Choir Invisible

Choir Invisible tried to revive '60s psychedelia before bands such as R.E.M. and The Church made it fashionable and marketable. Choir Invisible was considered a part of the Paisley Underground, a short-lived movement resurrecting '60s psychedelic rock that included The Dream Syndicate and The Rain Parade. Featuring Thomas Sinclair (guitar, vocals), Scott Laskin (bass, vocals), Danny Benair (drums), Eric Carter (synthesizers, piano), and John Curry (vocals), Choir Invisible released one album, 1981's 'Choir Invisible', and one EP, 1984's 'Sea to Shining Sea', both of which were dominated by ethereal guitars, lush synths, vague lyrics, and British-style vocals. A decade later, English shoegazer bands like Chapterhouse and The Pale Saints would combine similar musical elements, but in the early '80s, Choir Invisible's moody, dreamy pop was greeted with cold shoulders. In 1981, Choir Invisible opened up for Depeche Mode in Pasadena, CA, but the group couldn't generate much interest outside of college radio and they split up; both of their albums fell out of print. Benair eventually became the drummer for The Salvation Army, finding more exposure when that band switched into The Three O'Clock. [SOURCE: ALLMUSIC]