Electric Parlor

Throughout the history of pop culture, rock music has been reshaped, redefined and reinvented, a testament to its immortality. Many current bands are blending the musical sensibilities of classic rock with modern elements, creating a sound that is as familiar as it is fresh. Los Angeles four-piece band, Electric Parlor, has crafted a groove-based rock-n'-roll sound that integrates the blues, soul and grit of a bygone era with a stylish new feel.

The group's members Josh Fell (bass), Kris Far (guitar), and Zachary Huling (drums) all moved to Los Angeles around the same time and discovered LA native and vocalist, Monique Alvarez. Electric Parlor was then formed into a quartet in 2012 as ambition, passion, talent, and a little bit of magic, brought them all together. Dedicating the rest of 2012 to becoming a seriously established musical act, Electric Parlor quickly gained momentum in the expansive underground music scene of Los Angeles in the following year.

"We feel like one of Electric Parlor's missions is to re-open people's eyes to the blues, the way bands did in the 60s and 70s," explains guitarist Kris Far, "and not in a subjective way...we're a working class band and have taken a lot of risks to make this a reality. We believe that this reckless abandon -- to fight for what we feel is ours, translates into our music."
Sweeping guitar solos, infectious bass-lines, dancing drum beats, and hypnotic melodies are reminiscent of artists such as Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Cream and Black Keys. Though elements of these bands can be noted, it is clear that Electric Parlor is one-of-a-kind. Alvarez' stunning and raw vocal capabilities lure you in like a siren and is truly what makes this group stand out. The magnitude and passion heard in her voice is what rock-n'-roll dreams are made of.

In 2013, Electric Parlor not only forged their path in the music scene, but also saved enough capital to record their self-titled debut record at Big Scary Tree Studios in Sunland, California. Recorded in true "analogue to tape" fashion, the band's full length LP captures the spirit of rock 'n' roll as well as their visceral live energy, an attribute that does not often translate onto a record. Spotlighting the compelling voice of Alvarez, her haunting and howling vocal style is reminiscent of legendary sirens Janis Joplin and Grace Slick. "We want to be part of the ongoing evolution of rock n' roll," describes drummer, Zachary Huling. "Being a part of this lineage is what drives us forward."

In 2015, Electric Parlor signed to The Weingärtner Phonogram Company, a Vancouver-based record label founded and run by audio engineer and trombonist, Brian T. Weingärtner. They are currently prepping for the first vinyl release of their debut album and are already making them available for pre-sale. Electric Parlor has had an explosive beginning to their musical odyssey, creating a signature sound, establishing a commanding stage presence, and recording an electrifying record. It is bands like Electric Parlor who are revitalizing and revolutionizing the genre of rock 'n' roll. - Huffington Post-Morena Duwe

I’ve heard Electric Parlor described as “the lovechild of Black Sabbath and Janis Joplin” and I can offer no better insight then that, I wish I’d heard the band first so I could claim the description as my own. All I can add is that Robert Plant definitely got in on that with Sabbath and Joplin, and I’d guess the lovechild dated GNR for awhile in high school. But comparison’s aside this band speaks for itself and there could be no one better lead front woman Monique Alvarez to do it. As she deliver’s some of the heaviest, dirtiest, most beautifully raw vocals on the market today (if not ever) and the band (Zachary Huling, Kris Farr, and Josh Fell) take the best of everything that is great about classic dirty blues driven rock n’ roll and make it their own. It’s all the heart and fullness of the great old souls of bass, drum, and guitar coming straight and fresh out of young fingertips, but they in no way suffer from an over attachment to sounding like an old style rock group and are not afraid to experiment and infuse and it serves them well. This band is now a favorite of mine and I’m glad they were brought to my attention. They have thoroughly re-invigorated my faith in good old fashioned rock n’ roll to be created by today’s bands, and as I continue to play their debut album I find myself only diverting my attention from the music long enough to muse about what we can expect next from these talented rockers that know that old bands are to be learned from, not imitated (something that I feel like gets confused with today’s bands and leads to uninspired music and bored audiences and the audacious claim that rock is dying).
All in all, this group and everything they stand for I agree with. I wish them nothing but the best and hope I can make it too see them live someday. In the meantime, I cannot stress how much support music like this needs in today’s day and age where its turning into a lost art. - Punchland: Shawn Kinnear

