Founding band members Jared Watson and guitarist/vocalist Dustin Bushnell met in 1996 while in high school, embarking on a friendship based on music, as well as their shared passion for surfing, skating and the endless party of the laid-back SoCal lifestyle.
Early on, they spent many late nights jamming in Bushnell’s soundproof garage with a four-track recorder, writing unique acoustic hip-hop songs that featured reggae inflections. Inspired by the rock and reggae sounds of Bob Marley, Sublime, 311 and The Beastie Boys, the band’s music evolved into their distinct Dirty Heads style.
To complete the Dirty Heads’ sound, the duo added percussionist Jon Olazabal, drummer Matt Ochoa and David Foral on bass. With a set of solid material, the Dirty Heads were further motivated to take their craft to the next level, and they began building a loyal fan base throughout the west coast, while performing acoustically at local bars and small music venues.
Executive produced by the Grammy Award-winning Rob Cavallo (Green Day, Kid Rock, Paramore), the band connected with sought-after producers Steve Fox and Stan Frazier (Sugar Ray) working long hours to polish their material and further develop their style. The Dirty Heads also recruited mixing engineer Mario Caldato Jr., best known for his work with the Beastie Boys, to add the finishing touches and create just the right blend.
The band’s highly-anticipated expanded album titled, Any Port in a Storm – Special Edition (Executive Music Group (EMG)/Fontana, a division of Universal Music Group Distribution) features 22 tracks and a bonus video that are reminiscent of the upbeat, sun-soaked Southern California party energy. The first smash hit single is “Lay Me Down” featuring Rome, of Sublime with Rome.
Any Port in a Storm also features one of the final recordings of the late music industry icon Billy Preston. Frequently referred to as “The Fifth Beatle,” Preston played on three tracks, including “Stand Tall,” “Chelsea,” and “Driftin.’ ” Additional special guests on the album are drummer Josh Freese (A Perfect Circle, Sting, The Vandals), and veteran session percussionist Alex Acuna, whose A-list musician resume includes Peter Gabriel, Johnny Clegg, and Jackson Browne, to name only a few.
Recently, the band’s music has been attracting attention throughout the world of entertainment. They have been a featured artist on Fuel TV and their songs have been featured in the movie and soundtrack for Surf’s Up (Sony); and the television drama, Shark staring James Woods (CBS). Actor Matthew McConaughey selected the band’s music to be in his film, Surfer Dude. In addition, the Dirty Heads can be heard in Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam video game (Activision), and several other music compilations and surf/skate videos. On the marketing side, the Dirty Heads have also been included in campaigns for Etnies Jeans, Vestal Watches, Hurley, Skullcandy and more.
Dirty Heads vocalist Jared Watson sums up their fun, uncomplicated style, “We want to be positive and entertain,” he says. “We just want to make you feel good.”
Visit the band at: www.dirtyheads.com and www.myspace.com/dirtyheads
Radio
Dirty Heads Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She said I even sounded good in her car through her '87 stereo
Yeah she thought I was cool
But you don't know me at all
He said he heard me on the radio
He said I said every word that he was thinking and he felt like we're related though
Yeah he thought I was cool
You don't know me at all (ahh-all)
You thought you know me 'cause you listened to the songs I'm singing
But they don't talk about my bad days
And they don't know they price that I've paid
What I've lost
How I've tried
Yeah I close my eyes and just keep moving on
I don't care about what they say
I don't do it for the payday
No I don't
And I won't
Yeah I close my eyes and just keep moving on
She said she heard me on the radio
She said I even sounded good in her car through her '87 stereo
Yeah she thought I was cool
But you don't know me at all
He said he heard me on the radio
He said I said every word that he was thinking and he felt like we're related though
Yeah he thought I was cool
But you don't know me at all (ahh-all)
You don't know me at all (ahh-all)
You thought you know me 'cause you listen to the songs I'm singing
I'm still looking for the right line
I really think I'm losing my mind
Yes I do, it's true
But I close my eyes and just keep moving on
You don't hear me when I'm screaming
And just like you I got my demons
Yes I do, I do, we do
So close your eyes and just keep moving on
She said she heard me on the radio
She said I even sounded good in her car through her '87 stereo
Yeah she thought I was cool
But you don't know me at all
He said he heard me on the radio
He said I said every word that he was thinking and he felt like we're related though
Yeah he thought I was cool
But you don't know me at all (ahh-all)
You don't know me at all (ahh-all)
But you don't know me at all
You do it all for us
We do it all for you
No matter what happens with this love we can all get through
You think its faire douchè
You think it's flashing lights yeah
You think it's all been given
You think it's easy living
She said she heard me on the radio
She said I even sounded good in her car through her '87 stereo
Yeah she thought I was cool
But you don't know me at all
He said he heard me on the radio
He said I said every word that he was thinking and he felt like we're related though
Yeah he thought I was cool
But you don't know me at all (ahh-all)
You don't know me at all (ahh-all)
You thought you know me 'cause you listen to the songs I'm singing
In "Radio," Dirty Heads explores the disconnect that exists between artists and their listeners. The song starts with two different characters who claim to have heard the singer's music on the radio. They each express how much they thought the singer was "cool," but the singer points out that they do not really know him at all. The singer acknowledges that his songs offer a glimpse into his world, but that is not the whole picture. His bad days, losses, and struggles do not make it into his songs, and therefore his listeners do not know the full extent of who he is.
