The Knob
Tapani / THE KNOB
THE KNOB
How did The Knob get started?
Well there was idea about the band and we just went to rehearsals together and
started jamming! First song RUBBERDUCK was composed (can be found from
the album also released 2004).The band was formed 2001, and still going strong!
There is 4 members in the band. Myself (TAPANI) i play guitar and sing,
TUOMO who plays guitar and sings backrounds, then JAMI plays bass and JONNE
plays drums.
Were any of you in bands prior to The Knob?
Im not sure do i understand the question, but we all work or go to
school also.
But of course playing in a band is priority :D music is! haha...
Tell Us About your band.
The Knob plays melodicpunk. Similar to Nofx, Rise Against, Millencolin,
No fun at all, etc...Band was formed 2001 and has released 3 EP`s and one full
length album. Second album is coming up...
Style of Music (political, Emo, Funny, hardcore, rockstars, ..etc)
MelodicPunk. There is Hardcore influences, and some political stuff.
But also Emo and funny stuff.
Favorite place to play and why-
Provinssirock festival is awesome. Always thousands of people and
amazing PIT! The biggest festival in Finland, where we have played 3 times. And we
always get "Best Show TOP 10" place.
Funniest thing you've seen at a show?
BOOBIES! or MAN BOOBIES! :D also people seem to lose Shoes in our shows.
So i see lots of Shoes flying in the air during the show. That is funny...
Craziest place you've played?
Cant remember exactly, but there is some places that have been crazy.
Lets say Provinssirock also, because people get crazy there!
Are you on a label? If so, who?
We are currently looking for a label to release our next album. (Which
is ready by the way)
Any groupie stories?
Well Jonne our drummer is "ladiesman" and he always finds girls. And
then we have to drive them home or something after the shows...one time we had
to drive 50 miles because Jonne promised that "we can take you home" to one
girl.
What kind of jelly do you like on your Peanut Butter & Jelly
sandwiches?
In Finland we don’t eat those. But i think i would like to taste one.
That is not something we eat here in Finland. Wonder why, because it
sounds pretty cool and probably tastes great also.
Who's your favorite bands right now?
Well there is so much. But lets say. Offspring, Rise Against, AFI,
Nofx, Millencolin, Pennywise, No fun at all, No use for a name, +44, Pulley.
And many more! Almost every punk band there is!
Who writes your songs and how are you inspired to write them?
Well i think i can take most of the credit for the lyrics. About
99.999% of the lyrics is made by myself. I just grab a pen and start writing. I get my
influences from almost anything. The songs are made by everyone.
Usually someone (myself or Tuomo the guitar player) bring an idea to rehearsals, and we
start to work it out together. Pretty simple :D
When you play at a show are you all serious or do you just fuck around??
Well the songs are played seriously, but between the songs, myself and
Tuomo just usually Fuck around and make fun of each other or something like
that. People usually get laughs from our shows.
Any pre-show rituals?
Well everyone has some. Jonne takes drumsticks and makes annoying
noises to a table :D i run around and try to open my voice. Tuomo smokes alot! and
Jami makes pushups or something :D nothing special...just hanging around.
Does or did any of you get stage fright?
Well i usually do. I have played over 300 shows with different bands
and I always get nervous before shows. Sometimes i have to throw up, which
sucks! But nowadays i just calmly try to open my voice and jump around. But ON THE
STAGE no one gets frightened. Then it is just 100% GO!!!!
What's your favorite song that you play right now and why?
hmm...there is so many, but i quess it is some of the new ones. Lets
say "FIRST ONE" which will be the opening track for the next album. Also on covers
we play, i like RISE AGAINST - Chamber the catridge at the moment.
What does it mean to you being in The Knob?
It means alot. I hope someday we can tour even more and release more
albums! I love this thing!
What do you do when your not playing?
I work sometimes on a record store, and few days a week with young
people. But most of the time I’m playing or doing something with the music!
How does your families evaluate the fact that your musicians and
not a banker or whatever?
Of course they support me. But my mother sometimes tells me that "maybe
you should check this school out" or something like that, and tries to get
me back to school again :D but i know this is my thing. and i will do this
until i die! It is (yet) not enough to make a living, but i try to hang in there...
If you check out TV on any given day often you see "punk" video
clips or sound bites from bands like Something Corperate, Rise Against, AFI,
Greenday, etc.. What are your thoughts on the influences of Punk Rock on the
mainstream?