This LA based takes on a 70s rock groove on their debut album. What puts the band ahead of the pack is their singer Monique who wants to get wrecked with you, has a blues drenched voice that has obviously taken a few cues from Janis Joplin. There is a very straight forward almost more Rolling Stones moment in "Rage" . Which I suppose it might come from playing the bar scene in LA but so far they are two for two on lyrics about partying. This is not quiet stoner rock, though fans of proto-doom bands like say Pentagram will find this to be in the same zip code as some of the other stuff you more than likely take bong tokes to. I can also hear traces of old ZZ Top mixed in with the shuffling boogie of songs like " Frisco High Line". Tonally the guitar is less metal and more in line with say the Black Crowes first album.



"Back Woods" keeps things in a groovey mid tempo. The drummer rolls of the guitar lines with ease as they keep the song churning under Alvarez's vocals. She exclaims on this one that she is not going to live her life on her knees. While it works with the song , I am not sure what that has to do with backwoods , until I hear that is part of her exit plan. It is also on this song I begin to hear some Led Zeppelin influence, who is felt on this album much more than someone like Black Sabbath. The guitar on "Bitter" further points this fact out, though there is some slight Hendrix phrasing to it and some of her baby, baby, babies have a dash of Robert Plant to them. "Young Blood" finds the band wisely switching it up as it gives Monique room to flex her pipes and provides a wider scope of dynamics, which is what made a band like Led Zeppelin so great is that they could hit you with high energy blues rock or they could back off into folk or funk or metal.


They put more of the British rock stomp into "Promise Land" though Alvarez stays the course in pursuit of the blues. "Hazy Daisy" is one of the albums best songs, it has more Kings of Leon feel in the guitar phrasing and lyrically implies there is at least an air of curiosity in her sexual exploration if it is not a metaphor. The bass starts of "Last Battle" that goes for a darker almost grunge like take on the blues. While it's easy for any band in LA to smoke a joint, put on bell-bottoms and pretend it's 1970, it's a different story to write songs as an old soul who gets the magic that was being made during that time and tap into that energy . Electric Parlor doesn't have to play dress up, there music speaks for it's self so if you are a fan of the days when real rock stars ruled the radio then you will get where these kids are coming from. - Hiplanta

When you're constantly looking for new music, it's rare for new music to find you. It's even more rare that the music that finds you is worth the time of day. Electric Parlor manages to fit the criteria of both having found me and being worth the time of day. It's well worth the time of day.

I'm going to work off the assumption that you are, at least, somewhat familiar with Blues Pills, one of more popular female-fronted rock bands in the stoner rock community. Electric Parlor brings much of the same to the table, creating a dirty, blues rock album steeped in the roots of the '60s and '70s greats. However, Electric Parlor is a grittier rock album with as much attitude as emotion, so there's no shortage of either.

Electric Parlor covers the whole gamut of moods, from the hard rocking "Reckless" to psychedelic trip with "Freedom Ride" to the more mellow "Young Blood" and everything in between. The album maintains a nice balance and doesn't fall into the trap of getting boring. The change of pace isn't so constant that you can't get into the album for more than a single track.

For me, what ties the entire album together is the vocals. I've read the usual comparisons to Janis Joplin, and though I wouldn't say that is wrong, but it's limiting. I put Monique's vocals firmly between Janis and Elin (of Blues Pills) where she can be raspy and when needed, and she has plenty of power in her vocals, as well.

The album is out now. Perhaps the most disappointing fact about the album is that it's not pressed on vinyl, but you can find it on several different outlets: Google Play, iTunes, CD Baby (CD/DD), and (my go to) Bandcamp. - Stoned Soda