Up Close and Personal with The Lyriqs

Like the Beatles playing the Cavern Club in the early 60s, the Lyriqs have found their proving ground at Pianos Bar & Grill.

The group, who on Saturday, April 2, played the first of two back-to-back weekend shows at , been playing the cozy venue regularly since they formed two years ago and the look right at home on stage.

“It’s a great place to develop, too ... We always had to come back here because there’s something about the crowd here. We’ve really grown,” said John Quatrone, the Lyriqs lead singer and rhythm guitar player.

Rostafa, a solo artist with a touch of Ben Harper in his sound, opened for the Lyriqs with a number of covers that ranged from Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold” to a medley of “Something” and “With a Little Help from My Friends,” both by the Beatles.

The Lyriqs took the stage for their first set dressed in matching slacks, white shirts and ties to emphasize their old-school appeal and blazed through a hopping version of Chuck Berry’s “Thirty Days.” The first original song of the night “Send Me Away” blended seamlessly with the preceding songs. “Montana Moon” sung by drummer Eric Quatrone was a welcome change of pace for the set.

Two of the strongest songs of the night were “Always”, with its complex rhythmic changes and time shifts propelled by Eric, and “The Only One,” which had a chorus you couldn't help but sing along to.

The second set was looser and more easy-going with more mid-tempo numbers. The Lyriqs also paid tacit homage to the film “Back to the Future” by playing the two songs from the climax “Johnny Be Good” and “Earth Angel.”

The Lyriqs brought an upbeat, energetic show to the little Broad Street bar. The drums were precise and rumbling, especially on the song “Always.” The lead guitar had a nice rock-a-billy twang that distinguished each solo, and the vocals were tight throughout the show. Although the Lyriqs were missing bassist Alex Amini that night, the band didn’t miss a beat, playing as tightly as long-time vets.

And they aren’t intimidated by venue that has them face-to-face with the audience - literally.

“It’s definitely an intimate place. You know, a lot of people will talk about wanting to play a bigger and bigger place sometimes I would rather play a smaller and smaller place," said lead guitarist Mike Kragh. "I could walk, like, two feet and someone will say, ‘Hey, that was awesome!’”

The Lyriqs will play Pianos Bar & Grill again next Friday April 8 at 9:30 p.m. and the Loop Lounge in Passaic on Saturday April 16 at 9 p.m.

Download the movie