An Interview With Marc LaBelle And Corey Coverstone Of Dirty Honey
With the music industry becoming more and more subdivided and record labels trying to fit bands into specialized genres, it would seem that rock n roll’s time has come and gone. The heyday of when bands like Aerosmith, the Rolling Stones, and Guns N’ Roses ruled the airwaves are but a memory. But in the last couple of years, something has happened that has defied what the so called experts have thought, rock has made a comeback. While other bands have generated interest, it was Dirty Honey that really kicked the door wide open. Seemingly coming out of nowhere, in the short time they’ve been together they accomplished something no other band has ever done; they earned a number one song on the charts without being signed to a record label. With high energy performances that conjure up comparisons to a young Aerosmith just getting ready to break big time, and a new album chock full of rocking tunes they are primed to hit the big time. Currently they are taking the next major step on their young career, heading out on the road in support of the Black Crowes. Splice Magazine had a chance to chat with lead singer Marc LaBelle and drummer Corey Coverstone to talk all things Dirty Honey.
Splice Magazine:
It’s one thing for four guys from all over the country to make a band in LA. But for guys that are into straight ahead, rock and roll. That’s a rare thing. How did this come about?
Marc Labelle:
Yeah, it came about everybody sort of moved to LA with some sort of dream I imagined and, you know, we were fortunate enough to, to meet through different channels, gigging around la but I met John at a gig and john met Justin at a gig and sort of dominoed that way until Justin met Cory at a gig and, and brought him into the fold as well. So, we all just met through networking shows.
SM:
You’re four guys and you decide to pick up and carry the torch for rock and roll, which no one has done since Guns and Roses. What drew you down that path?
ML:
Oh, man, the passion. Yeah, coming from an authentic place of wanting to create and play rock and roll music, which we were doing for a little bit. But most of it wasn’t in our own. We were doing cover songs and I think it just became apparent that making our own version of that was inevitable and unavoidable. And, you know, fortunately we did it. We did it pretty well. So, people, seem to gravitate towards it.
SM:
You were trying some other stuff, too. It just didn’t work for you, then.
ML:
We were, what would you call the other stuff, we made Cory? I think everybody is a really is accomplished musician. And we can do more proggy type stuff except for me, really. But I don’t think that comes from an authentic place. I think the blues, rock and roll songwriting comes a little easier to us and more organically. And it comes from a place again of passion and authenticity. When you’re doing something that’s authentic, I think it comes easier. I think authenticity is rare these days and people appreciate that. So, it feels real.
SM:
You’re not part of a record label. How are you handling the unsigned aspect of things? Do you get a lot of interest from label saying “hey, come sign with us. We’ll do we promise you the world.”?
ML:
We don’t we don’t really have those conversations. I think they would go to management for the most part. But you know, we’ve definitely heard some horror stories about record labels that kind of put a distaste in our mouth. So, anybody that comes in knocking is gonna have to have a pretty fucking good sales pitch to make us interested at all. Because I’ve heard nothing but bad things, honestly, as recently as this last tour that we went on.
SM:
So right now, you just like the independence that you have.
ML:
Yeah. And hearing what the artists that opened for us on this last tour was going through, I can’t imagine it any other way. I can’t imagine having people that are financially invested in your art and may or may not even want to put out music. You know what I mean? I just can’t, I could never fathom that. I don’t ever want to be in that situation. So, we’re going to avoid it as long as we can? I think
SM:
Do you see a time where, you know, it would be beneficial with to go to a label?
Corey Coverstone:
It would have to be a sweet deal.
ML:
I think they could help maybe on an international sort of scale. I think that might be something we’re interested in. Our manager knows what to do, in North America, and a little of Europe. But I’m not sure about what to do in Japan, Eastern Europe, South America, Australia, and New Zealand. We haven’t been to those places yet as a band. So that might be an area where they can help for sure, or just have some sort of infrastructure to know what to do there. It’s kind of all in due time.
SM:
You’re writing high, you’re the first band to have a number one hit without being signed, you’ve shared the stage with Guns and Roses and Rolling Stone and has named you a must-see band. There’s all this great buzz about you guys. Then the pandemic hit. How did this affect your momentum that you had going for you at the time?
