(Alias)
Knapsack is a college band in every sense of the word. The type of band that evokes the sound, smell and feel of those tiny, rocking live music clubs with a stage that's just barely off the ground. The type of band that easily helps you forget your obligations and encourages you to just drink some beer and hang with your buds while you soak up their no frills rock. The type of band that a college radio station without commercial intentions would play in a set with Generation X, The Godfathers, Leaving Trains and early Replacements.
Formed at University of California at Davis in 1993, Knapsack consists of vocalist/guitarist Blair Shehan, drummer Colby Mancasola and bassist Rod Meyer. An unpolished chip off the same rock as early Goo Goo Dolls, Knapsack's sound is simple but gets the job done. Shehan sounds like a Dave Pirner (Soul Asylum)/David Lowery (Cracker) hybrid with raspy touches of Richard Butler (Psychedelic Furs) as he sings his way into a sort of yell-shout that convinces you he's putting everything he has into the delivery.
Day Three of My New Life, the band's sophomore release, was produced by Drive Like Jehu's Mark Trombino. And Knapsack opens with "Thursday Side of the Street", a number propelled by Shehan's vocal surge, power chords, pulsating bass, pounding drums and crashing cymbals. Typical of the offerings here, its hook is the big crescendo at the chorus where Shehan belts his guts out. "Diamond Mine", "Heart Carved Tree" and "Sleeper Than We Thought" stand out here as the few tracks which forego the build-up but retain the energy and drive.
Knapsack's high fueled approach is short and to the point, with all ten tracks clocking in under five minutes. But like a good roller coaster or thrill ride, it will keep you coming back for more.
