Kevin Bronson on April 17th, 2013

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Who: The Three O’Clock in the Gobi Tent
In 3 or Fewer Words: Perfect timing.
Memorable Because: Coachella’s most out-of-left-field reunionists did their mod corner of the 1980s proud, alternately jangling and shredding through 40 minutes of oldies-but-goodies (and finishing up right before 3 o’clock). Cherubic singer-bassist Michael Quercio still sounds like he’s 14, and guitarist-stockbroker Louis Gutierrez played the 12-string Rickenbacker as if he sneaks out of the office every afternoon to practice. With drummer Danny Benair and abetted by The 88’s keyboardist Adam Merrin, the Three O’Clock forged edgy psych-pop that’s not far from the sound adopted by many young indie bands today. (No need to go crate-digging to explore, the Paisley Underground stalwarts have a retrospective on the way.) They did so with a proper sense of humor too. “Back in 1823 when I wrote this song, it appeared on a record called ”˜16 Tambourines,’ ” Quercio quipped, introducing “Stupid Einstein,” which is actually 30 years old this year. All of which not only put a smile of faces of old-schoolers but induced some head-bobbing among the Gobi’s early arrivals for Thee Oh Sees.
What I’d Tell My Friend Who Was at the Airborne Toxic Event: Yes.
– K.B.