David Roback
Encyclopedia
David Roback is a guitarist and songwriter best known as a member of the duo Mazzy Star
.
Roback grew up in Los Angeles and attended Palisades High School, graduating in 1975. He was a classmate and neighbor of John Hoffs, the brother of Susanna Hoffs
, who would eventually become the lead singer of the all-girl band The Bangles
. He and his brother Stephen Roback, a bass guitarist, formed a band called the Unconscious, which also included Susanna Hoffs.
Roback was active in the Paisley Underground
music scene in L.A. in the early-to-mid 1980s as the leader of the band Rain Parade
which was immensely popular on the L.A. club circuit. Shortly after the release of the band's first album Emergency Third Rail Power Trip, in 1983, Roback left Rain Parade to join Rainy Day
, a collaborative effort with a number of L.A. musicians in the Paisley Underground. After releasing their self-titled album, Roback formed Opal
(which was initially called Clay Allison
), with vocalist/bassist Kendra Smith
, formerly of The Dream Syndicate. After one EP and one full length album Kendra Smith was replaced by Hope Sandoval
but this lineup never released an album as Opal. David changed the name of the band to Mazzy Star
in 1989
.
Roback wrote and produced the songs which actress Maggie Cheung
sang in the 2004 movie Clean
. He also played the role of himself in the film.
Mazzy Star
Mazzy Star is an American alternative rock band formed in Santa Monica, California, in 1989 from the group Opal, a collaboration of guitarist David Roback and bassist Kendra Smith...
.
Roback grew up in Los Angeles and attended Palisades High School, graduating in 1975. He was a classmate and neighbor of John Hoffs, the brother of Susanna Hoffs
Susanna Hoffs
Susanna Lee Hoffs is an American vocalist, guitarist and actress. She is best known as a member of the all-female pop band The Bangles.-Early life:...
, who would eventually become the lead singer of the all-girl band The Bangles
The Bangles
The Bangles are an American all-female band that originated in the early 1980s, scoring several hit singles during the decade.-Formation and early years :...
. He and his brother Stephen Roback, a bass guitarist, formed a band called the Unconscious, which also included Susanna Hoffs.
Roback was active in the Paisley Underground
Paisley Underground
Paisley Underground is an early genre of alternative rock, based primarily in Los Angeles, California, which was at its most popular in the mid-1980s.- History :...
music scene in L.A. in the early-to-mid 1980s as the leader of the band Rain Parade
Rain Parade
The Rain Parade was a band active in the Paisley Underground scene in Los Angeles in the 1980s.-History:The band was founded by college roommates Matt Piucci and David Roback in 1981, originally as The Moving Sidewalks. David's brother Steven Roback joined the band shortly thereafter...
which was immensely popular on the L.A. club circuit. Shortly after the release of the band's first album Emergency Third Rail Power Trip, in 1983, Roback left Rain Parade to join Rainy Day
Rainy Day
Rainy Day may refer to:*Rainy Day , a Paisley Underground band from the 1980s containing an all-star line-up of members from four other bands in the same sub-genre*Rainy Day , a painting by Gustave Caillebotte...
, a collaborative effort with a number of L.A. musicians in the Paisley Underground. After releasing their self-titled album, Roback formed Opal
Opal (band)
Opal were an American alternative/psychedelic band in the 1980s. They were part of the Paisley Underground musical style.The group formed in the mid-'80s under the name Clay Allison, featuring guitarist David Roback , bassist Kendra Smith and drummer Keith Mitchell...
(which was initially called Clay Allison
Clay Allison
Clay Allison was a Texas cattle rancher and gunfighter. He is one of the best known historic figures of the American Old West.-Early life:...
), with vocalist/bassist Kendra Smith
Kendra Smith
Kendra Smith is an American musician who was a founding member of Dream Syndicate, a member of Opal, and later recorded as a solo artist.-Biography:...
, formerly of The Dream Syndicate. After one EP and one full length album Kendra Smith was replaced by Hope Sandoval
Hope Sandoval
Hope Sandoval is an American singer-songwriter who is the lead singer for Mazzy Star and Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions....
but this lineup never released an album as Opal. David changed the name of the band to Mazzy Star
Mazzy Star
Mazzy Star is an American alternative rock band formed in Santa Monica, California, in 1989 from the group Opal, a collaboration of guitarist David Roback and bassist Kendra Smith...
in 1989
1989 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1989.-Events:*January 14 – Paul McCartney releases Снова в СССР exclusively in the USSR...
.
Roback wrote and produced the songs which actress Maggie Cheung
Maggie Cheung
Maggie Cheung Man yuk is a Chinese actress from Hong Kong. Raised in England and Hong Kong, she has over 70 films to her credit since starting her career in 1983...
sang in the 2004 movie Clean
Clean (film)
Clean is a 2004 film directed by French director Olivier Assayas, starring Nick Nolte and Maggie Cheung. It was jointly funded by Canada, France, and United Kingdom sources.-Plot:...
. He also played the role of himself in the film.