Born Tonight: An Evening With Plowboy

It was not a typical winter’s night in Dallas last Friday.  The air was slightly warmer than the usual Texas version of frigid temperatures.   When the wind blew, it was as if it was filled with an excited electric current that pulsed to your heart.  Poor David’s Pub was brimming with a collective anticipation as a large crowd began to form waiting for the band to take the stage.   That band was the very impressive Plowboy.

Young Dallas band Plowboy has had a pretty formidable year.  On the heels of their debut album release, Headlong and Roaming, they scored the chance of a lifetime opening up for their heroes Black Rebel Motorcycle Club who was on tour in support of their latest album.  Plowboy struck gold again when BRMC invited them back out to play that magical night in New Orleans.  With all of the support they garnered from those very special shows, tonight was to be all about them.  No frills, no fuss, just pure rock and roll. 

If Led Zeppelin, The Doors and BRMC had a love child, its sound would be Plowboy.  And when Jonah and company take the stage, some may be surprised to see that these rockers are barely old enough to have their driver’s license let alone know who those classic bands are, but do not let that fool you.  Nobody ever told these guys they were too young to rock.  The sound these four young souls create is enough to blow the roof off the joint while commanding an audience to their feet and keeping them captivated for their entire set.  It is pretty evident from the first few chords of opening song, “Reaching,” that there is a huge amount of pure, raw talent developing that rivals that of many bands twice their age.  Frontman Jonah Smith belts out each lyric with his powerful voice as he fiercely plucks each string on his guitar, as if each one had wronged him in some way.  Then there's lead guitarist, Evan O'Brien, who wickedly makes his guitar sing with every lick and note while rhythm section Isaac and Colin maintain that driving force, never missing a heart stopping beat.  “Wits End” gets the audience fired up and from there the band plows through their catalog of tracks including "Hard Right," "Cold Fever," and "I Wouldn't Touch Her She Smells Like Suburbia." A grand mixture of songs from their debut album as well as newer gems that will certainly find their home on Plowboy’s next recording endeavor. 

As usual with great live shows, the end comes much too quickly leaving the fans always wanting more.  Plowboy is not done with their magic just yet as they dive into the melodic and shoegaze inspired piece, “Love You from a Distance,” which carries that little spark of influence from their heroes.  It also happens to be my favorite song by the band.  And then, just like that, the set was over and the withdrawals begin to set in. 

This young band certainly continues to leave its mark in the hearts of those that get to experience their soulful light in person. Their originality and pragmatic ways will keep them around for many years to come as they carry on that rock and roll torch, sharing their music with the world. 



Set List:

Reaching
High Strung
Wits End
Hard Right
Get Moved
Ever-Change
Cold Fever
I Wouldn't Touch Her She Smells Like Suburbia
Love You From a Distance

Plowboy are: Jonah Smith (lead vocals/guitar), Evan Obrien (lead guitar), Isaac "Iko" Brodsky (bass/vocals), Colin Scruggs (drums)