After a few changes of plan (Long story. I’ll not bore you.) Miss Rose Wine picked me up on Sunday evening and we set off up the M8, through the miles and miles of roadworks, to Glasgow.

Our destination for the evening was the small, select but legendary venue, The Cathouse.

The band of choice for the evening – the incredibly talented Dirty Honey.

Without a word of a lie, I’ve waited more than 2 years to see this band live. I fell in love with their music when they supported Alter Bridge on the US leg of their tour and have waited impatiently for them to reach the UK ever since. Excited didn’t begin to cover it!

Fresh from their debut Download appearance the day before, Dirty Honey were making their UK headline debut in Glasgow and what better venue to start with than the iconic Cathouse!

The rock planets had finally aligned.

A rail spot secured for the evening (and the annoying drunk dude from the queue lost in crowd – thank God) Miss Rose Wine and I waited with bated breath. We passed the time chatting to the official photographer for the evening. (Great to catch up, Mr D)

There was no support act, so we were to be treated to pure unadulterated Dirty Honey!

Bang on 8.30pm as the PA tape still played, the stage was swathed in blue light and the four boys from LA took to the tiny Cathouse stage to a rapturous welcome. Glasgow loved them before they’d even played a note!

They opened their thirteen-song set (they’re obviously not superstitious!) with the awesome California Dreamin. Screams and cheers greeted front man Marc LaBelle as he stepped out onstage and welcomed the capacity crowd to their first ever UK headline show. (The Cathouse capacity is circa 350 – told you it was a select audience.)

The packed venue might have been compact and bijou, but these boys played as if they were headlining The Hydro! (Give them time…mark my words)

A mop of black curls and a shitload of talent, bass player Justin Smolian prowled the stage while guitarist John “Fuckin’” Notto lurked on the far side, resplendent in velvet and his “Ozzy Osborne” style shades.  Front man Marc LaBelle had the Scottish fans eating out of the palm of his hand before he was halfway through their opening number. No mean feat, sir.

California Dreamin (show opener) – Dirty Honey @ The Cathouse Glasgow 12/06/22 – YouTube

Dirty Honey have released one EP and one short 8 track album to date, so the set saw them perform pretty much everything they’ve done. Happy days!

From our rail spot and thanks to Mr D, we’d had a sneaky peek at the setlist. (Was gutted not to snag one of these at the end – C’est la vie)

Three songs in Dirty Honey played one of my personal favourites, Heartbreaker. Awesome!

Two songs after that, as Marc LaBelle decided he was staying and took his jacket off, the band began another of my favourites, Scars. I love the sultry vibe to this one. Loved the brief bass solo by Justin too before he stepped across onto the rail just in front of me. Duck!

Scars – Dirty Honey @ The Cathouse Glasgow 12/06/22 – YouTube

Down The Road may have been my highlight song of the set. This truly is an epic song to just lose yourself in. Love the lyrics. I was in seventh heaven listening to this one.

It was swiftly followed by Gypsy.

Gypsy – Dirty Honey @ The Cathouse Glasgow 12/06/22 – YouTube

Part of me had hoped to hear Dirty Honey play their cover of Prince’s Lets Go Crazy (check it out – it’s awesome) but Marc gave the crowd a choice – Prince or ACDC? ACDC won so Glasgow was honoured to hear a blistering version of the ever-popular Shoot To Thrill.

Shoot To Thrill – Dirty Honey @ The Cathouse Glasgow 12/06/22 – YouTube

This gig was flying by way too quick!

What was great to see was each member of the band getting their moment in the spotlight. A blistering solo from drummer Corey Coverstone was followed by a brilliant bass solo from Justin Smolian before John Notto put on a stunning display. These boys deserve to go far!

All good things sadly have to come to an end and Rolling 7s rounded off the set.

What a UK debut headline show! I’ve a feeling that in years to come, as these boys headline The Hydro and London’s O2 Arena and the like, that there will be 350 lucky Scottish fans who’ll be saying “Aye but you should have heard them in The Cathouse back in ’22.”

I for one was proud to have been part of that debut. Thank you, boys. Safe travels and hurry back to Glasgow. We love you!