Knip Funk

The history of Knip Funk
In the year 2005, childhood friends Christopher Lockheart, Drake Hunter, Jenni Jones, and Stix (Born Richard Willis) formed the band Knip Funk in Shepherd's Isle, their faraway island home. "I don't really remember a time when we weren't playing together. Until just one day we called ourselves Knip Funk." says lead guitarist and sonic pioneer Drake Hunter, "Me and Chris would just hang out and play songs by the lake. Stix always wanted to bug in whacking sticks on buckets for percussion (laughs)." "Jenni was always the classical genius of the island" says lead singer Chris. "It seemed like everyday she was trying to play some impossibly difficult thing on the piano. Everybody just couldn't keep up with her musically."
A typical sunset on Shepherd's Isle
Stix recalls their first official gig at the Moonlight Pub on new year's day 2006: "It was very dark and very cold, but we were smokin'! We played about 5 songs and one encore. It was probably the most action anyone on the island's ever seen since the big war! (laughs)." They played songs such as The Beatles' 'Back in the USSR', U2's 'One', and even the Beach Boys' 'Good Vibrations'. "It was a fabulous first show" said Jenni. "we instantly became the most popular kids on the island. But that was the only place we could play. Shepherd's Isle is quite small you see."
Another vantage point of the island.
After Jenni, Chris and Drake graduated, they decided to take a tour to America's west coast. But Stix was still in high school at the time. "Mum and Dad were always supportive of me playing and the band, but they didn't want me to go during school. So I talked the band into waiting until the summer to go on tour. Which was really hard to agree on because summers on the island are the best thing in the world."
In June 2007 they launched their tour that ran from Los Angeles California to Seattle Washington. "We've all been to america before, but this time was special." says Chris. "It was a wonderful adventure going on that tour. We really didn't have any idea how successful it would become. Everywhere we went we got a good response." During one of Knip Funk's shows in Seattle Washington, a young record producer named Lance Schumer took notice: "Watching them that night was like listening to Sgt Peppers for the first time. It was magic." Right after the show was over, Lance talked to the band and offered to be their producer. The band agreed. "He was really enthusiastic of us" said Chris. "He was talking about how he worked with The Velcro Underground and the Faithfuls as a producer. Then he offered to work with us, so we made a deal." Lance came back home with them and worked on songs almost immediately. "(Lance) was such a talent to have with us." says Jenni. "We all began to accept him as our fifth band member. He really brought out all of our talents in the studio."
Their first tour of the west coast was a phenomenal success. They grew a large fanbase in every place they played. "Our next tour is already lookin' pretty hot" says Chris "We're getting shows booked that unsigned bands can only dream of playing." In fact, they have big shows booked all across america. Including coveted slots in the 'South by Southwest' music festival in Austin Texas. Their tour will begin on February 16 starting in Hawaii. Then on to the mainland US for the biggest trip of their lives. "This is where we begin" says Drake. "It's time to take over America, and hopefully a record deal along the way."
Music of the band's liking:
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