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Dirty Heads Fun As Ever, Rome is Filling Sublime's Shoes!
Written by Chris Johnson   
Sunday, 01 August 2010 21:38
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Having seen Sublime with Rome’s first official “420” show (technically last year’s Smokeout doesn’t count because that was “Sublime”) and then again at this year’s Weenie Roast at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see the band in action yet again with – who other than The Dirty Heads at the Pacific Amphitheatre.

Sublime with Rome and The Dirty Heads sold out the Pacific Amphitheatre at the Orange County Fair, but who would expect anything less?  Sublime has had hit single after hit single after hit single. Also with a countless number of radio, internet, YouTube, and otherwise “chart toping singles”. Then you have The Dirty Heads, the band native to Orange County, who has had a #1 hit single for some 12 weeks in a row, has had over 100,000 downloads of their song, “Lay Me Down." It  has made underground label history as being the first independent label to release a single with the most consecutive weeks at #1 on the Mediabase charts. It's no wonder why they not only sold out the amphitheater, but the lawn area as well.

When The Dirty Heads came out on stage, Jared Watson immediately got on the mic and opened with, “Everybody stand up, I want you up for the whole fucking show!" During the entire set, not one person sat down. Their time was spent singing and dancing to known and unknown songs alike. The good thing about groups like The Dirty Heads is that it’s all about fun and raw talent, and enjoying life, which goes hand in hand with their music. It was almost like a big party instead of a concert really. The set stated off with “Shine”, “Neighborhood” and “Taint” and that’s about when I realized that I was the only one that was unable to sing most of their songs. Don’t get me wrong, I am a huge Dirty Heads fan, but I think I was humming more than the guys next to me and all over the amphitheater whom were singing every song from beginning to end.

Yes, “Stand Tall”, “Hip Hop Misfits” and their cover of “Paint it Black” was played, which by the way, I think is better than the original. It had more of a modern feel to it with their own little reggae spin on that classic song. When Rome came out, they did a cover of Bob Marley’s "Hammer". Before their #1 single came through the speakers, “Lay Me Down.” Rome however wasn’t the only member of Sublime to join The Dirty Heads, Todd Forman came out to do a 3 minute saxophone solo during a new Dirty Heads song, I must have been so entranced with the music the name of the song wasn't heard.While Sublime does have respectable history, I would lie if I said I enjoyed their earlier shows. I mean, I love their music, but seeing them live at the 4/20 show and then again at Weenie Roast was not very exciting. Rome came off as timid, quiet, and almost anti-social, and soft. Something very different then what we saw today – I think it’s safe to say that Rome has finally grown into the shoes he is wearing as the front man of Sublime- er, Sublime with Rome.

Sublime’s hour and half show started at 8:30 with “Date Rape”, which, by now had the full amphitheater back on their feet and screaming the lyrics along with the energetic Rome and Sublime band.  Their set wasn’t just about old favorites though, proving that they are not just a band of the past, with new songs like “Panic”, which, isn't too new. It did get played last year, it is a song that’s been getting recent recognition through online blogs and YouTube. 

Sublime’s set included other hits like “April 29, 1992”, “Wrong Way”, “Badfish”, and “40 Oz. To Freedom” but also included a few covers, like “Promised Land”. The entire set showed Rome and the entire Sublime band shine like the stars they are. I am happy to say they are finally in their element.  From beginning to end there was great energy and excitement, both from the band and the audience, but more importantly the band. Hell, this was almost a homecoming after all!

They ended with “My Voodoo” and the riots of sound was one of the most intense demands for an encore I had ever heard. Short lived mind you, as Sublime with Rome probably realized there was a curfew in effect. I wouldn’t be surprised if management told me that all of the 10,000 people in the stadium were screaming and stomping their feet at the same time in hopes of a little bit more from their favorite band.

And that’s when shit hit the fan (in a good way). The encore started with “Scarlet Begonias”, before Cheez, Sublime's manager (or friend?) came out to play a guitar for “What I Got”, followed with “Summertime” and “Santeria” – four hit songs that even had the security guards dancing and singing.

How is THAT for a unforgettable show, Melissa!

One question I have though, is wtf was that big stuffed frog doing in the background behind Bud Gaugh? Ok , two questions… why didn’t The Dirty Heads play "Driftin’", a song that has already achieved internet success but no radio play, and , one of my favorite songs=)

Photos By Erik Jordan

 
 

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