Ελληνικά
I love when a friend posts a song on his/her facebook wall and reminds me a record that I have quite some time to listen to. So it was a week ago that I saw on my feedback “You Fool”.
What a song, what an intro…So let’s talk about Patriarch and their “First Hand” EP!
Patriarch’s “First Hand” EP, released in 1983 on the private TED Records label, is a rare and highly regarded four-song record from this Kansas-based band. The EP showcases a style reminiscent of classic Kansas and early Styx, blending pomp rock with strong melodic sensibilities and featuring violin prominently, which adds a distinctive progressive hard rock flavor. To my ears it could easily be a NWOBHM band though as well. Thankfully a couple of years ago Sonic Age Records reprinted it as “First Hand: Second Verse” (also first time in CD) that came with a deluxe slipcase and a 16 page booklet with biography, lyrics, song notes and tons of rare pictures! Limited to 500 copies plus four more songs: “Sentimental Youth”, “ A Wall (A.W.O.L.)”, “Under The Ice” and “ What Used To Be”. (This is the version I own)
The band members—Gregg Anderson (guitar, violin, vocals), Chuck Huels (keyboards, percussion, vocals), Mike Maxwell (guitar, bass, vocals), Jeff Carroll (bass, vocals), and Steve Kuker (drums, vocals)—demonstrated impressive musicianship and songwriting skills. Vocals are similar or close enough to Steve Wals’s of Kansas approaching, and the overall sound is polished and well-produced for an independent release.
The EP contains three energetic rock tracks and one ballad, each capable of fitting seamlessly alongside classic Kansas material, highlighting the band’s major league potential. Despite this, “First Hand” remained their only official release, making original vinyl copies highly collectible and sought after.
The recording was self-produced using their own equipment, reflecting a DIY ethos that resulted in a sound authentic enough to be performed live without overdubs. The band was active locally, sharing stages with notable acts like Shooting Star and Head East, but ultimately disbanded after the EP’s regional success and a near deal with RCA fell through.
Fans and collectors value “First Hand” for its blend of melodic hard rock and progressive elements, its rarity, and the story behind its creation and limited distribution. The band has since considered reissues and reunions, with archival material and remixes planned to preserve their legacy.
In summary, “First Hand” is a gem of early ‘80s Kansas rock and proto metal, combining skilled musicianship, strong songwriting, and a sound that pays homage to but stands distinct from their influences. It remains a prized collectible and a testament to the band’s untapped potential in the American rock scene.
