Plain Jane Automobile - Fontana's, NYC 6.25.11

Photo Credit: Lisa Gansky Photography

I was really glad I was able to catch this show since Plain Jane isn't coming to Boston on this tour, and I love seeing them live. When it turned out they were playing in NYC the same weekend that I was already in the area, I decided to stay an extra night for the show. Fontana's is an interesting venue - its tiny, first of all, and second of all, the music room is downstairs, so its almost like being in someone's basement. PJA wasn't playing until 11, so Lisa and I got there around 10:30, right in the middle of the opener's set. Liat was really interesting - very folksy and bluesy, and sang a great medley of the Cranberries' Zombie and Dreams, along with her own original music. From what I heard, I liked a lot. She finished and Plain Jane got ready to take the stage.



Plain Jane always plays a good mix of older songs and songs from their new album. While Stones and Starving Streets have been remixed and are on the album, Whisper isn't and it was awesome to hear it live again, since I hadn't for awhile. The more I hear the new stuff off the album, the more I really love it - Your Tomorrow, You Were Only a Song, Every Dirty Hand, Before Your Lights Go Out and We Live in the Dark parts 1 & 2 always make appearances on the setlist. Hearing the songs live makes me appreciate them more, since they always sound slightly different live then on the album - slightly heavier and fuller, and I like that sound. No matter what songs are on the setlist, or how long they play, it's always a treat to see them and they always put on a hell of a show.

They finished playing around midnight and we hung for a little while before saying goodbye and heading out. I actually didn't take many pictures during this show - the lighting was low and actually went dark a couple of times -  which resulted in my photos all being dark to the point that I was unhappy with them.  Thankfully, my friend Lisa took some great photos and you can check them out here.

One thing about this band that's great is that they stay and say hi to everyone that wants to say hi to them, and they're just normal guys who play amazing music. Its always nice to know that the bands that I like are nice people as well as great musicians. Plain Jane is touring in the midwest in July, and you can get all the details here. If you get a chance, go see a show - they're truly fantastic live.