I think now it is the time for NEW RISE of punk rock. Last time it was
in nineties with Offspring, Greenday etc. But now there is EMO and that
kind of brought the punk back. So we owe something to EMO ;)
hahahahah....damn....hahaha...
What is your current evaluation of the current punk scene?
It is going on strong! Punk has always been very underground scene and
it never gets forgotten. So it is there all the time, but sometimes it just
sticks its head out more!
Who are your musical influences?
There is so many, but i say the bands i mentioned earlier. I also like
metal music. And LUCA TURILLI is awesome composer. But NOODLES from the punk
scene :D i like his style!
Any bands you really want to do a show with and why?
OFFSPRING! because i have been a fan since 1992, also NOFX would be
wesome and Millencolin, Rise against, Lagwagon. and many more....
Who's the craziest band you've ever done a show with?
hmm...all of them :D but there is some good memories with touring with
band called GOON, they are a SKA band. They featured in our songs during the
tour and we just drank lots of beer! At the moment we are touring with Valium77
and Blossom Hill and they are pretty "moist" also...so touring is nice :D
Descibe the stage presence of The Knob-
4 guys give everything they have!
Has your style of music changed at all since the band started? If
so, why?
It has been there since the beginning. But lets say that we have got
more serious. The first songs were more "poppy". But nowadays we are better
musicians (because practicing) it is not "Hardcore" but lets say that
we were like "VANDALS/BLINK" but nowadays we are more like "Rise
Against/OFFSPRING" if you understand my point here?
Favorite Band of all time (from each band member please)
well you can find those from our personal biographies. But hmmm..i try
to guess other band member favourites. Mine is OFFSPRING of course!
Tapani - Offspring
Jonne - Spice Girls
Tuomo - Aaron Carter
Jami - Hanson
i hope i did that right ;) hahahahah.....
What are your general thoughts on the world today?
Today...it sucks!
What's your favorite part of being in a band?
Touring and getting feedback from people. The best is to hear that a
song you made, is important to someone.
Tell us about the punk scene in your country?
It is underground here. Lots of smaller bands. Finland is more of a
METAL country. But the underground is there to kick some ass! It is active!
The punk scene here is more HARDCORE and there is just few melodic punk bands.
What are your thoughts of the whole Warped Tour traveling circus?
OMG! i would SO LIKE TO BE PART OF IT SOMEDAY! i hope we have a chance
to tour WARPED TOUR someday....(and OMG i just used the word
OMG...damn...hahaha)
When you look into the crowd, what would you say are the kind of
people at the shows?
All kinds of people. The punkers are making a scene and moshing around.
and then the others are just hanging around there and having a great time also.
Favorite Porn Film?
TOO MANY! hahahha.... but hmm...i would have to say that one of my all
time favourites has been GIGANT series. Because they are a collection of
best scenes in the industry at the moment.
Favorite Porn Star name?
name...damn...cant remember their names. Do they actually have one?
hahaha....ijust focus on something else in porn than the names...but i quess they
are something like "Hammer ROD" or "Mesuck Long Time" one of my favourite
pornstarsis Eva Angelina...also Liz Vicious is cool chick ;)
Are Americans as bad as we're advertised?
I have seen so many conspiracy documentaries that my head will explode
if i try to answer this one :D hahah...but i think the people of America are
cool, there is just some fucked up people in the goverment who make things
difficult and spoil the whole thing. They are the people that make the stereotypes.
How did you come up with the name The Knob?
the band name was LOWERCASE for first week, but then we noticed there
was 10000 bands called like that already, so we took a dictionary and just
started to pull out names. The Knob seemed stupid enough at the moment...
What makes The Knob different from other bands?
we are from Finland ;) Check us out ;) Some people say that we have unique sound...
THE KNOB
How did The Knob get started?
Well there was idea about the band and we just went to rehearsals together and
started jamming! First song RUBBERDUCK was composed (can be found from
the album also released 2004).The band was formed 2001, and still going strong!
There is 4 members in the band. Myself (TAPANI) i play guitar and sing,
TUOMO who plays guitar and sings backrounds, then JAMI plays bass and JONNE
plays drums.
Were any of you in bands prior to The Knob?
Im not sure do i understand the question, but we all work or go to
school also.
