As a foursome, they had cut their teeth on the California club circuit, famously breaking onto the scene with a June 1978 show at the Sunset Strip's Whiskey a Go Go. But for all of the sexual excess, the Knack could really play. In many ways, the critics were right, including Rolling Stone's Dave Marsh, who took issue with what he perceived to be Fieger's misogynistic overtones. The group's bestselling "Get the Knack" LP was overwrought with teenage angst and sexual frustration, as revealed in songs like "Good Girls Don't" and "(She's So) Selfish." The Knack continued in this vein with "Baby Talks Dirty," the lead single from their sophomore album "But the Little Girls Understand." Music fans will undoubtedly come for the Knack-this listener did-but they may be surprised when they end up staying for Fieger, whose solo work brims with pop hooks and guitar-rock melodies.Īs the Knack's front man, Fieger took the brunt of the band's criticism. Which brings us to Doug Fieger's "Forever Together," a multi-disc retrospective of the lead singer's career. It's a riches-to-rags narrative, with the band achieving a global mega-hit with the 1979 power pop-anthem "My Sharona." In short order, the rock press turned against the group, leaving them adrift after their awe-inspiring debut. Let it be known, we're here to stay.More than 40 years later, the story of the Knack has all the makings of a cautionary tale. "Bruce and the band never really got along," Fieger said.
Bozzio is best known for his work with Missing Persons, Frank Zappa and jazz drum clinics. Original drummer Bruce Gary was replaced in 1986 by Billy Ward (no relation to Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward), who was, in turn, replaced by renowned percussionist Terry Bozzio.
These days, The Knack features three of the originals - Fieger, bassist Prescott Niles, lead guitarist Berton Averre. And I don't think I would be content on making money. Success was only an enticing element to keep us going."Īlthough the following hits didn't quite reach the proportions of the earlier songs, Fieger and the Knack just wanted to focus on what was in front of them, namely the music. We didn't feel a lot of pressure following up those hits. "And after it all exploded, I still didn't give up. In 1978, the record company turned around and signed the band. "I wrote the first bona-fide Knack song in 1972 (`Good Girls Don't'), and Capitol Records turned it down three times." "It was a seven-year climb to become an overnight hit," Fieger said with a chuckle. The Knack hit its peak in 1979 with its trademark hit, "My Sharona." Many critics of the time called the band an overnight success. To solidify the band's comeback, it has released a new album called "Zoom." The band, which has inspired such groups as Nirvana and Hole, will make a stop at the Zephyr Club, 301 S. "We just didn't play together for a few years, although we did play some surprise dates last year."Well, this year, the Knack is back for good. "We broke up in 1982 and regrouped four years later," said lead singer/guitarist Doug Fieger during a telephone interview from his home in Los Angeles, Calif. Contrary to popular belief, the Knack hasn't broken up since its reunion in 1986.
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