VIDEO: DIRTY HEADS To Perform At Port Canaveral Seafood & Music Festival Tonight

THE SUPERVILLAINS, KASH'D OUT, HERITAGE AND COASTAL BREED ALSO PERFORMING FEB. 26

ABOVE VIDEO: Dirty Heads song, “Lay Me Down,” featuring Rome of Sublime, is one of the Huntington Beach, California band’s most popular hit records. 

BREVARD COUNTY • PORT CANAVERAL FLORIDA – Dirty Heads will perform a concert at the Port Canaveral Seafood & Music Festival on Friday, February 26.

“Dirty Heads will bring incredible energy to our festival and their positivity is inspirational” said Giles Malone of Brevard Productions, which is producing the three-day seafood and music festival.

Kash’d Out from Orlando and The Supervillains will open the show for Dirty Heads.Gates will open at 5 pm for the concert evening.

The Sound of Change can’t come from external forces, it has to emanate from within. For Dirty Heads, evolution beyond their reggae-rock roots has developed over time and is manifested on their new album “Sound of Change.”  The album boasts some of the groups’ most diverse and ambitious work to date.

“Sound of Change” takes a literal meaning with the production of this album, as the band links up with Grammy award winning producer Supa Dups (Nina Sky, Bruno Mars), Buddah Shampoo (Ty Dolla $ign), Niles (of hip hop duo, The Cataracs), Ward 21 (311, Major Lazer reggae collaborators) and long-time friend and collaborator, Rome (Sublime).

The feel-good vibe associated with their sound was not forgotten. Sonically, “Sound of Change” amps up the groundwork laid by previous albums. Fine-tuned alternative choruses work harmoniously with hip-hop influenced production that seams the songs together. Universal themes of compassion, reflection and happiness are at the core of “Sound of Change.”

“We wanted the songs on this album to touch on the things we deeply care about and the people we are inside” front man Jared (Dirty J) Watson asserts, “but then we want to address the other side — when the weekend comes and we need to let go and just rage.” Who can’t relate to that feeling?

Vocalist/Guitarist Dustin Bushnell (Duddy B) is constantly looking to connect the dots between the live show with the album tracks, often mentally mapping out the live elements as the songs are being recorded. For the touring cycle surrounding the release “Sound of Change” the band plans to bring a live show that will energetically compliment each new track.

Dirty Heads have racked up their miles bringing that live experience to fans across the globe for over a decade. “Now that our lives are touring we get to see the world,” both Watson and Bushnell agree, “we’re taking stories and vibes from around the world and making this album is the culmination of that.”

The band’s breakout 2008 album “Any Port In The Storm” included the chart-topping hit track “Lay Me Down” which features current Sublime frontman, Rome. The track had an incredible run for eleven weeks at #1 on the Billboard charts, laying a solid foundation for their follow up sophomore album “Cabin By The Sea” which was released in 2012.

Dirty Heads then began their musical metamorphosis with their 2013 acoustic album “Home — Phantoms Of Summer,” allowing time for their metamorphosis embodied in “Sound of Change.” Their previous work featured contributions from talent such as Del The Funky Homosapien, Matisyahu, Rome (Sublime) and guitar legend Slash.

“Sound of Change” is a melting pot of all the band members’ experiences and musical persuasions, addressing both serious and lighthearted subject matter in their signature way. On the lighter side of the spectrum, “Burn Slow” (Produced by Rome, featuring rapper, Tech N9ne) showcases the hip-hop oriented side of the band.

With anthemic choruses and a feel-good aura, Watson boasts the song is the perfect soundtrack for those times when you’re “having a good time, going out with friends and realize that sometimes you just need to chill.” The retro sound and sexy lyrics of “Hear You Comin,” highlights Watson’s soaring vocals in its hook.

The first single, the metaphorical “My Sweet Summer” (produced by Niles from The Cataracs) is, in reality, a song for all seasons. An undeniable groove underlines the lyrical lament. The title track “Sound of Change” is the key manifestation of the artistic maturation of the band.

“The world is always changing political and social outlooks and on a broader scale, look at the changes within yourself” Watson reflects, “the song is about embracing the change life is going to bring no matter what, because that change is inevitable.” Though there is diversity on “Sound of Change,” as a body of work, it is cohesive in a way only Dirty Heads can achieve.

As a full six-piece unit, frontmen Watson and Bushnell are joined by keyboardist/vocalist Shawn Hagood, percussionist Jon Olazabal, drummer Matt Ochoa and bassist David Foral. This lineup is hell-bent on grabbing new ears with “Sound of Change.” Their own journey can be heard within the album — all you have to do is sit back and listen.

CLICK HERE FOR DIRTY HEADS CONCERT TICKETS AT PORT CANAVERAL 

ABOUT DIRTY HEADS 

Dirty Heads is a band from Huntington Beach, California, with a melodic style that includes hip hop and ska punk (up tempo reggae which originated in Jamaica).

