By Gus Samarco, Rock At Night Raleigh, NC
LIVE REVIEW: Dirty Honey w/Mammoth WVH – The Young Guns Tour-The Ritz, Raleigh, NC – April 5, 2022
Well, rock ‘n’ roll fans, it has been a long and cold COVID winter, but yours truly is finally back to the pit and my editor gave me a pretty darn sweet assignment to get my feet wet again. Two of today’s most dynamic live bands, Mammoth WVH and Dirty Honey.
Unfortunately,
Mammoth WVH had to cancel their show due to a COVID case among the band’s touring personnel. I wish all the involved a speedy recovery. Although I technically didn’t get to see Mammoth WVH, I’d like to say a few words based on listening to their album.
Mammoth WVH requires no introduction, although the name Mammoth sparked curiosity. Well, Mammoth was the name Alex and Eddie Van Halen used to call their band in the beginning of its formation. It is also worthy mentioning that Wolfgang single-handedly recorded the band’s debut album. And, the opening track “Mr. Ed” is all the evidence one needs to know Wolfgang is a Van Halen–but the similarities end there. As Wolf himself said on Twitter “It’s important I forge my own path.” And just like that, ladies and gents, the world of music has a new prodigy on the loose.
As a concert photographer, having your socks knocked off by an up and coming artist, comes with the territory. I remember when I saw Greta Van Fleet playing at the Pour House in Raleigh back in 2017. Right then I thought, “Those Kids are the Next Big Thing.” The rest is history.
Dirty Honey emulates the same feeling, I’m betting on seeing Dirty Honey taking a Grammy home in a near future.
Dirty Honey brought their sweet soiled rock ‘n’ roll to Raleigh. The band really knows how to transmit their energy to the crowd and it is electric. Opening the show with “California Dreamin’” made the crowd get in gear straight out off the bat. Dirty Honey’s music summons all the energy in the right places– like, good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll should. The band was on fire.
Dirty Honey plays music not only sounds good but makes one feel good. I invite you to listen to the music live and/or all the music platform. Good, unadulterated, fun, rock ‘n’ roll.
The Young Guns Tour is in support of both artist’s self-titled debut albums released earlier this year. Each saw their debut singles – Dirty Honey’s “When I’m Gone” and Mammoth WVH’s “Distance” – occupy the #1 position on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. In addition, both bands’ debut albums made quite impressive bows; Mammoth WVH debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums chart, and Dirty Honey – the band, totally independent with no label affiliation – claimed the #2 position on that chart.
“People who come to our shows are going to see two bands who are looking to prove that rock ’n’ roll is definitely very much alive and well,” said Dirty Honey’s Marc LaBelle. “We both carry the weight of that on our shoulders, and there’s a lot to prove.”
PHOTO GALLERY
SETLIST
California Dreamin’
Break You
Heartbreaker
No Warning
The Wire
Scars
Tied Up
Down the Road
Gypsy
Let’s Go Crazy
Another Last Time
Shoot to Thrill
When I’m Gone
Rolling 7s
ENCORE
Last Child
DATES FOR THE YOUNG GUNS TOUR
FEBRUARY
20 Ogden Theatre, Denver, CO
21 The Complex, Salt Lake City, UT
22 Revolution, Boise, ID
24 House of Blues, Las Vegas, NV
25 Ace of Spades, Sacramento, CA
MARCH
1 House of Blues, San Diego, CA
2 The Wiltern, Los Angeles, CA
4 The Marquee, Tempe, AZ
5 Fantasy Casino, Indio, CA
9 House of Blues, Dallas, TX
10 Aztec Theatre, San Antonio, TX
12 Diamond Ballroom, Oklahoma City, OK
13 Uptown Theatre, Kansas City, MO
15 The Rave, Milwaukee, WI
16 House of Blues, Chicago, IL
18 The Bluestone, Columbus, OH
20 Roxian Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA
23 Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak, MI
24 Danforth Music Hall, Toronto, ONT
26 Big Night Live, Boston, MA
27 Toad’s Place, New Haven, CT
28 Webster Hall, New York, NY
30 Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, NJ
31 The Fillmore, Philadelphia, PA
APRIL
1 Rams Head Live, Baltimore, MD
3 Iron City, Birmingham, AL (Dirty Honey solo headline date)
5 The Ritz, Raleigh, NC
6 The Fillmore, Charlotte, NC
8 Marathon Music Works, Nashville,TN
9 The Plant, Dothan, AL
10 Hard Rock Orlando, Orlando, FL
12 Tabernacle, Atlanta, GA
SOCIAL MEDIA
READ or listen to the audio of ROCK AT NIGHT’s interview with JOHN NOTTO:
Gus was Born and raised in Brasilia, Brazil but have been living in Raleigh, NC since 2000.
Headshot Photographer under Peter Hurley, Gus started shooting concerts in mid 2014 and felt in love with it and hasn’t stopped since.
Gus is a very active fiction book reader and when he’s not working, taking pictures or sleeping, Gus loves riding his Mountain Bike and can also be found shooting (guns and cameras) USPS and 3Gun matches.
His favorite bands are Metallica, Pearl Jam, Whitesnake, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Pantera, RATM, Beastie Boys and it goes from there. Gus also enjoy listening to EDM, Jazz, Classic and pretty much anything that has good music quality, not to mention his favorite Local Band, Jack the Radio
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