Review: Dirty Honey Mayhem and Revelry Live

Review: Dirty Honey ‘Mayhem and Revelry Live’

By Charlie Steffens

There have been many prominent bands who wait years to release their first live album. It’s a bold endeavor to press your live, in-concert act onto vinyl for the masses to hear; some opt out altogether. Already established as a group that can deliver the goods onstage, Los Angeles rockers Dirty Honey have issued their first live album despite being a relatively new act. Having released their self-titled debut in 2021 and ‘Can’t Find the Brakes’ in 2023, Dirty Honey’s popularity and commercial success—along with crafting some of the catchiest songs in the rock game—can be attributed to the band’s energetic live shows.

‘Mayhem and Revelry Live,’ is a two-disc live album recorded on various stages in North America, the UK, and Europe during the 2023-24 Can’t Find the Brakes World Tour. This 16-track album documents the band’s musical dynamics in front of diverse audiences. Despite having recorded a few amazing cover songs released as singles a few years ago, the Mayhem and Revelry tracklist contains only original tunes from the band.

The opening track, “Won’t Take Me Alive,” is a loud and clear testament that frontman Marc LaBelle has vocal chops that hold up to his contemporaries while giving a nod to singers from rock’s older eras. LaBelle’s engagement with the audience, along with his light-hearted banter in between the songs, draws in the audience. Backed by the sound instrumental capabilities of guitarist John Notto, bassist Justin Smolian, and drummer Jaydon Bean, Dirty Honey really comes across.

Notto’s guitar licks in “California Dreamin’” and “Rollin’ 7’s” indicate that he has undeniably been influenced by Aerosmith’s axe men Joe Perry and Brad Whitford. Notto’s playing shines throughout the album. He’s a player whose tone, phrasing, and moxie really set the hook into the listener, especially if guitar-driven rock is your thing. In the nostalgic “Coming Home (Battle of the Shire), a perfectly placed mellow break, Notto demonstrates his slide prowess, complementing LaBelle’s soaring lament. The four-minute interlude could easily be likened as Dirty Honey’s answer to Led Zeppelin’s “Going to California.”

“When I’m Gone” (Live)

 
The bruising rhythm section of Smolian (bass) and Bean (drums) is the glue of this band, proven throughout the shows, notably in songs like “Don’t Put Out the Fire” and “Scars.” The cohesion of these two is textbook; they are in the “pocket” with the bass and drums locked in together jamming a groove. When LaBelle and Notto are added to the mix that’s a sound with an infectious quality.

Side One is comprised of recordings in North America, and there are two hard-rocking tracks, “Heartbreaker” and “Dirty Mind,” performed in Cleveland, Ohio which are the standouts on Side One. The second disc includes recordings from the UK and Europe, and after a few listens of “Can’t Find the Brakes” it is audibly obvious that London, England loves Dirty Honey as well. “You Make It Alright,” recorded in Paris, France, caps off the album nicely. It’s apparent that these Angelenos have found their audience both in the US and abroad.

‘Mayhem and Revelry Live’ is a selection of Dirty Honey’s best songs, devoid of annoying backtracks and unnecessary filler. No aimless noodling. No gratuitous drum solo. No pontificating from the lead singer. Fans old and new are sure to love this one.

Pre-order the album here