The Parlor Mob

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The Parlor Mob
Mark @ Lollapolooza 2008
Background information
Origin	Red Bank, New Jersey, USA
Genres	Rock and Roll[1], Hard rock[2]
Years active	2004–Present
Labels	Roadrunner Records
Website	The Parlor Mob at MySpace
Members
Mark Melicia David Rosen Paul Ritchie Nick Villapiano Sam Bey

The Parlor Mob, formerly known as What About Frank?, is an American rock band founded by Mark Melicia, David Rosen, Paul Ritchie, Nick Villapiano, and Sam Bey in 2004.^[1]

History

The band started out as What About Frank? in 2004 in Red Bank, New Jersey, playing with a more progressive rock based sound. During their career as What About Frank? they were twice recognized as Best Live Band at the Asbury Music Awards. They played many many shows including the CMJ Music Marathon in New York City, the Van's Warped Tour, The Great Bamboozle Festival in Asbury Park, New Jersey, and South by Southwest^[3]. Their debut self-titled release was the #1 top-selling album in local retail^[4], and received airplay on both satellite and commercial radio^{[citation needed]}.

The Parlor Mob

In 2006 the band changed their name to The Parlor Mob so as to "...have a name that's less hokey and more representative of our music" said drummer Sam Bey in a New York Times interview. The name itself was derived from a notorious 19th century gang of the same name ^[5]. Their sound had progressed into a more straight forward blues based experimental rock n' roll style. Vocalist Mark Melicia describes the band's sound as being “rock and roll with a contemporary style." At the same time, they signed a small record deal with Capitol Records. The band soon after travelled to Los Angeles in the summer of 2006 to record a 4-song EP with producer Howard Willing (Smashing Pumpkins, OK Go, Counting Crows)^[3]. However, the merger between Capitol and Virgin records left The Parlor Mob stranded – after recording the EP, the band "came home and sat around for nine months," according to guitarist David Rosen^[6]. Eventually, after watching most of their supporters lose their jobs, the band was dropped by Capitol. Without a label to release it, they decided to release the EP themselves, digitally, free of charge to anyone who wanted to download it.

In the summer of 2007, The Parlor Mob signed with Roadrunner Records. On September 28, 2007 they began the process of recording their début album at Asheville, NC's Echo Mountain studios. Jacquire King (Tom Waits, Kings of Leon, The Dwarves, Modest Mouse), who first contacted the band while they were recording their EP, contacted Roadrunner Records to express his interest in producing the album. The band was impressed that he sought them out (rather than their management reaching out to him)^[7], as well as with his enthusiasm and involvement throughout the recording process^[6]. The recording was completed on Halloween, 2007, and The Parlor Mob's debut album, And You Were a Crow, was released digitally on March 11, 2008 and in stores everywhere on May 6, 2008. The band and their album were featured on the iTunes store's section of best new rock artists in 2008. Their song "Cant Keep No Good Boy Down", was featured in the sixth season of Entourage.

Live Shows

The band are heralded for their live performances. A recent review from Toronto said, "the show was a face-melting, Fender-shredding rock out that went a long way in clearing up why some have dubbed this a 'must-see' live band;" also stating that "nobody who watches them perform live will fail to be entertained^[8]."

The producer of their debut album, Jacquire King, has this to say: "They are very much a live rock 'n' roll band. That is where most bands of that nature do their time and survive - on the road, in rehearsals or playing shows. In my eyes they are an important band, and I do feel they can be the same for the public... I think they are an important link to what is the essence of rock 'n' roll and what is to become a modern expression of it."^[9]

Reviews & Reception

The New York Times

BMI

The Aquarian Weekly

Influences

The band cite their influences as 'Beethoven to Bad Brains and everything in between'. In a recent interview with Bob Coburn on Rockline Radio, Melicia stated his major vocal influences as Bob Marley and Bob Dylan, guitarist Paul Ritchie cited David Gilmour and the Melvins, and guitarist David Rosen stated that Nirvana and Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead were his largest inspirations. Despite being often compared in sound to Led Zeppelin, their first major influence was the MC5, with Melicia stating it was the first band they collectively loved, as well as At The Drive In. Melicia has also stated his love for singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen.

Members

• Mark Melicia – Vocals
• David Rosen – Guitar
• Paul Ritchie – Guitar
• Nick Villapiano - Bass
• Sam Bey – Drums

References

External links

Official sites

• Roadrunner Records Artist Website
• Interview with SomaFM
• The Parlor Mob Official Site