Huntington Beach-based reggae/hip-hop fusionists the Dirty Heads performed a free show at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point on Tuesday afternoon to celebrate the long-awaited release of the quintet’s sophomore album, Cabin by the Sea. Hundreds of Dirty Heads loyalists showed up with signs and copies of the new disc in hand, hoping to get an autograph after the 10-song set.

Click here for a photo slideshow of Dirty Heads’ performance.

Hosted by the City of Dana Point and Wahoo’s Fish Tacos, all of the proceeds from the concert, collected via taco sales and other concessions, was to be donated to Doheny State Beach, according to Wahoo’s founder Wing Lam. The KROQ 106.7 FM crew got the crowd stirring by giving away hats, board shorts, concert tickets and other swag. Crew member Julio Maldonado even dove into the pumped up crowd, only furthering the excitement as fans began chanting “Dirty Heads!” before the band took the stage.

What was supposed to be a quick, 30-minute set turned into almost a full-blown concert including a few of the hits, “Stand Tall,” “Lay Me Down” and the single of the new album, “Spread Too Thin.”

“It means a lot for you (all) to share this day with us,” vocalist Jared Watson said as he walked out onto the stage. The humble Dirty Head addressed the crowed numerous times throughout the performance, including getting the crowd nice-and-rowdy and ready to scream out the line from “Believe” in which the band pays homage to the Beastie Boys and the late MCA, asking the audience to scream out:  “Who’da thought I could never turn out this way/I’m blamin’ Ad-Rock, Mike D and MCA/Yeah, it was Beasties on my mind pretty much all the time.”

During that track, however, the sound cut out near the end. The band kept performing – either not realizing it, possibly too high to care, or just so caught up in the moment that it let the fans roar out the remainder of the song.

Wahoo’s is also hosting an album release party (however, no word on if the band will actually be in attendance) at its new Huntington Beach location from 5-8:30 p.m. on Saturday. The event is free to the public and open to all-ages. There will be live music, giveaways and prizes from Volcom, Quicksilver, Monster Energy, Nirve Bikes, Madrid Skateboards, plus special musical guests and free tacos to the first 100 customers. The new Wahoo’s is located at 7891 Warner Ave., Huntington Beach.

Read an interview with Dirty Heads vocalist Jared Watson here.

Check out more photos from the Dirty Heads’ free Doheny State Beach performance.

Photos by Drew A. Kelley, for OrangeCounty.com

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