Dirty Heads 'Any Port in a Storm' album

For more than five years, Dirty Heads have been making fans up and down the west coast with their distinctive brand of reggae, hip-hop and folk-influenced party music, as they prepare to release their first full-length album, Any Port in a Storm, which comes out September 23 on EMG through Fontana Distribution.

Produced by Sugar Ray drummer Stan Frazier and Steve Fox , the album includes the first single, "Stand Tall," a song that has already been featured in the 2007 Sony Pictures film Surf's Up, as well as such in-concert favorites as "Chelsea," "Driftin'," "Morning Light" and "Everything I'm Looking For." The disc also includes the late keyboardist Billy Preston, best known for his work with The Beatles, in one of his last recorded performances before his death. Percussionist Alex Acuna, NIN and Korn drummer Josh Freese, Jamaican dancehall legend Tippa Ire and Indie 103.1 reggae host Native Wayne also appear on the album, which was mixed by legendary Beastie Boys mixmeister Mario C.

"That was like a pipe dream for us," says the band's vocalist Jared Watson about the participation of Preston. "We couldn't believe it when we found out he had heard our music and wanted to play on it. We flew out to Arizona, where we got to meet him and watch him record his tracks. It was surreal."

Watson and fellow vocalist/guitarist Dustin "Duddy" Bushnell originally founded the group in Huntington Beach, CA, later adding percussionist Jon Jon Orzabal and drummer Matt Ochoa. Rob Cavallo [Green Day, My Chemical Romance] originally signed the band to Warner Bros., but artistic differences led them to leave the label, though they did manage to take their master recordings, which comprise the bulk of Any Port in a Storm, with them. The band later added several new songs for the album's Sept. 23 release.

"This was the best thing that could happen to us," says Watson about the split. "We feel we know who we are now musically and know where we want to go. This gives us more control and independence. I like the spot we're in, with the industry the way it is. It works well for us."

The group, which went on a national tour with 311 and Matisyahu, has also played dates with Fishbone, Pepper, Slightly Stoopid and Kottonmouth Kings, among others. Their music was picked by star Matthew McConaughey to be in his upcoming film Surfer Dude, while tracks have also been licensed for Tony Hawk's Downhill Video game and the CBS show Shark. Dirty Heads have also been part of marketing campaigns for Etnies Jeans and Vestal Watches.

With their debut full-length about to hit the streets Sept. 23, Jared and his mates are ready to rock. "There have definitely been a number of ups and downs, but we're definitely fired up," he says. "We want to get exposure for this album any way we can… radio, video, viral, Internet. We're going to hit everything, and tour as much as we can. If we could be on the road all year long, we would."

biography
"We want to be positive and entertain,"says Dirty Heads vocalist Jared Watson. "We just want to make you feel good."

Those feel-good roots of the Dirty Heads are grounded in the Orange County community of Huntington Beach. Founded nearly a decade ago by Watson and guitarist/vocalist Dustin Bushnell, the Dirty Heads humble beginnings feature too many late night sessions in the garage with nothing but a four-track recorder and an abundance of great ideas.

Watson met Bushnell during their freshman year of high school at a local party. Stumbling upon a quick rap tape that Bushnell had recorded, Watson became inspired enough to invite Bushnell to collaborate with him on ideas. While Bushnell had been playing in a punk band at the time, Watson had never been in a band, never wrote or sang â€“ rather, his interests ran deep in the surf and skating culture. But he was willing to give this a shot.

With a far broader range of ideas, both musically and lyrically, they started writing hip-hop songs with reggae inflections and a punk attitude in Bushnell's soundproofed garage.

As for the origins of band's name, chalk it up to their wilder side. "Someone's older brother called us 'dirty heads' one day,"says Watson. "We actually stole a 12-pack of beer and he was pissed, so he was like, 'Come here you little dirty heads!"

The duo hooked up with Dirty Heads' percussionist Jon Olazabal. With a set of solid material, the Dirty Heads began taking their craft seriously and began to perform acoustically.

The Dirty Heads next connected with producers with Steve Fox and Stan Frazier (Sugar Ray/Ashlee Simpson). Cutting tracks with the production team, the Dirty Heads began showcasing in the Los Angeles scene, chartering party buses so their fans could make the 30-mile trek from Huntington Beach to L.A. and back. "We went from one bus to two buses to four buses",says Watson.

Recording with Fox and Frazier opened opportunities for the Dirty Heads to enlist guests on its album, including high-profile drummer Josh Freese (A Perfect Circle, Sting, The Vandals), veteran percussionist Alex Acuna and the late Billy Preston. "That was the cherry on top of everything," Watson recalls.

To bring it all together and create just the right vibe, Dirty Heads recruited mixing engineer Mario Caldato Jr. "We loved the way the Jack Johnson and Beastie Boys albums sounded, and we asked, 'Who mixed both of these albums?",says Watson, "and surprisingly, Mario C. had mixed both."

The recent necessity for a proper rhythm section for the live show brings on two other special musicians, Matt Ochoa on drums as an official member of the Dirty Heads, and sideman Siggy Sjoursen on bass. Both bring their talents and extensive years of playing to create an unparalleled live experience.

The band has recently wrapped touring the country with 311 & Matisyahu on the Summer Unity Tour 2007 playing for thousands of new fans. They continue to tour on their own and supporting like minded artists.

meet the band
Dustin Bushnell - Vocals/Guitar
Jared Watson - Vocals
Jon Olazabal - Percussion
Matt Ochoa - Drums

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Dirty Heads - Any Port in a Storm