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March 20, 2022

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Two great, up and coming hard rock bands, Dirty Honey and Mammoth WVH brought their Young Guns tour to the Bluestone in Columbus to prove once again, that rock and roll is alive and well.

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Both bands are co-headlining this tour and are alternating who goes on first.  On Friday, it was Dirty Honey's turn to open the show.  

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The southern California outfit are currently supporting their self titled debut album which was released last year.   The band came out rocking by playing "Gypsy" from that lp.

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Singer Marc LaBelle has a great raspy voice, but he also can hit and sustain the high notes when needed.

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This is the fourth time that I have seen this band and they keep getting tighter and tighter.  Guitarist John Notto has a great '70s guitar tone from his Les Paul and the rhythm section of Cory Coverstone and Justin Smolian keep things perfectly in the pocket.

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Not only does this band have a great stage presence, but the songs are fantastic too.  They are a throwback to classic Aerosmith and even a bit of Zeppelin.  Songs like "Heartbreaker" and "California Dreamin'" are straight up rockers that get you moving.

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The band can also slow things down and get a little bluesy on tunes like "Down The Road" and "Another Last Time."  

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In the middle of the set, the band tour into the Prince classic, "Let's Go Crazy."  LaBelle told the audience that they played the song at the NHL Winter Classic in January.  Since that game was held in Minneapolis, they figured they should play a song from a local hero.  

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Their version of the song was slowed down and they made it into a more funky vibe.  However guitarist John Notto nailed the ending solo. 

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The only misstep the band took all evening was the solos.  All three musicians got their turn in the spotlight to show their prowess on their respective instruments.  Not that it was bad, but I would have much rather heard them play another song or two.

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All four members got back on stage to close the show with the first two songs that put them on the map, "When I'm Gone" and "Rolling 7's."  

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Mammoth WVH took the stage after a brief set change and proceeded to rock The Bluestone for sixty-five minutes.

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Opening with the tune "Mammoth," Wolfgang Van Halen and his tight three piece backing band were firing on all cylinders.  

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Wolfgang Van Halen played all of the instruments on Mammoth WVH's self titled debut album that came out last June.  He put together a great touring band that features Garrett Whitlock on drums, Ron Ficarro on bass and Jon Jourdan on guitar.  Frank Sidoris played with Mammoth WVH last year but was unable to be a part of the Young Guns shows due to him touring with Slash.

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After playing a blistering version of "Mr. Ed," Wolf told the audience, "We're Mammoth and we're here to fuck shit up!"  He then went on to say, "This place used to be a church.  How badass is that?!"

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More great songs from the debut album were played like "Horribly Right" and "Think It Over."  However, fans were treated to a brand new song the band has been working on titled "I Don't Know At All."  

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After playing "Stone," Wolfgang stated "I bring this keyboard out with me because I don't play to tracks.  Even though I only play this for two parts on two songs, I'm going to play it live. That's why I'm playing with Dirty Honey, they are a real, live rock and roll band!"

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Now if more rock bands would take the hint from these young guys, things would be so much better.

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"Your To Blame" and the first single "Distance" had everyone singing along with the band.  This did not go unnoticed by Wolf as he exclaimed, "Praise the lord, you guys fucking rule!"

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Van Halen then told the audience that when the band was rehearsing for this tour, they started messing around with a cover song.  He then said, "No, it's not a Van Halen song." Some in the crowd had a negative reaction.  He then went on and said, "What?  Don't you think I like Van Halen?  It's my fucking name!  I was in the band!"  He then explained it this way.  "It's like going to a Foo Fighters concert and being mad that they didn't play any Nirvana songs."

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Point taken.

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With that, the band a note perfect cover of the Alice in Chains tune "Them Bones."

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Closing out the set was a rocking version of "Don't Back Down."

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These two Young Guns proved that rock and roll has a very bright future.  I can't wait to hear what Dirty Honey and Mammoth WVH have in store for us next. 

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Review and photos by Greg Drugan

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