The Three O’Clock
Good Morning!
Today we’re listening to “Jet Fighter” by The Three O’Clock
In the early 80s, The Three O’Clock were part of California's “Paisley Underground” sub-scene, along with bands like Game Theory, Dream Syndicate, and The Bangles.
Originally called The Salvation Army, the band signed with Frontier and released a self-titled LP in 1982. It took a few months, but they eventually ran into legal/copyright trouble with their name. You’d think they’d have seen that coming, even with the smog in LA, but here we are.
They then changed their name to Befour Three O’Clock (heh) and re-released the first record as an s/t under the new name.
Common sense prevailed, and a 3rd name change- this time to just The Three O’Clock- stuck. The second record released under this name was 1983’s Sixteen Tambourines. Lead-off single “Jet Fighter” was hot on college radio. Singer Michael Quercio’s near-falsetto soars
, carried aloft on some light guitar and synth sounds and, of course, a rousing chorus.This record didn’t land with everyone at the time, with some finding the sound genius and others only tolerating the band in limited doses. But to my ear, it sounds as good now as it did then.
On Repeat is entirely funded by readers and made possible by paid subscribers. To support this work, click the button below and get a world of music right to your inbox three times a week.
More:
Sixteen Tambourines is even better — an incredible full-length collection of chiming, memorable power pop tunes played and sung as if each track were likely to get played on every radio station coast-to-coast. Slick and inventive production by Earle Mankey delivers the songs (most co-written by guitarist Louis Gutierrez and bassist Michael Quercio) in utterly engaging style.
Read the rest of what the Trouser Press had to say about the band here.
Listen:
“Jet Fighter” by The Three O’Clock| Sixteen Tambourines, 1983
Click the record to listen on your platform of choice.
As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this track!
Thanks for being here,
Kevin—
P.S. Lively up your inbox! Every day The Sample forwards you a newsletter to discover. The more you use it, the better it gets at delivering what you want.
In real life, I’ve worked in aviation for almost 30 years. Working in some flying terms was only a matter of time. It won’t become a habit.
"Befour Three..."
Won't lie, I had a chuckle.
Pretty cool band and track, Kevin! I'm trying to figure out how they escaped my radar (my lone aviation reference....you're welcome!). My first reaction to "Jet Fighter" was that it had a vaguely Sparks-ian sound, with Quercio's vocals sounding like Russell Mael (now HIS is a stratospheric falsetto!!), the organ figures sounding Ron Mael-ish, and the occasional martial-like drum breaks are straight outta "A Woofer in Tweeter's Clothing"-era Sparks.
Then, I noticed Earle Mankey produced! Well, there ya go! Mankey, (guitarist on Sparks' first 2 albums) has an impossibly cool production resume (while coming nowhere close to Todd Rundgren's prodigious production list, it could be argued Earle's is cooler)! Plus, he's worked with the Beach Boys!
And, doing a quick peek into Quercio uncovers a fascinating lad worth, IMO, a deeper dig. Another observation: As clumsy as they have been in band names (c'mon, "Salvation Army"? What stopped them from naming themselves "St. Jude Children's Research Hospital"?!?), they seem to excel in graphic design, with brilliantly evocative and realized jacket art for what I'm guessing is the single sleeve for "Jet Fighter." Holy 1968, Batman!
Thanks again, Kevin, for turning the spotlight onto a band I think I like, that I had no idea existed, and am excited to peek more into their output!🎼🎶🎵🎸😁👍