July is typically one of the busiest months of the year for Danny Knapp, the Southern California bassist who performs as The Melonhead — this year was no different with eleven shows across five different projects, switching genres several times every single week.
Continue reading “July Recap: Eleven shows, Five Projects, One Bass Player”
Danny Knapp, known on stage as The Melonhead, played bass for Toronto-based artist Apricity, for her recent Hollywood shows at the Whisky-a-Go-Go.
Continue reading “On Bass for Apricity’s Whisky a Go Go Run”
Maiden United, the Los Angeles-based Iron Maiden tribute, has been selected to perform at Lagunitas Brewing Company’s official release party for their new Trooper West Coast IPA — and honestly, it doesn’t get much more on-brand than that.
Continue reading “Maiden United Tapped to Perform at Lagunitas Brewing’s Trooper West Coast IPA Kickoff”VK Lynne and guitarist Scott Ramsay have released their new single, “Desperation,” available now on all major streaming platforms.
A nod to the industrial metal genre, the track pairs Lynne’s vocals with Ramsay’s guitar work over a bass line supplied by Danny Knapp that locks in with the song’s darker, mechanical edge.
The collaboration brings together three musicians with serious genre pedigree. Lynne has built a reputation as one of the hardest-working vocalists in the LA rock scene, while Ramsay’s guitar work has been a fixture across multiple projects in the Southern California circuit. Knapp, known professionally as The Melonhead, is an endorsed Sandberg Guitars artist whose session credits span a wide range of styles — though this one lands firmly in heavier territory.
“Desperation” is available now wherever you stream music.
We’re No Gentlemen have officially kicked off production on the music video for their upcoming single, “Suffocating,” with a release slated for late spring or early summer 2026.
Returning to the director’s chair for the project is Andrew Edward, who previously helmed the band’s well-received music video for their last release, “Beautifully Broken.” The second collaboration with Edward signals a continued creative partnership that fans of the group are sure to appreciate.
Details surrounding the visual concept and storyline for “Suffocating” are being kept close to the vest for now, but the band is expected to share updates as production progresses.
Stay tuned to the We’re No Gentlemen social media channels and website for announcements on the official release date and premiere of the “Suffocating” music video.
The Whisky a Go Go has seen a lot of legendary nights. February 21st was one more.
Southern California-based bass guitarist Danny Knapp was invited to perform at an intimate birthday celebration for singer/dancer Erin Stricklen-Wilson, held at one of rock and roll’s most storied venues on the Sunset Strip. The Whisky a Go Go has served as a launching pad and landmark for some of the biggest names in rock history, and Knapp approached the occasion with the reverence it deserved.
“That stage has hosted some of the most legendary names in rock history — and I do my best to honor that every time I play there,” said Knapp.
What made the night even more memorable was the company. Knapp joined a who’s-who of fellow L.A. musicians who also happen to be close personal friends — a combination that, by his own account, brought something special to the room.
“When the people on stage with you are also the people you’d hang out with anyway, something magic happens,” he said. “The evening had plenty of that.”
Knapp, who performs under the name The Melonhead and is an endorsed artist with Sandberg Guitars, S.I.T. Strings, Schroeder Cabinets, and Pig Hog Cables, continues to build his reputation as a sought-after bassist for both live performance and private events throughout Southern California and beyond. Private events and special engagements are available upon inquiry.
For booking and inquiries, visit melonheadmusic.com or reach out at info@melonheadmusic.com.
Southern California bassist, vocalist, and live performer Danny Knapp — professionally known as “The Melonhead” — has joined the lineup of Groove & The Gang, a high-energy live band dedicated to celebrating the sound, style, and musicianship of the 1970s funk and disco era.
Known as a professional bassist with a reputation for powerful, groove-driven performances, Knapp continues to expand his presence in the live music world with a project built around timeless dance floor classics. Fans familiar with his work can explore more about his background on the Danny Knapp professional bassist bio page, which highlights a career spanning touring, recording, and hundreds of live appearances.
Continue reading “Danny Knapp (The Melonhead) Joins Groove & The Gang, A Premier 70s Funk & Disco Live Band”OC Music News was in attendance for Ska Smackdown II on January 10th at the Garden Amp in Garden Grove, and reviewer Kevin Gomez had plenty to say about The Goodwin Club’s opening set.
The band showed up dressed as a bunch of elderly women, with singer Tami Demaree joking, “We’re The Golden Girls!” ocmusicnews The crowd loved every second of it. Classics like “Everything” and “Sorry Not Sorry” had the whole crowd skanking and singing along to every word, while guitarist Charles Grey delivered a standout solo to close out “Little Girl.” ocmusicnews
The set only got wilder from there. The band nailed a ska cover of Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off,” then closed with “Turkey Tit,” which featured a brief nod to Op Ivy’s “Sound System” as trumpeter Chris Graue played his way through the pit and into the stands. ocmusicnews
The Indy Review was on the ground at Ska Smackdown II on January 10th at the Garden Amp in Garden Grove, CA — and The Goodwin Club set the tone for the entire night.
Reviewer b.liebman noted that the band took the stage dressed as The Golden Girls, blasting confetti poppers into the air theindyreview — and the energy never let up from there. The set included feel-good originals like “See All Color,” oldies like “Everything” and “Little Girl,” and a ska cover of Taylor Swift, closing with the singalong anthem “Join the Club” to get the audience’s vocal cords warmed up for the festive evening ahead. theindyreview
The reviewer also noted that the O.C. has a knack for breeding great female-fronted ska-influenced bands — citing The Goodwin Club alongside No Doubt and others as part of that proud local tradition. theindyreview
The Goodwin Club turned heads at Ska Smackdown 2, held January 10th at the Garden Amp in Garden Grove, CA.
Writing for Skanking News!, reviewer Jacob “Jack” Armas gave the recently reunited band some of the night’s highest praise, calling their set “the most fun of the night” and describing it as a performance that “screamed 3rd wave ska.” The Goodwin Club brought the full package: a six-piece horn section (three trumpets, two trombones, and one alto sax), confetti cannons firing on the opening song, and a setlist mixing originals with covers of The Aquabats! and Taylor Swift.
Armas noted that the band — originally known for their teenage energy back in the early ’90s — arrived thirty years later having “not skipped a beat.”
