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Opal (band)

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Opal
Kendra Smith and David Roback Photo © Laura Levine
Kendra Smith and David Roback Photo © Laura Levine
Background information
Also known asClay Allison (1982–1984)
OriginLos Angeles, California, United States
GenresNeo-psychedelia, psychedelic rock
Years activec. 1983–1989
LabelsSST, Rough Trade (UK),
Past membersDavid Roback (guitar)
Kendra Smith (vocals, bass)
Keith Mitchell (drums)
Juan Gómez (bass)
Suki Ewers (organ, vocals)
William Cooper
Aaron Sherer

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 David Roback (previously of Rain Parade), bassist Kendra Smith (from Dream Syndicate) and drummer Keith Mitchell. After one single, they released the remaining Clay Allison tracks under the band's new name, Opal, on the 1984 Fell from the Sun EP. Another EP, Northern Line, followed in 1985. These EPs were later compiled and released as Early Recordings

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.

The song "She's a Diamond" was included in the film Boys Don't Cry but was not included on the CD release of the film soundtrack.

David Roback died on February 25, 2020.[2]

Discography

Clay Allison

  • "Fell from the Sun"/"All Souls" (7" single) (1984)

Opal

EPs

  • Fell from the Sun (1984, Rough Trade (UK))
  • Northern Line (1985, One Big Guitar)

Studio albums

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
  • Early Recordings (1989, Rough Trade)[4]
  • Early Recordings II (2006)[4]

References

  1. ^ "Lysergic Garage Party", Spin, vol. 4, no. 12, p. 16, March 1989
  2. ^ ""Mazzy Star's David Roback Dead at 61". Pitchfork". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved February 26, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ "Happy Nightmare Baby - Opal | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Early Recordings - Opal | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
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