Knapsack

In just one year, this group has gone from two guys rehearsing in a garage to four guys rehearsing in a garage. Oh, they also got signed. Band members: Jason Bokros- guitar, Rod Meyer- bass, Colby Mancasola- drums, and Blair Shehan- vocals and guitar, have recently signed their balls away to Alias Records in hopes of getting a slice of that great Rock & Roll pie in the sky, or at least some kool shows.Shortly after completing a two song demo they were given a goodreview in the Julie Gordan Tip Sheet, "review of new bands for industry types," and received a call from Thirsty Ear A & R guy, Daniel Macagon requesting a tape. They quickly replied and he called again requesting more material. So back to Enharmonik Recording Studios to record two more songs. After receiving the tape Thirsty Ear called & told them they may be interested. Being some what like sheep, this interest sent many other labels and even a cheezy fat entertainment lawyer on the quest for the Knapsack signature. After all was said and done Alias prevailed, making a fair offer the band couldn't refuse.
Being the nice non-rockstar guys they are, it was fairly easy to set up a interview. I hooked up with them before a show at Old Ironsides in Sacramento and we quickly ventured off to a fine Latino eating establishment to begin my interview. Wait a minute, this fucking recorder Botch let me us isn't working, and where the hell are Colby and Rod!

Jason: They couldn't make it because when we went to get our equipment the key broke in the lock and they're now trying to find a way to get our stuff before the show.
Blair: Yeah, we'll be okay.
Heckler: So what's up with the label thing. Are you guys going to be big rock stars?
Blair: Not exactly, at the last minute Alias made us an offer we couldn't refuse: a years supply of Stagg Chili. Anyway Shira Burke at
Thirsty Ear was pissed & mailed us a hate letter calling us a bunch of little devils and"snickering" which we definitely are.
Heckler: Booking shows licks dicks, who does yours?
Blair: Being the little devils we are, usually we weasle someone's booking agent to give us some good shows or try to get someone from the label to book a tour then fill in the gaps ourselves.
(Recently the band was picked up by T.A.G. New York)
Heckler: Where do you go and what do you do once you're there?
Jason: We recently toured with Chun to Canada. Those guys are major stoners.
Blair: Yeah we're driving thru Washington and we have no idea how long it takes to go thru the border and take a fiery to Victoria So we call the club to tell them we're on our way, but this dick answers and starts yelling at Colby, "Put down your coffee, get in your car and drive, it is 4:00 now and your still 4 hrs away," fuck this asshole, so next stop we pull over and get some coffee.
Heckler: So what time did you finally arrive.
Blair: Well we missed the boat and the next one didn't show for another hour, so we got there around 10:00. Then this pony tailguitar salesman by day,promoter-soundman by night dweebe freaks out and tells us only Chun can play. Kool, no big this club sucks anyway. So 15 minutes into their set Chun signals to us to come up and play, so we grab their instruments and start jamming out our set. About a half hour into the set our good friend and yours walks by the stage and doesn't seem to notice then does a double take, turns around and kicks us off the stage. While were breaking down the equipment dickhead starts yelling, "I've been pissed all night, but now you've pissed off the management." So we didn't get paid.
Heckler: Did anything go well on this tour?
Jason: (Laughs)
Blair: Our next stop was a club called Harpos. They set us up with food and a house to stay. And the Canadian people party, they're weird, they're not like you and I Broyhill, they're different. So on our way home mind you Chun are pure to the core stoners and are smoking pot all the way to the border, and as soon as we pull up all these dogs start barking at the van and the police make us get out. As soon as we open the doors smoke pours out of the van I do not kid you, like the Spiccolli van on Fast Times At Ridgemont High. They took groups of two in to be searched and only one didn't return. He was the only one who had a little so they just threatened us then let us go.
Heckler: Well shit fire. Seems to me Knapsack has come a long way without taking things too seriously, is it possible that creativity may flow easier from free non stressed thinking?
Blair; Maybe, we definitely don't worry about things too much. What we do is more or less an extension of our lives and who we are. On the other hand when we see an opportunity we jump on it even if it means driving to Seattle for one show. Oh its 9:00, we have to meet Rod & Colby, its been nice talking to you Broyhill but we must be on our way.
We make a mad dash for the car, they drop me off, and are off as if on a mission from God.

-Eric Broyhill is an engineer & producer at Enharmonik Studios where he recorded Knapsack's first demo and 7". He only works in the summer as a means of supporting his Snowboarding habit.