By: Michael Bragg (Photo Gallery & Review) of MJBragg Photography
Columbia, SC (9/28/21) – The four piece rock outfit known as Dirty Honey have wasted no time getting back out on the road. Fresh off a tour supporting The Black Crowes the group is headlining their own tour now. Tonight’s show brings them to The Senate in Columbia, SC with guest openers Mammoth WVH. Making this even more of a great night is it’s a one time show with these 2 bands together. Arriving early eager fans waited outside the venue for the doors to open and get this show started.
Mammoth WVH
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Being the child of a musical legend has to be a hard thing. This has to be even more true if you’re following in those musical footsteps. As a fan you wonder if the child can live up to their parents reputation. If their was any doubt about Wolfgang Van Halen that was quickly put to rest as he proceeded to wow the crowd with his performance. Wolf has seen his fair share of recognition through the years having , at one point, been the touring bassist in his dads band. He’s also done a lot of studio work on others musicians albums such as Mark Tremonti from Creed/Alterbridge/Tremonti and Clint Lowery from Sevendust. All that experience and acknowledgement is much different than stepping out on your own though and I’m not sure anyone else has done it quite like Wolfgang Van Halen has. The debut album “Mammoth WVH” released on June 11th, 2021 features 14 tracks that have Wolf playing every instrument on the recordings himself. Enlisting the help guitarist Frank Sidoris, guitarist Jon Jourdan, bassist Ronnie Ficarro and drummer Garrett Whitlock for the live lineup the band plays through multiple tracks from the album including “Don’t Back Down,” “Think It Over” and “You’re To Blame.” Also included in the set was the song “Distance” which is a tribute to his late dad Eddie Van Halen. Mammoth is must see act fronted by Wolf who is definitely blazing his own path.
Dirty Honey
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Dirty Honey, formed in 2017, busted on to the scene in 2019. Their debut EP immediately put the band on the charts. The single “When I’m Gone” took the band to the top of the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart. This made the band the first in history to see number one on the chart as an unsigned act. Continuing on that success Dirty Honey was soon opening for notable acts like “Guns ‘n’ Roses,” The Who,” “Alterbridge” and more. Having seen the band two previous times it’s easy to understand their success. Catchy riffs and driving beats topped by some powerhouse vocals draw fans in to the music. With a sound reminiscent of 70’s and 80’s rock from groups like Led Zepplin and Aerosmith, whom they provide a great cover of “Last Child,” Dirty Honey take you back to a time when bands made real music.
Tonight’s show featured many of the bands already popular songs but also showcased the groups new music. Having released a new album on April 23rd of this year the set included new songs such as “The Wire” and “California Dreamin’.” As always Marc LaBelle (vocals), John Notto (guitar), Justin Smolian (bass) and Corey Coverstone (drums) delivered a set of high intensity. Their nostalgic sound is something obviously many desire to hear. In a time where many artists use digitally made music Dirty Honey has prided themselves on not being perfectionist in the studio. That realness of being natural and just feeling the magic of creating something honest definitely translates to the live show.
Dirty Honey currently has dates listed through mid October. Be sure to check out their site for more updates.
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Copyright – Michael Bragg/MJBragg Photography
