The California Honeydrops: Subway Buskers No More
Words by Dan Rozman
Photos by Mark Raker
The California Honeydrops recently brought their soulful energy to DC’s 9:30 Club, packing the house with fans ready to groove. Their Fall in Love Again Tour stop proved why they’ve come so far from their Oakland subway busking days to selling out iconic venues.
Throughout the night on Oct. 5, the band mixed fan-favorites with fresh tracks from their new album Keep On Diggin’, released just last month. While asking for requests from the audience, Lech Wierzynski, the trumpet and guitar-playing lead singer, joked about how fans always request the oldies over new tunes. He didn’t seem to mind, though, and the crowd ate up every note. Fans got an additional treat when local musician Gordon Jones joined in on sax, adding his brass to the band’s already punchy horn section. It was like throwing fuel on a fire that was already blazing hot.
One of the night’s most emotional moments came when Lech dedicated “Honey and Butter” to his grandmother. He wrote it for her 90th birthday, sharing some heartwarming stories about the woman who raised him and how she did some crazy things in her life. He joked the craziest was raising him. When he was getting started, she challenged his dream to be a professional musician. She lived to be 103 and knew her grandson was successful, selling out venues like the 9:30 Club. You could hear the pride in Lech’s voice as he talked about her. Another part of including the audience in the show took place when they sang Happy Birthday to a fan who was celebrating with friends at the show.
Stream “Honey and Butter” by The California Honeydrops on YouTube:
The Honeydrops showed their versatility by returning to their acoustic subway roots for a few songs. The audience enjoyed the Honeydrops’ performance of some traditional washboard playing. It was a pleasant change of pace that highlighted their musical chops.
Fans, both long-time and new, filled the club, all moving together to hits like “A Higher Degree,” “Pumpkin Pie,” and “All Day, All Night.” The band even threw in some deeper cuts, keeping the energy high all night long.
By the show’s end, it was clear why the California Honeydrops have such a devoted following. They deliver the kind of performance that reminds you why live music is so special. One first-timer exclaimed, “If they’re coming to your town, don’t miss the chance to see them. You might just find your new favorite band.”
Certain aspects of the research and/or drafting for this piece may have had AI assistance.
Here are some photos of The California Honeydrops performing at 9:30 Club on Oct. 5, 2024. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Mark Raker.
