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 Bushnellβs 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 bandβs music evolved into their distinct Dirty Heads style.
To complete the Dirty Headsβ 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 bandβs 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, βStand Tall.β
Any Port in the Storm also features one of the final recordings of the late music industry icon Billy Preston. Frequently referred to as βThe Fifth Beatle,β Preston played on three tracks, including βStand Tall,β βChelsea,β and βDriftin.β β 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 bandβs music has been attracting attention throughout the world of entertainment. Their songs have been featured in the movie and soundtrack for Surfβs Up (Sony 2007); and the television drama, Shark staring James Woods (CBS 2007. Actor Matthew McConaughey selected the bandβs music to be in his upcoming film, Surfer Dude. In addition, the Dirty Heads can be heard in Tony Hawkβs 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, βWe want to be positive and entertain,β he says. βWe just want to make you feel good.β
And who canβt dig that?
www.dirtyheads.com
www.myspace.com/dirtyheads
Spread Too Thin
The Dirty Heads Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everybody wants to know what's happenin'
I, I'm spread way too thin
What's the big rush now, tell me why you're rushin'
I, I'm spread way too thin
Everybody wants to know what's happenin'
I, I'm spread way too thin
Why you rushin'
Why you rushin'
Well everybody's callin', but I just need some time
Yeah I just need some room to breathe again
A way to clear my mind
You don't need to be here
All up in my face
We need to find the right solution
To put you in your place
I said hey, I got a lot to say to you
Hear what you say it's not true
So this is what I'm gonna do
Look at me I'm gonna let you know
I, I'm spread way too thin
Everybody wants to know what's happenin'
I, I'm spread way too thin
What's the big rush now tell me why you're rushin'
Why you rushin'
Why you rushin'
Well this has got me twisted
In the worst kind of way
You put me down when I'm not around
And then you, and they you smile at my face
You don't need a home no, what you need is a cage
I've bottled up all of these emotions babe
A monster 'bout to rage
I said hey, I got a lot to say to you
It seems you got somethin' to prove
So this is what I'm gonna do
Look at me I'm gonna tell you so
I, I'm spread way too thin
Everybody wants to know what's happenin'
I, I'm spread way too thin
What's the big rush now tell me why you're rushin'
Why you rushin'
Let me breathe, let me chill for a while
Let me breathe, no it's not my style
Let me breathe, let me chill for a while
Let me breathe, no it's not my style
I said hey, I got a lot to say to you
Hear what you say it's not true
So this is what I'm gonna do
Look at me I'm gonna let you know
I, I'm spread way too thin
Everybody wants to know what's happenin'
I, I'm spread way too thin
What's the big rush now tell me why you're rushin'
Why you rushin'
Why you rushin'
The Dirty Heads' "Spread Too Thin" is a song that highlights the feeling of exhaustion and being pulled in different directions. The singer begins by expressing how he feels like he's "spread way too thin," indicating that he's overworked and perhaps overwhelmed. He then addresses the people that are making demands of him, asking why they're in such a rush to know what's going on. The singer admits that he needs time to clear his mind and breathe, but everyone seems to want a piece of him.
The chorus is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the exhaustion and frustration the singer is feeling. He mentions feeling twisted and having bottled up emotions that are about to rage. He admits that he has a lot to say to the people who are making demands of him and those who talk behind his back. The singer asserts that he needs space to breathe, chill, and clear his head, and he doesn't want to be pushed around by others.
The song ends with the singer reiterating his need for space and asking why people are rushing him. It's clear that he's fed up with being pulled in every direction and needs time to recharge.Β
Line by Line Meaning
I, I'm spread way too thin
I'm feeling overwhelmed with too much going on and too many demands from others
Everybody wants to know what's happenin'
I feel like everyone is constantly asking me for updates and details about my life and what I'm doing
What's the big rush now, tell me why you're rushin'
I'm feeling pressured by others to move quickly and make decisions without fully thinking them through
Well everybody's callin', but I just need some time
I'm receiving a lot of requests and demands from others but I need some space and time for myself
Yeah I just need some room to breathe again
I need a break from the constant demands and pressures of others so that I can relax and recharge
A way to clear my mind
I need a mental break from the chaos and stress of my life
You don't need to be here
I don't need certain people in my life, particularly those who add to my stress and don't support me
All up in my face
These people are too close to me and demanding too much of my time and energy
We need to find the right solution
We need to come up with a plan or compromise that works for both of us
To put you in your place
To establish boundaries and make it clear what is and isn't acceptable behavior from others
Well this has got me twisted
This situation is causing me a lot of inner turmoil and confusion
In the worst kind of way
It's causing me extreme stress and anxiety
You put me down when I'm not around
Others speak negatively about me behind my back, which is hurtful and frustrating
And then you, and they you smile at my face
The same people who talk behind my back act friendly and supportive to my face, which feels fake and disingenuous
You don't need a home no, what you need is a cage
Some people in my life are toxic and need to be removed, for their own well-being as well as mine
I've bottled up all of these emotions babe
I've been holding in my feelings and frustrations about this situation
A monster 'bout to rage
I'm close to losing my temper and flipping out in anger
Let me breathe, let me chill for a while
I need some time to relax and destress
Let me breathe, no it's not my style
