Review: Charleston Based Honeypot Releases New Album

Honeypot just dropped its new album, On the B Side. Honeypot is an indie rock band from Charleston, SC comprised of Frank Hartman (guitars, drum, vocals) and Chris Chamberlain (bass, backing vocals, production). Hartman is a practicing lawyer by day and musician by night. A South Carolina native, he has been influenced by classic and progressive rocks bands like Rush, Toll, and Alice in Chains.

Honeypot releases new album On the B Side

I was a transplanted northern “Yankee”, as I was called, who resided in South Carolina for several years. During that time I was a closet liberal who learned to keep my opinions to myself. Unlike myself, Frank Hartman is not concerned with keeping his views private. On the B Side is his vehicle for reflecting on the current state of our society and expressing his views on the matter. While some use fiery dialogue or confrontational and sometimes violent means to convey their opinions, Hartman’s weapon is guitars laid on top of humorous and satirical lyrics.

If there is one phrase which defines the previous five years, it would be “Fake News”. During this period, the media has simultaneously been a target and a weapon to drive public opinion. Hartman explores this subject in the song “Fake News”. He uses hilarious lyrics and scenes in the song’s video as an attack on the previous administration. The hook line “Fake news, Fake news, Isn’t that what the Germans said about the Jews” is catchy and sticks in the head. While this is a humorous song originally written in 2018, Hartman prefaces the seriousness of the issue in the video with a warning conveyed by a caption of the famous Martin Niemöller quote: “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”

“Over the Line” continues the jabs at the previous administration. It’s a song about creating divisions in the country to further a political agenda. Race relations, the environment, Covid-19 have all been issues that, rather than uniting us, have divided us as a nation. According to Hartman, “The inspiration for the song is the deep divide we have as a country. There is a feeling of ‘us vs. them’ that should not be. It is a false illusion created by a Puppet Master who seeks to control through division. The point of the song is that it’s a false narrative, we are all Americans. We may have a difference of opinions, but our country should always come before the Party.”

Hartman moves away from politics for “On the B Side” and delves into the unscrupulous practice of deceiving and praying on others for financial gain. He says “The idea for ‘On the B Side’ came about when a friend and I were propositioned for what turned out to be a pyramid scheme that got sued for millions. As with most charlatans, he promised all the trappings of wealth. The B Side is being at the bottom of the pyramid. Consequently, you are locked out of the trappings of fame and wealth that go to the people on the A Side. It never fails to amaze me how people are so easily duped with the promise of success without work. In my experience, you achieve success one step at a time.“

“Shut Your Mouth” explores relationship issues experienced by couples. Hartman explains, “The subject matter is satirical, as per usual – a satirical view on couple dynamics. In this story, the woman is the antagonist. It addresses long-term couple dynamics where someone seeks solace in substance abuse. As one person shrinks, the other looms larger to fill the void. But with a funny backdrop. Recording it was straight forward. I hit the opening lick a couple of times, we doubled it up for surround sound. I took a little more time with the lead section and went for a pretty melody over the song’s intensity. It’s a Yin-Yang dynamic to make the subject matter more palatable.”

The album’s remaining songs, “Face The Radio”, “Justin Bieber”, and “Ryman Alley” are on the lighter side. In “Justin Bieber”, Hartman pokes fun at Bieber and Bradley Cooper. The solo features Hartman’s best guitar work on the album. “Ryman Alley” is about the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville which is the former home of the Grand Ole Opry. It’s an old style country song with some fast paced acoustic guitar strumming and cheeky lyrics.

The “Never Trumpers” will probably appreciate this album, others not so much. Frank Hartman is a man who had something to say and he certainly did that with this album. It’s a humorous take on a not so humorous world we live in today. On the B Side came out on March 19, 2021 on vinyl and digital and can be ordered or downloaded here.

Track List