Head Honchos’ - Head Honchos’

Self Release

www.headhonchosband.com

7 songs; 24:49 minutes; Meritable

Styles: Contemporary Blues-Rock

How many speeding tickets do you currently possess (where three tickets means loss of license)? None: feel free to play Head Honchos’ in the car, and crank it up. One ticket: play this CD at lower volumes. Two citations: play only at your own risk. This is head banging, pulse pounding, heart racing Blues-Rock played in American kick-ass style!

The first song on the Chicago area’s Head Honchos’ debut album is Don Nix’s “Going Down,” (curiously credited to “King”). It simply screams, “This is a Rockin’-the-Blues CD, and we’re damn proud of it!” Head Honchos' explodes some of most incendiary Chicago Style Blues/Rock you’ll hear. For example, “Lucky’s Train” with its wailing harp will blow the wheels off that locomotive. Then, “Whiskey Devil” kicks it up a botch from there!

This somewhat short CD contains seven power-house tracks, four which are originals and three cover interpretations: the aforementioned "Going Down," Aaron Neville’s "Fire On The Bayou," and Wilson Pickett's "99 1/2 Won't Do" with great singing, harmony, keyboards, and some tasty wah guitar.

Head Honchos' is a four piece band consisting of Rocco Calipari (Guitar/Vocals), Rocco Calipari Jr. (Guitar), C.C. Copeland (Bass), and Scott Schultz (Drums/Vocals). Special Guests on this release include, Steve Ball (Keyboards), Phil Smith (Percussion), Joe “J.B.” Brown (Saxophone), Mitch Goldman (Trumpet), and Jo Jo Dotlich (Harmonica on one cut).

Fans of Chicago’s Howard and the White Boys will already recognize the name of Rocco Calipari as he has been their long-time lead guitarist. When not performing with Howard McCullum as one of the “White Boys,” Rocco sings vocals and fronts Head Honchos' with his son. Calipari is also a guitar teacher and a seasoned touring artist.

Head Honchos’ infusion of guitar Rock with Blues is an interesting and often exciting mixture. While no new ground is being broken here, the crew can be proud of their product, the soul in their music, and their efforts to keep it real while all around turn to Rap. But, it’s probably safer to listen at home than in the car, there, Lead-foot.