Seeing Leeroy Stagger with a full band is always a fantastic experience and rare in Lethbridge as he keeps a low profile when he is back home.
 The Victoria born, Lethbridge based folk/ roots-rock musician didn’t have as many people as who are usually are at one of his shows, but more than who are usually out on  a Thursday night, Sept. 12 at the Slice.

While I missed the Delawares’ opening set, Stagger and his band came in firing on all cylinders.

Stagger and his band took the stage at almost exactly 9:30 for two sets  of energetic, roots rock, focussing on his new CD ‘Truth be Sold.”
 The first set included a couple of my favourites from the new CD including “Goodnight Berlin,” which came near the beginning of the show, plus ESP about adventures in Ireland with his other band Easton, Stagger and Phillips and “Mister.”

He sounded like a blend of Cross Canadian Ragweed and Steve Earle, especially on “Mister.”

 The upbeat rockers were counterbalanced by slower, more tender numbers.

He strummed an old acoustic guitar for most of his set, which had an absolutely huge sound, but switched to a pair of beautiful Les Pauls for the more upbeat numbers. The lead guitarist supplied some subtle slide solos on most of the numbers.

Stagger and his band also performed several new songs they recorded while on tour in England.
 A lot of his songs, especially his newer songs are about being away form his family.
 “Dirty Windshields” was a highlight from his last CD “Little Victories,” which was a highlight of the show.
“Have a Heart,” one of the more rocking numbers from his latest Cd.

 He l talked about staying in a 400-year-old house while on tour in England and recording songs for a new CD .
“I’m not sure how I feel about it yet though,” he said adding when people ask him what song describes his  career, he tells this one, and played a great new song called “10 Long Years.”
 The second set included more of the same— lots of slide guitar and an excellent balance of slower and more rocking numbers.
 Stagger’s former band mate Matthew Robinson joined him on stage to sing harmony on a few songs and lead guitar on the last song as Stagger left the stage, leaving Robinson sing lead vocals to end the show by trading solos with the lead guitarist.