The Three O'Clock (May 24, 1988) Vermillion - Album

Paisley Park’s Psychedelic Power Pop Gem — Featuring Prince’s “Neon Telephone”

RELEASE DETAILS

Date: May 24, 1988

Catalogue: 9 25717-1 (LP) / 9 25717-2 (CD)

Format: LP, CD, Cassette

Country: United States

Label: Paisley Park Records / Warner Bros.

THE STORY

Vermillion was the only album released by Los Angeles band The Three O'Clock on Prince’s Paisley Park Records. Blending jangly psychedelic pop with 1980s production, the album captured the band’s signature sound while receiving Prince’s direct support. The standout track “Neon Telephone” was written by Prince (under the pseudonym Joey Coco) in 1985 and features Wendy & Lisa on background vocals. Prince also offered several other songs to the band, but only “Neon Telephone” made the final cut.

CONTEXT & NOTES

This release marked a notable collaboration between the Paisley Park camp and the Paisley Underground scene. The album was recorded at American Recording in Woodland Hills, California, and mixed at various studios. While it did not chart significantly, Vermillion remains a cult favourite among fans of 1980s psychedelic pop and Prince-related releases.

TRACK LIST

Side 1

1. Vermillion

2. Love Explosion

3. To Be Where You Are

4. When She Becomes My Girl

5. World On Fire

6. Neon Telephone (3:56) – Written by Prince (as Joey Coco)

Side 2

1. On Paper

2. Ways Of Magic

3. Time’s Going Slower

4. Love Has No Heart

5. Through The Sleepy Town

PERSONNEL

• Michael Quercio – lead vocals, bass guitar

• Mike Mariano – keyboards

• Danny Benair – drums

• Jason Falkner – guitar

• Wendy Melvoin & Lisa Coleman – background vocals (on Neon Telephone)

Production

• Ian Ritchie – producer

• Chris Sheldon – engineer

• Ken Perry – mastering

PACKAGING HIGHLIGHTS

• Front cover: Classic 1980s band portrait of Michael Quercio and the band against a vibrant blue background

• Back cover: Full tracklist with artistic text layout

• Inner sleeve / insert: Detailed credits with gear illustrations and thank-yous (including special thanks to Prince)

WHAT THE LABEL / SLEEVE SHOWS 

Striking blue cover photography with bold typography. Inner gatefold/insert features a detailed gear-and-clock design with full credits and thanks to Prince and the Paisley Park team.

RELATED MATERIAL

• Neon Telephone (Single, July 1988)

• Lovesexy (Prince, 1988)

• Alphabet St. (Prince, April 1988)

For other relevant posts, see the tags at the foot of the page.

SOURCES Prince Vault • Discogs • Paisley Park release documentation

COPYRIGHT NOTICE All album artwork, photographs, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.

Inner Sleeve / Insert Detailed credits featuring a distinctive black-and-white silhouette photograph of three figures, including Prince wearing a hat, raising his arm. The design incorporates gear-and-clock motifs with full production notes and thank-yous (including special thanks to Prince).

SINGLES

• The Three O'Clock - Paintbox (Special Edition 7") A: In Love In Too B: Lucifer Sam Label: Paintbox USA LSD-2 (1983)

• The Three O'Clock - Love Explosion (Promo Only 7") A: Love Explosion B: Love Explosion Label: Paisley Park USA 7-27864 (1988)

• The Three O'Clock - Love Explosion (7") A: Love Explosion B: Time's Going Slower Label: Paisley Park USA 7-27864 (1988)

• The Three O'Clock - Neon Telephone (7") A: Neon Telephone B: To Be Where You Are Label: Paisley Park USA 7-27733 (July 1988)

• The Three O'Clock - Neon Telephone (Promo Only 7") A: Neon Telephone B: Neon Telephone Label: Paisley Park USA 7-27733 (July 1988)