{"id":121918,"date":"2022-11-14T14:00:34","date_gmt":"2022-11-14T19:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dcmusicreview.com\/staging\/?p=121918"},"modified":"2022-11-17T08:09:42","modified_gmt":"2022-11-17T13:09:42","slug":"the-california-honeydrops-give-dc-more-than-a-lil-bit-of-lovin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dcmusicreview.com\/staging\/the-california-honeydrops-give-dc-more-than-a-lil-bit-of-lovin\/","title":{"rendered":"The California Honeydrops Give DC More Than A Lil Bit Of Lovin\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hump day had a homecoming of sorts this week with a booty shaking show at Lincoln Theater<\/strong> staring The California Honeydrops <\/strong>on November 9, 2022.  Born abroad but spending his teenage years in the Nation’s Capital, lead singer and incredibly talented musician, Lech Wierzynski <\/strong>is more than familiar with the DC music scene.  He shared tales of his time here and let everyone know how good it felt to be back, noting the city has changed from his days walking the streets and playing after-hours jam sessions around town.<\/p>\n

\"AJ<\/span><\/p>\n

AJ Lee & Blue Summit<\/p>\n

AJ Lee and The Blue Summit <\/strong>kicked the night off and were able to get the crowd up and dancing with a lively version of “Cumberland Blues”, noting that they were very happy to see people get up on their feet.  The DMV has been fortunate enough to see this California-based band perform locally three times this year already – Charm City Bluegrass<\/strong>, Ramble Festival<\/strong>, and now at The Lincoln Theatre<\/strong>.  It was great to hear this band jam once again on the last stop of their tour with The Drops.<\/p>\n

\"AJ<\/span><\/p>\n

AJ Lee & Blue Summit<\/p>\n

\"The<\/span><\/p>\n

The Honeydrops are a band that is hard to put in any type of musical genre box as they touch so many – but they are undeniably one that will make you get up and dance.  The band’s energy that they bring to the stage is why they continue to grow their fanbase with no end in sight.  Asking the audience to raise their hand if they had seen the band before and then asking who was there seeing them for the first time, it seemed like there were more of the latter. Thanking the ‘first-timers and the ones that dragged them out, Weirzynski and the band thought it fitting to share some of their new music as a reward.  <\/p>\n

\"The<\/span>\"The<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Soft Spot (Released October 7, 2022) – Click for buying options<\/a><\/p>\n

Making attendees feel like old friends is one way to ensure they will continue to come back for more, and making sure they have a really good time is another, and the Honeydrops did both extremely well!  Sharing new music off the latest album, Soft Spot, <\/strong><\/em>we were also blessed with some stories behind the music, one in particular that touched a real soft spot with audience and band alike.   Wierzynski described the new album as follows:  \u201cThis record is all about love and good lovin\u2019 and other things that matter,\u201d and safe to say that is clear with the songs that are included on it.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Soft Spot (Released October 7, 2022) – Click to buy on vinyl<\/a><\/p>\n

\"The<\/span><\/p>\n

Lech Wierzynski<\/p>\n

“Honey and Butter” <\/em>is a song dedicated to Wierzynski’s grandmother in honor of her 100th birthday.  Telling the tale of how he used to pretend to be sick when he was younger and how his grandmother would make him honey and butter on toasted bread, and that made everything seem better.  Another tale we were told was about the song “Pocket Chicken”, which can be interpreted literally, and while vastly different from the tale about family, this one was equally as entertaining.  <\/p>\n

\"The<\/span><\/p>\n

The exceptionally charismatic Lech Wierzynski of The California Honeydrops<\/p>\n

\"The<\/span><\/p>\n

A set list that went around the world, from slow serenades to brass bumping funk, kept the crowd up, energized, and wanting more.  The band’s music is unique in the musical landscape and draws roots, Bay Area R&B, Southern soul, Delta blues, and New Orleans second.  This is a band that can pivot from a slow serenade, to  an upbeat “Don’t Let The Green Grass Fool You” by Wilson Pickett<\/strong>, to an all out brass laden soulful “In Your Arms” in the span of a few minutes.  Not only can The Drops sustain an infectious and overpowering euphoria going they performed two full sets of their music at The Lincoln Theatre.  Based on the depth and breadth of their repertoire, we thought that the band would keep going well into the night and end with Wilson Pickett’s “In The Midnight Hour.”  Despite the show ending past 11 PM, everyone walking out of this venue in downtown Washington, DC, certainly had that soulful funk and swagger as they exited the theatre and back onto U Street.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/span>\"Ben<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben Malament<\/p>\n

The historic theater was a marvelous backdrop for the band that started out with just Wierzynski and drummer Ben Malament<\/strong> busking in Oakland, California, and another great venue the band gets to add to their repertoire.  Earlier this year, headlining Red Rocks Amphitheater<\/strong> in Denver, Colorado, was also checked off the bucket list, and it seems obvious, after seeing them play live again and again, that the trajectory for these amazing musicians will continue growing by leaps and bounds and we are definitely here for it.<\/p>\n

\"Ben<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben Malament<\/p>\n

\"Johnny<\/span><\/p>\n

Johnny Bones<\/p>\n

The California Honeydrops were the most charismatic and energetic band to perform in The Lincoln Theatre in recent memory.  Fans spent most of the evening dancing in theatre and poured out into the aisles to joyfully dance to the music of The Drops.  It has been quite some time since The Lincoln Theatre hosted a band of this rare euphoria and swagger.  To the best of our memory, the last time The Lincoln Theatre roared with this much energy was perhaps when Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings <\/strong>famously <\/strong>performed.<\/p>\n

We look forward to the next time The California Honeydrops come to the DMV and perform. True to their word, The Drops don’t just perform, they throw parties.  Based upon the parties that this band has thrown in the DMV and around the country, we look forward to the next throw down they decide to have us along for the ride! <\/p>\n

\"Johnny<\/span><\/p>\n

Johnny Bones<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery<\/strong><\/p>\n

Photo Gallery<\/strong><\/p>\n

Photo Gallery<\/strong><\/p>\n

Enjoy photos by our photographer Jason Herman<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

The California Honeydrops<\/p>\nngg_shortcode_0_placeholder\n

AJ Lee & Blue Summit<\/p>\nngg_shortcode_1_placeholder\n

Listen<\/strong><\/p>\n

Listen<\/strong><\/p>\n

Listen<\/strong><\/p>\n

Have you tried TIDAL<\/a> yet?  They have some of the best streaming sound out there with multiple subscription plans including a free version<\/span><\/strong> in addition to HiDef, Family, and Student packages.  Click here for more Information<\/a> about available packages.<\/p>\n

Enter your text here…<\/p>\n

Additional Resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Additional Resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Additional<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n

To learn more about The California Honeydrops<\/strong>, please see the following web resources:<\/p>\n