SPAZ reviews The Hidden World Revealed by THE THREE O'CLOCK!

THE THREE O'CLOCK

THE HIDDEN WORLD REVEALED

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     Although they were adored during their heyday in the '80s, The Three O'clock have been criminally overlooked by many critics and music fans since their demise at the tail end of that decade.  While still hailed as heroes in their hometown of Los Angeles, the rest of the world focused on bigger names when it came to programming their flashback playlists.  But while a handful of other '80s bands were continually being overplayed on satellite and internet radio stations, The Three O'clock were quietly being reappraised by a new generation of fans.  The  quality of their earlier recordings for the Frontier Records label still sounded fresh and invigorating, unlike many of their over-produced, keyboard-heavy contemporaries.  When the band announced a short reunion tour bookended by appearances at Coachella in April, 2013, interest in the band finally came to the surface. At that point, it was obvious to everyone that the band had a devoted and dedicated fanbase and that they had left their mark indelibly stamped upon the hearts of a legion of followers.  Finally, The Three O'clock were getting the recognition (again) that they have so rightly deserved for three decades.  

     While their albums for IRS and Paisley Park/Warner Brothers have long been deleted, Frontier Records has kept the band in print with a CD containing their first EP (Baroque Hoedown) and debut full length (Sixteen Tambourines) on one disc as well as Happen Happened, a CD containing their pre-Three O'clock recordings (as The Salvation Army but later reissued under the band name Befour Three O'clock). While the band's reunion was short-lived, there remains the possibility that there could be more activity in the future.  

     While we wait patiently for the slightest chance of hearing new music, Omnivore Records has released The Hidden World Revealed, an excellent collection that serves as both a reminder and an introduction to the glorious sounds of The Three O'clock. Chock full of hits and rarities, The Hidden World Revealed is an absolutely splendid look at a band completely out of time yet utterly timeless.  As leaders of The Paisley Undergound movement of the early '80s, the band mixed  a love of '60s Pop, Psychedelia, Mod, Folk Rock and Bubblegum into something that was uniquely their own.  When you heard The Three O'clock, you knew it was The Three O'clock!  

     Spanning the years 1981-86, this collection focuses on the original quartet of Michael Quercio (bass/lead vocals), Louis Gutierrez (guitar), Danny Benair (drums) and Mike Mariano (keyboards), the four young gents who created their most beloved recordings.  Yes, there are a few tracks that feature earlier and later members of the band, but most everyone will agree that Quercio/Gutierrez/Benair/Mariano are the four crucial elements that created the band's sound.  While their inspirations can be felt and heard in their music, I can't help but think that this is kind of what The Monkees would have sounded like if they had recorded their album The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees on their own the same way they recorded the album Headquarters (ie: with no help from outside musicians). Well, maybe add a little more  Psych Pop to the mix, too! And that is a compliment of the highest order.  I think its even fair to say that these songs sound better now than they did some 30 years ago.

     The previously released recordings from their Frontier Records days are absolutely flawless.  Highpoints include "Jet Fighter", 'Stupid Einstein", "With A Cantaloupe Girlfriend" and others.  Of the previously unreleased alternate takes, demos, rarities and oddities, there are some delicious moments including a demo of "The Girl With The Guitar (Says Oh Yeah)", "All In Good Time", alternate versions of "I Go Wild", "A Day In Erotica" and "When Lightning Starts" and so much more.  Sure, there are one or two tracks that I've yet to connect with, but those are certainly in the minority here. 

     The Hidden World Revealed is a must have for anyone with a taste for Power Pop, Mod, Psychedelia, and New Wave. Oh, and if you like The Byrds, The Beatles and The Monkees, then give them a spin.  But when I say spin, I mean BUY the damn thing! Now, let's hope for some more Three O'clock treats in the future!

     For further reading, check out THIS link for my exclusive Q&A with Danny Benair!

Peace, love and pancakes,
Stephen SPAZ Schnee

  

An EXCLUSIVE Interview with Danny Benair of THE THREE O'CLOCK!

Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?

The Return of 

THE THREE O'CLOCK!

An EXCLUSIVE Q&A With Danny Benair

     The L.A.music scene in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s was one of the most exciting in the country.  While the press may have focused a little more on the thriving New Yorkscene, Los Angeleswas every much it’s equal. Apart from an abundance of pioneering Punk acts, L.A. was the a breeding ground for Power Pop, Post Punk, New Wave and Metal bands as well.  There was always something exciting happening every night of the week. Bands like The Knack, X, The Plimsouls, The Go-Gos, Black Flag, 20/20, The Minutemen, Van Halen, The Germs, The Bangles and others helped to introduce a new generation to the energy and excitement that burned in the belly of the City of Angels. 

       In the midst of this ever-evolving musical movement, scenes and styles began to converge, creating entirely unique genres.  One of the most influential of these ‘new’ genres was The Paisley Underground. Combining elements of ‘60s Mod, Garage, Folk Rock and Psychedelia, The PaisleyUnderground was spearheaded by band like The Three O’clock, Rain Parade, Green On Red, The Dream Syndicate and The Bangles.  At first, the bands simply shared a musical vision, but once Three O’clock vocalist Michael Quercio coined the term Paisley Underground to describe this group of like-minded musicians, it became one of the most talked about movements of the early ‘80s.

