Opal (band)
This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2020) |
Opal | |
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![]() Kendra Smith and David Roback
Photo © Laura Levine | |
Background information | |
Also known as | Clay Allison (1982–1984) |
Origin | , vocals) |
Opal was an American rock band in the 1980s. They were part of the Paisley Underground musical style. The band's name is derived from "Opel", a song by Syd Barrett.[1]
The group formed in the mid-1980s under the name Clay Allison, featuring guitarist
Happy Nightmare Baby, Opal's first full-length album, was released in 1987. Smith left the group during the Happy Nightmare tour after a show in Providence, Rhode Island. Roback continued with vocalist Hope Sandoval, playing shows as Opal and planning an album to be titled Ghost Highway but in 1989 this band became Mazzy Star and Ghost Highway was presumably released as She Hangs Brightly. Kendra Smith released a number of solo singles, EPs, and one album before retiring to the woods of northern California.
On their debut 1990 album The Comforts of Madness UK band Pale Saints included a cover version of the Opal song "Fell from the Sun". The 2020 reissue of that album included a more raw and earlier version of "Fell from the Sun" along with the original cover.
The song "She's a Diamond" was included in the film
David Roback died on February 25, 2020.[2]
Discography
Clay Allison
- "Fell from the Sun"/"All Souls" (7-inch single) (1984)
Kendra Smith / David Roback / Keith Mitchell
- "Fell From The Sun" EP (1984)
Opal
EPs
- Fell from the Sun (1984, Rough Trade (UK))
- Northern Line (1985, One Big Guitar)
Studio albums
- Happy Nightmare Baby (1987, SST (US), Rough Trade (UK))[3]
Compilation albums
- I Am The Fly featuring Opal's version of The Doors song "Indian Summer" (1987, Chemical Imbalance #CI 003) Limited Edition, four band, four song, 7" 45rpm
- "If The Sun Don't Shine" (Adaptation Of Jugband Blues), "Beyond The Wildwood - A Tribute To Syd Barrett" (Imaginary Records, 1987)
- Early Recordings (1989, Rough Trade)[4]
- Early Recordings II (2006)[4]
References
- ^ "Lysergic Garage Party", Spin, vol. 4, no. 12, p. 16, March 1989
- ^ ""Mazzy Star's David Roback Dead at 61". Pitchfork". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
- ^ "Happy Nightmare Baby - Opal | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
- ^ a b "Early Recordings - Opal | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved February 26, 2020.