The Three O'Clock

Oh those beneficent "B" bands! The Beatles, the Beach Boys, the Byrds. If you feel that rock reached its acme with these acts and it's all been downhill since, rejoice! There's a rich vein of nostalgic pop to be mined in the acts of L.A.'s so-called "Paisley Underground," and the Three O'Clock is where you should start. During the 1980s, they rescued from obscurity the twee harmonies, precious lyrics, and treacly melodies of the '60s. Carrying on rock's escapist legacy with pride, this band was one of an elite few whose roots could be directly traced back to the Association and (another "B" of note) Bread.