GLACIER: Mach IV

GLACIER Mach IV is the last "official" line-up of the band. By this time the songwriting, musicianship & recording quality of the band was world class. If they had found a permanent lead singer & a financial backer, GLACIER would probably be a household word today (at least among metalheads!).

With Timm & Sam left behind in L.A., Pat & Loren had to start looking for new members. Realizing how difficult finding a vocalist can be, they put out ads for guitarists & bassists.

Lines were forming at Loren's parents' basement door! Mostly, it was neighbors complaining about the noise, but there were a few 6 and 4 string hopefuls... And then there was Mehdi Farjami! The possible reincarnation of Steve Vai (were he dead), with hair Jake E. Lee would die for, Mehdi was the perfect match for the deep freeze duo. It took a little longer, but apparently, Billy Sheehan died & came back as well, because Troy Ketsdever could play lead bass with the best of them. Four-string, five-string, fretless, you name it...if it was bottom-end, Troy was your man.

The search for a vocalist was always going on. At one point Farris Farkus (later w/ Seattle's Heir Apparent) was being considered. Finally, when recording began, a singer named Mark _______ did a great job on the first demo: "Eastern Guns," "Silence Is Golden" and "The Writer's Eye." This demo is a rare collector's item, as the official demo featured re-recorded vocals by Tim Lachman from Gargoyle. The 1988 demo also featured the poignent "Blind Leading the Blind." The arrangements were mature, the musicianship flawless, and the lyrical content was socio-politically relevant.

That tape provided some of the finest heavy metal the NW has ever heard: Black 'N Blue, Bloodgood, Glacier, Queensryche, Rail, and Wild Dogs are all on the same stage in my book. Sure, there's all those grunge bands, but where are they now? So only the 'Ryche remain from my list, but when the history books are written... Okay, maybe Glacier won't get the recognition they deserve, but we know better, don't we?

After searching unsuccessfully for a singer, GLACIER realized that they could not even properly rehearse without one...good friend & advisor Steve Green was happy to help out during practices at the Palace. Eventually, Mach IV were able to play a few gigs at Portland's Starry Night with Steve at the mic! They played primarily songs from the 1988 demo, but also performed some unrecorded classics like "Voice In the Wilderness," Medhi's instrumental, "Journey To Mecca," the Mach III classic, "When Heaven's At Hand," and two new covers: "Linus & Lucy," and Wings' "Jet!"

Most recently, Pat & Mehdi are playing in a new band called Colorfield with David Kendall from Gargoyle (drums), his sister (vocals), and Snoopy on bass! They have a CD available and play the first Thursday night of each month at Starbucks in NW Portland! Their biggest fan is Steve Walsh from Kansas (the greatest band since the Beatles!)! Check out their website at www.colorfieldmusic.com

Mehdi is now a stylist at Za Hair in Portland & gave Scott a drastic new hairstyle last Summer (actually, Mehdi has the drastic new hairstyle)! Loren is playing drums for Christian rockers "x over i" in Portland and just released a CD in May 2002. The band includes vocalist JR from Shocklottery. Scott and his wife Kris have an acoustic duo in Montana that are going into the studio this month to record their first CD. To be continued...

GLACIER Mach III

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