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?
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Too Cruel
The Dirty Heads Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You try to go for points, I try to go for style
I do my city proud, I try to keep it wide
Ichiban, wicked one, Okinawa loud
I drank Guinnesses and go to dinner with my nemesis
Have a couple laughs while they plot how to finish this
Interested on how to get up on a wizard list
Senseless, you sense I'm the Sensei you 'prentices
I'm the salt up in the cut
Who you tryna play but us?
Like a DJ turning stuff
Who you tryna fool?
We all know that shit's unplugged
We're so cruel
Yeah, cruel
Yeah, cruel
Alright
No, we're so cruel
Yeah, cruel
Yeah, cruel
Alright
No, we're so cruel
I'm howling at the moon
Harry fucking Henderson
Catch me in the mood
I ain't too cool for wrecking shit
Stoners on the loose
Call that shit a hippy flip
And we just getting going
Yeah this shit's just my starter kit
I'm on a good one, real fucking good one
I'm feeling brand new, yeah I'm talking redone
I'm talking 'bout me, talking 'bout the real one
I'm not with Jenny tossin' rocks at the building
How they stoned, all that shit
So fly, call me pilot
MCs getting turn a kit
Body bag that murder vic'
The seven dance is evident
We stampede: an elephant
We crash out on king beds,
y'all bitches soft like pillow mints
We're so cruel
Yeah, cruel
Yeah, cruel
Alright
No, we're so cruel
Yeah, cruel
Yeah, cruel
Alright
No, we're so cruel
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh, no we're so cruel
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh, no we're so cruel
Act so pure, but you're far from farm breed
Think your charm could disarm an army
Said it's hard to stop me, I'm far from obvi
Us when a bus parks fucking hockey
Her pot of coffee went [?]
And my dick went limp like some Laffy Taffy
But her body stopped me, and I'm tired of talking
You want an accent? Here's a mouth full of Cockney
Said you wanna ring and you think that I'll drop me
Just for some pussy that'll bust outta Box Spring
All of the times that you tried to off me
The tables are turned and now the music is offbeat
You wanted me back, so you're kissing me softly
I'd rather jack off in a sock with some hot tea
I'm over it now, we're like a walkity-talkie
I'm leaving now bitch, try to stop me
We're so cruel
Yeah, cruel
Yeah, cruel
Alright
No, we're so cruel
Yeah, cruel
Yeah, cruel
Alright
No, we're so cruel
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh, no we're so cruel
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh, no we're so cruel
The Dirty Heads's song "Too Cruel" is a lively, upbeat track that mixes rap verses with rock choruses to create a fun, energetic sound. The lyrics talk about the band's confidence and swagger as they navigate the music industry, and poke fun at those who try and fail to compete with them. The chorus repeats the line "We're so cruel" several times, emphasizing their confidence and their willingness to be ruthless in pursuit of their goals.
In the verses, the lyrics focus on the band's style and swagger, as well as their ability to make their city proud. The lines "Ichiban, wicked one, Okinawa loud" and "Senseless, you sense I'm the Sensei you 'prentices" both reference the band's love of Japanese culture and their confidence in their own skill and talent. They also take shots at their competition, calling them out as phonies and posers who don't have the same level of authenticity or talent as they do.
Overall, the lyrics to "Too Cruel" paint a picture of a band that is confident, talented, and willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. They are unapologetic in their pursuit of greatness and they refuse to let anyone stand in their way.
Line by Line Meaning
I got an open mind, like a golden child
I am open to new experiences and ideas, and I approach them with curiosity and wonder.
You try to go for points, I try to go for style
You focus on achieving something specific, while I focus on doing things in a way that is unique and creative.
I do my city proud, I try to keep it wide
I am proud of where I come from and I try to represent it well, while also being accepting of people from different backgrounds.
Ichiban, wicked one, Okinawa loud
I am the best, but I am also edgy and unconventional. I am not afraid to make a statement and be heard.
