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In my eyes they are an important band, and I do feel they can be the same for the public. They play a vintage style of rock 'n' roll but it is [also] very modern. Not only have they listened to the classic recordings but they love modern bands as well. 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. -Jacquire King (Producer) |
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Photo by Jennifer Tzar
With King on board the decision was made to move in to Echo Mountain, fire up the boards and press record.
The Parlor Mob by Lucia Holm
"Echo Mountain has very much the equipment compliment with vintage gear. It is a place filled with vibes. I mean, it's an old church," explains King. "It has a nice big sound. It is not your traditional studio. Another appeal of it was they had housing for us. I prefer bands not working where they live during a recording process. It is about getting these musicians out of their daily routine with friends and getting them at a place where they are living their record. Echo Mountain is in a nice location in Asheville, and they have a house for the artists to live at while they record. All the aesthetics aside, it was cheaper with the housing setup incorporated then having to stay at hotels."
Bey recalls the first in-session encounter with their producer, "We were seated around a table, before we had even started basic tracking, and Jacquire was looking through mine and Dave's records. We were like, 'Put one on.' He chose Marquee Moon by Television. We told him that is what we were looking for in a record, and when it was over he said, 'We should really explore these ideas on here.'"
David Rosen by Matt Radosevich
King continues, "Some aspects of the sessions, in comparison to the rule of thumb, were quick for this type of record. We recorded for five weeks. We established our creative relationship during that time. That factor helped the recording go quicker because all of the dialogue for the tunes was on the table."
"The whole album focuses on the performance, with all the main tracking done live," says Ritchie. "It was really about picking the best take and getting the right sounds.
"Jacquire was really concerned with our dynamic," says Bey. "He would say to us, 'Play hard and play loud.' It wasn't until we got home did it hit me in the face how amazing his arrangements were. We were rehearsing the songs how they were recorded and I couldn't get my mind off it."
The Hammer of the Gods
Mark Melicia by GP Photo
The Parlor Mob is looking forward to some downtime after their afternoon performance as they stuff the last piece of gear into their trailer and turn the lock. Vocalist Mark Melicia is the last to emerge from the back door of the wax shop, emerging with a vibrant 12" LP of Radiohead's In Rainbows in hand. As the band makes their way over to an Irish pub around the corner, they are met with a barrage of hellos from passing cars, people on the street and tap huggers inside the patio bar. There is a mad dash for a secluded table and their small cloak of anonymity returns. Guinness and whiskey quickly fill the table.
"The mind of the musician is a fine line between pure genius and utter insanity," says Bey. "I mean, how else would you describe it?"
Like many legendary rock bands before them, the buck stops at the fierce personality of their drummer, much like Keith Moon (The Who), Steve Gorman (The Black Crowes) and John Bonham (Led Zeppelin) before him.
"I always thought Bill Ward [Black Sabbath] was a sweet drummer," says Bey. "My dad is a drummer."
"And still rocking out," chimes in Ritchie.
"I had a drum set in my house since I was three or four years old," says Bey.
The Parlor Mob
"I still have the heads, though they are covered with stamped frog heads from when I was young. He and my dad are still friends," says Bey. "I would play by myself a lot. Paul was the first musician I ever played with, and that wasn't until I was 17."
The band is already being compared to the likes of Wolfmother, Rose Hill Drive and Kings of Leon but remain focused on developing their own sound.
"We always wanted to make interesting stuff that other people weren't making," says Villapiano. Bey continues, "If you listen to old demos or other bands we were in, you can see that the difference in this project was we are simplifying things. We are learning not to over play. We want to leave space and time."
The importance of subtle details makes all the difference to them, much like a stated favorite. "The White Stripes are the most influential and legitimate American band right now. I don't think it is too big of a stretch to say that," says Villapiano.
Bey winks, "American rock 'n' roll bands? Earl Greyhound [who they will support on an upcoming tour] is pretty sweet."
The hurdles this band has cleared - all the blood, sweat and tears – is just part of their unfolding story. The six-year battle they've fought was not for some legend. It was a fight for their kind of rock 'n' roll to exist in an uncaring industry. Boys, welcome to the first day of the rest of your lives.
The Parlor Mob Tour Dates:
05.22 Northern Lights Clifton Park, New York
05.24 Showplace Theatre Buffalo, New York
05.28 Fletcher’s w/ Earl Greyhound Baltimore, Maryland
05.29 The Norva w/ Earl Greyhound Norfolk, Virginia
05.30 Theatre w/ Earl Greyhound Charlotte, North Carolina
05.31 The Earl w/ Earl Greyhound Atlanta, Georgia
06.03 EXIT/IN w/ Earl Greyhound Nashville, Tennessee
06.04 Radio Radio w/ Earl Greyhound Indianapolis, Indiana
06.05 Double Door w/ Earl Greyhound Chicago, Illinois
06.06 Magic Stick w/ Earl Greyhound Detroit, Michigan
06.07 Grog Shop w/ Earl Greyhound Cleveland Heights, Ohio
06.12 DC9 WASHINGTON, Washington DC
06.13 The Khyber w/ Earl Greyhound Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
06.14 School of Rock South Hackensack, New Jersey
06.18 Middle East Club (Upstairs) Cambridge, Massachusetts
06.20 The Mercury Lounge New York, New York
06.21 The Stone Pony Asbury Park, New Jersey
08.01 Lollapalooza Chicago, Illinois
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