 | This article has multiple issues. Please helpimprove it or discuss these issues on thetalk page.(Learn how and when to remove these messages) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
|
Dirty Heads | |
|---|---|
 Dirty Heads performing in 2015 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Huntington Beach, California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Labels | |
| Members | Jared "Dirty J" Watson Dustin "Duddy B" Bushnell Jon Olazabal Matt Ochoa David Foral Shawn Gonzalez |
| Past members | Josh Freese |
| Website | dirtyheads |
Dirty Heads is an Americanreggae rock band fromHuntington Beach, California. Their debut album,Any Port in a Storm, was released on September 23, 2008, by Executive Music Group (Fontana/Universal). Their latest album,Midnight Control, was released on August 26, 2023, byBetter Noise Music. They have been associated with music groups such asSublime with Rome,311, andPepper, and have toured with groups includingCobra Starship,Aer, andGym Class Heroes.
The band was founded in 1996 by Jared "Dirty J" Watson and vocalist/guitarist Dustin "Duddy B" Bushnell inOrange County, CA, drawing inspiration from the area's reggae andska culture.[2] The two first met at a party during their first year of high school. Upon hearing one of Bushnell's rap demo tapes, Watson became inspired to collaborate with him on a new project. Bushnell was already in apunk rock band at the time, while Watson had no previous music experience.[3] In Bushnell's garage, the two began writinghip hop songs withreggae andpunk influences. Before filling their current lineup, Watson and Bushnell would perform with Bushnell's older brother Jake Bushnell's band,HB Surround Sound.[4] The band's name stems from their older brothers and family calling them "dirty heads" when they were younger.[citation needed][5]
In 2007, the newly formed band recorded their first demo album,Dirty Demo. It included seven tracks, with an additional song "Gimmie The Mic", listed on the back cover as 'track number 77'.[6]
Percussionist Jon Olazabal and bassist David Foral were later added to the lineup. Record producerRob Cavallo, the then-chief creative officer atWarner Bros., signed the band toWarner Music Group; however, artistic differences led them to leave the label. The band retained ownership of their master recordings, which make up the bulk ofAny Port in a Storm,[7] through the separation.
The band then connected with producers Steve Fox andStan Frazier (drummer fromSugar Ray) to complete their debut album. The album features appearances fromBeatles collaboratorBilly Preston, Peruvianjazz percussionistAlex Acuna,Grammy Award-nominated Britishreggae singer and DJTippa Irie, andIndie 103.1 reggae host Native Wayne. The song "Check the Level" includes guitaristSlash and heavy metal vocalistM. Shadows. The album was mixed byBeastie Boys producerMario C,[8] andLewis Richards of 17th Street Recording. During production of the album, drummer Matt Ochoa was not in the band and drummer of multiple known bands, includingSublime with Rome andNine Inch Nails,Josh Freese stepped in to play drums.
The group first entered the rock/reggae scene when "Ring the Alarm" was chosen as a song on the firstPier Magazine Sampler.[9]
The band started touring heavily inCalifornia,Arizona, and some parts ofMexico before becoming a national touring act. They maintain close ties with groups such asSublime with Rome.[10]
The Dirty Heads have toured the U.S. frequently with bands such asO.A.R.,311,Pepper,Kottonmouth Kings,Unwritten Law,Matisyahu, andSublime with Rome.
The band has also been featured in marketing campaigns forEtnies,[11] Rag Dynasty Shirts, and Vestal Watches. The Dirty Heads were among the first bands featured on YouTube's "RAWsession". The set included a cover ofColdplay's "Viva La Vida".[12]
Their most successful single to date is "Lay Me Down", featuring vocalist/guitaristRome Ramirez ofSublime With Rome. Produced by Stan Frazier and Steve Fox, the song was originally written by Bushnell and Ramirez in about four hours. The video was directed byThomas Mignone and premiered on MTV on June 24, 2010.[citation needed] The song became the #1 Alternative hit after its release and remained #1 for more than 10 weeks.
On March 9, 2012, the song "Spread Too Thin", from their albumCabin by the Sea, premiered on L.A.'sKROQ. On the origins of the song, Watson commented, "In the music industry, there are ups-and-downs, and it's probably more emotionally stressful than physically. So I was talking to my dad, just about some stuff. I was a little stressed, and he has this funny saying. 'You're like a little bit of butter on too much bread.'"[13]
Cabin by the Sea was released on June 19, 2012.[13] The band played several music festivals during Summer 2012, including Catalpa Music Festival onRandalls Island inNew York City.[14]
The album featured artists such asDel the Funky Homosapien in the song "Smoke Rings", andRome Ramirez in the song "Mongo Push".
