Feature Photo: JazzyJoeyD, CC BY-SA 4.0
Dirty Honey made their name the old-school way—grinding it out in Los Angeles, playing club shows, and betting on themselves. Formed in 2017, the band began with singer Marc LaBelle, guitarist John Notto, and bassist Justin Smolian. All three were active in the city’s bar circuit, and after a stint performing in the cover-heavy band Ground Zero, they decided to pursue a more original direction. With the addition of drummer Corey Coverstone—later replaced by Jaydon Bean—they cemented their lineup and chose the name Dirty Honey, inspired by a Robert Plant reference to The Honeydrippers. Their second-ever show took place on the sidewalk of Sunset Boulevard, drawing a crowd of roughly one hundred people, and from there, the mission was clear: lean into the swagger of classic rock and push it into the modern era.
The band’s career took a sharp turn in 2018 after music industry veteran Mark DiDia heard their single “When I’m Gone.” Impressed, he took them on as their manager and quickly landed them slots opening for Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators. “When I’m Gone” became a historic track—it hit number one on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Songs chart, making Dirty Honey the first unsigned band ever to top that chart. That breakout success launched their self-released Dirty Honey EP, which dropped on March 22, 2019. The EP was recorded in Australia with producer Nick DiDia, and within hours of its release, they were receiving messages from friends and family that their songs were spinning on rock radio across the U.S.
The second half of 2019 was defined by aggressive touring. Dirty Honey opened for The Who in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as part of the Moving On! Tour, and supported Alter Bridge and Skillet on the Victorious Sky Tour. They also appeared as the opening act for Guns N’ Roses during the Not in This Lifetime Tour in Las Vegas, further introducing their throwback rock ‘n’ roll sound to massive stadium audiences. Their increasing visibility led to a 2020 iHeartRadio Music Awards nomination for Best New Rock/Alternative Artist, reinforcing their reputation as a fresh voice in modern rock with a deep respect for the past.
Their self-titled debut album was originally intended to be recorded in Australia, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the band to relocate to Henson Studios in Hollywood. With Nick DiDia producing remotely, the album was completed under unusual circumstances and released on April 23, 2021. Dirty Honey (2021) was praised for its confident blend of bluesy grit and arena-ready hooks. Loudwire named it the 30th best rock/metal album of the year. Tracks like “California Dreamin’” and “The Wire” solidified their sound—rooted in the traditions of Zeppelin and Aerosmith, but with a modern edge that was all their own.
The success of the debut album launched a busy touring schedule in 2021 and 2022. Dirty Honey headlined the California Dreamin’ tour with Joyous Wolf, opened for The Black Crowes on their Shake Your Money Maker tour, and even performed Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy” for the 2022 NHL Winter Classic. In 2022, they co-headlined the Young Guns Tour with Mammoth WVH and embarked on their first European tour, opening for Guns N’ Roses, Kiss, and Rival Sons. They followed that with a North American leg of the California Dreamin’ Tour, supported by Dorothy and Mac Saturn.
In January 2023, the band revisited their earlier material, releasing a reworked version of “Heartbreaker,” a track originally intended to have a music video that was scrapped during the pandemic. That same month, they launched their first headlining tour of Europe and the UK. These international dates reflected their growing global reach, and the band showed no signs of slowing down. Every phase of their development has been marked by steady creative evolution, tour-tested performance chops, and a no-frills approach to rock that’s earned them credibility with both fans and fellow musicians.
Dirty Honey’s appeal lies in their ability to revive the classic rock sound without resorting to imitation. They’ve released two major records—the Dirty Honey EP (2019) and Dirty Honey (2021)—and have carved out a space for themselves with big hooks, tight grooves, and a passionate fanbase. From playing on sidewalks to topping charts as an unsigned band, they’ve walked a path that mirrors the grit and independence found in their music. Outside the studio, they’ve shown range—from honoring Prince at a national sports event to touring alongside the biggest names in hard rock—and their story continues to unfold with purpose and power.