I'm not used to feeling so overwhelmed and stressed out
I said hey, I got a lot to say to you
I have a lot of thoughts and feelings to express to certain people in my life
It seems you got somethin' to prove
These people in my life are trying to compete with me or prove themselves in some way
So this is what I'm gonna do
I'm going to speak up and assert myself in this situation
Look at me I'm gonna let you know
I'm going to communicate clearly and directly with those involved
Why you rushin'
I don't understand why others are pushing me to move faster than I'm comfortable with
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DUSTIN BUSHNELL, JARED WATSON, ROMAN RAMIREZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MythicalIdi0t
I, I'm spread way too thin
Everybody wants to know what's happenin'
I, I'm spread way too thin
What's the big rush now, tell me why you're rushin'
I, I'm spread way too thin
Everybody wants to know what's happenin'
I, I'm spread way too thin
What's the big rush now, tell me why you're rushin'
Why you rushin'
Why you rushin'
Well everybody's callin', but I just need some time
Yeah I just need some room to breathe again
A way to clear my mind
You don't need to be here
All up in my face
We need to find the right solution
To put you in your place
I said hey, I got a lot to say to you
Hear what you say it's not true
So this is what I'm gonna do
Look at me I'm gonna let you know
I, I'm spread way too thin
Everybody wants to know what's happenin'
I, I'm spread way too thin
What's the big rush now tell me why you're rushin'
Why you rushin'
Why you rushin'
Well this has got me twisted
In the worst kind of way
You put me down when I'm not around
And then you, and they you smile at my face
You don't need a home no, what you need is a cage
I've bottled up all of these emotions babe
A monster 'bout to rage
I said hey, I got a lot to say to you
It seems you got somethin' to prove
So this is what I'm gonna do
Look at me I'm gonna tell you so
I, I'm spread way too thin
Everybody wants to know what's happenin'
I, I'm spread way too thin
What's the big rush now tell me why you're rushin'
Why you rushin'
Let me breathe, let me chill for a while
Let me breathe, no it's not my style
Let me breathe, let me chill for a while
Let me breathe, no it's not my style
I said hey, I got a lot to say to you
Hear what you say it's not true
So this is what I'm gonna do
Look at me I'm gonna let you know
I, I'm spread way too thin
Everybody wants to know what's happenin'
I, I'm spread way too thin
What's the big rush now tell me why you're rushin'
Why you rushin'
Why you rushin'
Ardi Setyiawan
Spread Too Thin
Dirty Heads
I, I'm spread way too thin
Everybody wants to know what's happenin'
I, I'm spread way too thin
What's the big rush now, tell me why you're rushin'
I, I'm spread way too thin
Everybody wants to know what's happenin'
I, I'm spread way too thin
What's the big rush now, tell me why you're rushin'
Why you rushin'
Why you rushin'
Well everybody's callin', but I just need some time
Yeah I just need some room to breathe again
A way to clear my mind
You don't need to be here
All up in my face
We need to find the right solution
To put you in your place
I said hey, I got a lot to say to you
Hear what you say it's not true
So this is what I'm gonna do
Look at me I'm gonna let you know
I, I'm spread way too thin
Everybody wants to know what's happenin'
I, I'm spread way too thin
What's the big rush now tell me why you're rushin'
Why you rushin'
Why you rushin'
Well this has got me twisted
In the worst kind of way
You put me down when I'm not around
And then you, and they you smile at my face
You don't need a home no, what you need is a cage
I've bottled up all of these emotions babe
A monster 'bout to rage
I said hey, I got a lot to say to you
It seems you got somethin' to prove
So this is what I'm gonna do
Look at me I'm gonna tell you so
I, I'm spread way too thin
Everybody wants to know what's happenin'
I, I'm spread way too thin
What's the big rush now tell me why you're rushin'
Why you rushin'
Let me breathe, let me chill for a while
Let me breathe, no it's not my style
Let me breathe, let me chill for a while
Let me breathe, no it's not my style
I said hey, I got a lot to say to you
Hear what you say it's not true
So this is what I'm gonna do
Look at me I'm gonna let you know
I, I'm spread way too thin
Everybody wants to know what's happenin'
I, I'm spread way too thin
What's the big rush now tell me why you're rushin'
Why you rushin'
Why you rushin'
Vulpes Rose
Literally the nicest dudes to ever meet before/after their sets. Went to their tour with Shiny Toy Guns (it was a birthday present for my 21st that year) at either Sonar or Ottobar (memory can be foggy at times), and I was having a weird night and with a really abusive dude at the time. Both came out to talk to fans and both gave me time to say hey, talk for a second, and they signed my tickets as a birthday present and good energy towards me. I've been to all sorts of shows for different genres, even, but they were the only ones who treated me like a real person. You'll always get love from me, DH. Keep on keeping on and keep your energy like that π€ the world needs it more than ever now.
Vulpes Rose
@allen wrench not weird at all, dude βΊοΈ loved meeting them. Actually thought of going into music in some way as a career because of these dudes, so I definitely get it. Their first album came in at a really rough time in my life and was a major push to get better, so I feel you on that. If I'm ever in the area, I'm definitely down to chill with a fellow positive hearted fan π€ thank you for the smile. Needed it today π€
Joe HOWARD
Respect! VR, Love that story. I can see the whole thing in my minds eye. Level Vibes 2U! β€ππ
TheMonkeyBiscuits
I love this band with my whole heart. This is the song that I fell in love with at first
Uncle Bob
been listening to this band since 2010. their hit track " Lay me Down" is still my all time favorite from them.
Michelle Story
Bob Marley was the tune when little J was in the womb
Daniel Anthony
@Michelle Story True but hardly relevant.
Branden Dyson
That's the song that I discovered this band to.
ojaslayer
Thats their only good song π
batmobimmer
I love this song especially when it randomly plays at my work when I'm in a shitty mood