On July 9, 2013, The Dirty Heads released an acoustic version of the song "Cabin by the Sea", recorded with Thepier.org, as a part of their acoustic series. The album debuted at #27 on theBillboard 200 charts.
On July 28, 2013, The Dirty Heads played their largest sold-out show to date in front of 8,500 hometown friends, family, and fans at the Orange County Fair's Pacific Amphitheatre inCosta Mesa, California. The emotional stop on their "Cabin by the Sea Tour" ended with a "thank you" from the band for Orange County's longtime support.
The Dirty Heads released an 11-track acoustic album, titledHome – Phantoms of Summer, on October 29, 2013.[15]
On May 6, 2014, they released the first single, "My Sweet Summer", from their albumSound of Change, which was released on July 8, 2014.[16] The album reached #2 on Top Rock Albums and reached #8 on theBillboard 200. The set also debuted at #1 on Alternative Albums, led by their single "My Sweet Summer".
In March 2015, Dirty Heads appeared onBlues Traveler's albumBlow Up the Moon, co-writing the song "Castaway" and "Vagabond Blues" withRome Ramirez.
On April 20, 2016, a date chosen for its4/20 significance, the first single, "That's All I Need" from their upcoming 2016 album was released.[17] On July 15, 2016, the group released their self-titled albumDirty Heads.
On October 13, 2017, Dirty Heads released their sixth studio album,Swim Team. The album featuresThe Unlikely Candidates on the song "Celebrate" andNick Hexum of311 on "So Glad You Made It".
On August 9, 2019, the band's seventh studio albumSuper Moon was released. It was produced by Dave Cobb. Jared "Dirty J" Watson describes as "a 70s sci-fi kung fu Western car chase soundtrack."Super Moon was recorded live in Studio A of the RCA building inNashville, Tennessee, whereJohnny Cash andElvis Presley recorded much of their work. With the album release, they toured with 311 on the "2019 Unity Tour".
Dirty Heads' firstgreatest hits albums,The Best of Dirty Heads, was released on July 16, 2021. It includes new collaborations withTravis Barker ofBlink-182, andAimee Allen ofThe Interrupters.
Dirty Heads recorded their eighth studio full-length album, titled,Midnight Control, which was released via Better Noise Music on August 26, 2022. It features cover art created by bassist David Foral and 2 singles; "Life's Been Good" (Joe Walsh cover) and "Heavy Water" withGrammy Award-nominated bandCommon Kings. "Heavy Water" is a song about empowerment", Jared Watson shared. "Being in the water constantly from a young age, we know the power of the ocean. There is nothing more powerful or uncontrollable. 'Heavy Water' is a metaphor for life because when life throws something at you that's unforeseen and uncontrollable, you will be ready for it and not let it overtake you."
Jared also spoke about the meaning behind and the making ofMidnight Control. "The album is the culmination of almost twenty years of musical exploration, creativity, and our love for creating original impactful art and music. It's the best album we've ever written, and I think that's due to the fact we have been through so much, done so much, and are comfortable as songwriters, producers, players and human beings."[18]
In July of 2024, Dirty Heads and Slightly Stoopid co-headlined the Slightly Dirty Tour with support from The Elovaters, Common Kings, Passafire and Hirie. The highly anticipated tour began in Cleveland and runs through the Summer of 2024. Reviews of the tour were universally positive with crowd enthusiasm, a fantastic setlist and the energy of the bands being the driver behind the popular American Reggae bands' success.
In an interview, Nick Williams of The International Newsweekly of Music, Video and Home Entertainment asked whether the Dirty Heads' reggae-rock vibe is influenced bySublime and if they considered the band an Influence. Jared "Dirty J" Watson replied: "I definitely do. We grew up listening to it. We came from the [Long Beach] area and knew a lot of the same people, but we're obviously much younger. We met [Sublime's] Eric [Wilson] and Brad [Nowell] a long time ago. Lewis Richards has produced our stuff. It's almost the same camp. But we are thinking forward. We're not trying to sound like a '90s band. We're still progressive in our music, even though we do have a vintage sound sometimes.The Black Keys inspire us to have warm sounds that have a lot of soul in it, but still be new and relevant."
Starting in 2017, Dirty Heads collaborated with Four Sons Brewing, a micro-brewing company inHuntington Beach, California to create a limited-edition "Session Ale" in a specially designed container featuring album cover art. Named after the band's song "Vacation", the beer is brewed with real pineapple.[19]
Current members
Former members
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
