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Dirty Honey Joins The Struts for a High-Voltage Rock Revival
- Madison Cozzens
- Aug 13
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 13
Contributed by Madison Cozzens
Revisions by LJ Portnoy, Editor-in-Chief
If you closed your eyes at the House of Blues on August 5th, you could almost believe you’d time-traveled to the golden era of rock — the flashlights were up, the riffs were loud, and the crowd sang every word like their lives depended on it. Dirty Honey and The Struts weren’t just playing a show; they were leading a revival.
Rock is Alive and Well at the House of Blues
On August 5th, the House of Blues was packed wall-to-wall with fans ready for a night of pure rock and roll. Dirty Honey hit the stage as special guests on The Struts’ 10-year anniversary tour, delivering a set that blurred genre lines and reignited the spirit of classic rock for a modern crowd.
From LA Bars to Rock Chart History
Formed in Los Angeles in 2017, Dirty Honey — Marc LaBelle (vocals), John Notto (guitar), Justin Smolian (bass), and Jaydon Bean (drums) — skyrocketed onto the scene with their debut single “When I’m Gone”, becoming the first unsigned band to ever top Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Songs chart. Since then, they’ve shared stages with legends like Guns N’ Roses, Slash & The Conspirators, and The Who.
Old-School Swagger with a Modern Edge
Dirty Honey delivers the grit, riffs, and raw energy of a classic rock band, but with a fresh, no-frills punch. LaBelle’s raspy, expressive vocals and impressive range electrify the room, while Notto’s guitar work — equal parts precision and attitude — keeps the crowd locked in. Their set had the hundreds of phone flashlights shining.
Crowd Connection and Setlist Highlights
LaBelle thrives on fan interaction, tossing his mic stand toward the audience to catch their voices mid-song and striding across the stage with rock star flair. The setlist packed in fan favorites like “Heartbreaker”, “Rollin’ 7s”, and “When I’m Gone”, priming the room for The Struts’ glam-rock spectacle.
The Struts Bring the Glam
Celebrating a decade since their debut Everybody Wants, The Struts, fronted by the charismatic Luke Spiller, brought their Freddie Mercury-esque showmanship to the stage. Together, the two bands make for a high-energy, style-clashing double bill that’s as dynamic as it is fun. The tour runs through the end of September, delivering pure rock adrenaline to cities across the U.S.
Riding the Momentum
The tour comes on the heels of Dirty Honey’s first live album, Mayhem and Revelry Live, with signed copies flying off merch tables night after night. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, the band is proving that rock isn’t just alive — it’s thriving.
SoundCheck Spotlight Quote:
“It’s a really good musical mash-up with The Struts. They’re both rock and roll bands, but it’s two different styles of rock. And so far, it’s only been two shows but it’s been fun, and they’re great guys obviously. Honestly we’ve been to Detroit and Cleveland — they’re like the two quintessential rock towns in the country, so kind of expecting both to be good. But they didn’t let us down.”
— Marc LaBelle, Dirty Honey
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