Vinyl Vault - The Untouchables - Tropical Bird

The band gave me this record in 1983, and it truly opened my ears to the diverse, underground music being created outside the mainstream. Running parallel to the LA Paisley Underground, this vibrant scene had room for everyone.

The Untouchables were pioneers of the local mod scene, formed around the ON Club. Their passion for creating and being part of a burgeoning movement drove them forward, even before all the members could play. Meanwhile, in London, guitar-driven bands were being overshadowed by flamboyant synth pop, but in LA, the energy was alive and thriving.

Tropical Bird is the standout track, but the cover features "The General," a local Los Angeles enigma who rode buses all day dressed exactly as depicted. The band was so inspired by him that they wrote a song in his honour!