     While The Bangles may have been the biggest band to emerge from the scene, The Three O’clock remained Its heart and soul.  Beginning life as The Salvation Army, they changed their name to The Three O’clock in 1982. The quartet of Quercio (vocals/bass), Louis Gutierrez (guitar/vocals), Danny Benair (drums) and Mike Mariano (keyboards) released their debut EP, Baroque Hoedown, on Frontier Records later that year.  The EP earned the band critical praise while the track “With A Cantaloupe Girlfriend” received heavy rotation on KROQ, Southern California’s most influential radio station.

     The following year, the band released their debut full-length, Sixteen Tambourines (also on Frontier Records), which contained the national college/Alternative radio hit “Jet Fighter”. With their profile higher than ever, the band split from Frontier and signed with IRS Records. Their next album, Arrive Without Traveling (1985) contained the unforgettable radio hits “Her Head’s Revolving” and “Half The Way There”.  The sky was the limit for The Three O’clock…

     But by 1986, Gutierrez was gone, replaced by Steven Attenberg for 1986’s Ever After album.  Two years later, Attenberg jumped ship and Jason Falknerstepped in as guitarist.  The band signed with Prince’s Paisley Parklabel and released the Vermillion album in 1988, but had already lost their commercial steam and split up the following year.

     While each of the band members achieved their own personal successes since they split, fans continued to hold out hope for a reunion.  Unfortunately, the band repeatedly turned down offers to perform together again.  That is, until 2013 when they surprised their legion of fans by playing both weekends of the Coachella festival, appearing on live on Conan (see bottom of post) as well as selected dates in Pomona, L.A. and San Francisco.  While the reunion was brief, there have been rumors of further activity under the Three O’clock name.

     Coincidentally, Omnivore Records have just released a compilation of early hits and rare recordings by the band entitled The Hidden World Revealed.  According to the press release, The Hidden World Revealed is ‘a 20-track collection from the years 1981-1986. In addition to hits from their tenure on Frontier Records like “Jet Fighter” and “With A Cantaloupe Girlfriend,” the CD features rare singles, demos and alternate takes/mixes. It helps tell the story of where the band started (as The Salvation Army) and what they would achieve—recording for major labels and opening for bands like R.E.M. on national tours.’

     Stephen SPAZ Schnee was able to catch up with drummer Danny Benair, who took time out of his busy schedule to answer questions about this new compilation and the past, present and future of the band…

SPAZ: How did you decide on which songs would make The Hidden World Revealed?

DANNY BENAIR: It was a project I have worked on for about 10 years.  Pat Thomas at Omnivore picked tracks and we stuck to studio recordings and left off live songs.

SPAZ: You all came from different musical backgrounds.  At which point did you know that the four members finally clicked?

DANNY: It worked right away for me. We all brought something different to the band.

SPAZ:  Are there a good amount of unreleased songs in the TOC vaults?

DANNY: There are more. We have many demos and tracks left off the IRS and Paisley Park records.

SPAZ: Do you remember the sessions for a lot of these recordings. 

DANNY: Pretty much. Recording at Earle Mankey’s, where most of this was recorded, was special to all involved.

SPAZ: There were radio hits like “Jet Fighter” and “With A Cantaloupe Girlfriend” that have become longtime favorites for fans.  Were you sometimes perplexed by what songs became your ‘anthems’ and which songs were generally overlooked?

DANNY: It is hard to know what someone will like. We remember playing “Jet Fighter” in San Diegoright after we learned it and we were excited. It had a very tepid response...

SPAZ: What are some of the tracks that you think might surprise people?

DANNY: There are songs that will give fans an idea of how the songs were crafted. Different lyrics, etc.

SPAZ:  Thirty years on, this stuff still sounds fresh & exciting. Why do you think that this material has stood the test of time?

DANNY: Thank you! Not sure why but we’re glad that people like it. We are always pleased to see young kids enjoying it!

SPAZ: What was it like working with Frontier Records back when many of these recordings were made?  That must have been an exciting time in the indie label world.

DANNY: Very much so!  We were on the go non-stop, playing and touring all the time. Excellent times!

SPAZ: What was the TOC’s relationship with other L.A. bands like during your time together? Particularly, bands outside of the ‘Paisley Underground’ scene…  Were there any bands you got along with more than others?

DANNY: We did not play with that many but we seemed to get along with most bands. We never really had issues with other local groups.

SPAZ: Can we expect to see some more Three O’clock reissues in the future (particularly the albums that are out of print)?

DANNY: There will be more...

  

SPAZ: You recently got back together for some reunion shows.  How was the experience of playing Coachella?

DANNY: It was really nice. The whole month was amazing and overwhelming.

SPAZ: Are you surprised by the amount of excitement your mini reunion tour generated?

DANNY: Yes.

SPAZ: Any chance you’ll be doing more shows when this new retrospective hits the streets?

DANNY: We hope to do more down the line.  We all have careers so it comes down to making it work but it is not out of the question. (EDITORS NOTE: The band played in store performances at Freakbeat Records in Sherman Oaks and Fingerprintsin Long Beachto promote the release of The Hidden World Revealed)

SPAZ:  Are there any plans to reactivate the Three O’clock in the future?

DANNY: Never full time… but maybe a bit.

SPAZ: What is next for The Three O’clock?

DANNY: Release the record and work on something special that will be announced in a few months.

SPAZ: What CDs, DVDs or LPs are currently spinning on your players right now?

DANNY: Foxygen and Reg King to name two…

Thanks To Danny Benair

Special thanks to Bob Bell for input

 THE THREE O’CLOCK

THE HIDDEN WORLD REVEALED

6.25.13

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