The Damn Truth

There was an air of expectancy as Canadian rockers The Damn Truth strode onstage and then a surge of energy as they delivered the double whammy of Be Somebody and Killer Whale without pause. You already sensed they were in the mood as they lit up the The Globe stage with a performance that will be etched into the memories of Cardiff’s rock enthusiasts for a long time to come.

The support tonight was Parker Barrow, and whether you are a fan of The Damn Truth or discovering the Parker Barrow for the first time, this is a line-up that brings two powerhouse bands together under one roof.

Formed in Montreal in 2013, The Damn Truth - Lee-La Baum (vocals/guitar), Tom Shemer (guitar), PY Letellier (bass), and Dave Traina (drums) - have built a reputation as a relentless live act. The sassily dressed team have a bohemian air but one with dirt under their fingernails, the mix of glam and grit a heady combination.

The set opens with ‘Be Somebody’ and swiftly accelerating into ‘Killer Whale’, dropping into the band’s darker currents. Dave Traina’s drums spitting fire and Lee-la Baum’s honey whisky vocals spirited and sensual.

Renowned for Baum’s soaring, gritty vocals with that “to die for vibrato” and Tom Shemer’s searing guitar work, through to the powerhouse drum grooves of Dave Traina and the thundering bass groove from the enigmatic PY Letellier, you have a a band that knows how to channel pure ‘hippie vibe’ emotion into every note.

They are incredibly solid, working together to push emotions through songs while hitting the body with hard rock impact. Together, they’ve carved out a niche for themselves as a band that refuses to compromise on authenticity, delivering music that is as emotionally charged as it is musically dynamic. An exceptional live band that meld rock energy with introspective lyricism.

Capable of shouting and hollering, Baum’s voice carries the melody of strong choruses, impacting emotionally. Shemer’s guitar is tuneful but also stinging and thrilling as he spins and leaps, and Leteller offering a solid thrumming sound underpinning the solidity of the sound.

The sincerity of singer Lee-la is also refreshing. She takes every opportunity to tell us how delighted she is to see familiar faces and to see people singing their songs. And she means it.

With ‘Love Outta Luck’, ‘Addicted’, ‘The Willow’ and ‘This is Who We Are Now’, Baum is full-on vocally and the band are totally behind her. Lead guitar, bass and singer wander across the stage to interact and play off each other. With ‘Love Outta Luck’ Lee-La’s voice was a tempest, as Tom’s guitar sparkled with a raw, unfiltered tone. ‘Addicted’ is bracing because it doesn’t dress up its pain, it simply lays it bare.

Dressed completely in red, Tom plonks his foot on the monitor and throws out some poses, weaving intricate solos and textured rhythms, Lee-la screws up her face and forces out some hard emotion. Her well-loved guitar adds to the sonic onslaughts. PY Letellier’s basslines provide a groove-heavy backbone that infuses the band’s sound with funk and blues-inspired nuances, while Dave Traina’s drumming anchors the music with dynamic versatility, driving the band’s energy with precision and flair.

The opening chords of “This Is Who We Are Now” burst forth like a call to arms, drenched in fuzz and layered with a relentless rhythm. The lyrics carried a message of self-reclamation, their collective chemistry undeniable. The song is a line in the sand, declarative, proud, and offered as a connection between the band’s earlier work and their present statement.

The powerful, soulful ‘If I Don’t Make It Home’ is the song that held a little of the whole night’s gravity. It has that plaintive, torch-song structure, and led to bluesy ‘Lonely’, dripping with melancholy and vulnerability. Lee-La’s vibrato piercing the emotional core of the song as Tom’s guitar wept alongside her. Even the ballads build into loud opportunities for loud guitars and belting vocals.

The mood changed as the band moved into “Only Love”, bursting with hope and a drum solo, showing their hard-rock credentials, before ‘Look Innocent’ (“come break my heart, but don’t look so innocent”); a raw and thunderous song with Tom walking his way through the crowd during the guitar solo, blues-rock grit amplified by Dave’s pounding drums and PY’s grooving bassline.

Funk-infused rocker “Get With You” got the crowd moving again before closing the main set with ‘Tomorrow”, a soaring anthem with a towering blues riff that felt like the perfect goodbye.

For the encore we get ‘Devilish Folk’ and a mass singalong with Shemer playing a Neil Young-esque crunchy but lyrical solo that sealed the night’s triumph. A final brushstroke: frisky, a little dangerous, and proudly theirs. The Damn Truth are unstoppable, their road ever rising.

PARKER BARROW

Support tonight came from the six-piece band, Parker Barrow. Out of Nashville, Tennessee, their front woman is utterly winning and the blues-rock polished and full of crushing riffs. The funky organ sounds and slide guitar add depth; showcasing a fine live band.

Fresh off their own tour and some standout gigs, Parker Barrow set the stage alight with their signature mix of emotional ballads and hard-hitting blues-rock anthems.

Led by husband-and-wife duo Megan Kane (vocals) and Dylan Turner (drums), with guitarists Alex Bender and Will Tipton, bassist Bo Howard and keyboard player Eric Safka, their sound channels The Allman Brothers and Tedeschi Trucks Band. The band play bluesy, Southern rock with a bit of gospel.

The opener “Make It” got the show off to an excellent start, groovy hard rock with Megan twirling and swirling around.

Other highlights of an excellent 40 minute, seven track set, included “Glass Eyes Cryin’” with great intro and gospel vibe, the funky ‘Don’t Tell Mama (What Mama Don’t Know)’ and ‘Throwing Stones’ with slide and soaring solos, displaying musical dexterity from the whole band. ‘The Healer’ with tasty solos, then led to the two final tracks, ‘Novocaine’ and ‘Count Your Dollars’, with big choruses and a large thunderous sound. Parker Barrow in Cardiff were intense, heartfelt, and unforgettable.