The Dirty Heads – Project Greenroom Interview

The Dirty Heads – Project Greenroom w/ Dustin “Duddy” Bushnell

It’s 3:30 p.m., a full three hours before the doors at Starland Ballroom open. Dustin, “Duddy,” Bushnell exits the stage door and is greeted by a half a dozen fans, eagerly waiting to catch a glimpse and score an autograph from the singer/guitarist of The Dirty Heads. During the band’s co-headlining show with Gym Class Heroes at Starland Ballroom on October 21, it was clear that the fans were extremely dedicated to the band and to having a good time. However, it’s evident that this love is more than mutual: “We love you guys, and we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for your support,” Bushnell earnestly said during the interview. Later in the evening, a “Dirty Heads” chant started, with practically everyone in the jam-packed room participating. The band had nothing but smiles on their faces and said, ”New Jersey, you trying to make this the best show of the tour?” The roaring response from the audience was interpreted as an obvious yes.

The amount of support fans have shown The Dirty Heads has been overwhelming. In just three years since the release of Any Port in a Storm, the band has skyrocketed from opening gigs, to a sold-out headlining tour this past spring, and now a co-headlining tour with Gym Class Heroes. “We’re stoked to get on the road with them,” Bushnell says. “We love getting on the road with bands that most people wouldn’t think we normally would go out with, but that’s how we are going to build new fans.” Since the release of their debut album, the band has extended its fan base by touring with an array of bands, including their idols, Sublime. “It was crazy at first for sure, I was more of a fan than a musician at first,” Bushnell explains. “Then you realize, wow we are on tour with Sublime, and my good friend is singing with them!”

A top reason so many fans cling on to The Dirty Heads is their unique blend of musical genres. “Everyone listens to everything,” Bushnell notes. “You could walk on our bus at any given time and hear, reggae, classic rock, classical piano music, or Jared is in the corner freaking out to dub-step.” In their music you hear it all. They even show their love for The Rolling Stone by covering “Paint it Black” on tour. Their rendition at the NJ show particularly highlighted their musical talent and overall passion for a variety of musical styles. Moreover, by incorporating funk, punk, hip-hop, and everything in between, they are opening themselves up to a wider audience by leaving all bias behind.

Although the band is riding the wave of success from Any Port in a Storm, fans are itching for new material. Luckily, the band sprinkled in three new songs into the set. After hearing them it is clear that The Dirty Heads have perfected their sound. “Any Port in a Storm was our first time in the studio, so we had no idea what we were doing,” Bushnell reflects “I feel like working with the people we did on the first album, who taught us a lot, and being on the road and growing as musicians, and learning how to write with each other, helped us figure out the direction we wanted to go. We went in with more of an idea on this album of what we wanted to do. On the last album, it was like ‘Yeah! Big bass, this if fun!’ When we went in to write the album, it was like shit, we already have twenty ideas, and we got to record them, and now go on the road and listen to them. We’ll pick it apart and then go back home, fix it and make it nice.”

This methodology seems to be beneficial for the quintet. Not only do they get to pick apart the songs, they get to road test them and see if the fans dig them. Before one of the new songs Jared announced, “We’re going to play a new one, and you guys are going to be the judges.” Let’s just say after that song the crowd had nothing but loud screams. Apparently, the song passed the test.

But one question remains: When can we expect the new album? “It’s about ninety percent done,” Bushnell reveals. “And after we get done with this tour we’re going to try and wrap it up and get it out hopefully next spring.” I know their fans, myself included, cannot wait until then, but for now I have no problems blasting Any Port in a Storm.

The Dirty Heads’ hour-long set at Starland Ballroom also was jam-packed with an array of fan-favorites. “Believe” is always one of the loudest sing-a-longs of the night, “Neighborhoods” gets the crowd dancing, and “Lay Me Down” brings their fans back to the moment when they first heard them. “Lay Me Down” was the first song I heard from them. I saw a snippet for the track’s music video in between shows on MTV. I immediately went and bought the record, just like many people did after hearing the song. Since the first time I saw them, summer 2010 with Sublime, the band has grown tremendously into an amazing, engaging live act. There is a level of professionalism there, but at heart, The Dirty Heads are still the same group of guys from California, just having fun.

There isn’t a kid out there that hasn’t said, “I want to be a rock star.” Although The Dirty Heads aren’t The Rolling Stones yet, they are well on their way to becoming a long-lasting act for many years to come. Their music is timeless, and I guarantee in 20-plus years people will still be singing, “Can you feel it? I’m like six damn strings never sounded so appealing. Can you feel it? I’m like once you grab the mic, you better sing like you believe.”

For the time being, it seems they are soaking in every moment, and not taking anything for granted.