Dirty Honey Gets Down and Dirty in Charlotte

Can’t Find The Brakes Tour Heats Up The Underground

If you’re a fan of old-school blues-based rock and roll, then you definitely need to put Dirty Honey on your radar. The hard-rocking group made a splash on the music scene in 2019 with their self-titled EP and singles “Rollin 7s” and “When I’m Gone,” and have been getting down and dirty ever since. With bluesy riffs and slinky grooves, Dirty Honey is 70s rock for the modern era and with the recent release of their latest full-length album Can’t Find The Brakes, they appear destined to keep the flames of rock burning in our souls. The band recently made a stop here in Charlotte at The Underground and it was beyond epic, to say the least.

The evening got a jumpstart with singer-songwriter Austin Meade. The best way I can describe Meade is to channel a little Donny and Marie Osmond from my youth and say that he’s a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll. Yes, I realize I just aged myself terribly but for those who have no clue who I am talking about, google them. It’s pretty accurate because Meade is a hard rocker but his country and southern rock roots run deep. Meade surrounded himself with a band of top-notch musicians and quickly won over the hearts of the crowd at The Underground. His set was superb and it’s clear that Meade is a superstar in the making. Check out his latest single “Blackout” here!

After a short break, it was time for Dirty Honey to shine. The stage was set with an array of dazzling lights that gave a magical appearance to the band members as they took their spots on the stage. This was not my first time at a Dirty Honey show. In fact, I saw the band for the very first time at this very venue in April of 2019 as they opened up for Red Sun Rising. Back then, I knew they were something special, and ever since they have been proving me right by playing kick-ass tours and making some of the best down-and-dirty rock and roll out there.

Getting things started with the title track off the new album, Dirty Honey was on fire! Can’t find the brakes? Why would you want to? This band is forging full steam ahead and their set was off the chains. Guitarist John Notto was on point with blistering leads and crunching riffs all night long while bassist Justin Smolian kept the basslines grooving all set long. New drummer Jaydon Bean was a force to be reckoned with behind the kit and a great addition to the band.

Throughout the evening, lead vocalist Marc LaBelle showed the crowd just how badass of a rock and roll frontman he is. His vocals were spot on as he sounded phenomenal whether he was channeling his inner rock gods on hard-pumping tracks like “Heartbreaker” or taking us to church with “Coming Home (Ballad of the Shire.).” But, it’s definitely his showmanship that puts him over the top. Marc knows how to work a crowd and work it he did, handling his mic stand with some Steven Tyleresque moves and getting the fans up front involved early on.

Dirty Honey put on a phenomenal show giving us everything they had and just when you thought there was nothing left to give, they gave a little more. They played all their hits, some new tracks off the latest record, and a few covers to keep things interesting. Do yourself a favor and check out Dirty Honey today. I’m not much of a gambler but I’ll roll 7s with these guys anytime, anywhere.