Dirty Heads drop Sound Of Change

Dirty Heads

July 7, 2014

The Grammy Museum- Los Angeles, CA

On the eve of the release of their fourth album, Sound of Change, Dirty Heads performed an exclusive, intimate set at The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, CA for just a few American Express cardholders. After the theatre’s mere 200 seats were all filled up, the lights dimmed and music critic/journalist, Steve Hochman came on stage. He gave the usual “no recording and no flash photography” spiel and then introduced frontmen, Jared Watson and Dustin Bushnell (Duddy B).

Hochman proceeded by conducting a lengthy, detailed interview with the guys talking about the all the change in their appropriately titled new album, Sound of Change. Both Watson and Bushnell agreed that they wanted to do something different for the new album, but not go too far left, “we know we can’t make a metal album. That just wouldn’t work for us” and explained that the new album is still Dirty Heads, just more matured and experimental Dirty Heads. The spoke about collaborations for the album, which include rapper Tech N9ne, B-Real of Cypress Hill and Ward 21;  spoke about working with Rome Ramirez of Sublime with Rome who “created exactly what we wanted and were thinking about and he made it better”; and explained most of the new songs in detail. As the interview came up around the 20 minute mark, Hochman opened the floor up to questions and in between fans asking for autographs and photos, the fans had great questions for the guys and most of whom complimented their new album and the change in it.

Shortly after the interview concluded, the rest of the guys joined Watson and Bushnell on stage where they got up to speed on what happened during the interview,

“We just sat here and talked shit about you guys the whole time” Watson joked to drummer, Matt Ochoa. The quintet reggae-rock-hip-hop quintet wasted no time going into their 9 song set, starting with Burials, off of their latest album. They continued with fan favorites Stand Tall and Lay Me Down from their 2008 release, Any Port in a Storm. 

As the set continued, each song was a different genre; one song felt like you were sitting on Huntington Beach tanning; the next one felt like experimental synth-rock, and the next felt like you were at a hip-hop show. It was great that they, in such a short set were able to combine all these different sounds into one big melting pot of genres. It was not only interesting and fun to watch and listen to, but the transitions between the songs were surprisingly very fitting and smooth.

Aside from Burials, Dirty Heads performed three other new songs that night, including their single, My Sweet Summer; Silence, and ended their set with Sound of Change. In between songs, they would occasionally wish each other good luck, since they have never performed some of these songs live, but as the show went on, it was clear that no luck was needed. At the end of the performance, the fans gave the band a standing ovation (yes, everyone was sitting during the show) and cheers echoed through the room.

After watching them perform such a diverse set, it is hard for someone to not like something that Dirty Heads have to offer. Luckily, a new album means a new tour. Check out the tour dates below and be sure to buy your tickets to see these guys in your town.

Review by: Nicole Lemberg

Dirty Heads Tour Dates: