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FOXBORO - Growing up in the South Shore town of Scituate, Girls Guns and Glory frontman Ward Hayden knows all about the New England Patriots.

Now, for the second straight year, he and his band will be mere feet from the action at Gillette Stadium as they play a free show at Patriot Place Plaza this Sunday, Nov. 22, prior to the Pats' showdown against the New York Jets. The concert is scheduled to start at 11 a.m.

"Last year, it was a bit of an adventure," Hayden, 28, said of the performance, which went on despite a light rain. "Hopefully we'll be able to expose the band to a whole new audience."

GG&G has been steadily building their audience since Hayden (guitar and lead vocals) formed the band with high school friend Bruce Bagley (bass) in the winter of 2005. In the years since, they have solidified themselves as a four-piece with the additions of John Graham (drums) and Colt Thompson (guitar).

Despite calling the Northeast home, the band's sound smacks of the South with its twangy guitars and heartfelt lyrics. Among his influences, Hayden counts Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash, whom he said were around for the pinnacle of rock 'n' roll.

"I don't think rock 'n' roll ever got any better," he said. "It has this feeling, it's just raw energy."

Hayden says it's that energy he tries to create with his own music. "I'll sit there and try and channel some of that," he said.

Sunday's plaza performance will give the band a chance to showcase songs from their new album, "Inverted Valentine," to an audience that has likely never heard it.

The band self-released the album last year before signing with Lonesome Day Records, which re-released it in September.

Hayden said the move to Lonesome Day has been great for the band, allowing them to tap into new marketing and touring options without sacrificing control of their music, an issue they feared with other label offers.

"This is exactly what we've been looking for and waiting for," he said.

Prior to "Inverted Valentine," the band self-released "Fireworks and Alcohol" in 2005 and "Pretty Little Wrecking Ball" in 2007. The latter CD made The Boston Globe's Top 15 Local Albums of that year.

Having their music connected with sports will be nothing new for the band, as their songs have been featured in several ESPN highlight packages and even the 2008 Capital One Bowl college football game, broadcast on ABC.

Before they can rock the plaza, however, the band, who still act as their own roadies, will have to drive all night from Bethlehem, Pa., where they have a show the previous night. Hayden said the hassles of long night drives are well-worth the freedom that comes from making a living playing music.

"I spent a few years working as a teacher," he said. "I like doing this more."

MATT KAKLEY can be reached at 508-236-0333 or at mkakley@thesunchronicle.com.