Song of the Day (Shocktober): Opal “Happy Nightmare Baby”

Some time in the late 80’s I saw a record at my local shop (Wax ‘n Facts in Atlanta) with a title that caught my eye, “Happy Nightmare Baby” by the band Opal. It was a used copy so I took a chance on it and threw down my hard earned $4. At the time I wasn’t really into “goth” bands and this record had all the signs of being a goth album but as soon as I played it I fell in love with it. Yes its got it goth elements but its also got glam and even country elements to it.

Opal was formed from parts of two influential bands from LA’s Paisley Underground scene in the early 80’s the Rain Parade and The Dream Syndicate. Bass player and singer Kendra Smith left the band after one album and Opal morphed into Mazzy Star with new singer Hope Sandoval (who also featured in this month’s Shocktober selections). Smith put out two more records and then basically disappeared off the musical map in 1995.

The entire Opal album is wonderful (and really needs to be reissued) but I picked the title track to showcase here.