But of course playing in a band is priority :D music is! haha...
Tell Us About your band.
The Knob plays melodicpunk. Similar to Nofx, Rise Against, Millencolin,
No fun at all, etc...Band was formed 2001 and has released 3 EP`s and one full
length album. Second album is coming up...
Style of Music (political, Emo, Funny, hardcore, rockstars, ..etc)
MelodicPunk. There is Hardcore influences, and some political stuff.
But also Emo and funny stuff.
Favorite place to play and why-
Provinssirock festival is awesome. Always thousands of people and
amazing PIT! The biggest festival in Finland, where we have played 3 times. And we
always get "Best Show TOP 10" place.
Funniest thing you've seen at a show?
BOOBIES! or MAN BOOBIES! :D also people seem to lose Shoes in our shows.
So i see lots of Shoes flying in the air during the show. That is funny...
Craziest place you've played?
Cant remember exactly, but there is some places that have been crazy.
Lets say Provinssirock also, because people get crazy there!
Are you on a label? If so, who?
We are currently looking for a label to release our next album. (Which
is ready by the way)
Any groupie stories?
Well Jonne our drummer is "ladiesman" and he always finds girls. And
then we have to drive them home or something after the shows...one time we had
to drive 50 miles because Jonne promised that "we can take you home" to one
girl.
What kind of jelly do you like on your Peanut Butter & Jelly
sandwiches?
In Finland we don’t eat those. But i think i would like to taste one.
That is not something we eat here in Finland. Wonder why, because it
sounds pretty cool and probably tastes great also.
Who's your favorite bands right now?
Well there is so much. But lets say. Offspring, Rise Against, AFI,
Nofx, Millencolin, Pennywise, No fun at all, No use for a name, +44, Pulley.
And many more! Almost every punk band there is!
Who writes your songs and how are you inspired to write them?
Well i think i can take most of the credit for the lyrics. About
99.999% of the lyrics is made by myself. I just grab a pen and start writing. I get my
influences from almost anything. The songs are made by everyone.
Usually someone (myself or Tuomo the guitar player) bring an idea to rehearsals, and we
start to work it out together. Pretty simple :D
When you play at a show are you all serious or do you just fuck around??
Well the songs are played seriously, but between the songs, myself and
Tuomo just usually Fuck around and make fun of each other or something like
that. People usually get laughs from our shows.
Any pre-show rituals?
Well everyone has some. Jonne takes drumsticks and makes annoying
noises to a table :D i run around and try to open my voice. Tuomo smokes alot! and
Jami makes pushups or something :D nothing special...just hanging around.
Does or did any of you get stage fright?
Well i usually do. I have played over 300 shows with different bands
and I always get nervous before shows. Sometimes i have to throw up, which
sucks! But nowadays i just calmly try to open my voice and jump around. But ON THE
STAGE no one gets frightened. Then it is just 100% GO!!!!
What's your favorite song that you play right now and why?
hmm...there is so many, but i quess it is some of the new ones. Lets
say "FIRST ONE" which will be the opening track for the next album. Also on covers
we play, i like RISE AGAINST - Chamber the catridge at the moment.
What does it mean to you being in The Knob?
It means alot. I hope someday we can tour even more and release more
albums! I love this thing!
What do you do when your not playing?
I work sometimes on a record store, and few days a week with young
people. But most of the time I’m playing or doing something with the music!
How does your families evaluate the fact that your musicians and
not a banker or whatever?
Of course they support me. But my mother sometimes tells me that "maybe
you should check this school out" or something like that, and tries to get
me back to school again :D but i know this is my thing. and i will do this
until i die! It is (yet) not enough to make a living, but i try to hang in there...
If you check out TV on any given day often you see "punk" video
clips or sound bites from bands like Something Corperate, Rise Against, AFI,
Greenday, etc.. What are your thoughts on the influences of Punk Rock on the
mainstream?
I think now it is the time for NEW RISE of punk rock. Last time it was
in nineties with Offspring, Greenday etc. But now there is EMO and that
kind of brought the punk back. So we owe something to EMO ;)
hahahahah....damn....hahaha...
What is your current evaluation of the current punk scene?
It is going on strong! Punk has always been very underground scene and
it never gets forgotten. So it is there all the time, but sometimes it just
sticks its head out more!
Who are your musical influences?
