The Dirty Heads at House of Blues Anaheim

Home icon Home»Concert Reviews»The Dirty Heads at House of Blues Anaheim

Written by Melissa Garcia

Saturday, 07 May 2011 21:42

Since there 2008 debut album, “Any Port in the Storm,” The Dirty Heads have been dominating radio waves across the country, and a gaining countless fans along the way. The Huntington Beach natives had their first close-to-home show last night in Anaheim at the House of Blues, rightfully, playing to a sold-out crowd.

After an arduous set from their openers New Politics, they brought the ambiance down to a mellow roar. The whole set was a perfect mix of lethargic energy and beats that got you dancing and nodding your head as if saying “yes” to a good time. The highlight of the night by far was when vocalist, Jared Watson, brought up a fan by the name of Jessica to rap the Buenos Noches verse. And not once did she stumble over a lyric (Touché’ Jessica, Touché’).

For the rest of the set they played radio hits, “Stand Tall,” “Lay Me Down,” and opened with “Neighborhood.” There’s no questioning these guys’ talent from music to their insightful lyrics. These guys can go from an airy love song “Everything I’m looking for” to the Rolling Stones cover of “Paint It Black,” without a hitch. “Ring The Alarm,” brought it hard with raspy vocals from Dustin Bushnell during the chorus.

The Dirty Heads also introduced some new material in their set; I smell a new album coming just around the corner! Now, although The Dirty Heads were the highlight of the evening, it’s a must that I give some credit to their opener, New Politics.

Aside from their so-so music, the singer was the most enthralling performer I’ve ever seen. This guy, David Boyd, was break dancing, seizing and singing at the same time. Oh and how can I forget? He also did a back flip. He looked like a scene from Toys R Us by the way he flailed his legs and arms while on his back. (Did someone not get a toy they’ve been begging for?) Their heavy rock sound, similar to Rage Against the Machine, didn’t out shine the singer’s energy. I’m just surprised he didn’t pass out from exhaustion.

This rock trio from Copenhagen, Denmark has been making waves from their hit single “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah,” which was featured on the video game, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit. Not too shabby guys considering they play without a bassist, oh wait, David Foral from the Dirty Heads came out to play bass for a few songs. Foral looked quite like an outsider with his mellow ways compared to the hyped out New Politics mates that’s surrounded him.

Just to watch the singer was a treat in itself. Forget the music; this guy deserves his own circus show!

Pacific Dub was the first on the stage; unfortunately I only got to see their last song, which made me want to kick myself for missing most out on their performance.