Live Review : The Damn Truth + Ashley Sherlock @ Waterloo Music Bar, Blackpool, on Sunday 24 November 2024

“I think my eyeliner’s running…” 

There are not many bands that can reduce a hardened rocker to tears.   

But when The Damn Truth last played the Waterloo, twelve months ago, that’s precisely what happened. Stood in the crowd with tears in his eyes, he wasn’t the only one to be caught up in the emotion of this incendiary, emotionally charged and supremely talented band. For many, that night was their first time seeing the band, although everyone left a convert, utterly blown away by what they’d witnessed.  This time around, the crowd is bigger, no doubt driven by the evangelical fervour that The Damn Truth foster in their fans, a fervour that means you’re going to tell absolutely anyone who’ll listen about just how utterly wonderful they truly are. That so many are gathered in the intimate surroundings of the Waterloo’s Backstage Bar, over ninety minutes before the doors even open is proof of that, if indeed any proof was needed.   

It feels like The Damn Truth are driving forward with an unstoppable momentum behind them, that they are reaching that tipping point, where bigger and bigger audience will surely fall under their beguiling spell.  And beguiling it most surely is, for the Canadian foursome tap into something truly universal; they have an unparalleled ability to connect, to make you feel that sets them apart from literally any other band I can call to mind in over five decades of gig going.  The divide between band and crowd has never been thinner and so intangible; whether by accident, design or some mystical alchemy, the band have found the perfect combination of songs, performance and musicianship, which captures hearts and minds in the truest of ways.  

First up however is Ashley Sherlock, who has the unenviable task of preceding The Damn Truth, with his particular brand of Blues rock.  A flurry of toms announces opening number ‘Trouble’ and immediately it’s clear that Ashley’s version of the Blues has an at times harder, rockier edge than many of his contemporaries. ‘Trouble’ is a quiet-loud-quiet number, by turns dynamic, dramatic and then surprisingly delicate, replete with Ashley´s soulful vocal and punchy, powerful riffing. The mix is impeccable, allowing the expansive sound created by the three musicians on stage to glide and soar and draw you in to the atmosphere of the number. And if the guitar sounds mighty fine then the bass is set to stun, felt as much as heard, reverberating up through the soles of your feet in a wonderfully physical and visceral way. 

As you would expect, both on this song and across the whole set, the guitar work is expertly played, wringing every last drop of emotion from each song. The bespectacled and cowboy-hatted Ashley is a prodigiously talented guitar-slinger, keeping between song banter to a minimum and letting the music speak for itself, and that’s no bad thing with such a strong repertoire of songs in his arsenal.  From the tougher ‘Death of Me’ to the shimmering ‘I Think She Knows’ there’s plenty here to satisfy wherever your taste lies in the spectrum of the blues.  There’s certainly enough drive, sass and groove to get even the most reluctant head nodding, and looking round the room and seeing the number of heads doing just that, by the close of the set, the crowd has been thoroughly won over. 

The stage is awash in shades of purple and pink, tendrils of smoke writhing sinuously round the mic stands, as The Damn Truth make their triumphant entrance to the strains of Jefferson Airplane’s ‘White Rabbit’. From the moment Lee-La, Tom, PY and Dave set foot on the stage, the crowd roars it’s approval and in the space of a heartbeat, the energy in the room goes up to eleven and stays there, as The Damn Truth do what they do best and for the next ninety minutes take us through a set of the most sublime rock n’ roll music that lifts hearts and minds in a shared communal experience that is truly second to none. 

Vocalist/guitarist Lee-la Baum doesn’t just sing, she is a conduit for the music, feeling what she does in a physical way that is stunning to witness. Her vocals are a masterclass in dynamism, storytelling and performance.  She can break your heart in one moment, on say, the devastatingly dramatic ‘Look Innocent’, and then send your spirit soaring as you bounce around to a rockier upbeat number like newbie ‘I Just Gotta Let You Know’.  And whilst Lee-la is the beating heart of the band, the other band members are equally all stars in their own right. PY Letellier on bass covers every inch of the stage, throwing shapes and sinuously seductive bass grooves with equal ease and a rakish nonchalant cool.  The other side of the rhythmic coin, Dave Traina, complements those coolest of bass lines with his own hypnotic and beautifully played fills and beats, getting to show these off in a short but perfectly-formed solo that showcases his technical skills perfectly. And in Tom Shemer, they have their own genuine guitar hero; in common with the other band members, his dazzling skills always imbued with such feel, taste, and emotion. And make no mistake he can shred and solo with the very best, delivering solos of breath-taking melodic dexterity.  The interplay between the band members is natural and always entertaining, whether it’s Tom and PY, headstocks meeting behind Lee-la, playing crouched on the floor in front of the drum riser, or Lee-la herself, as she loses herself in the music, impassioned and expressive, her physicality the embodiment of the song she’s singing, it makes for an electrifying performance. 

Music, or at least the very best music, is something that moves us, connects us, brings us together; simply put, that could be The Damn Truth’s mission statement. This time around their set is a wonderful mix of old and new material ranging across their recorded output, with a sizeable chunk coming from 2021’s excellent “Now or Nowhere”. And when the jangling open notes of ‘Only Love' from that opus wash across the Waterloo crowd, I too find myself with a tear in my eye at the sheer joy of what we are all experiencing, swept along and lost in the moment.  Quite simply they are that good… 

But it’s the airing of the newer tracks that provides a tantalising taster of what we can expect when their new album drops next year. In the live setting the new songs take on extra depth and feeling, surely classics in the making and mainstays of future sets; ‘Love Outta Luck' throbs into action on the back of PY’s glorious bass line and Dave’s drums, before Tom’s riff kicks in and Lee-la delivers a wickedly fun vocal. It rocks and swaggers with the best of them, fun, infectious and groovy, but it’s latest single ‘The Willow' that really stands out. Almost folky in the delicate brittleness in the verses, it’s fragile and hauntingly beautiful, before a monolithic riff turns it on its head, building and building to the phenomenal crescendo of Tom’s soloing.  With songs of this calibre in their back pocket next year’s album promises to be something very special indeed. 

The Damn Truth are the very definition of a “must-see” band, except that’s not quite right, that should actually read “must-experience”, for an evening in their company is all about feelings and emotion. It’s the most joyous life-affirming and fun musical experience imaginable; these are nights to be cherished, the warmth, euphoria and camaraderie they create something to keep us going “even when it’s dark” to quote one of their lyrics. 

In a year that’s provided some exceptional live music, tonight’s performance stands head and shoulders above the rest.  For the second year in a row, The Damn Truth take the crown for gig of the year. And it’s not just me; photographer Darren said the same (so it must be true!) 

In this increasingly fractured world, we all need more of The Damn Truth in our lives.  There’s still a chance to catch them on the rest of the tour, so really do yourself a favour, get hold of a ticket by hook or by crook and go and see this unique and very special band.  

Just remember that waterproof eyeliner… 

Check the “In The Flesh” page for more photos!
The Damn Truth + Ashley Sherlock