and The UK Charlatans, among many others, Rain Parade creates truly timeless music.
Rain Parade has just released a new LP Last Rays of a Dying Sun on Label 51 Recordings, garnering high praise. Writer Mark Deming has said “this is a 21st Century version of the their trademark approach, with the nocturnal melodies, the thoughtful interplay of the guitars, the starry-eyed vocals and expert harmonies, and the gently insistent rhythms coming together with the same impact they summoned in their salad days.”
In addition to Piucci and Roback, 'Last Rays', produced by Jim Hill, features long-time Rain Parade guitarist John Thoman, guitarist Derek See (The Gentle Cycle, Chocolate Watch Band, Dean & Britta), drummer and percussionist Stephan Junca (Billy Talbot Band, Jon Anderson, The Hellenes, boatclub).