Republic Nashville/BMLG's A Thousand Horses played their first-ever gig at L.A.'s storied Troubadour on Thursday night to a packed house. The band's soulful Southern rock attack, utterly winning on recent album Southernality, is fully explosive in a live setting.

Frontman Michael Hobby's easy charisma and expressive vocals floated over the band's sweet-n-gritty attack, and songs like recent hit "Smoke," "This Ain't No Drunk Dial." Southernality's anthemic title track and "Trailer Trashed" went over like gangbusters with the fired-up crowd which, we couldn't help but notice, was filled with adoring females. The band's faithful cover of the twangy Stones classic "Dead Flowers" underscored both their excellent taste and superb chops.

Late in the set, Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora joined the band for an extended jam on "Travelin' Man" that was a master class in fiery fretwork. Sambora's appearance was a reminder that the true heirs of the good-time rock tradition have largely convened in Nashville.

Indeed, the next time someone tells you good old rock 'n' roll is dead, you might want to play them a sampling of recent country hits, especially Southernality. This shit is fierce.

Photo by Chris Polk for Getty Images