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Dirty Honey are one of the most exciting rock n roll bands around right now and if they are not currently on your radar then they need to be! Although they have only been together since 2017, they are already looking set to being one of the next great hard rock bands of the twenty-first century. They have already made a pretty big impact, having topped the Billboard charts with their second single “When I’m Gone” before they were even signed to a label.
Hailing from Los Angeles, the band consists of vocalist Marc LaBelle, guitarist John Notto, bass player John Smolian, and drummer Jaydon Bean. They have two self-titled releases, an ep that came out in 2019 and then their full-length debut album which they put out in 2021. They are about to release their second album titled Cant Find The Breaks which, if the songs heard so far are anything to go by, looks set to be another great piece of work.
Dirty Honey’s music channels the sound of many of the great hard rock bands of the past whilst at the same time making their sound fresh and exciting enough to appeal to a whole new generation. Their unique mix of Blues and Hard Rock makes for a very riveting listen with all of the band being excellent musicians. Their main influences are bands such as Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, and Guns N’ Roses and the quality of their work resembles those bands at their peak. In addition to this, their lyrics are often very deep and meaningful, talking about struggles in life and wanting to be in a better place. So , with this article, we are going to give a rundown of the ten best songs to hear from this band for anyone who might not currently be aware of them.
# 10 – California Dreamin
Kicking off this Dirty Honey songs list we have a track from their self-titled debut album which was released in 2021. As the title would suggest, the song’s lyrics deal with following your dreams and wanting a better life for yourself. A lot of people can relate to this and it is a great track that the listener can really rock out to. It was also a commercial success for the band, reaching number twelve on the Mainstream Billboard charts as well as twenty-two on the Rock Airplay charts and thirty-four on the Canadian Rock charts.
# 9 – Wont Take Me Alive
Up next we have a stomping track from the upcoming Cant Find The Brakes that resembles classic Led Zeppelin with its bouncy grove and vocalist Marc Labelle’s very Robert Plant-esque performance. The lyrics are reportedly influenced by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and it is specifically about the pain that the people of Ukraine are currently facing. It has been a successful single release having reached number thirteen on the Mainstream Rock charts.
# 8 – Rolling 7’s
Our next track is a number from Dirty Honey’s self-titled EP released in 2019 that really brings out the band’s Bluesy elements and another that shows their Zeppelin influence. It is also rather reminiscent of Aerosmith, who are clearly an influence on the song’s chorus. The lyrics deal with a man taking a chance with a woman and wondering if he truly loves her. It is one of their most successful singles to date having reached number three on the Mainstream Rock charts as well as twenty-three on the Rock Airplay charts and eleven on the Canadian Rock charts.
# 7 – Another Last Time
The next track on this list is from the group’s first album which reached number twenty-three on the Mainstream Billboard charts. It is a ballad that brings to mind the likes of Guns N’ Roses and the Black Crowes when they would perform such tracks. It is another song that deals with relationship issues, being about not wanting to let go of a toxic lover. It is a rather sad and melancholy number where the listener can feel Marc Labelle’s heartbreak, not just with the lyrics but also with the way that the song is put together. In the end, this is just killer stuff…..
# 6 – Coming Home (Ballad of the Shire)
Next up on our Dirty Honey songs list, we have another track from Cant Find the Breaks which once again is reminiscent of Led Zeppelin who are clearly Dirty Honey’s biggest Influence. This anthemic track is sure to be a staple of the band’s live shows with its massive sing-along chorus and is also proof that this band is destined for stadium rock stardom. Despite being released as a single it has not managed to chart, which is a shame because it has all of the makings of a hit.
# 5 – Fire Away
This song which was the band’s debut single was actually released on its own, not being featured on either the EP or the first album. It once again lyrically deals with the recurring theme in the band’s work of overcoming hardships in life. Musically, it is another blues-influenced number and shows Dirty Honey playing with a slightly different sound, being somewhat reminiscent of late-period Artic Monkeys, which is probably an unlikely comparison to make with this band.
# 4 – The Wire
At number four we have a track from the band’s self-titled full-length album. Written at a time when the band was just starting out, it talks about the frustration of wanting to get out of a place where you don’t want to be. It is a very soulful and energetic track that really shows how good this band is at making great music that comes from the heart. It is one of Dirty Honey’s lowest charting tracks, reaching only forty-six on the Rock Airplay charts whilst reaching the significantly higher position of nineteen on the Mainstream Charts.
# 3 – Gypsy
At number three on this very cool Dirty Honey list is a track from the first record that is fast and energetic and talks about living recklessly. It brings to mind classic AC/DC and it is one of those songs that is perfect to party to. It is also a song that shows how great Dirty Honey is as a rock and roll band. The riff on this song is very catchy but what is particularly impressive is how effortlessly great Marc LaBelle’s vocals sound here, being very strong and soulful with the way that they are delivered.
# 2 – Can’t Find The Breaks
Just off the top spot, we have the title track from the band’s second album. The band could not have picked a better song to share its name with the album as this song is very heavy and all of the band deliver a brilliant performance. There is some definite musical progression here, as although it still has the signature Dirty Honey trademarks, it seems that the band is experimenting with a slightly more aggressive style of playing.
# 1 – When I’m Gone
At the top of our top ten Dirty Honey songs list, we have the track that was the first single to be released from their self-titled EP which topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts when they were an unsigned band. With this feat, Dirty Honey made rock music history as no other unsigned band had achieved this before. Given that the song is about triumphing in the face of adversity, this is very apt. As well as reaching this position it is amazingly their highest charting track as a whole, making waves on the US, Canadian, and the Czech Republic rock charts.
Top 10 Dirty Honey Songs You Must Hear Now article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023
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