The Dirty Heads

The Dirty Heads Biography

"The Dirty Heads" is a reggae rock band from Southern California. Their debut album, "Any Port In A Storm", was released on September 23, 2008, by Executive Music Group (Fontana/Universal). The band was founded in 1996 by "Jared Watson" and fellow vocalist/guitarist "Dustin “Duddy” Bushnell" in the Orange County, CA city of Huntington Beach. The two first met at a party while in their freshman year of high school, beginning a friendship based on music, surfing, skating, and living the Southern California lifestyle. Watson became inspired to collaborate with Bushnell after hearing a rap tape that the latter had recorded. Bushnell was already in a punk band; though Watson had never sung live, written a song, or been a member of a band, he decided to give the project a try anyway. Later, percussionist "Jon Olazabal", drummer "Matt Ochoa", and bassist "David Foral" were added as well, completing the band's lineup and further defining its sound. They got their name from an occasion when they were stealing alcohol from a store and someone shouted at them "Come here you little dirty heads!". With all their members gathered and some solid material, the band started taking their craft seriously. Rob Cavallo (A record producer known for signing popular artists such as Green Day and My Chemical Romance) originally signed the band to Warner Bros., but artistic differences led them to leave the label. The band did manage to take their master recordings, which comprise the bulk of "Any Port in a Storm," with them. The band connected with producers Steve Fox and Stan Frazier (The same people who produced Sugar Ray and Ashlee Simpson) to produce their debut album. "Any Port In A Storm" features one of the last recorded performances from legendary Beatles collaborator Billy Preston, as well as appearances by Josh Freese (Session drummer for Nine Inch Nails and Korn), percussionist Alex Acuna, Jamaican dancehall legend Tippa Ire, and Indie 103.1 reggae host Native Wayne (on "Stand Tall" and "Neighborhood"). The album was mixed by Beastie Boys producer Mario C. The live rhythm section consists of drummer Matt Ochoa and bassist David Foral. The Dirty Heads have toured the U.S. multiple times with bands such as 311, Pepper, Kottonmouth Kings, Matisyahu and Sublime with Rome. The band has also been part of marketing campaigns for Etnies Jeans and Vestal Watches. The Dirty Heads were among the first bands featured on YouTube's Raw Session. The set included a cover of Coldplay's "Viva La Vida." Watch Video