The Dirty Knobs - Wreckless Abandon

Double LP

Wreckless Abandon is the debut album from The Dirty Knobs, a new project from Mike Campbell, lead guitarist/co-writer of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and a recent member of Fleetwood Mac.

The Dirty Knobs first came together 15 years ago after Mike Campbell met guitarist Jason Sinay at a session and liked the way their guitars sounded together. After adding the acclaimed rhythm section of bass master Lance Morrison (Don Henley) and monster drummer Matt Laug (Slash, Alanis Morissette), The Dirty Knobs became an outlet for Campbell to work on some of the other songs he was writing between Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers records and touring.

"Over the years, The Knobs became an outlet for me to play some of the other songs I was writing and to keep the creative juices flowing in between working on albums and tours with Tom and The Heartbreakers," explains Campbell. "Losing Tom was earth-shattering for me. It was a total shock. It had felt like we would be playing together forever. For a while it was hard to imagine playing in my own band again, let alone one where I'm the frontman. Tom was always my beacon. But everything I've been doing since Tom passed, including this album with The Dirty Knobs, is in the spirit of honoring what we did together."

Wreckless Abandon was produced by Campbell and George Drakoulias, known for his work with The Black Crowes and The Jayhawks, with a cover created by Plastic Ono Band bassist and The Beatles' Revolver artist Klaus Voorman. All songs on the album were written by Campbell, and it features special appearances by Grammy-winner Chris Stapleton as well as fellow Heartbreaker keyboardist Benmont Tench.

Very few rock bands have the power to reach into your soul and give it a good shake, but the Dirty Knobs are one of those rare outfits. With the first guitar slash, the Knobs remind you that there was a time when feeling alienated was venerated and nobody ever had to turn the volume down. Listening through it all, you become aware that in every Dirty Knobs song, whether it dwells on willful women, close calls, fractured friendships, heartbreak or irredeemable loss, there is always the promise of redemption and a road out of hell. But more than that, they promise that a song will save your life.

 

Side A

1. Wreckless Abandon

2. Pistol Packin' Mama (feat. Chris Stapleton)

3. Sugar

Side B

1. Southern Boy

2. I Still Love You

3. Irish Girl

Side C

1. Fuck That Guy

2. Don't Knock The Boogie

3. Don't Wait

Side D

1. Anna Lee

2. Aw Honey

3. Loaded Gun

4. Don't Knock The Boogie (Coda)

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