There is so many, but i say the bands i mentioned earlier. I also like
metal music. And LUCA TURILLI is awesome composer. But NOODLES from the punk
scene :D i like his style!
Any bands you really want to do a show with and why?
OFFSPRING! because i have been a fan since 1992, also NOFX would be
wesome and Millencolin, Rise against, Lagwagon. and many more....
Who's the craziest band you've ever done a show with?
hmm...all of them :D but there is some good memories with touring with
band called GOON, they are a SKA band. They featured in our songs during the
tour and we just drank lots of beer! At the moment we are touring with Valium77
and Blossom Hill and they are pretty "moist" also...so touring is nice :D
Descibe the stage presence of The Knob-
4 guys give everything they have!
Has your style of music changed at all since the band started? If
so, why?
It has been there since the beginning. But lets say that we have got
more serious. The first songs were more "poppy". But nowadays we are better
musicians (because practicing) it is not "Hardcore" but lets say that
we were like "VANDALS/BLINK" but nowadays we are more like "Rise
Against/OFFSPRING" if you understand my point here?
Favorite Band of all time (from each band member please)
well you can find those from our personal biographies. But hmmm..i try
to guess other band member favourites. Mine is OFFSPRING of course!
Tapani - Offspring
Jonne - Spice Girls
Tuomo - Aaron Carter
Jami - Hanson
i hope i did that right ;) hahahahah.....
What are your general thoughts on the world today?
Today...it sucks!
What's your favorite part of being in a band?
Touring and getting feedback from people. The best is to hear that a
song you made, is important to someone.
Tell us about the punk scene in your country?
It is underground here. Lots of smaller bands. Finland is more of a
METAL country. But the underground is there to kick some ass! It is active!
The punk scene here is more HARDCORE and there is just few melodic punk bands.
What are your thoughts of the whole Warped Tour traveling circus?
OMG! i would SO LIKE TO BE PART OF IT SOMEDAY! i hope we have a chance
to tour WARPED TOUR someday....(and OMG i just used the word
OMG...damn...hahaha)
When you look into the crowd, what would you say are the kind of
people at the shows?
All kinds of people. The punkers are making a scene and moshing around.
and then the others are just hanging around there and having a great time also.
Favorite Porn Film?
TOO MANY! hahahha.... but hmm...i would have to say that one of my all
time favourites has been GIGANT series. Because they are a collection of
best scenes in the industry at the moment.
Favorite Porn Star name?
name...damn...cant remember their names. Do they actually have one?
hahaha....ijust focus on something else in porn than the names...but i quess they
are something like "Hammer ROD" or "Mesuck Long Time" one of my favourite
pornstarsis Eva Angelina...also Liz Vicious is cool chick ;)
Are Americans as bad as we're advertised?
I have seen so many conspiracy documentaries that my head will explode
if i try to answer this one :D hahah...but i think the people of America are
cool, there is just some fucked up people in the goverment who make things
difficult and spoil the whole thing. They are the people that make the stereotypes.
How did you come up with the name The Knob?
the band name was LOWERCASE for first week, but then we noticed there
was 10000 bands called like that already, so we took a dictionary and just
started to pull out names. The Knob seemed stupid enough at the moment...
What makes The Knob different from other bands?
we are from Finland ;) Check us out ;) Some people say that we have unique sound...
i cant tell. so everyone should check it out themselves.
Anything you want to add or say?
Check out these links
http://www.theknobband.net (Official website)
check it out and give some words to guestbook...
http://www.myspace.com/theknobband (Myspace)
http://www.mikseri.net/theknobfani (Live bootlegs and rare stuff...also
some
cover songs here, NOFX, GREENDAY, LAGWAGON, etc..)
http://www.youtube.com (just use the phrase "TheKnob" to find some live
videos)
Anyone you want to thank?
You, me, and everyone else.
Thanks for the interview!
See ya in the pit!
-----------------------------------------------------------
Tapani Kangas
Ruukintie 92 as 6
60100 Seinäjoki, FINLAND
Telephone in finland: 050-5303018
For international calls: +358505303018
CELESTY (epic powermetal)
www.celesty.net
THE KNOB (melodic skatepunk)
www.theknobband.net
Comments
Your web site is helpful. This will be my first time visiting.
Mikey
Posted by: Mikey | April 5, 2007 02:56 AM