THE AK CORRAL

Music:

Member Since: 27/09/2005
Band Website: http://www.theakcorral.com/
Band Members: Eric Knutson “A.K.”: Lead Vocals – With strong ties to his community and family “A.K.” has spent the last twenty-five years as the singer for longtime metal band Flotsam And Jetsam (which spawned ex-Metallica bassist Jason Newsted). When he speaks of the fruition that became of this country rock group and where they draw their compositions from he states, “I’ve always been drawn to songs that stem from my early youth as a rebel and I draw on those past feelings and awareness. I’ve had to dig deep in my closet for these songs but it’s been a real awakening and I believe I’ve only just begun to unravel the likes of what is to come”. A song entitled “Rickia” was actually written when AK was just 17 years old and he stumbled upon the recording when he was going through some pre-recorded tapes. “I think I’m embarking on what’s really been there all along and I’m finding that this musical style to be natural and therapeutic” or maybe it’s just all the years of metal has finally relinquished that dark side.Scott “Goody” Goodwine: Guitar/Backup vocals -- Scott "Goody" Goodwine has quite a resume in the music world and has established himself as a saught after FOH sound engineer in his musical realm. He is an accomplished guitar player and songwriter and has done everything from being a Tour Manager, Production Manager, Stage Manager, Sound Engineer, and Guitar Technician with multiples of world touring bands from many different genres of music. His travels have taken him to over 50 countries and almost the entire U.S.A. and is currently endorsed by Fender guitars. Goody has also spent much of his career in local projects and is an asset as a musician and producer to The AK Corral.Mark Simpson: Guitar/Backup Vocals -- Mark has been playing guitar since the age of 11 and performing in original bands since he was 17 that encompass Alowicious Toole, Elvis Christ, a long running local project Oil, Lynch Mob (Koch Records) with George Lynch for his 1998-1999 US Tour and he joined Flotsam and Jetsam (Metal Blade) in 1997 where he contributes as a writer and producer and toured the U.S. and Internationally on albums “Unnatural Selection,” “My God,” and “Dreams of Death” (Crash Records) as well as Flotsam and Jetsam’s “Live in Phoenix” DVD and an upcoming “Live in Japan” DVD. In 2004-2005 he recorded and filmed for the CD/DVD "METTALIUM", a tribute to Metallica (Cleopatra) as well as contributing his filming works for the video “Monster” directed by Layna McAllister. Mark has been a strong force in his musical endeavors as a guitar player and co-producer make him an undeniable member of The AK Corral.R. Scott Lawrence “Skully”: Bass -- This native of Sierra Vista, Arizona moved to Norwich, England at age 21 to play with an American childhood friend and 3 British lads in a band named “Allied Forces”. After much touring and efforts to launch the band he returned to Phoenix, Arizona after a few years and joined up with Lurch Killz, (original bass player for Sacred Reich) and a follow up stint releasing several epics with Alowicious Toole together with The AK Corral guitar player, Mark Simpson. Skully has also been the long time guitar technician for fellow band mates and musicians of Flotsam and Jetsam.Tim Russell: Drums -- With 20 years of drumming experience under his holster and still being one of the youngest members of the group (started playing when he was 9), Tim Russell has quite an accomplished list of studio and touring experience having recorded with notable persons such as Michael Schenker, “Beautiful Creatures”, Lynch Mob and currently working on a project for a Bang Tango forthcoming European Tour. He has also performed and recorded studio sessions with Lita Ford and Tommy “T-bone” Caradonna, formally of Alice Cooper. When he is not actively playing drums he tours as a drum technician for acts such as Quiet Riot, George Lynch, and Flotsam and Jetsam.Tory Edwards: Zeta Violin/Mandolin/Asst Instruments -- Born in Chicago, Tory Edwards has been playing violin since he was seven years old, quickly adding drums at age nine, and teaching himself to play guitar, bass cello, mandolin and the keyboards. He acquired his skills very early playing his local community honor bands, orchestras, competed in competitions, earned several scholarships to Northern Arizona University and to Phoenix College to join their music programs and also adds to his credits percussion and violin in the Phoenix Youth Symphony. Tory, along with his band mate Tim Russell, has recorded along side Michael Shenker, Flotsam and Jetsam, Alton Stamy, Warrior's Edge and many more. His ability to arrange and play multiple instruments has made him highly sought after by recording studios. He has played in numerous bands such as: Danny Greigo and The Country Thunder Band, Mark Curtis Middleton's Showdown, Surefire, Haywire, Home Brew, Western Fusion, The All Earl Band with country radio personalities Tim and Willy, Alton Stamy, Guthrie Stampede, and others. Tory has had the honor of playing backup for country hall of fame legend, Hank Thompson and has opened for top recording and Billboard artist’s Chris Le Deux, Tracy Lawrence, Joe Diffie and Bill Spooner from The Tubes. Often referred to as a hired gun Tory plays an electric Zeta violin, and is featured on an award-winning soundtrack for the independent film, The Big Road. Having him as an addition to The AK Corral is one that when you listen cannot go unnoticed as his playing takes you on that emotional connection that makes your heart either dance or cry or sing-a-long.
Influences: The AK Corral have been fans of and influenced by the late Johnny Cash along with Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard. Complementing those influences with an appreciation for Southern rock, which they know hold a special place in the hearts of his honky-tonk audiences, they have taken a country tradition and are beginning to cultivate a successful first run with an all out cowboy western rock country fusion.
Record Label: Unknown Indie
Type of Label: Unsigned