Father may explode (3)
I believe the answer is:
pop
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'father' is the first definition.
(I know that father can be written as pop)
'explode' is the second definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'may' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for pop that I've seen before include "Sound of a drawn cork" , "Soft drink - father - music - light explosion" , "US fizzy drink and type of music" , "'American Dad'!" , "Youthful music for dad?" .)