Complete List Of Dirty Honey Songs From A to Z
- Another Last Time – Dirty Honey – 2021
- Another Last Time (Live) – Mayhem & Revelry Live – 2025
- Break You – Dirty Honey EP – 2019
- California Dreamin’ – Dirty Honey – 2021
- California Dreamin’ (Live) – Mayhem & Revelry Live – 2025
- Can’t Find The Brakes – Can’t Find The Brakes – 2023
- Can’t Find The Brakes (Live) – Mayhem & Revelry Live – 2025
- Coming Home (Ballad of the Shire) – Can’t Find The Brakes – 2023
- Coming Home (Live) – Mayhem & Revelry Live – 2025
- Dirty Mind – Can’t Find The Brakes – 2023
- Dirty Mind (Live) – Mayhem & Revelry Live – 2025
- Don’t Put Out The Fire – Can’t Find The Brakes – 2023
- Don’t Put Out The Fire (Live) – Mayhem & Revelry Live – 2025
- Down The Road – Dirty Honey EP – 2019
- Get A Little High – Can’t Find The Brakes – 2023
- Gypsy – Dirty Honey – 2021
- Heartbreaker – Dirty Honey EP – 2019
- Heartbreaker (Live) – Mayhem & Revelry Live – 2025
- No Warning – Dirty Honey – 2021
- Rebel Son – Can’t Find The Brakes – 2023
- Ride On – Can’t Find The Brakes – 2023
- Roam – Can’t Find The Brakes – 2023
- Roam (Live) – Mayhem & Revelry Live – 2025
- Rolling 7’s – Dirty Honey EP – 2019
- Rolling 7’s (Live) – Mayhem & Revelry Live – 2025
- Satisfied – Can’t Find The Brakes – 2023
- Satisfied (Live) – Mayhem & Revelry Live – 2025
- Scars – Dirty Honey EP – 2019
- Scars (Live) – Mayhem & Revelry Live – 2025
- Take My Hand – Dirty Honey – 2021
- The Morning – Dirty Honey – 2021
- The Wire – Dirty Honey – 2021
- The Wire (Live) – Mayhem & Revelry Live – 2025
- Tied Up – Dirty Honey – 2021
- Tied Up (Live) – Mayhem & Revelry Live – 2025
- When I’m Gone – Dirty Honey EP – 2019
- When I’m Gone (Live) – Mayhem & Revelry Live – 2025
- Won’t Take Me Alive – Can’t Find The Brakes – 2023
- Won’t Take Me Alive (Live) – Mayhem & Revelry Live – 2025
- You Make It All Right – Can’t Find The Brakes – 2023
- You Make It Alright (Live) – Mayhem & Revelry Live – 2025
Albums and EPs
Dirty Honey EP (2019): 6 songs
Dirty Honey (2021): 8 songs
Can’t Find The Brakes (2023): 11 songs
Mayhem & Revelry Live (2025): 16 songs
Check out our fantastic and entertaining Dirty Honey articles, detailing in-depth the band’s albums, songs, band members, and more…all on ClassicRockHistory.com
An Interview With John Notto & Jaydon Bean of DIRTY HONEY
Top 10 Dirty Honey Songs You Must Hear Now
Read More: Artists’ Interviews Directory At ClassicRockHistory.com
Read More: Classic Rock Bands List And Directory
Complete List Of Dirty Honey Songs From A to Z article published on ClassicRockHistory.com© 2025
About The Author
Brian Kachejian
Brian Kachejian was born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx. He is the founder and Editor in Chief of ClassicRockHistory.com. He has spent thirty years in the music business often working with many of the people who have appeared on this site. Brian Kachejian also holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from Stony Brook University along with New York State Public School Education Certifications in Music and Social Studies. Brian Kachejian is also an active member of the New York Press.