Categories: BlogConcerts

Rock Music Is Alive And Well: Dirty Honey and The Band Feel Concert Review

Don’t let anyone tell you that rock music is dead.

I just saw two phenomenal younger bands that rock as well as anyone, past or present.

Dirty Honey and the opener The Band Feel.  Live at a really cool club in Cincinnati, OH called Bogart’s.

I had not heard of The Band Feel until somewhat recently with their social media video posts from their shows.

I was impressed so I knew they would be great when I saw them.

Holy cow!!!!  The best word I can use to describe them is “powerful”.

They sound like a 60s/70s rock band, which I love, but yet still sound fresh.

The whole band (singer Garrett Barcus, guitarist Tyler Armstrong, bassist Rodger Lenhardt, and drummer T.J. Steinwart) is so loud and punchy.

Everyone sounds great, but the rhythm section, especially, may possibly be the most powerful rhythm section I’ve ever heard in concert.  And trust me, I’ve seen the best of the best.  I’m not kidding they’re that great.

These guys are super impressive and I think they have a great future ahead of them.  I certainly hope they do.

I cannot wait to buy their new EP, out October 25, on their website thebandfeel.com.  They already have a few singles out digitally and a Live EP (Live In St. Petersburg) also.

Check these guys out if you want your rock loud, powerful, and punchy.  

Again, they are called The Band Feel.

Now to the headliner:  Dirty Honey!!!!

I had become aware of this band a few years ago.

They definitely have a 70s/80s rock vibe to their sound, but still sound quite fresh and new.

They have one EP (Dirty Honey) and two albums (also called Dirty Honey and Can’t Find The Brakes) so far, and all of them are great.

I almost got to see them in 2023, but unfortunately, I was sick.

Luckily, they came back around so I could see them.

Dirty Honey, along with Lost Hearts (another great young rock band) are my favorite somewhat newer band.

Everyone in the band are amazing at what they do.

The singer, Marc LaBelle, has such a great voice.

Guitarist John Notto is unbelievable.

And this rhythm section (bassist Justin Smolian and drummer Jaydon Bean) are quite powerful too.

They have a loud and raw, but clean and clear sound.

If you put The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, and Guns N Roses into a blender, mix them up, and you got Dirty Honey.

Marc said at one point in the show that they were recording this show and others for a live album, so that’s something else to look forward to.

I love Dirty Honey so much and they, along with The Band Feel, Lost Hearts, and a few other bands give me hope that rock music will carry on once all the legends sadly go away.

To me, rock music will never die, and as long as Dirty Honey, and all these other great younger bands are around (and I’m sure more bands in the future), rock music is not dead.  

Got it?!  Good.

Rock forever guys and please check out Dirty Honey at dirtyhoney.com.  You will not regret it.

The Band Feel Set List:

  1. Find A Love
  2. Shoal Creek
  3. Call It What You Will
  4. Poem 59/With A Little Help From My Friends (Joe Cocker version)
  5. Goodbye Virginia
  6. G Rock (working title)
  7. Brother
  8. In The Garden

Dirty Honey Set List:

  1. Can’t Find The Brakes
  2. California Dreamin’ (No it is not The Mamas And The Papas song.)
  3. Heartbreaker
  4. Get A Little High
  5. Scars
  6. Dirty Mind
  7. Tied Up
  8. Coming Home (Ballad Of The Shire)
  9. Honky Tonk Women (The Rolling Stones song-Acoustic version)
  10. Don’t Put Out The Fire
  11. Last Child (Aerosmith song)
  12. The Wire
  13. Another Last Time
  14. Guitar Solo
  15. When I’m Gone
  16. Encore:  You Make It Alright
  17. Won’t Take Me Alive
  18. Bass Solo/Funky Jam/Drum Solo/Funky Jam cont./Blues Jam
  19. Rolling 7’s

Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)

Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)

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The Ardent Fan

View Comments

  • The bassit for The Band Feel is Kadin Rea for the tour. Rodger is no longer with band.
    Loved your comments spot on!!!

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