Our Story
Okay, here we go! In 1981 the band Patriarch was formed in Lawrence, Kansas. Patriarch is Gregg Anderson; guitar, violin, vocals. Jeff Carroll; bass, vocals. Chuck Huels; keyboards, vocals. Steve Kuker; drums, vocals. Mike Maxwell; guitar, vocals. Jay Waller; sound, lights, stage, production, management, StagePro. Ed Huels; stage manager, monitors, technical support.
The band immediately focused on writing epic and meticulous progressive rock original music. Their sound is amazing and includes full keyboards, a hot rhythm section of drums and bass, two power guitars with tasteful solos, a world-class violinist, and features big-time vocals; all of the guys can sing, their melodies and power block vocal harmonies are impressive.
For years, Patriarch practiced at least 3 nights per week, for 3-5 hours per night, played most weekends performing locally and regionally, and did a lot of recording. Their first EP was recorded in 1983 at Studio West in Olathe, Kansas. The band formed a record label called T.E.D. Records, in honor of Ted Maxwell (Mike’s father) who loaned the band the funds to produce their first record. Today the EP “Patriarch, First Hand” is selling all over the world for $200-$500 each! The band shopped their original music to record labels in New York but at the time, the labels were more interested in the English sound from across the pond and Patriarch was declined. The following year, the guys traveled to California to shop their music to major labels in Los Angeles. The west coast labels were much more receptive to the progressive rock sound of Patriarch. The band had interest from RCA and Atlantic records. Ultimately, Atlantic Records was very interested in the band, but Patriarch was not signed.
The guys had to make the difficult decision to set a date and if they were not signed by that date, they agreed to move on with their lives. The band did not get signed and went their separate ways in 1987 to pursue careers, continued education, and raise their families. They have stayed in touch over the years and have seen each other in person on occasion. However, for 27 years, they had not all been in the same room together… until 2014.
The flame never died for Patriarch. The guys all live in different cities and states now, so they haven’t been able to practice together until 2014, with the discovery of new technology that creates a virtual studio where all of the guys are connected through the Internet. They had always been interested in doing a reunion concert and writing new material. Patriarch was fortunate enough to be able to perform a reunion concert on March 13th, 2014 at The Uptown Theater in Kansas City, Missouri. Their reunion and concert was filmed and a documentary called “Getting the Band Back Together” was produced and is available on YouTube. The documentary and reunion concert were sponsored by Google Fiber.
Patriarch's original studio recordings as well as the live tracks from the Uptown Theater are now available to the public. Video footage of the entire reunion concert “Patriarch: Live at The Uptown Theater” is also be available on YouTube. Patriarch is back! The guys are now practicing together again, writing new material, and performing concerts as the headline or pre-act. What does the future hold for Patriarch? STAY TUNED!! For more information about Patriarch, request for interviews, booking the band, etc please email: PatriarchInfo@gmail.com. When commenting about Patriarch on social media please attach: #rockonpatriarch
The band immediately focused on writing epic and meticulous progressive rock original music. Their sound is amazing and includes full keyboards, a hot rhythm section of drums and bass, two power guitars with tasteful solos, a world-class violinist, and features big-time vocals; all of the guys can sing, their melodies and power block vocal harmonies are impressive.
For years, Patriarch practiced at least 3 nights per week, for 3-5 hours per night, played most weekends performing locally and regionally, and did a lot of recording. Their first EP was recorded in 1983 at Studio West in Olathe, Kansas. The band formed a record label called T.E.D. Records, in honor of Ted Maxwell (Mike’s father) who loaned the band the funds to produce their first record. Today the EP “Patriarch, First Hand” is selling all over the world for $200-$500 each! The band shopped their original music to record labels in New York but at the time, the labels were more interested in the English sound from across the pond and Patriarch was declined. The following year, the guys traveled to California to shop their music to major labels in Los Angeles. The west coast labels were much more receptive to the progressive rock sound of Patriarch. The band had interest from RCA and Atlantic records. Ultimately, Atlantic Records was very interested in the band, but Patriarch was not signed.
The guys had to make the difficult decision to set a date and if they were not signed by that date, they agreed to move on with their lives. The band did not get signed and went their separate ways in 1987 to pursue careers, continued education, and raise their families. They have stayed in touch over the years and have seen each other in person on occasion. However, for 27 years, they had not all been in the same room together… until 2014.
The flame never died for Patriarch. The guys all live in different cities and states now, so they haven’t been able to practice together until 2014, with the discovery of new technology that creates a virtual studio where all of the guys are connected through the Internet. They had always been interested in doing a reunion concert and writing new material. Patriarch was fortunate enough to be able to perform a reunion concert on March 13th, 2014 at The Uptown Theater in Kansas City, Missouri. Their reunion and concert was filmed and a documentary called “Getting the Band Back Together” was produced and is available on YouTube. The documentary and reunion concert were sponsored by Google Fiber.
Patriarch's original studio recordings as well as the live tracks from the Uptown Theater are now available to the public. Video footage of the entire reunion concert “Patriarch: Live at The Uptown Theater” is also be available on YouTube. Patriarch is back! The guys are now practicing together again, writing new material, and performing concerts as the headline or pre-act. What does the future hold for Patriarch? STAY TUNED!! For more information about Patriarch, request for interviews, booking the band, etc please email: PatriarchInfo@gmail.com. When commenting about Patriarch on social media please attach: #rockonpatriarch
.jpg)