HEAD HONCHOS: "Bring It On Home"
“Head Honchos’ new CD ‘Bring it on Home’ is a musical phenomenon. Plain and simple. Perfectly crafted
blues-rock from start to finish — with no filler — the music grabs you and doesn’t let you go. Each track
— eight originals and five covers — is a masterpiece, performed with precision, feeling, and power. The
twin guitars of Rocco Calipari Sr. and Jr. far surpass Duane and Dickey, or any other guitar team for that
matter, displaying virtuoso chops that have to be heard to be believed. There’s nothing these men can’t
do with their guitars! The nuanced, tasty and endlessly energetic music on this CD is further enhanced
by a stellar rhythm section and several guest artists, all contributing to the overall sound with masterful
musicianship. The band as a whole takes us through avenues of funk, jazz, rock, blues, and every other
delectable sound you can imagine — but all with an intense, musical expertise that is rarely found in
the modern world. These cats are about as good as it gets. Check out this CD and hear what real
blue-rock is all about!”
Steven J. Rosen / Author + Journalist (August 2018)
Bring It On Home, the debut album from Indiana newcomers Head Honchos,
is a family affair. Father and son, side by side, guitars in hand and the blues in
their hearts. The elder of the two, Rocco Calipari Sr, ain’t no new kid on the block,
time already well served with respected outfit Howard And The White Boys. The
younger - you guessed it - Rocco Calipari Jr, is his father’s equal, the mix of youthful
exuberance and maturity serving the pair well as they blast out a smart mix of originals
and covers. Aided by drummer Scott Schultz and alternating bass-men Roberto Agosto
and CC Copeland, where this outfit truly make their mark is through their chosen
blues-attack. Long known for its serious, maudlin, ‘heavy’ outlook, here the blues
are delivered with a glint in its eye and the intention to bring the good times.
Sprinkling a little funk here, a slice of soul there and some mighty fine fret frolics
just about everywhere, the one thing you’re assured by the time the thirteen tracks
have had their way with you, is that you’ll be grinning from ear to ear. “Lucky’s Train”
even alluding to that fact, the lyrics talking of a shit eating grin as a deep harmonica
fuelled groove thunders into the station.
Whether it’s the more familiar tones of “Fire On The Bayou” and “Going Down”,
or the brand new and undoubtedly spanking “Not For Me”, with its tribal beats,
and “Whiskey Devil” and its darting guitar and horns, there’s an irresistible up-tempo
vibe that runs so deep through these songs that you just have to give in to it. The mix
of the album from Mike Regan assures there’s also a clear picture of exactly what’s going
on, while the mastering work from Grooveyard Records regular Stavros Papadopoulos is
remarkably bright. Although the sheer force of the kick-drum and bass guitar in the
opening pair of cuts on this album, does, at volume, dance maybe just a little too
readily in your chest.
That, however, is the only minor quibble as “That Drivin’ Beat” careens past with
no little precision and poise, and “Work” hits home with real force and passion.
With Rocco Snr possessing a hugely convincing vocal bark and a serous flair on the
frets, it’s Jnr who locks in tight with the rhythm men, as they lay down the unmovable
foundations and allow the melodies and solos to weave their spell. Bring It On Home is
exciting, it’s vibrant, but most of all, this debut from the Head Honchos is damn good fun.
Steven Reid / Sea Of Tranquility (September 2018)