Michael Knott

Michael Knott

Michael Knott is an American singer-songwriter and frontman for various bands, many of them Christian. He has released some 35 albums, including solo albums and with bands such as LSU and Cush.

Knott's music has sometimes been controversial in Christian circles, particularly due to profanity in the song "Rocket and a Bomb" (from the self-titled release of his former band Aunt Bettys) and original artwork in that album of Jesus Christ as a bartender.[1] Knott's songwriting appealed to many people, particularly flawed Christians, who appreciated the honesty with which he tackled his own shortcomings. Examples include "Double," "Shaded Pain" and the aforementioned "Rocket and a Bomb."

Knott explained some of his views in an interview with HM Magazine, saying, "Basically, I'm a human being and I believe in Christ, period. It doesn't make my life rosy, it doesn't make my life terrible, it doesn't do anything with that. I know Christ."

Career highlights include LSU's epic Cornerstone appearance in '93 (band dressed in customs), Aunt Bettys record-label bidding war and eventual signing with Elektra (1995) and a Jed the Fish "Catch of the Day" spin on KROQ for the Strung Gurus' "Sun-Eyed Girl." Members of Cush and Aunt Bettys joined Knott on stage for a Dennis Danell benefit concert at Verizon Wireless with a line-up that also included Pennywise, Offspring, X and Social Distortion. Aunt Bettys and Mike Knott songs are prominently featured in the 1998 indie film "Boogie Boy" (Imperial), exec-produced by Grammy-winning "Pulp Fiction" co-writer Roger Avary.

Michael Knott is a painter, frequently signing his works under the name 'Gerard.' His artwork has been used for cover art on many of his own releases as well as releases by The Choir, Charity Empressa, and others. When he began touring again in 2000, Knott began creating painting series that he sold at shows and eventually online.

Michael Knott was the founder of the now defunct independent record label, Blonde Vinyl Records, and co-founded Tooth and Nail Records with Brandon Ebel.

After being ending their contract with Elektra, Aunt Bettys released their sophomore album Ford Supersonic (originally through Marathon Records). The band quit by the decade's end, and Knott started Strung Gurus with Social Distortion founding-guitarist Dennis Danell. When Danell tragically died in early 2000, Knott began self-releasing several albums (many of which featured previously unreleased tracks) to coincide with a number of solo acoustic tours. In Sept. 2010, Aunt Betty's Ford (using their original name) reformed for a show at the Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa, their first show together in 13 years. A handful of other shows have followed.

Knott's most recent album in 2010's PTSD by L.S. Underground. The band includes Crucified drummer Jim Chaffin.

Contents

Bands

Knott has participated in and/or formed many bands, including:

  • The Hightops - Early pop-punk band when Knott was a teenager (songs appear as bonus tracks on Huntington Beach album)
  • The Lifesavors or Lifesavers - early '80s pop punk
  • L.S.U. aka Lifesavers Underground - darker, goth-y alt-rock
  • Bomb Bay Babies - general market guitar-driven pop punk band, signed to publishing deal with Windswept Pacific
  • Idle Lovell - dark alt-rock in a slightly different vein than LSU
  • Michael Moret - A Dead or Alive-style new wave dance album that Knott wished he'd never made
  • Aunt Bettys - Originally Aunt Bettys Ford, a story-telling general market rock band Knott started in '93
  • Cush - Post-modern rock band with former members of the Prayer Chain
  • Strung Gurus - Acoustic rock band with Social Distortion guitarist Dennis Danell (RIP Feb. 29 2000)
  • Struck Last May - 2007 project with Rick McDonough that dabbles into "... To Kill a Mocking Bird meets Sesame Street"


Discography (solo)

  • Screaming Brittle Siren - 1992 (Blonde Vinyl)
  • Rocket and a Bomb - 1994 (Brainstorm Artists, Intl)
  • Fluid - 1995 (Alarma Records)
  • Strip Cycle - 1995 (Tooth & Nail)
  • Definitive Collection - 1999 (KMG)
  • Bomb Bay Babies - 2000 (Independent)
  • Live in Nash Vegas - 2000 (Independent)
  • Things Jenison Found in the Closet - 2000 (Independent)
  • Things I've Done, Things to Come - 2000 (Independent)
  • Live at Cornerstone 2000 - 2000 (M8)
  • Mother Nation (with Noah Reimer) - 2001 (Independent)
  • Life of David - 2001 (Metro One, Review: HM Magazine[2])
  • Hearts of Care - 2002 (Northern Records)
  • Hearts of Care Demos - 2003 (Independent)
  • Spring 2003 Tour CD #1 a.k.a. Jesus Help Me - 2003 (Independent)
  • Spring 2003 Tour CD #2 a.k.a. Gerard - 2003 (Independent)
  • Comatose Soul - 2004 (Independent)
  • The All Indie E.P. - 2006 (Independent) - Only 500 signed and numbered copies.

Video

References

  1. ^ Van Pelt, Doug; Johnston, Daniel (2003). "Michael Knott - A candid interview". HM. http://www.hmmagazine.com/exclusive/michael_knott_a_candid_interview200306/index.php?page=all. Retrieved 2009-10-10. 
  2. ^ Dodd, Jason (March/April 2001). "Album Reviews: MICHAEL KNOTT THE LIFE OF DAVID". HM Magazine (88). ISSN 1066-6923. 

Further reading

  • "Michael Knott". 7ball (13). July / August 1997. ISSN 1082-3980. 

External links


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