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“I just don’t believe that anyone is going to get sick of drums, bass, guitar and badass vocals…” – Brent Smith, Shinedown.
The rather lovely Mr. Smith was waxing lyrical about his appreciation for the fundamental lineup of a rock band. Any rock band. Nobody in particular. But he could have been talking about tonight’s headliners, The Damn Truth, who certainly tick all of the above boxes (especially the “badass vocals” box). Add keyboards into the equation, and he could have also been talking about tonight’s special guests, Parker Barrow. Two kick-ass live acts who prove that not all onstage fireworks need to be pyrotechnics. And they both manage it by sticking to Mr. Smith’s essential ingredients of “…drums, bass, guitar and badass vocals…”.
Nashville-based, blues and soul-infused rockers Parker Barrow are up first. Led by husband-and-wife duo Megan Kane (lead vocals) and Dylan Turner (drums), the name of the band is a homage to Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, the infamous American bank robbers during the early 1930s Great Depression. Not nearly as photogenic as Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty, who played them in the classic 1967 movie ‘Bonnie and Clyde’, some of the posed photos that the pair staged themselves made them media celebrities before selfies and influencers became a thing. Part of American folklore and pop culture (in The Simpsons episode “Love, Springfieldian Style,” Bonnie Parker is portrayed by Marge Simpson and Clyde Barrow by Homer Simpson), the notorious pair often symbolize rebellion and loyalty. No Marge and Homer tonight, but in their place are Megan and Dylan. And with their compadres in the six-piece outfit, they certainly make quite an impression.
‘Make It’ opens the current EP ‘Hold The Mash’, and also opens the show. A fantastic set opener, with a real sense of urgency, fuelled by the instant heavy hits from Dylan Turner. A lot heavier in the flesh, it’s a ballsy opener that packs a bit of an Aerosmith swagger. Loving the dual-guitar fireworks, and Kane’s vocals are stunning in the perfect surroundings of an old church, bolstered by a sound guy who knows what he is doing. Think the soul and power of Aretha Franklin mixed with some Southern grit, and you’re on the right track. Or, if you require a more up-to-date comparison, then the mighty Elin Larsson from Blues Pills springs to mind. Kane spins, dances, and uses her tambourine all the while making eye contact with everyone that she can. A performer impossible to ignore, and even the dreaded chatterers at the bar are paying attention.
Even with six members crammed onto the stage, there is still a great deal of energy and plenty of movement. Keys player Eric Safka is perched on the cusp of the stage, and he is certainly making an impression, especially on the smoking hot new single ‘The Healer’, and the funky little keys-driven intro of ‘Novocaine’. Elsewhere, ‘Throwin’ Stones’ features the delights of Alex Bender (on slide guitar) and Will Tipton’s dueling guitars, with each taking turns to impress before Megan Kane brings it on home with slow-burning vocals that build into a wail.
Packing shades of The Black Crowes, ‘Count Your Dollars’ is a fiery way to end the set (damn, that guitar solo is cooking), and Kane is still spinning and dancing like she was during minute one. Once the song ends, the band takes their bows, and Kane and Turner head to the merch desk to press the flesh with a queue of punters only too willing to part with their cash. Do check these guys out, and bring some cash as they have CDs for sale to cut down on the dreaded customs tax. Is it too much to ask for some headline shows?
After the traditional intro tape of Jefferson Airplane’s ‘White Rabbit’ fades out, and Grace Slick has instructed everyone to feed their head, Hurricane Lee-La Baum takes to the stage with the guys in The Damn Truth and proceeds to deliver a masterclass performance of live rock and roll. You could dispatch Phileas Fogg on another round-the-world trip to find a live rock and roll act to match these Canadians, and chances are he would fail in his quest. The Damn Truth can take on anyone and give them a run for their money. Tonight, though, there is nothing to worry about as this is their turf, and this is their crowd, and as the rather exceptional Tom Shemer on lead guitar points out later, this run of shows features some of their largest UK headline dates thus far. Slow and steady, rather than hype, wins the race. Every time.
With their Bob Rock-produced self-titled album released earlier this year, The Damn Truth have bucketloads of hot new songs to pour over the crowd. So confident that they captured lightning in a bottle with ‘The Damn Truth’ – spoiler alert, they did – eight of the opening ten tracks come from the album. Self-titled albums are usually seen as a statement of intent, and that’s exactly what this album is. And the songs translate to the live stage with ease.
Opener ‘Be Somebody’ is a thrilling call-to-arms that in another life could be a gazillion-selling hit for acts like U2 or The Killers. Here, it’s all about Lee-La and her hard-to-top presence. With her big cat ears headband and her hypnotic, groovy dancing, she sparks memories of the original Catwoman, Julie Newmar, from a time when Batman didn’t need gadgets to disarm dastardly villains; he just used his charm and dancing skills. Such a groovy performer, with a smile powerful enough to power a small country for a day or two.
The Damn Truth have the material and skills to match Lee-Las’s charisma, with ‘Killer Whale’ from the new album sticking out as being particularly edgy. Shemer is laying down some massive riffs on a track that is more angst-filled than what you might normally expect from The Damn Truth. Still comes with heaps of hooks, but at times, Shemer’s riffs are Iommi-sized. Especially on the huge outro. Another new one, ‘Addicted’, sees Lee-La freed from guitar duties for a groove-filled moment that causes involuntary head-bobbing from the always-impressive engine-room team of PY Letellier (bass) and Dave Traina (drums). Add in a soupçon of Joe Perry-esque swagger to Tom Shemer’s guitar tones, and it is perfect. As are the Robert Plant-like howls from Lee-La on the Zeppelin-tinged classic-in-the-making ‘The Willow’. One of the heaviest cuts from The Damn Truth, it is damn near perfection. Ditto ‘All Night Long’, which, at least to these ears, packs a bit of a Thin Lizzy feel here and there.
Older tracks such as ‘This Is Who We Are Now’, the sultry, intoxicating ‘Lonely’, ‘Look Innocent’ (still one of the greatest examples of chemistry between band members that you will witness), the hook-laden majesty of ‘Tomorrow’ – name a better example of a singing guitar riff than the one that opens this beauty – and a sizzling encore of U2’s ‘Love is Blindness’ followed by ‘Devlish Folk’ highlight the fact that The Damn Truth hit the ground running from day one, and haven’t looked back since.
Two killer bands complementing each other perfectly. And a fantastic showcase for “…drums, bass, guitar and badass vocals…” Miss these bands at your peril.
Remaining dates:
LONDON UNDERWORLD – FRIDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2025
BRIDGWATER COBBLESTONES – SATURDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2025
CARDIFF GLOBE – SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2025
Connect with The Damn Truth, HERE.
Review – Dave
All images – Dave Jamieson
