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)

Heart & Soul and a Little Magic in NOLA

Magic and voodoo are two words that come to mind when thinking of the great city of New Orleans.  Making the drive from Houston, I started to feel a little bit of that magic as we approached the Crescent City to see the current owners of my heart and favorite band, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

I first caught BRMC about six months ago during their first leg of the U.S. tour in support of their new album, Specter at the Feast.  At that time, I knew little about the band, even less about their music, but what happened that night was magical, indeed, and changed my heart and soul forever.  Now I was finally heading east for my second BRMC show, fully armed and ready to rock.  Walking through the French Quarter and along Bourbon Street, I quickly knew I was in the right setting for a BRMC show.  There was grittiness and brilliant beauty in every corner; darkness and lightness casting shadows throughout.  Much like the band, the city has weathered many storms, but only the scars remain and it is a stronger version of its previous self, sharing that spirit with the world. 

The day finally arrived that I had been waiting anxiously for the last 12 weeks.  The warm sun shined down and the air was breezy as we made our way over to check out the venue, the recently renovated Civic Theatre.  No signs of the band yet, so we decided to take it easy…and then magic stepped in.  When we came back, the band had just gotten there for load in and sound check and Robert and Peter were outside talking to the members of opening band, Plowboy (more to come on them).  I nervously made my way over to Peter in hopes of being able to speak and not sound like a bumbling, star struck idiot.  I barely made it out alive, but it was one of the greatest “magic” moments of the day.  Peter scurried off with the members of Plowboy so we chatted with Robert for a few minutes and I got to thank him for his music as well as let him know that his father’s music was a big part of my life growing up and today.  After Robert left to join his band mates inside, I stood there in amazement and awe of the fact that I just met two people that have unknowingly become such a huge inspiration to me.  I definitely needed a drink after that.

Finally, it was show time.  The lights dimmed and out from the darkness emerged those three angels of music.  Three chords into opening song, “Hate the Taste,” and I felt like I was home.  After all the anticipation over the previous weeks, I was finally there, standing in front of Peter as he struck every chord and sang every note.  His face wrought with emotion every step of the way.  Leah remained hidden from my view for most of the show, but her power behind the kit blasted through causing my heart to skip a few beats, resetting it to match her rhythmic pulse.  And then there was Rob a.k.a. Babe Shadow whose light may have shined the brightest as he energized the crowd with those driving lines.  Magic was happening.

The night continued with other favorites from Specter as well as other classics from previous albums like “Ain’t No Easy Way,” “Berlin,” and “In Like the Rose” sprinkled throughout the show.  Surprise of the night was the addition of “Evol” from 2010’s Beat the Devil’s Tattoo, but for me seeing and hearing “American X” and “Promise” performed live were the most magical moments of the show.  Robert poured so much heart and soul into those two songs you couldn’t help but experience the emotional intensity right along with him.  I’m pretty sure my heart stopped during “American X” before Peter brought it back to life with “Screaming Gun.”  And “Promise” was so heartfelt and pure that I had to wonder if a certain someone was on Rob’s mind that night as he pounded the piano keys, taking an extra tender moment at the end and keeping his head down before leaving the stage for Peter’s acoustic solo of “Some Kind of Ghost.”  I got the feeling that the band might have had a little bit of a chip on their collective shoulder which only brought the passion out on stage that much more.  All of that emotion and passion and intensity helped to create a very special show in the Voodoo City.  I wasn’t ready for it to end, but are we ever?

What I left with will be another moment embedded into my heart forever.  That is why those who love this band, love them wholeheartedly because they connect with you on another level, bury themselves into your soul and take you along for one hell of a ride leaving you feeling satisfied yet wanting so much more in the end.  Seeing them twice in one year, meeting them and thanking them for allowing us to be a part of their world through their music as well as finding some new friends  along the way has been beyond amazing for me these last six months.  And somehow I feel like the magic is just getting started.