I drank Guinnesses and go to dinner with my nemesis
I can have a good time drinking beer and hanging out with someone who is my enemy, without taking things too seriously.
Have a couple laughs while they plot how to finish this
I can find humor in a situation even if it is potentially dangerous, and I am aware that others may be planning something against me.
Interested on how to get up on a wizard list
I am curious about how to become powerful and successful, and I am willing to learn from those who have already achieved these things.
Senseless, you sense I'm the Sensei you 'prentices
To some, my actions might seem crazy or nonsensical, but I know that I am a skilled leader who can teach others and guide them to success.
I'm the salt up in the cut
I am the hidden, unexpected ingredient that adds flavor and excitement to a situation.
Who you tryna play but us?
Who are you trying to fool or deceive? We are too smart and aware to fall for your tricks.
Like a DJ turning stuff
Just like a DJ who can manipulate sounds and music, we can manipulate a situation or outcome to our advantage.
Who you tryna fool?
Again, we are not easily fooled, and we can see through the façade you are putting up.
We all know that shit's unplugged
We know that what you are doing is not real or genuine, and you are trying to put up a front without any real substance.
I'm howling at the moon
I am expressing my wild and untamed nature, and I am not afraid to be loud and heard by others.
Harry fucking Henderson
This line is likely a reference to the movie 'Harry and the Hendersons', which is about a family who discovers and befriends a Bigfoot-like creature. This line could be interpreted as saying, 'like Harry from that movie' or simply as a silly and meaningless phrase.
Catch me in the mood
I am in a particular emotional or mental state, and I am ready to act on those feelings.
I ain't too cool for wrecking shit
I am not afraid to take risks, make mistakes, or cause chaos if it means achieving my goals or expressing myself authentically.
Stoners on the loose
This could be a literal statement about being high on drugs, or it could symbolize the idea of people who are free-spirited and carefree, without being held back by societal norms or rules.
Call that shit a hippy flip
A 'hippy flip' is a term used to describe combining mushrooms and ecstasy. This line could be a play on words, but the exact meaning is unclear.
And we just getting going
We are not done yet, and we are just getting started with whatever we are doing or planning.
I'm on a good one, real fucking good one
I am feeling really good, whether it is because of drugs, alcohol, or simply because things are going well for me.
I'm feeling brand new, yeah I'm talking redone
I am experiencing a sense of renewal or rebirth, and I am excited about the possibilities that come with this new beginning.
I'm talking 'bout me, talking 'bout the real one
I am being authentic and genuine, and I am talking honestly about myself and my experiences.
I'm not with Jenny tossin' rocks at the building
I am not interested in causing chaos or destruction for no reason, like the character Jenny in the movie 'Forrest Gump'.
How they stoned, all that shit
This line is unclear, but it could be interpreted as saying 'it doesn't matter how high or intoxicated someone is, they are still capable of doing things that are crazy or wrong.'
So fly, call me pilot
I am confident, cool, and in control, just like a pilot soaring through the sky.
MCs getting turn a kit
This line is unclear, but it could mean that other people are getting involved or participating in something with us.
Body bag that murder vic'
This line is likely a reference to killing someone and disposing of their body, but it could also be interpreted more abstractly as simply defeating or dominating someone else.
The seven dance is evident
This line is unclear, but it could be a reference to a specific dance or type of movement.
We stampede: an elephant
We are powerful and unstoppable, like a group of stampeding elephants.
We crash out on king beds,
We live life extravagantly and enjoy the finer things, like sleeping in large or luxurious beds fit for a king.
y'all bitches soft like pillow mints
This line is an insult, saying that other people are weak, passive, and easily manipulated, like soft and harmless mints.
Act so pure, but you're far from farm breed
You try to portray yourself as innocent and virtuous, but in reality you are not authentic or genuine.
Think your charm could disarm an army
You believe that your charisma or charm is enough to win people over and convince them to do what you want, even in difficult or combative situations.
Said it's hard to stop me, I'm far from obvi
I am confident in my abilities and I know I am not easy to defeat or stop, even if it is not immediately obvious why.
