No Knife was a band from San Diego, California.[1][2] They played an innovative form of rock that combined aspects of post-punk, post-hardcore, indie rock, and many other genres, influenced by a wide variety of acts, including Pitchfork, Pixies, the Cure, Erik Satie, Steel Pulse, Édith Piaf, and aMiniature.[3] No Knife once won the San Diego Music Award for "Best Punk Rock Band."[4]
No Knife | |
|---|---|
 Left to right: Mitch Wilson, Brian Desjean, Chris Prescott, Ryan Ferguson | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Experimental rock, indie rock, emo |
| Years active |
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| Labels | |
| Past members |
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| Website | http://www.noknife.net/ |
The band's original lineup was Mitch Wilson (vocals/guitar), Brian Desjean (bass), Aaron Mancini (guitar/vocals), and Ike Zaremba (drums). Prior to their second full-length, the band replaced Mancini with Ryan Ferguson (guitar/vocals). After their first and second full-lengths, Drunk on the Moon (1996)[5] and Hit Man Dreams (1997),[6] Chris Prescott was enlisted to play drums.[7] The group went on to release two more full-lengths: Fire in the City of Automatons (1999)[8] and Riot for Romance! (2002).[9][10]
No Knife often toured with Jimmy Eat World.[11] After hinting on their website in March 2008 that they might reunite in late 2008 or early 2009, the band was announced as the opening act for three west coast dates on Jimmy Eat World's "Clarity x 10" tour. No Knife played their final show Thursday, June 18, 2009, at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, Ca. The last song performed was "Mission Control".
The band reunited to play shows in 2014, 2015, 2019, and 2024 mostly at The Casbah in San Diego. On July 15, 2019, they ended their set with "The Red Bedroom" [12]
Post-band projects
editMitch Wilson is currently singing and playing guitar and keyboards in Lunar Maps who released their self-titled debut album on June 15, 2011. Brian Desjean was playing bass for Get Your Death On!, a San Diego rock trio which formed in late 2005 and now he is playing bass and drums with Wilson in Lunar Maps. Ryan Ferguson is now a solo artist who has released an EP, Three Four, and a full-length album, Only Trying to Help.[13] He has done some touring, including opening for the San Diego rock band, Switchfoot. Chris Prescott joined the live band for Pinback in late September, 2005, playing guitar, keyboard and singing backing vocals. then went on his first full tour with them as their drummer in 2006, and went on to record with them for Autumn of the Seraphs which was released in September 2007. He also is playing guitar/vocals for The Jade Shader which formed in 2004.
Band members
edit- Mitch Wilson – guitar, vocals (1993–2003)
- Brian Desjean – bass (1993–2003)
- Ryan Ferguson – guitar, vocals (1997–2003)
- Chris Prescott – drums (1997–2003)
- Ike Zaremba – drums (1993–1997)
- Aaron Mancini – guitar, vocals (1993–1997)
Discography
edit- Drunk on the Moon (1996)
- Hit Man Dreams (1997)
- Fire in the City of Automatons (1999)
- Riot for Romance (2002)
References
edit- ^ Faulkner, Mark (May 26, 1999). "Resourceful No Knife is slicing through traditional rock", The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
- ^ Nixon, Chris (October 3, 2002). "No Knife cuts a path in music world", The San Diego Union-Tribune, p. N&D-10.
- ^ Maxwell, Tom (February 27, 2014). "Interview: No Knife". Modern Fix. Archived from the original on June 22, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ Stephens, Kelly (May 24, 2001). "Interview: No Knife". Daily Nexus. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
- ^ Raggett, Ned. "Drunk on the Moon (review)". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
- ^ Verna, Paul (August 9, 1997). "No Knife: Hit Man Dreams", Billboard 109 (32): 53. Convenience link.
- ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (October 13, 1999). "Call them 'emo-core,' but not to their faces: Record companies are quietly talking about a new rock trend while the bands involved don't want anything to do with the tag", The Orange County Register, p. F4.
- ^ Raggett, Ned. "Fire in the City of Automatons (Review)". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
- ^ Spano, Charles. "Riot for Romance! (Review)". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
- ^ Wallace, Brian (November 4, 2002). "No Knife Finish Jimmy Eat World Tour, Romance! Larger Audience: Band rides emo wave without creative compromise", MTV News. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
- ^ Nixon, Chris (May 12, 2005). "Investing in 'Futures': Jimmy Eat World changed producers for new work, new approach", The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
- ^ "No Knife Gigography, Tour History & Past Concerts – Songkick".
- ^ (August 9, 2007). "Ryan Ferguson: 'Remission'", NPR. Retrieved March 9, 2013.