CC:
The first thing comes to my mind is because of the pandemic, we were able to make a better album. I think we would have been rushed to put out the next chunk of music, and I think because of that rush and lack of time, probably would have still been good, but not as good as the record that we just put out. Which I think we are all very proud of.
SM:
How did it work out making your latest album? I understand you were supposed to go to Australia, but that didn’t happen obviously. Your producer was down there, correct?
ML:
Basically, we had an audio stream that he could listen to in real time of what we were laying down in the studio. We also had him on monitors all over the studio. So, we could talk to him and see his interactions, he could hear us and see our interactions, but the band was still in a live room together, tracking this record, which you know, is obviously a super essential part of making a rock and roll record. You know, that was really the only adjustment. I don’t think anybody was too keen on doing it that way initially, but once we got rolling, it was it was a pretty seamless workflow. I think everybody was surprised at how well it worked out. Which was a nice surprise, obviously.
SM:
it’s a great album! There’s not a down track to it at all. It’s all great stuff. With music being categorized and everything being placed into all these convenient genres, do you think that rock has lost his edge, that danger factor that used to worry your parents? And do you think that if that edge was back, it would draw more people in?
ML:
I would imagine if I had a daughter, I would be wary of her dating someone that looked like Post Malone that has got tattoos all over his face. You know there’s a danger to that. But when I listened to the music it doesn’t quite match that visual of him, to me. It’s not really dangerous the way that Guns and Roses music sounded dangerous to me. It’s a very confusing time in pop culture and music. People don’t have those channels that historically existed for music to get the reach. We don’t have any channels like MTV to get music to people, to see us around out there. I don’t know, and there’s a lot of bad music out there that I can tell you that; that is really famous.
CC:
I don’t know, the danger factor these days isn’t as alluring as it maybe was back in the day. But I would say that I think and would hope that the music kind of style that we’re making, would still speak to people in some way with or without some sort of visual danger element or dress code or some shit like that.
ML:
A great song is a great song, it’s gonna stand the test of time, no matter what. That’s everybody for me from Tom Petty, and Chris Stapleton to Guns and Roses, Frank Sinatra and everything in between. It doesn’t matter if it’s country or rock and roll or hip hop. If it’s great, it’s great. People recognize that no matter what, and that’s the most important thing.
SM:
It’s important that you get that song, right. When you’re working on that you craft what you’re doing perfectly. So, you get that that staying power.
ML:
I mean, it’s not about anything being perfect. It’s just about an audience connecting with the song on some level. Whether it makes you feel like having a drink and having a fun night on a weekend night or something like you’re going to a club or whatever. If that’s what the artist is going for, then? Yeah, I guess it could perfectly match that, that energy or something. But certainly, the word perfection is not something that we ever strive for. We always like put the performance over the perfection in terms of the playing element on a recording. You just have to connect with people somehow.
SM:
One thing that you guys have brought back is the solo. Bands don’t do this anymore. Corey, you get a solo. Justin and get some time on stage as well as John doing his thing. Why did you decide to bring that back to a live show?
ML:
Well, we can actually do it. We don’t have tracks playing behind our music at all. So, any artists or band that’s doing that is faking it. Yeah, Cory is an exceptional drummer. John’s a great guitar player, Justin’s a great bassist and musician and I think it stems from that.
CC:
Also, something that I think me john and Justin, we particularly kind of all have memories of watching on DVD, shit with the Van Halen concert Live Right Here Right Now and they’ll do solos Of course. And I think that live concert that recording of that was important to all of us starting out, and definitely for me. So, getting to do my own little version of what I kind of grew up watching Alex Van Halen on that DVD, doing is really kind of cool. I don’t know that we’ll be doing too much of the solos on this next tour, maybe shortened super short versions.
SM:
On your next tour you’re opening up for the Black Crowes. That’s a pretty big gig. How did that come about?
