Are Dirty Honey the Saviours of Classic Rock N Roll? We head to Stylus at Leeds University to find out.
Words – Ruth Shay, Photos – John Hayhurst
Many a 60/70’s rock god have testified to say “Classic Rock ‘N’ Roll is Dead” co-incidently, just as their careers are in the decline, however, there are flickers of light around many a small concert hall these days, to say that life is very much in the ascendency. Tonight we have a band that could potentially be leading contenders to save the genre, pumping some new youthful energy into the corpse and getting it firing on all cylinders again.
‘Rock’n’Roll Damnation (AC/DC) is the intro music, and three shadowy figures step out onto the stage as the crowd erupts into loud cheers. In gold mirrored shades, Justin Smolian grooves into the leading bassline, kicking off the title track of their new album, ‘Can’t Find The Breaks’. Running out on stage with full energy in fluffy jacket, tight black trousers, hat and shades is Marc Labelle, immediately bright yellow and red toned lights illuminating the stage. “Hello Leeds, We’re Dirty Honey from Los Angeles California” Labelle yells into the mic, the audience already in the palm of his hand. John Notto on a Les Paul guitar is pulling all the Jimmy Page pouting moves he can muster, and with trad silk scarves tied to his waist is already into his second blistering solo.
Their first time in Leeds, Dirty Honey are on the road to support their latest album of the same name, and the mixed age crowd here are loving every second of it. In fact it is suprising how many youngsters are here, considering I expected this to be an OAP Heavy Metal outing for the follicly challenged and Enter Shikari are playing tonight at the Arena down the road.
Labelle, Notto, Smolian and newest member of the band Jaydon Bean (drums) know how to command the stage with confidence and ease, there are clear strong shades of Aerosmith, Black Crowes, Rolling Stones and the odd whiff of Guns n Roses every now and then. Every fan in the building was completely captivated by this young band of Classic Rock ‘n’ Roll saviours. Labelle dedicates “Heartbreaker” to the women in the house, roars of cheers were heard from the many ladies attending the show. A fan favorite since its release in 2019.
He will tease the audience by holding his mic stand over the pit and into the crowd, whipping them up into a frenzy with each movement, Marc Labelle is a performance showman and a focal point for everyone here. Labelle freely admitting that he learned everything about being a frontman from watching Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes. His vocals however are also first class and more akin to Steven Tyler or Axl Rose than Robinson.
Curating a setlist that combined the perfect amount of new and old tracks, finally the shades are off as they settle down to some acoustic noodling and pull out of the bag a compelling and errrr.. ‘Honky Tonk’ bluegrass acoustic cover of The Rolling Stones ‘Honky Tonk Women’. It was sublime and they made it their own, a refreshing take and then the always energetic ‘Let’s Go Crazy’ by Prince, Dirty Honey’s show is a mash up of metal and funky soul with unique cover arrangements.
The stage goes dark, a spotlight illuminating Notto as his fingers dance across the fretboard of his Les Paul, playing an extended intro to “Another Last Time”, a track that had everyone singing along. Halfway through the song Labelle jumps off the stage, climbing up onto the barricade, becoming one with the audience. Taking the phones of lucky fans, he sings into the camera, taking videos to be cherished forever. Holding his microphone out to the audience, Labelle signals everyone to sing. “Another last time, another last time, one more go around and we say goodbye” is sung thunderously throughout the venue, the voices of the fans almost overpowering Labelle.
A great live rendition of first hit and personal favourite ‘When I’m Gone’ closes out the setlist. The room going dark once again, chants of the band’s name echoing off the walls. No one wanted the night to be over. Back on stage, the band started off their encore with a new song, ‘Won’t Take Me Alive’. The band have taken their new studio tracks and rendered them perfectly for their live show.
Closing out the night with an extended ‘Rolling 7s’, where everyone was introduced and had the chance to give a little solo. Simolian’s bass must have been plugged into a synth as it was making noises not associated with any human, and thankfully no long drum solo, they kept it tight along with a funky bassline and guitar. John Notto though taking full advantage of the moment and showed why he is definitely a future guitar hero to watch.
Never disappointing, Dirty Honey have yet again rocked a University Hall as if it was an Arena, their energy never wavering once. With every performance they gain new followers and it won’t be long before they are at Arena status in the UK, catch it all now before that happens.
Setlist: Can’t Find The Brakes, California Dreamin, Heartbreaker, Get A Little High, Scars, Dirty Mind, Tied Up, Coming Home (Ballad Of The Shire), Honky Tonk Women, Don’t Put Out The Fire, Let’s Go Crazy, The Wire, Another Last Time, When I’m Gone. Encore: Won’t Take Me Alive, Rolling 7s.
John has been to gigs for over 30 years and he travels all over for festivals. Genres range from folky female singers to bloodbath metal whores - Live for the Music!