The chorus repeats the idea that listeners only think they know the singer. The singer keeps his eyes closed and moves on to find the right line for his next song. He admits that sometimes he feels like he is losing his mind, just like any other human being, but he keeps pushing through. He encourages his listeners to do the same and to recognize that everyone has their struggles.
"Radio" is a powerful reminder that celebrities and musicians are just like everyone else. Their art may capture a mood or an idea, but it does not contain the totality of their experience. The song encourages listeners to recognize this and to approach the world with empathy and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
She said she heard me on the radio
Someone tells the singer they heard their song on the radio.
She said I even sounded good in her car through her '87 stereo
The listener heard the singer's music and liked it through their old car radio.
Yeah she thought I was cool
The listener liked the singer's music and thought they were cool as a result.
But you don't know me at all
The singer emphasizes that the listener only knows their music, and not who they are as a person.
He said he heard me on the radio
Another person tells the singer they heard their song on the radio.
He said I said every word that he was thinking and he felt like we're related though
The listener feels connected to the singer because the lyrics resonate with them.
You don't know me at all (ahh-all)
The singer reiterates that the listener only knows their music, not them personally.
You thought you know me 'cause you listened to the songs I'm singing
The listener thinks they know the singer based on their music alone.
But they don't talk about my bad days
The singer's music doesn't reflect all of their struggles and hardships.
And they don't know they price that I've paid
The singer's music doesn't reveal the personal sacrifices they've made to achieve success.
What I've lost
The singer has experienced losses and struggles that aren't reflected in their music.
How I've tried
The singer has put in significant effort to achieve success.
I don't care about what they say
The singer isn't concerned with others' opinions of their music.
I don't do it for the payday
The singer isn't motivated by money.
No I don't
The singer repeats that they're not driven by money or fame.
And I won't
The singer won't let fame or money influence their art.
I'm still looking for the right line
The singer is still searching for the perfect lyrics.
I really think I'm losing my mind
The singer is struggling with the pressures of being a musician and creating music.
Yes I do, it's true
The singer affirms that they are struggling with their mental health.
You don't hear me when I'm screaming
The singer feels unheard and overlooked, even when expressing themselves through music.
And just like you I got my demons
The singer, like everyone else, has their own personal struggles and inner demons.
So close your eyes and just keep moving on
The singer advises listeners to keep moving forward, despite their struggles.
You do it all for us
The singer creates music for their fans.
We do it all for you
The band creates music for their listeners, and in turn, receives support and success from their fans.
No matter what happens with this love we can all get through
The band and their fans can overcome any challenges together.
You think its faire douchè
The singer acknowledges that some people may view their success as unfair or unearned.
You think it's flashing lights yeah
Some people may view fame and success as all about glitz and glamour.
You think it's all been given
Some people may assume the band's success has been handed to them, rather than earned through hard work.
You think it's easy living
Some people may assume the band's success has made their lives easy and carefree.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: DUSTIN BUSHNELL, DWAYNE CHIN-QUEE, JUSTIN WATSON, KUNLEY MCCARTHY, MITCHUM CHIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Better Noise Music - ALT
Check out Dirty Heads' new music video - Life's Been Good https://bit.ly/DHLBG
BeachRumminbummin
heard these dudes out of the blue one day, didn't wanna like em, but I could tell pretty quick I was in denial. very good.
awesome artists
Jacob Beck
Screw what everybody else is saying, the Dirty Heads have been killing it since day one and this album is no exception.
Loaf
Jacob Beck ikr
Jen G
this song literally saved my life. "close my eyes and just keep moving on"
surfer987dog
but you don't even know him at all! ;)
Post 98
My favorite song on the entire album.
Andrew Brunelle
Another great song on another great DH album. 95% of the Dirty Heads songs are either really good or excellent. This album was great all the way through. I just wish it had been longer than 13 songs.
Khiljaz
Every song I've heard on this album makes me want to move. Keep up the awesome work DH!
Justin Wickham
Probably my favorite dirty heads song ever and there's plenty of great songs to choose from, but this one just resonates with me.