Making You Dance AND Feel
The Oran Mor in Glasgow welcomed Canadians The Damn Truth and Americans Parker Barrow. It was a very cold November night outside but many made the journey to the Oran Mor, an old decommissioned church built in the late 1860s. The venue name means “Big Song” which seems kind of appropriate for what goes on in the basement bar area. The bar room can hold up to 500 people and despite how bloody cold it was outside (did I mention that before?) it had a damned good crowd in.
What is pleasing is that The Damn Truth who seem to love coming to the UK keep moving into bigger venues; there is a steady rise as folks get to know about them, and quite right too. This 4-piece comprising Lee-La Baum (vocals/guitar), her partner Tom Shemer (lead guitar) along with PY Letellier (bass) and Dave Traina (drums) play soulful bluesy hard rock ‘n’ roll music, stuff that moves you and makes you feel something emotionally whilst making you dance. Great trick if you can pull it off and they do.
The band focused on their latest and self-titled album released earlier this year with 8 tracks being performed. The other half of the set (they played 16 songs) comprised 5 from their previous release of 2021 (“Now Or Nowhere“), 2 from their 2016 album (“Devilish Folk“) and one cover which was a single release from 2016.
Funky Grooves
The band came onto the stage as always to the music of Jefferson Airplane‘s”White Rabbit” with the band all dancing around (apart from the drummer) to it getting in the mood to rock out and have fun. It looked like Lee-La was wearing bunny ears as well! They kicked in with the opening song of the latest album “Be Somebody” which has a slightly slower build allowing her husky soulful voice to shine before it fully kicked in. There is a definite touch of Janis Joplin about her, between the voice and the being in the moment as she sings.
Like much of the night there were plenty of lovely vocal harmonies going on, melody is very important to their sound. Then came a stomping version of “Killer Whale” which had folks heads and feet going. The band are grinning away throughout like Cheshire cats and by the time they hit the third song, the excellently titled “Love Outta Luck” the band were dancing around using every inch of the stage with PY in particular doing so whilst playing down the funky bass opening. This is an absolute banger of a track (as the kids apparently say). It kicks, grooves and has a humongous chorus. Excellent. “Addicted” kept the funk going with an almost rap vocal at points. Lee-La and PY were doing their best to audition for Strictly Come Dancing as they moved together almost following each others lead.
Live Without A Net
“The Willow” started with a dual guitar piece with Tom and Lee-La close together facing each other. This was probably the most 60s sounding song of the night (they love the hippy scene from then, well they did meet over a Crosby Stills Nash And Young song “Almost Cut My Hair“). Some gorgeous vocals on this to go with the atmospheric vibe.
Something happened before they kicked into “This Is Who We Are Now” which it looked like Lee-La was taking the blame for (perhaps she wasn’t quite ready) which led to laughter. Live music folks. Genuinely live. Honest music. Thankfully, it still exists. Of course being a song they have done the last couple of tours here it went down a treat.
Tom took front and centre for “All Night Long“, not only due to his guitar lead but to introduce the band. PY was caught off-guard as he had a beer in his hand (I think supplied by an audience member) but still claimed he was “ready”. It was on this song I noticed how bloody sparkly Tom’s shirt was. He was in red so Lee-La started calling him “the red guy“. I noticed a bit more jamming going on in this tonight, not lots, just a little.
Showstopping
One of the highlights of the night was the ballad from the new album “If I Don’t Make It Home” which is a terrific song on the album but live is a showstopper! My notes said “stunning, powerful, soulful,” amongst other superlatives. The idea of telling family how to cope should something happen whilst away from home, such as touring, is not one that is common but for anyone who does travel a fair bit for gigs (or work) it is a song that has deep meaning.
“Lonely” followed straight on and kept the standard high. Bluesy, a humming intro to match the lead guitar. It is dirty blues with another massive chorus. We even got a bit of a singalong crowd wise. She addressed us as “brothers and sisters” like we were in a church (which we kind of were) but when she isolated both groups it was obvious there were more men than women in the crowd leading her to remark “we need more sisters“.
This also was extended with some crying and wailing vocals, isolated, intense. The audience kept the vocals going for “Only Love” by belting out “it will be alright”. Dave had a chance to show off with a short drum solo on this. As singer, guitarist, bassist twirled around they moved us straight into the next song seamlessly. “Look Innocent” which Tom left the stage for to get into the crowd for his solo.
