Danny Knapp — “The Melonhead”
Southern California Bass Guitarist | Session & Touring Musician
The Pitch
A media resource for journalists, podcasters, and editors looking for a working musician with more than one interesting angle. Danny Knapp is a Southern California–based bass guitarist and software engineer who splits his time across more than ten active bands and projects. From an Iron Maiden tribute act to a 70s funk/disco revival group, he also does studio session work for independent artists. Performing under the name “The Melonhead,” he brings a dry, self-aware sense of humor to an unusually varied career. That includes a full year-round performance schedule, endorsement deals with four major gear brands, and a day job in software that he credits with reigniting his path back into music.
Story Angles
The 10-Project Bass Guitarist
Danny is a member of Maiden United (Iron Maiden tribute) and Pretty in Pink (Psychedelic Furs tribute). He also plays with Groove & the Gang (70s funk and disco), The Goodwin Club (ska), We’re No Gentlemen (original rock), Dance Dance Evolution, and several other acts. This piece offers a rare look at how a working musician juggles overlapping bands and stage identities. It’s a window into rehearsal schedules and the modern SoCal live circuit.
Iron Maiden × Craft Beer
Maiden United was tapped to perform at Lagunitas Brewing’s release party for the Trooper West Coast IPA. The beer is a collaboration between Lagunitas and Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson, marking the first time the Trooper brand brewed outside its UK home base. Danny holds down the bass chair for the band.
From Code to Chords
Danny Knapp’s path into music began with an early fascination for gear and MIDI, which led to a software engineering career. This career later funded and reignited his return to full-time musicianship. It’s a genuinely different day-job-meets-night-job story, well suited for outlets covering musician side careers or nontraditional paths into the industry.
Tribute Band Culture
Danny is an active member of several long-running tribute acts — L.A. Sound Machine, Maiden United, Pretty in Pink — that recently performed at the inaugural Tribute Band Hall of Fame ceremony. He can speak to the tribute-band scene as a legitimate, durable corner of the live music economy. That includes how bands sustain year-round bookings, build audiences, and treat the work with the same professionalism as original acts.
Gear & Tone
Danny is an endorsed artist for Sandberg Guitars, S.I.T. Strings, Schroeder Cabinets, and Pig Hog Cables, running a Kemper Profiler PowerRack as his amp platform. He’s available to speak on modern bass rig setup, IEM/click-track live production, or gear demos for outlets covering musician equipment.
Quick Facts
- Based in Southern California
- Professional musician since age 16; 20+ years performing
- Full year-round performance schedule across 10+ active projects
- Genres: rock, metal, funk, disco, ska, reggae, tribute/cover acts
Availability
Danny is available for interviews (in-person, phone, or video), podcast appearances, and written Q&A. Comfortable discussing gear/tone, tribute band culture, balancing multiple simultaneous projects, or the intersection of his software career and music career.
Contact
Email: info@melonheadmusic.com
Website: melonheadmusic.com
Instagram: instagram.com/the_melonhead
That’s the short version. Reach out anytime using the contact details above, or see the complete EPK or the press coverage archive for more.