ML:
We share the same manager. I know from day one, Chris and Rich Robinson wanted to showcase some younger talent out there on their tour. Obviously, like you said, it’s a big tour, and they’re really big band. But to their credit, they wanted to feature some younger artists and help showcase that. Originally, it was only going to be a couple of shows. As Dirty Honey started having more success, I think it became more apparent that it would make sense to do an entire tour. As COVID became more of a thing, I think we’ve benefited from that a little bit in that hey let’s just have one band, one crew out there, like intermingling with the with the Black Crowes crew. Obviously, instead of swapping out different bands halfway through and having to worry about COVID protocol and all that sort of stuff it just became easier. At the end of the day, I think honestly, it’s a great night to rock and roll Dirty Honey and the Black Crowes it doesn’t get much more rock and roll than that. I think it’s a great night and the fans will definitely enjoy the Black Crowes I’m sure will enjoy us and vice versa.
SM:
In a way do you feel like this tour is almost like the changing of the guard? You’ve got you the seasoned rockers out there, then we got the hot new band.
CC:
I mean, if there’s an actual key that they can bestow on us at some point that unlocks the gate to success or ultimate success, then we’ll gladly accept it.
ML:
I think we have to prove ourselves first though. I think Chris has to genuinely see us live and Rich and make sure we actually are good, because I don’t know if he’s ever seen us play yet.
SM
But he’s familiar with music obviously. Because of the management
ML:
He’s heard the music and they both have said really nice things about us. So, I’m sure I’m sure we’ll get along just fine. We are all are very much looking forward to it. It’s going to be awesome.
SM:
To me, this is the tour of the summer.
ML:
Thanks, man. Yeah, I agree. I mean, it just doesn’t get any more rock and roll. I remember there are only a few shows in history that actually happened, but it was Aerosmith and Guns and Roses, when Guns and Roses was really on fire and coming up but not quite gigantic yet. I don’t want to say we’re the next Guns and Roses, obviously those are huge shoes to fill. But it’s just you know, there’s an excitement there. That’s really cool, and I don’t remember a bill that I would have been this excited about growing up; where there was the young rock band that with the band that’s already proven and done everything you that there is to do in this industry.
SM:
Mark when we spoke after the show in Destin, you said you’re rooting for the Lightning to win the Stanley Cup how big of a fan are you of Hockey and are you happy they won the cup?
ML:
I’m happy they won the cup because I won some money. I don’t think the matchup was quite set yet when that show happened. I think I ultimately would have liked to see in the cup go back to Montreal. Having seen that that was the team that they were the team that they were in the final with. I’m a huge hockey fan. I love the sport. I still play. I love love the game. I’ll watch any hockey. I don’t necessarily have to watch a specific team even though I love the Penguins. But yeah, they’ve been having a nice nice parade. So, it’s good to see people enjoy winning the Stanley Cup in a way that they’re enjoying it. Because it’s quite entertaining to watch. It’s definitely puts a smile on my face the last couple of days.
SM:
Tampa definitely does some fun stuff. You both ride motorcycles. Do you ever worry about that possibly with the career?
CC:
Mark rides motorcycles, I ride BMX and mountain bikes.
SM:
I’ve seen some of the videos of the downhill stuff like the Red Bull things. That’s crazy.
ML:
Yeah. That’s how he broke his arm.
CC:
Yeah, a couple months ago. So, I mean, to your point it’s a concern, but now there’s also a balance of doing things you love. Just enjoying other aspects and sanity? Yeah, totally,
ML:
I think it crosses your mind, of course. Obviously, you got to be careful doing anything. I think more than anything, though, the things that we both love, whether it’s mountain biking, or riding motorcycles in the mountains, I think all those things lead to inspiration, ultimately. Whether they’re lyrics or whether it inspires a riff in your head while you’re doing that. Ultimately, you enjoy those moments, you know, on the bike much more after a long tour because you miss it. There’s a yearning to do something else with your time and live a life. And I think Cory and I both kind of cherish living a full life off the road, which is important.
SM:
Thank you so much for your time and I hope to see you out on the latest tour with The Black Crowes. I know it’s going to be an awesome tour.
ML + CC
Thanks, we look forward to seeing everyone out there too!
Dirty Honey:
