Introduction & Band History
Welcome to the Queensr˙che Discography! This thread is completely inspired by the one on Iron Maiden started by Mosh --
https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50220.0 -- and will mimic the format and style. Hope you enjoy!
Queensr˙che was originally called "The Mob," and consisted of Chris DeGarmo, Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson, and Scott Rockenfield. The foursome did not have a singer, and enlisted the help of local standout Jeff (later "Geoff") Tate at various parties and "Battle of the Bands" events in the suburbs of Seattle. The group formed in 1981/1982, although the lineup with Tate didn't officially cement until the band was signed to a label in 1983.
They switched from "The Mob" to "Queensr˙che" because "The Mob" was already taken by another band. No one could come up with an alternate name, so DeGarmo had the idea of morphing the song title "Queen of the Reich" to "Queensreich," and adjusting it to "Queensr˙che" to avoid any association with the Nazi party.
Queensr˙che EP (1982/1983)Lineup:
Geoff Tate – Vocals
Chris DeGarmo – Guitar/Vocals
Michael Wilton – Guitar
Eddie Jackson – Bass
Scott Rockenfield – Drums
The Queensryche
EP was first worked on when the band was called “The Mob,” which was known primarily as a NWOBHM covers band in the Seattle suburbs. The four musicians in The Mob went to work on original material, writing "Queen of the Reich," "Nightrider," and "Blinded" entirely, and the music to "The Lady Wore Black."
After saving money at odd jobs, the band, which was without a vocalist (Tate sang with The Mob for fun, but was a member of other bands at the time) was ready to hit the studio in 1982. They asked Tate to sing on the
EP, and he agreed – after a bit of reluctance because he was heavily involved with MYTH (featuring later Queensryche guitarist Kelly Gray).
They recorded the
EP after-hours at Triad Studios. Tate wrote the lyrics to "The Lady Wore Black" in the studio. A little known fact – the whistling in the tune wasn't supposed to be there. Tate was whistling prior to recording it, and had no idea tape was rolling. But the band dug it as an intro so much, they kept it.
The
EP was heavily influenced by NwoBH bands, most specifically, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. The twin lead guitar attack is on full display, without Wilton and DeGarmo's solos highlighting the four songs. People were blown away by Tate's vocal range, particularly the opening note to “Queen of the Reich,” but the idea for that note was borrowed from Deep Purple's Ian Gillan, who did something similar on “Highway Star.”
The artwork for the record, in particular, the beginnings on the tri-ryche (see back cover image of EP, below), are debated among fans. Some claim the tri-ryche was created by Wes Griswold, but others cite Todd Rockenfield, Scott's brother. I happen to believe the former.
The
EP was originally released in summer 1982 on 206 Records, a company started by the band's first managers, Kim and Diana Harris. It originally didn't do anything, until the Harris' sent it overseas to various European metal magazines, and KERRANG profiled it, naming the band “Queensrych” the next big thing. Once that article published, the
EP quickly sold out just through word of mouth, EMI Records came calling in late summer 1983, after the band officially played its first two gigs under the “Queensryche” name in June 1983, opening as a local band for Zebra in both Portland and Seattle. Tate left MYTH once the EMI Records deal was a sure thing, signing on to Queensryche, and the band signed a seven-album deal.
EMI then re-released the
EP in 1983. “Prophecy” was a track conceived of during this time period, but wasn't recorded for the EP initially. It was recorded for the
Decline of Western Civilization soundtrack, but then was recorded again during the Rage for Order sessions, and included on a re-release of the
EP in 1988. A remaster was done and released in 2003.
Touring for the
EP was short, taking place primarily in fall 1983 with Twisted Sister, Quiet Riot, and Dio. The tour consisted of the EP songs, “Prophecy,” and earlier versions of other tunes the band was working up at the time that would later appear on its next record,
The Warning.
1988 re-release of EP back cover to illustrate the early tri-ryche (the original back cover was essentially the same, except without EMI listed, and without "Prophecy." The color was also a little different.):
For more on the history of this era, and the EP, visit
https://anybodylistening.net/1.html and
https://anybodylistening.net/ep.html