Dirty Honey

Dirty Honey

Dirty Honey is an American rock band from Los Angeles, formed in 2017. The group is led by singer Marc Labelle and also features guitarist John Notto, bassist Justin Smolian and drummer Corey Coverstone; later accounts in the band’s history also refer to Jaydon Bean as the drummer. The band works in hard rock and blues rock, with related associations in classic rock and hair metal.

Formation and early activity

Labelle meets Notto after moving to Los Angeles, and the pair first play together on a cover-song set in a bar before performing on Sunset Boulevard in front of a small crowd. After that second show, they decide to form a band in 2017. Notto brings in Smolian on bass, and after difficulties finding a drummer, Smolian recruits Corey Coverstone, who asks to join. Labelle names the band Dirty Honey after hearing Robert Plant refer to The Honeydrippers in a radio interview and wanting a name that suggests dirty rock and roll.

Releases and chart success

Dirty Honey self-releases its self-titled EP in March 2019, having travelled to Australia to record it with producer Nick DiDia. The single “When I’m Gone” reaches number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart, and the band becomes the first unsigned act to top that chart. The band’s early radio play follows quickly after the EP appears.

Touring and support slots

After “When I’m Gone” gains attention, manager Mark DiDia, a music industry veteran from Columbia Records and a longtime friend of the band, secures support slots for Dirty Honey. The group opens for Slash in late 2018 and tours in 2019 as support for Red Sun Rising on the Peel Tour. It also opens for The Who at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and supports Skillet and Alter Bridge on the Victorious Sky Tour, as well as Guns N’ Roses in Las Vegas on the Not in This Lifetime Tour.

Industry profile

Dirty Honey is described as an iHeartRadio On The Verge Artist. Later material from the band includes the studio album Can’t Find The Brakes, issued via Dirt Records, and the live record Mayhem & Revelry Live.