THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Over the course of about five years beginning in late 1968, a number of eastern Missouri musicians (including several named Mike) rocked area clubs and festivals with a mix of cover and heavy original songs in the band Parchment Farm. The band’s name — a misspelling of Parchman Farm, the location of the infamous Mississippi State Penitentiary — came directly from a song on Blue Cheer’s debut LP Vincebus Eruptum. Here is the band’s story:
Parchment Farm 1.0
According to Mike Watermann, original drummer for Parchment Farm, their first gig was in late 1968. Parchment Farm 1.0 opened for Sons of Champlin in August and/or November of 1969 at The Rainy Daze Club; Brian Auger & Trinity on July 7, 1970 at The Rainy Daze Club; and played with another local band, Burlington Route, at same venue in January 1970.
Parchment Farm 2.0
In early 1971, Mike Dulany became the band’s drummer. They were now a trio. The development of original songs ramped up and they began recording. Parchment Farm 2.0 opened for ZZ Top on July 29, 1972 at the Airway Drive-In Theater in St. Louis; Ted Nugent & The Amboy Dukes on Oct. 14, 1971 at the Shrine Mosque in Springfield, and again on Jan 29, 1972 at the Columbia National Guard; and The Velvet Underground and Brownsville Station on Aug. 29, 1971 at Fun Valley Lake in Pacific, MO.
Parchment Farm 3.0
Sometime in late 1972, Mike Lusher became the drummer and the band added keyboardist Cliff King. They expanded the repertoire with songs by The Moody Blues, Yes, etc. At some point after February, 1973, Cliff left and was replaced by Mike “Scotty” Scott, a young Keith Emerson follower who owned a Moog and played the flute. Parchment Farm 3.0 opened for Canned Heat, The Hollies and Rare Earth on May 27, 1973 in Evansville, Indiana; and REO Speedwagon on Aug. 18, 1973 at the Rollins Music Festival near Villa Ridge, MO. Parchment Farm disbanded in late 1973.”
