Kevin Bronson on July 3rd, 2015

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Story and photos by Kelsey Heng

On first blush, Honeyhoney comes across as a deceptively sweet duo — sweet harmonies augmented by guitar, banjo and violin — but it didn’t take long Wednesday night at the El Rey Theatre for all hell to break loose, their songs embracing with the rugged country tradition with sheer ferocity.

The L.A.-based duo of Ben Jaffe and Suzanne Santo took to the stage with an unassuming air, explaining the significance of headlining to a crowd this large in a venue this iconic.

It’s a humility that only magnifies how raw and undiscovered the pair present themselves. Except, with nearly a decade behind them, they are anything but. The crowd played off the duo’s chemistry and seemed genuinely appreciative and as the night continued, more and more feet stomped in rhythm.

Touring behind the release of their newest album “3”, Honeyhoney used the setlist to mirror the emotional ride their album provides. One minute toe-tapping along to the banjo driven “Ohio,” the next tearfully mouthing the words of “You and I,” and followed with graceful gritty violin angst of “Big Man.”

Santo is nothing short of mesmerizing, trading off between fingerpicking banjo and rock-infused violin, while her vocals and angsty hair tossing spotlight her confident persona.

Early arrivals got a whole lot of different from acts Wheeler Walker Jr. (and his costumed backup vocalists) and the not-so-serious trio Zero DeZire. Blue humor included.