Emerging onto the Southern California music scene with a sound as original … Read Full Bio ↴Emerging onto the Southern California music scene with a sound as original as the band members themselves, the Dirty Heads’ blend of hip-hop and classic reggae rips through the sonic surf with bold beats, fun rhythms and the relaxed vibe of feel-good lyrics.

Rooted in the Orange County community of Huntington Beach, California, 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 and drummer Matt Ochoa, both talented, experienced musicians. 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. As they started playing in neighboring Los Angeles, the band found it necessary to charter party buses so their fans could make the 30-mile trek to their shows.

Connecting with sought-after producers Steve Fox and Stan Frazier (Sugar Ray / Ashlee Simpson) the band worked 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 first full-length album is entitled, Any Port in the Storm (Released on EMG through Fontana, a division of Universal Music Group Distribution - September 2008). This debut features 14 tracks that are reminiscent of the upbeat, sun-soaked Southern California party energy. The first single is the optimistic, “Stand Tall.”

Any Port in the 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.’ ” Other 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. Their songs have been featured in the movie and soundtrack for Surf’s Up (Sony 2007); and the television drama, Shark staring James Woods (CBS 2007. Actor Matthew McConaughey selected the band’s music to be in his upcoming film, Surfer Dude. In addition, the Dirty Heads can be heard in Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam video game (Activision 2007), 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 and Vestal Watches.

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.”

And who can’t dig that?

www.dirtyheads.com
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Phantom
The Dirty Heads Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I sit and wonder
Will you discover
I need you
Yes, you know that I do

You pillage and plunder
My heart like thunder
I need you

Yes, you know that I do

What do you want,
What do you need
Can I become one of those things
Ohh
Yeah one of those things

You keep me calm like some wind in her ease
Your open arms are just all that I need
Ohh
Yeah all that I need

I see you lady
Driving my eyes crazy
I need you
Girl you know that its true

You are a phantom
See through while dancing
I need you
Yes, you know that I do

I need you
Yes, you know that I do

Overall Meaning

The Dirty Heads's song "Phantom" is essentially a love song about the singer's intense need for the person he loves. Throughout the song, the singer expresses his desire for the person he loves and how they bring a sense of calmness and ease to his life. He wonders whether this person will discover his love for them and even goes as far as asking what he can do to become one of the things that they want or need.

The metaphor of a "phantom" is used to describe this person the singer loves. They are like a ghostly figure that the singer cannot help but be drawn towards, even though they are not entirely tangible. The allusion to pillaging and plundering is also used, indicating that this person has taken hold of the singer's heart with an intensity that feels like thunder. The singer sees this person as his savior, providing a sense of calm and security that he needs in his life.

In essence, the song is a pleading message to this person, expressing the singer's desperate need for them. The repetition of the line "I need you, yes you know that I do" reinforces the intensity of the need and the love that the singer feels towards this person.

Line by Line Meaning

I sit and wonder
The singer is deep in thought and contemplation.

Will you discover
The singer hopes to be found by the person they long for.

I need you
The singer has a deep desire for the person they are addressing.

Yes, you know that I do
The artist knows that the addressed person is aware of their feelings.

You pillage and plunder
The addressed person has taken the artist's heart by force.

My heart like thunder
The singer's heart races and beats intensely because of the addressed person.

What do you want,
The singer is inquiring about the specific desires of the addressed person.

What do you need
The artist is curious about the addressed person's necessities.

Can I become one of those things
The artist is willing to change and adapt to be what the addressed person wants or needs.

You keep me calm like some wind in her ease
The addressed person brings the artist tranquility and peace.

Your open arms are just all that I need
The singer feels secure and safe in the addressed person's embrace.

I see you lady
The artist notices the addressed person, possibly indicating a physical presence.

Driving my eyes crazy
The singer is overwhelmed and captivated by the addressed person's attractiveness.

You are a phantom
The addressed person seems intangible or difficult to grasp or hold onto.

See through while dancing
The addressed person is like a ghost, and perhaps difficult to recognize while in motion or action.

I need you
The artist strongly desires the addressed person's presence or relationship.

Yes, you know that I do
The addressed person is already aware of the artist's deep feelings and desires.

Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: DAVID FORAL, DUSTIN BUSHNELL, JARED WATSON, JON OLAZABAL, MATT OCHOA, PHIL SIMPKIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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