Stories Are Included
Tom told a couple of stories, one about how he and Lee-La met and how 10 years later they were still together touring. He also said they were up for “album of the year” in Canada which got a cheer, only to say “we didn’t win” which led to boos. He did say, however, to be nominated doing what they do was an absolute honour. “Get With You” has a vibe of say Queens Of The Stone Age or even White Stripes yet is still old school rock. One of their heaviest tracks, a bit tribal due to the drumming in my view. The set finished with “Tomorrow” which had virtually everyone clapping along. There were smiles onstage and from looking around plenty off stage too. Everyone was simply having a good time.
A Bit Of The Encore
I only caught part of the encore due to public transport, they did play their cover of U2‘s”Love Is Blindness” which sounded fantastic and for me is much better than the original and live it really captures a mood. I did miss I believe one track “Devilish Folk” which was a pain, but I left with a grin on my face having had a brilliant night.
We Must Talk About Parker Barrow
I have to also talk about the support act from the USA called Parker Barrow (the surnames of Bonnie and Clyde). They are 6 6-piece comprising of a husband and wife duo, singer Megan Kane, drummer Dylan Turner along with 2 guitarists in Alex Bender and Will Tipton, bassist Bo Howard and keys man Eric Safka.
The band play bluesy, Southern rock with a bit of a gospel vibe at points. Things I noticed right away was the drummer in what looked like a top hat and that one of the guitarists looked particularly dapper, and that they were all smiling and when the music started all were dancing around to the best of their abilities with it being quite a packed stage.
Megan twirled and swirled around like a mad version of Stevie Nicks (although I don’t think she ever looked as chirpy and cheerful as Megan), to the extent that at one point she did nearly take out the keyboard player and his instrument as she danced around. The opener “Make It” got the show off to an excellent start, groovy hard rock with a hint of The Black Crowes but with a female singer. Oh and what a singer. She can holler.
Musical Dexterity
Other highlights of an excellent 40 minutes included “Glass Eyes Cryin’” due to the vocal and keyboard dynamics. This had a lovely intro, with that gospel vibe. One of the guitarists (at the moment not sure which one is which, my apologies, first time seeing the band) did some lead vocals as well. This sounded different from the album version, maybe a tad extended with that vocal/keys interplay.
“Don’t Tell Mama (What Mama Don’t Know)” I really enjoyed (the title alone is great), funky groove, slinky with loads of keys running through it. I did notice that Eric on the keys has a bit of an Ian Anderson about him, often playing on one leg! Like said Tull frontman he continues to play and move his body in a great display of balance and musicianship! The definitely extended and jammed out “Throwing Stones” was the cherry on top of their delicious mix. Jumping between slide solo and normal guitar solo, into dual work and out again, this was a display of musical dexterity. The ending was almost a song in itself.
Happy Faces Shining
They finished with a straight one-two in the gut. “The Healer” led right into “Count Your Dollars“, 2 songs that made you want to dance around (as much as the band, if that was possible). I must also say the sound engineer did a fine job as the mix was first class, I could make out the individual parts, something that can be a struggle when there are so many instruments onstage. Lots of tasty solos, big choruses, etc that warmed the audience completely up in preparation for the headliners. They were terrific, all of them looked happy as a dog with 2 tails to be there. Loved them as did the crowd. Keep your eyes peeled for Parker Barrow.
Check These Bands Out
Fabulous night. 40 minutes of an excellent support, who I definitely want to see in a headline situation, I have a feeling they will jam even more, and of course 90 minutes plus of a headliner that just keep getting better on every trip here. 2 bands that love performing, can communicate or connect with an audience, and have the songs and musicianship to back it all up. If anyone wants a great night of proper live soulful rocking music you won’t find much better than these bands, and together it is a hell of a deal.
There are still 6 UK shows to go (as I write this) in Newcastle, Leeds, Bedford, London, Bridgewater and Cardiff before this month is out. Buy tickets and get out for a great night out.
Tickets HERE
The Damn Truth… Website // Facebook
Parker Barrow… Website // Facebook
Check out my other articles/reviews here. Tom.
