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The Parlor Mob - The Troubadour, West Hollywood

The Parlor Mob know how to put on a rock and roll show. That was clear from the moment that the band hit the stage at the Troubadour last night. A crowd of hipsters and indie rock denizens witnessed the young, New Jersey quintet in all their glory. It was exactly what West Hollywood's sleepy scene needed. However, The Parlor Mob transcended any and all scene barriers, which made them utterly refreshing. Kicking off the show with "Hard Times," from their forthcoming Roadrunner Records debut, And You Were a Crow, the band's personal brand of hard rock immediately set the venue ablaze with energy. Guitarists Paul Ritchie and Dave Rosen fired off tasty riffs that emanated blues swagger and hard rock polish. Bassist Nick Villapiano grooved like there was no tomorrow, facing drummer Sam Bey with a smile. The two stayed locked in the entire show, volleying airtight grooves and fiercely headbanging in the process.

At the center, vocalist Mark Melicia belted out each and every note, guiding this display of pure rock prowess. His voice really punched during the raucous "Dead Wrong" and "Carnival of Crows." Each guitar lead came to life as Paul and Dave shredded with master precision. During "The Kids," the bass rumble sent a shockwave through the venue, and the scenester crowd began to wake up to some real rock and roll. The band ended the 30-minute set with the epic "Tide of Tears." The song morphed from a smoky blues ballad into an all-out epic, and by the time Mark hit that last note, jaws had hit the floor. This is the future of rock and roll. Hop on this train now, or stay in its dust.

—Rick Florino
03.07.08