Paisley Underground - Definition and Overview

The paisley underground is a rock music genre, based in Los Angeles, which was at its most popular in the mid 1980s. The wider movement, of which paisley underground is a part, is named jangle pop after the ringing, light guitar sounds featured.

Bands considered to be part of the paisley underground incorporated the psychedelia and other aspects of 1960s music into a folk style (with a particular debt to The Byrds) to produce a melodic, spacey tone.

By far the most popular band to emerge from the scene were The Bangles who have had massive mainstream success.

Penny Feathers on La Cienega was a popular meeting point for paisley people.

By the end of the 1980s the movement had passed from public consciousness. However, later acts Mercury Rev and Grandaddy have acknowledged its influence.

Notable paisley underground bands

• The Bangles
• Dream Syndicate
• The Eyes of Mind
• Green On Red
• Rain Parade
• Salvation Army
• The Three O'Clock
• Game Theory

Southern California venues where bands played

• Radio City in Anaheim
• Circle City at the Orange Traffic Circle
• The Palace in Hollywood
• The Cookoo's Nest Newport Beach
• The Bullet at The Lhasa Club - Hollywood /Studio City