Danny Knapp – Bass Guitarist, also known as “The Melonhead” is a Southern California-based musician and composer, specializing in electric and fretless bass guitar. He also plays ukulele as well as frequently singing backing or lead vocals.
Danny is an energetic live performer as well as being an efficient and diverse session musician. Danny performs over 100 gigs per year, offering his skills for a wide variety of bands and artists, including original bands, tributes, and covers, in genres ranging from reggae to rock, EDM, pop, metal, folk, latin, funk, jazz and more.
Danny has been performing and recording professionally since he was 16 years old. Early in his career, he played bass for Feedbags with Scotty Johnson (later of Gin Blossoms). In 2006-2010, Danny recorded and performed on bass, keyboards, and ukulele for Mikioi, a Hawaiian reggae band that received attention on Polynesian radio for their singles “Hawaii, My Home”, “Mikio’i Music”, and their rendition of the traditional song “Kanaka Wai Wai”. He also performed on ukulele and bass as a member of the renowned Pangean Orchestra. In 2016, Danny was a member of actress/singer/songwriter Katie Garfield’s live band. Danny played bass for several years in the alt-rock/ska/reggae band The Bredren, which included former members of Save Ferris, Lit, Jeffries Fan Club, and For Pete’s Sake.
Danny is currently the bass guitarist for the emo/alternative-rock band We’re No Gentlemen and singer/songwriter Serena Foster. He is also an endorsed Pig Hog Cables artist. Danny regularly records and performs with many other artists such as pop-duo Taysti, Kitty Antix, L.A. Sound Machine, Maiden United, Pretty In Pink, La Vida Loca, Sugarlips, Thank-U Drive-Thru, and many other L.A.-based projects.
C’mon out Monday, Aug 28, for some metal music and a chance to win 2 tickets to the PowerTrip Festival. Catch world-class Iron Maiden tribute ‘Maiden United’ alongside top tributes Fast Times and Judas Priest tribute, ‘The Priest’.
If you want to get in for free, join the Maiden United guest list (https://www.maidenunitedband.com/whisky) and we’ll see you there! Up The Irons!
Psychedelic Furs tribute Pretty In Pink delivered an unforgettable set of music in front of a sold out crowd at Club 80s in Corona on Saturday afternoon. The audience seemed to make it day to remember for the band as well. Bass guitarist Danny Knapp said, “Sometimes you get to a venue and you just know it’s going to be a special show — one for the books — That’s what I felt today”.
The show was hosted by Richard Blade (DJ for Sirius XM’s First Wave). He opened the show with a DJ set, and then introduced Pretty In Pink, followed by a blazing performance from Devotional – The Depeche Mode Experience.
Danny and all the members of the Psychedelic Furs tribute “Pretty in Pink” sent out a special thank you to Richard Blade (Sirius XM’s First Wave DJ) for his shout-out about the upcoming show at Club 80s in Corona, Ca alongside “Devotional – the Depeche Mode Experience”.
Danny was proud to perform at the first show with one of the newest projects he is involved in, “Show Me The 90s”. This new era-based tribute band plays alt-rock, pop, and hip hop from the 90s. The band includes Jesse Wilder (of The Goodwin Club, touring member of The Specials), drummer Lindsey Martin (touring member of Lilith Czar), and Candace Alayne (director of The Black Veils)
Danny recently published his public shows and appearances for July 2023, including dates in Southern California as we all in the San Francisco and Chicago areas. For more information upcoming events, visit https://melonheadmusic.com/shows
We’re No Gentlemen had the honor to open the show last Weds at 1720 Warehouse in downtown L.A. in support of Craig Owens, best known as the former lead vocalist of Chiodos as well as various projects such as Cinematic Sunrise, The Sound of Animals Fighting, and Isles & Glaciers.
Danny and the other members of the Ricky Martin tribute known as La Vida Loca performed an extended set at the Rivers Casino in Philadelphia as part of the casino’s Cinco de Mayo weekend celebration.
Thanks to Bold Journey Magazine for their feature interview with Danny Knapp this month. Danny spoke about his inspirations and some of the important people that helped him get his start. You can read the full article at https://boldjourney.com/news/meet-danny-knapp/
We’re No Gentlemen had the honor to share the bill on April 5th at the Whisky-a-Go-Go with Jonny Craig (formerly of Dance Gavin Dance) and Keep My Secrets. This show was extra special for WNG, as they also celebrated lead singer Amanda Gabel’s birthday.
