King King & The Damn Truth at O2 Academy, Glasgow 12th February 2022
KING KING’S NIMMO SINGS THE BLUES IN HOMECOMING GIG.
It was a night for the rockers at the Glasgow O2 Academy, with a double bill of loud guitars and great music. The Glasgow crowd were treated to not one but two top bands, with King King headlining and Montreal’s The Damn Truth showcasing their talents.
The Damn Truth are Lee-la Baum on lead vocals and guitars, Tom Shemer on lead guitar and vocals, PY Letellier on bass and vocals with Dave Traina bringing up the rear on drums and vocals too. In the group’s nine-year history, they have toured Europe and supported the likes of ZZ Top, Styx and Rival Sons, and have recently released their third album Now or Nowhere. Now is their time to shine. There is definitely a 70s rock feel from their music, maybe a Sabbath or Zeppelin influence here and there, with great vocals by Lee-la, who looks born to be on stage. Highlights of their short but strong set included This Is Who We Are Now, Tomorrow, a terrific song to close their set, and Only Love, the third track taken from their most recently released album. The band were well received by the Glasgow crowd, who obviously appreciate good, honest rock music, and The Damn Truth are a very decent band, who have been under the radar for far too long. Definitely one to watch in the future.
And now for headliners King King. The band have seen many variations to their line up since being formed in Lincoln in 2008, but currently they are Glaswegian Alan Nimmo on guitar and lead vocals, Stevie Nimmo on guitar and vocals, Jonny Dyke on keyboards, Zander Greenshields on bass and Andrew Scott on drums. The band are tight and link well on stage. Fans of blues music will no doubt appreciate these guys are the real deal.
The majority of tonights set would come from their most recent record, 2020’s Maverick. Opening with She Don’t Gimme No Lovin from 2017’s album Exile & Grace, the crowd were lapping up the bands every beat with lead singer Nimmo having a permanent smile on his face. It’s taken a while to see the band on stage again due to the covid pandemic but they finally made it and they obviously love playing a hometown gig!!
Fire In My Soul, One World and Whatever it Takes, more tracks from the recent release, with Rush Hour a particular highlight of the set. The Audience were lapping up the bluesy rock being played for them, with the ladies in particular loving front man Nimmo in his trademark kilt, kicking up a storm! The music is coming thick and fast, Whatever It Takes and I Will Not Fail, before a three-track encore of When My Winter Comes, Stranger and closing the evening Let Love In.
The Glasgow crowd have this evening been well and truly spoiled, both bands giving 100% and their music providing everyone with a great night out. The Damn Truth are an up-and-coming band who will no doubt be around for a long time to come and King King firmly reaffirm their position as one of the top blues guitar bands around. Great music, and definitely a show worth catching.
Review & Photographs by Stephen Wilson
