The Parchment Farm band, a hard rock group from St. Louis, Missouri, has finally seen its recordings released after more than five decades. In 2024, RidingEasy Records issued a self-titled album featuring tracks captured between 1968 and 1973, offering listeners a long-overdue introduction to a group that shared stages with iconic acts but never released a record during their active years.
Named after a song on Blue Cheer’s debut album, Parchment Farm developed a sound that blended hard rock, heavy psych, and progressive rock. Their music has been compared to the grit of early ZZ Top, the edge of The Velvet Underground, and the blues-driven energy of Canned Heat.
The band operated for about five years, from late 1968 through 1973, with several lineup changes. The consistent core featured:
During this period, Parchment Farm was an active force in the Missouri rock scene, opening for major names including ZZ Top, Ted Nugent & The Amboy Dukes, and The Velvet Underground.
The 2024 self-titled album compiles the group’s original material, shedding light on their creativity and energy. For collectors and fans of early heavy rock, it provides a long-missing piece of the Midwest’s underground music history.
Though the band dissolved in 1973, the official release of these recordings has sparked renewed appreciation for their contributions to Missouri’s hard rock legacy. The Parchment Farm band now stands as an example of 1970s underground talent rediscovered decades later, securing their long-deserved place in rock history.
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