DIRTY HEADS | LIVE AT KROQ’s HELPFUL HONDA SOUND SPACE
Live at
420 DAY SPECIAL
April 23, 2024 by Jimmy Alvarez
Back in 2020, Variety published an article simply titled, “It’s the End of the World Famous KROQ as We Know It.” Based on what was happening industrywide – and KROQ at that time – nobody could argue with it. It’s funny how things can change in the blink of an eye.
In 2024, Kevin Weatherly seems to have righted the ship. With longtime DJs like Nicole Alvarez still anchoring middays, and a kick-ass morning show, a few factors have evolved that became a solid foundation for the stations return to prominence. Needless to say, KROQ has done an about face, and listeners are doing this again – tuning in and listening.
What caused this changing of the guard in radio broadcasting? The music and how the station has embraced its legacy and its future. Sure, numbers mean everything for radio stations, but the truth of the matter is you can always tell how a station is doing by simply listening to fans at concerts.
KROQ is back with a bang and this weekend’s 420 show with Dirty Heads was a perfect example as to why fans are returning in droves to the World Famous KROQ.
April 20th – aka 420 – is that off the books holiday that everyone can appreciate, and KROQ has taken advantage of every opportunity of late to re-connect with their fanbase. Back in the day, bands like Sublime were the stewards of all things KROQ related. In 2024, the perfect band was set to play the Helpful Honda KROQ Sound Space – Dirty Heads.
It was April 20th, 2024; the crowd was eclectic and diverse. Concertgoers ranged from young, to very young, to not so much. All races were representin’ and all KROQ genres were present: rasta lovers, stoners, new wavers, alt and punk rockers, rap aficionados, and yes, even metal heads.
With 420 finally here, fans of the station, the band, and some industry peeps gathered to take in the show, the energy was palpable.
MCs Klein and Ally entertained everyone with some Q&A with Jared and Duddy before they took to the stage. They also took time to chat with stars from the new Hulu series, “High Hopes.”
HELPFUL HONDA SOUND SPACE AT KROQ
After a few moments, it was 4:19, and on the monitors throughout the Sound Space was a familiar face that everyone knew. Behold, making an appearance was, former KROQ legend, Jimmy Kimmel.
Kimmel welcomed everyone to the show and introduced the most appropriate band in 2024 to play the 420 show, Dirty Heads.
Timed perfectly, at 4:20 on 4/20, out came Dirty Heads!
Immediately, J took to the mic and they dove into “Heavy Water,” then “Bum Bum.” Surprisingly, everyone knew the words, even the punkers and metal heads.
Then, J and Duddy thanked everyone for coming out and joked a little bit about how playing in a venue like this took them back to their beginnings. Then the baseline took hold, the crowd cheered loud – it was deafening in such a small space – and boom, the hit parade took off. We were treated to some of the band’s biggest hits: “That’s All I Need,” “Life’s Been Good,” “Lay Me Down,” and “My Sweet Summer.” Then, the crowd took their screams up a notch to “Vacation.”
In between songs, the guys joked and J actually had to stop the start of the next song because he was having some sound issues, which was funny playing the Sound Space.
J said, “Let’s do this old school style like back in the day,” and they ripped through another set of classic DH songs, “El Dorado,” “John Linen,” then “Rage,” which they did originally with Aimee from The Interrupters. Despite no Aimee, the songs sound great!
The crowd just couldn’t get enough of the band. The guys just fed off the energy you could feel vibrating through the roar and cheers.
DH launched into “Rescue Me,” before they closed out the one-hour set with “Oxygen.” Sensing the end of the show was near, the crowd lost its mind in appreciation.
And just like that, the 420-day show came to an end. The guys stood and waved to everyone as they yelled out “thank you!” What a class act this band is, and their fans, new and old, loved their time they spent together given to them by The World Famous KROQ.
As I was leaving the facility, I noticed something that explains why The Klein Ally Show has garnered the support it has. I saw Klein, Ally, and a few of the other morning show staff engaged and talking to fans that attended the show. Guess it’s not a mystery why KROQ is back; it’s because of the music and staff that get it. They love what they do and the people that listen to them. Based on the turnout, the energy by Dirty Heads, and the vibe from the crowd, look for more and more of an impact on music from this radio juggernaut.
As for Dirty Heads, well, you can catch them May 3rd at Beachlife Fest in Redondo Beach. Just in case you need another dose, they will be on the road this summer touring with Slightly Stoopid. They will zig-zag across the country before you can see them in Chula Vista August 24th at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre. Seriously, check this band out, KROQ had them play the 420 Day show for a reason.