Us when a bus parks fucking hockey
This line is unclear, but it could mean that when certain circumstances or situations arise, we are able to respond and react in a powerful or effective way.
Her pot of coffee went [?]
This line is unclear and may be a reference to something specific, but its meaning is unclear.
And my dick went limp like some Laffy Taffy
This line is a reference to losing an erection, but it's unclear why it is being mentioned in this context.
But her body stopped me, and I'm tired of talking
Despite the lack of sexual arousal mentioned in the previous line, the singer is still attracted to the woman. However, they are now ready to act on those feelings and move beyond talking.
You want an accent? Here's a mouth full of Cockney
This line is an insult, saying that the person wants to sound sophisticated or cultured, but instead they are using a lower-class or unrefined accent (Cockney) that is unappealing.
Said you wanna ring and you think that I'll drop me
The person thinks that they can win the artist over or convince them to do something by offering them an engagement ring, but the artist is not easily swayed or manipulated.
Just for some pussy that'll bust outta Box Spring
The person offering the ring is doing so in exchange for sex or sexual favors, but the singer is not interested in this transactional or shallow relationship.
All of the times that you tried to off me
The person has tried to harm, betray, or defeat the singer in the past.
The tables are turned and now the music is offbeat
Now the artist has the upper hand, and things are not going according to the other person's plan.
You wanted me back, so you're kissing me softly
The person wants to win back the artist's affection or attention, so they are trying to be gentle and kind in their approach.
I'd rather jack off in a sock with some hot tea
The artist is saying that they would rather masturbate (jack off) alone than be in a bad or undesirable sexual situation with the other person. The hot tea is a random detail that adds humor to the line.
I'm over it now, we're like a walkity-talkie
The singer is done with the relationship or situation with the other person, and they are just going through the motions of communicating with them like a walkie-talkie, without any real emotional investment.
I'm leaving now bitch, try to stop me
The artist is ready to leave and move on from this situation, and they are not interested in any attempts by the other person to stop them or change their mind.
We're so cruel
Throughout the song, the singers have shown themselves to be cunning, confident, and often willing to act in ways that might be harsh or brutal to others. This line is the chorus, repeating that they are indeed cruel.
Yeah, cruel
This line simply repeats the message of the chorus, that the singers are cruel to those around them.
Alright
This line likely serves as a pause or break in the song, allowing the listener to absorb the lyrics and message being conveyed.
No, we're so cruel
This final line of the chorus reinforces the idea that the artists are cruel, and that there is no doubt or question about it.
Yeah, yeah, yeah
This line is a repeated phrase used throughout the song, and it likely serves to connect the various sections and build the overall energy and intensity of the song.
Oh, no we're so cruel
This final line is another repetition of the chorus, driving home the message that the singers are indeed cruel and unapologetic about it.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Cara Benadum
i swear ive obssessed over every single one of their songs 😂 playing it over & over & over!! cant get enough
Raycharles 52
so happy i found this band
Ryan Dixon
I want more....NOW! I love how you guys stick to your roots yet somehow make your music different. You've figured out the formula and haven't turned into some mainstream pop/do-do band. Love it guys, keep movin on!
Zach Crandall
LOVE IT! KEEP UP THE GREAT STUFF
Joseph Freday
Straight dope!! This album is shapin up nice!!
Aubrey J
I'm digging it! can't wait to hear the rest of the album!🐙💚 #wyleeforlife
Emmy Arellano
This new album is actually starting to grow on me more and more over the last few months.
Hailey Carver
Can't wait for the album to drop & I'm lookin forward to concerts this summer!!!!!!!!
Kylie
I love this song !!! We are such lucky Dirty Heads Fans !! I've been listening to their new album since I bought it , no regrets !! I hope all the people who thumbed this down get their ears checked, because this is amazing !!
gabriel ramos
been listening since 2004 when you only had 4 songs on kazaa and 300 myspace friend... dirty demo days... and have to say i'm completely stoked for this album