The Damn Truth/Fighting Steaks –
The John Peel Centre, Stowmarket, February 1st 2026
Setlist: Creatures/Cornflakes/Backbreaker/Morning/Bold Arrow/Smokehouse 9.
The superb John Peel Centre welcomes Canadian retro Blues Rock band, The Damn Truth who have been visiting East Anglia for the last few years and stunning us with their music. Before they take to the stage, Fighting Steaks, a fresh-faced band from the local area take their chance to display their talents to an absolutely rammed venue.
The Damn Truth are all colour and personality taking their image and sound from the late 60’s, the Fighting Steaks by comparison have little in the way of image and they certainly have no chance of upstaging the headliner.
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For all their inexperience, this 4 piece who have only played a handful of dates cope well and have a good beefed-up sound with plenty of meat on the bone. At times they look overawed as their brand of Rock which features many influences from Brit Pop to Prog via Metal and Punk is delivered to an unsuspecting audience.
Only the bass player shines brightly as his superior experience puts him to the forefront, seizing his moment and encourages members to swap sides. It was a nice move and the other members look mesmerised, especially the lead singer who remains static and lacks the required stage craft.
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Encore: Better This Way/Devilish.
Set List: Be Somebody/Killer Whale/Love Outta Luck/Addicted/The Willow/This Is Who We Are Now/All Night Long/If I Don’t Make It Home/Mirror Mirror/Lonely/Only Love/Look Innocent/Get With You/Tomorrow.
The Damn Truth have everything you could wish for. Few bands have the magnetic electrifying, psychedelic blues rock appeal of this band from Toronto.
Of course, Frontwoman/Guitarist, Lee-la Baum heads it all from the moment she takes to the stage to intro number ‘White Rabbit’ by Jefferson Airplane. She dances, spins, smiles and cavorts before the band blast into opener ‘Be Somebody’.
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From this moment, we are spellbound, we are lost in a world of magical music as Tom Shemer (Lead Guitar/Vocals) - the b*st*rd in red, well that’s what partner, Baum calls him.) He pulls all the Rock God shapes as he projects his personality via his instrument in style. P.Y Letellier (Bass /Vocals) is no slouch either, the trio combining in a variety of poses that create and enhance the vibrant vibe.
On drums, the man at the back, Dave Traina refuses to be ignored with his pounding rhythms, constant smiles and huge gestures. Later in the show, he comes to the front as the quartet lap up the acclaim and applause.
By the third song ‘Love Outta Luck’ we are delirious! If the sonic driving beats aren’t enough, the lyrics of “I said some things that I shouldn’t of said” connect with us all and we are bouncing! The video of the song has a man pleading for one more song, one more song! We get 13 more, Hell Yeah!
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It is all sprinkled with magic. The Damn Truth have made the UK their second home over the past few years. This is my 4th encounter and they just get better and better. Their recent self-titled album produced by the legend that is Bob Rock garnered huge praise and a mega review from myself on its release.
I could go on about the excitement, the sheer awesomeness and Shemer’s crowd walk but there I no point. All you need to know is they will be returning soon. Just be there, get yourself acquainted with a band that is truly exploding and happening.
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At the end of the show, The Damn Truth take their applause from a hot and sweaty audience. Straight afterwards, they meet, pose and shake hands with everyone which is total class: that is the damn truth!
By Paul Mace