The Parlor Mob

THE PARLOR MOB

This September, a force to be reckoned with will be hitting the streets with the intent of capturing everyone in its path. And the only place you’ll be running is to the show nearest you.

The Parlor Mob (formerly What About Frank?) is preparing to release its debut on Capitol Records, victors of a major label bidding war over the band. The genre-breaking Red Bank, New Jersey group formed in 2004 and has since earned the adoration of fans and critics alike. With experimental rock songs that put a youthful twist on the sounds of the 60s and 70s, The Parlor Mob is set to lead a musical revolution that will capture audiences of all ages.

“It’s going to be rock ‘n roll the way it was done then, but rock ‘n roll in the way that it needs to be done now. Relevant to the way things are going now in the world and what’s going on- political, spiritual, everything,” reveals vocalist Mark Melicia.

The four-song EP was recorded in Los Angeles over the summer with producer Howard Willing (Smashing Pumpkins, Rancid, Counting Crows) and mixer Jerry Finn (Greenday, Blink 182, Goo Goo Dolls). Melicia and his band mates, (Sam Bey-drums, Paul Ritchie-guitar, Dave Rosen-guitar, Nick Villapiano-bass) remain humble towards their recent success and Melicia says they are looking for nothing more than “Really, just the chance to succeed.”

And as for other people’s expectations, Villapiano says “If there’s any pressure, it’s derived from ourselves. We’re hardcore perfectionists and we have a real set vision of what we want and how we sound.”

That also includes how they are perceived, hence the name change. “It was hokey and we were sick of it,” the frontman says of their old moniker. “We wanted a name that was more representative of our music and one that people won’t question,” he further explains.

No matter the name, this band’s talent and resume has already built up a reputation that precedes it:

* The What About Frank? self-titled debut reached #1 in local retail and #2 at Stretch The Skies on-line, whose distributors include FYE and Coconuts.

* As What About Frank?, the band has taken the stage at Warped Tour, The 2005 Great Bamboozle and the CMJ Music Marathon, and were invited to play SXSW ’06.

* Fender Guitars, BIB Drums, Attack Drums, KC New York Clothing, Gretch Drums and Orange Amps all endorse The Parlor Mob.

* As What About Frank?, the band has been nominated over ten times in two years and taken home four Asbury Park Music Awards. In both 2004 and 2005, they were named Best Live Band. They also have Best Bassist 2004 and Best Indie Band 2005 to their credit.