Since the release of the debut solo album “Boutique Sound Frames” in May of last year P.J. Farley has maintained his regular work schedule with his main band TRIXTER while squeezing in the occasional solo show to promote the new record and let people hear his solo songs in a live setting. He played a handful of shows in the Midwest and also did an opening slot for the Bret Michaels Band back at the end of last year in NJ but this past Sunday it was P.J. and his band in a headline slot at Mexicali Live in Teaneck, NJ. Joined by openers RAHWAY and THE MYLARS it was a great night of local rock at one of the better live venues in northern NJ.

First up on the night was RAHWAY who brought their high energy and hard-hitting sound to get things going and next up was THE MYLARS providing a commercial rock/power pop sound and they were both impressive as openers and worth looking out for on the local scene. RAHWAY will actually be back in action on March 25 at 10th Street Live in Kenilworth, NJ.

As the headliner on the night P.J. and his solo band hit the stage just after 9:00 PM for an hour long set and the band that P.J. has assembled is impressive with monster drummer John Hummel (Matt O’Ree Band, C.C. Coletti Band), the always fun guitarist ‘Maz’ Mazza (Ted Poley Band) and bassist/backing vocalist Greg Reigle (Rubix Kube). Having Maz in the band was like a blast from the past as he and P.J. played together back in the 90’s with THROWAN ROCKS and 40Ft. RINGO along with Steve Brown from TRIXTER.

Opening with “Take It Straight”, which is also the album opener on “Boutique Sound Frames”, the band ran through a 10-song set with a couple surprises along the way. Further album tracks “Vow”, “Keepin It All Together”, “Ain’t No Good” and “Suckerpunch” (which one of P.J.’s daughters apparently does not approve of!) were all showcased before a great cover of BUTCH WALKER’s “Sober”. Then after working out some technical issues (damn guitar cables!) P.J. and the band played “The Fallen” and “Things We Hold Onto” before playing the  song which was the first featured single and video from “Boutique Sound Frames”, “You’d Stick Out”. Ending the set was a cover of CHEAP TRICK’s “Goodnight” and an appropriate way to end the evening.  

All in all it was a fine night of rock so be on the lookout for more shows from P.J. and the band in the future. The songs are great, the band is solid and P.J. brings his laid-back yet funny personality to the forefront with his solo shows. “Boutique Sound Frames” is a great collection of highly personal songs from Farley and being able to hear them brought to the live stage is a pleasure. As P.J. said, it’s not all about “Rockin to the Egde of the Night” all the time and his special collection of solo songs certainly stand on their own.

Turning out in support of the bands on the night was some other local rockers and friends as Brian and I got to speak with bassist Chigger and guitarist David Cardenas from RAHWAY after their set and also bassist Nick Clemente from THE MYLARS. While on the way out of Mexicali we got to chat with Ronnie Parkes and his lovely wife Deirdre, who was celebrating her birthday. Ronnie has been playing throughout Europe the last few years as bassist for German rockers BONFIRE, who has a new album, titled “Byte The Bullet” out in March. Also Massachusetts rocker Scotty Dunbar was in the house supporting the music too. Special thanks to P.J. and the band and Diana Lane of Lane Six for putting on the show.