The Damn Truth

It can be a blessing or a curse to play a one a.m. slot at NXNE. In the case of Montreal rockers the Damn Truth, who played the Horseshoe Tavern in the early hours of Thursday morning, it was neither. Only about 50 people stuck around to hear the classic rock four-piece, but the band made the most of it on their second visit to the historic venue. Fronted by the powerful vocals of enigmatic female singer Lee-La Baum, the group came across as Led Zeppelin reincarnated in the Black Crowes' wardrobe, delivering hard-hitting boogie rock that left photographers racing to keep up. (Lead guitarist Tom Shemer wore purple trousers and a t-shirt that said "Doggy Style" on it, in case you were wondering.) Providing some of the highest energy of the entire evening, the band lay heavily into their recent LP, 2012's Dear in the Headlights, captivating the modest crowd with their burly riffs and boisterous stage personas. Gaining some of the loudest cheers of the night, the Damn Truth proved that there's still a place in the world for some good old-fashioned rock'n'roll.