Their debut album, Any Port in a Storm, was released on September 23, 2008, by Executive Music Group (Fontana/Universal). Their newest album, Sound of Change, was released July 8, 2014. They have been associated with music groups such as Sublime with Rome, 311, and Pepper and have toured with groups such as Cobra Starship, AER, Gym Class Heroes, and more.

The band was founded in 1996 by Jared “Dirty J” Watson and vocalist/guitarist Dustin “Duddy B” Bushnell in Orange County, CA, where there was reggae/ska influence. The two first met at a party during their freshman year of high school.

Upon hearing one of Bushnell’s rap demo tapes, Watson became inspired to collaborate with him on a new project. At the time Bushnell was already in a punk rock band, while Watson had no previous music experience. In Bushnell’s garage, the two began writing hip-hop songs with reggae and punk influences. The band’s name stems from their older brothers and family calling them “dirty heads” when they were younger.

Later, percussionist Jon Olazabal, drummer Matt Ochoa, and bassist David Foral were added to the lineup, further defining the band’s sound.

Record producer Rob Cavallo, who was the chief creative officer at the time and had signed acts such as Green Day and the Goo Goo Dolls, originally signed the band to Warner Bros., but artistic differences led them to leave the label.

The band managed to keep hold of their master recordings through the separation, which make up the bulk of Any Port in a Storm. The band then connected with producers Steve Fox and Stan Frazier (drummer from Sugar Ray) to complete their debut album.

The album features appearances from legendary Beatles collaborator Billy Preston, Josh Freese (drummer for The Vandals and session drummer for Nine Inch Nails and Korn), Peruvian jazz percussionist Alex Acuna, Grammy nominated British reggae singer and DJTippa Irie,and Indie 103.1 reggae host Native Wayne.

The song “Check the Level” includes guitarist Slash and heavy metal vocalist M. Shadows. The album was mixed by Beastie Boys producer Mario C,[4] and Lewis Richards of 17th Street Recording.

The group first entered the rock/reggae scene when “Ring the Alarm” was chosen as a song on the first Pier Sampler. The band started touring heavily in California, Arizona, and some parts of Mexico before becoming a national touring act. They maintain close ties with groups such as Sublime with Rome.

The Dirty Heads tour the U.S. frequently with bands such as O.A.R., 311, Pepper, Kottonmouth Kings, Unwritten Law, Matisyahu, and Sublime with Rome. The band has also been part of marketing campaigns for Etnies Jeans, Rag Dynasty Shirts, and Vestal Watches. The Dirty Heads were among the first bands featured on YouTube’s “RAWsession”. The set included a cover of Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida.”

Their most successful single to date, “Lay Me Down”, features vocalist/guitarist Rome Ramirez of Sublime With Rome. Produced by Stan Frazier and Steve Fox, the song was originally written by Bushnell and Ramirez in about 4 hours, who were under the influence of marijuana at the time. The video was directed by Thomas Mignone and premiered on MTV on June 24, 2010. The song became the No.1 Alternative hit after its release and remained No.1 for more than 10 weeks.

CLICK HERE FOR DIRTY HEADS CONCERT TICKETS AT PORT CANAVERAL 

Cabin by the Sea

On March 9, 2012, the song “Spread Too Thin”, off their upcoming album Cabin by the Sea, premiered on KROQ. 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.'”

Cabin by the Sea was released on June 19, 2012.[9] The band played several music festivals during Summer 2012, including Catalpa Music Festival on Randalls Island in New York City.

The album featured artists such as Del the Funky Homosapien in the song “Smoke Rings,” and Rome Ramirez in the song “Mongo Push.”

Home – Phantoms of Summer

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 number 27 on the Billboard 200.

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 in Costa Mesa, CA. The emotional stop on their “Cabin By The Sea Tour” ended with a gracious “thank you” from the band for all the local support over the years, including a “trip down memory lane” story of when the band used to play small shows in local Huntington Beach, CA bars to a handful of people.

The Dirty Heads released an 11-track acoustic album, titled “Home – Phantoms of Summer,” on October 29, 2013.

Sound of Change

On May 6, 2014, they released the first single titled “My Sweet Summer”, from their new album on iTunes. Their new album, titled Sound of Change, was released on July 8, 2014. The album reached No.2 on Top Rock Albums and reached No.8 on the Billboard 200. The set also debuted at No.1 on Alternative Albums, led by their single “My Sweet Summer.”

In March of 2015, Dirty Heads appeared on Blues Traveler’s album Blow Up the Moon, co writing the song “Castaway” and “Vagabond Blues” with Rome Ramirez.

DIRTY HEADS MEMBERS:

Jared “Dirty J” Watson – co-lead vocals (1996–present)
Dustin “Duddy B” Bushnell – co-lead vocals, guitar (1996–present)
David Foral – bass (2003–present)
Matt Ochoa – drums (2003–present)
Jon Olazabal – percussion (2003–present)
Shawn Hagood – keyboard (2003–present)

CLICK HERE FOR DIRTY HEADS CONCERT TICKETS AT PORT CANAVERAL 

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