The Sound of Paisley Underground

"The Sound of Paisley Underground" collects tracks that trace the jangly guitars, fuzzed-out tones, and psychedelic grooves of the Los Angeles-based movement that gained underground prominence in the 1980s. Rain Parade, The Dream Syndicate, Green On Red, and The Long Ryders anchor the playlist with early staples that blend 60s psych-rock with garage and folk influences. These core acts are joined by kindred spirits like The Three O’Clock and True West, offering a fuller picture of the era’s swirling, reverberated aesthetic.

Beyond the movement’s original wave, the playlist extends into side projects, collaborators, and artists who carried the torch forward. Steve Wynn, Dan Stuart, and Russ Tolman reappear in various forms, alongside tracks from Game Theory, The Windbreakers, and The Bangles, whose polished take on the sound found broader success. The result is a laid-back but comprehensive listen that reflects the genre’s faded colors, textured storytelling, and layered guitar work, while nodding toward the deeper roots and branches of this uniquely American scene.