The Dream Syndicate were founded in 1981 in LA by singer/ songwriter Steve Wynn and Kendra Smith, who were joined by guitarist Karl Precoda and Dennis Duck on drums. Duck came up with the band’s name, a reference to a 1960s New York experimental combo featuring John Cale. They were hailed as part of the Paisley Underground, a loose, slightly spurious coalition of LA new wave bands that also included Green On Red and The Bangles.
“Being part of any movement helps draw attention to any band,” Wynn told Classic Rock in 2014. “Hopefully you outlive the movement. Were we some sixties-style band? Clearly not. But we were able to use that excitement of something new happening.”
