Review: Dirty Honey Self-Titled Debut Album

Dirty Honey, L-F: John Notto (guitar), Marc LaBelle (vocals), Corey Coverstone (drums), Justin Smolian (bass)

By Martine Ehrenclou

Los Angeles-based rock band Dirty Honey releases their self-titled debut album on April 23, 2021, produced by Nick DiDia (Rage Against the Machine, Pearl Jam) who also produced their self-titled EP (2019.)

Dirty Honey hit it big in 2019, striking it hot with their brand of melodic rock, sexy rock and roll with the soul of 70’s blues/rock. Dirty Honey’s debut single “When I’m Gone” became the first song by an unsigned band to reach Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart. Their success continued with their self-titled EP that became their calling card to open for The Who, Guns N’ Roses, Slash ft. Myles Kennedy, and Alter Bridge. Sold out shows for January and February of 2020 screamed to a halt with the pandemic. But that didn’t stop this band. They used the time to write and further prepare for recording this album.

Rock is alive and well and especially with the electrifying Dirty Honey. The band has something special and if rock bands could bottle it, they’d all be incredibly successful. Dirty Honey is original, authentic with exceptional musicianship and airtight songwriting. With rip-roaring, tasteful guitar riffs by John Notto, a helluva contemporary rock vocalist in Marc LaBelle, equally compelling drumming by Corey Coverstone and bass by Justin Smolian, the collection of eight tracks features downright killer songs.

Dirty Honey is outstanding as a unit, working together as a band in service of the songs. This isn’t just a rock band with 70’s influences. They have a unique identity, with shades of some of the past blues/rock greats. It doesn’t hurt that lead singer Marc LaBelle has one of the best rock vocals I’ve heard in a while, a singer who’s versatile, using different facets of his voice to approach the songs.

The album kicks into high gear with album opener “California Dreamin,’” a bold rocker with smoking hot guitar and catchy hooks. The song is so damn good you might miss the cautionary tale about chasing the dream of coming to California to make it. It doesn’t always work out. There’s angst in LaBelle’s vocals as he sings about downshifting from fantasy to reality.

“Tied Up,” another standout, a rocker that showcases guitarist John Notto’s talent for tasteful, killer riffing. Standing on the shoulders of some of the greats that came before him, his guitar playing is not flashy but integral to the song. Notto’s guitar solo made me think of Joe Perry in all the best ways but with his own signature spin. About love and lust and the allure of wanting someone who isn’t good for you, this band is red hot and tight. By the end of the song, in the span of a few seconds, you’ll hear LaBelle’s versatility as a vocalist, singing a capella with backing singers. What a vocal range.

LaBelle says, “It’s just about getting the performance right and not thinking about it too much. I never like to be perfect in the studio. None of the stuff that I really liked as a kid was. I don’t really see myself getting away from that too much in the future just because I think you lose the soul if you do it too many times, if it’s too perfect.”

And there you have part of the magic of Dirty Honey.

“The Morning,” another standout, is a rocking number with plenty of groove. Opening with LaBelle singing in his lower register with a bit of a growl, you’ll hear his flair for using his upper and lower vocal register, the best of both worlds and not common enough in rock singers. Notto creates rocking, melodic guitar riffs with a dark, thick sound and has a firm grip on tone. This band is the real deal, and you’ll hear that authenticity on this and other tracks.

A bluesy rock ballad, “Another Last Time” closes the set with a tune about love that’s not meant to last. LaBelle’s voice is a whisky shot of soulfulness over Hendrix-y riffs and interesting chord changes. The whole band knocks it out of the park.

Highly recommended.

Listen to “Tied Up”