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Now Cresting: Rockaway’s “New Wave,” The Knobs



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The Knobs play a unique and eclectic mix of songs.

Sometimes goodness can be found – in of all places – the garbage. 

Case in point, The Knobs, a local Rockaway quintet that officially formed in 2016, actually developed its roots in the 1980s – when two of its founding members who worked for the NYC Parks Dept., discovered a mutual interest in music while cleaning up a Rockaway beach. 

“We spent hours walking the beach, picking up garbage, and talking about music,” said Ian Macaulay, who plays guitar and sings in the project. 

Macaulay, and co-founder Bernie Keegan (lead vocals and guitar), would not actually play together, however, until the 1990s, with Keegan’s original band, The Roving Firemen.

After that, the two lost touch until they reconnected decades later in 2016, when The Knobs were officially formed – a cover band specializing in New Wave ‘80s hits  – with James Dunlop (bass and vocals), Mike Paciullo (keyboards),  and Michael Marlowe (drums) rounding out the project to complete the mix.  

What is most unique about The Knobs, according to Macaulay, is that their arsenal of tunes tend to be a bit more on the unusual side.

“A lot of the songs we play are from the 1980’s WLIR/New Wave era, but we also reach into some country, classic rock, and pop oddities that are not played on the radio – at least not anymore,” Macaulay said. “The bands we cover are, of course, The Cure, The Smiths, Echo and the Bunnymen, The Cars – but we also do some Willie Nelson, The Pogues, Gordon Lightfoot, and Tom Jones as well.

“And the fact that Bernie is covering possibly 50 or more different singers is no small task,” Macaulay said, noting that each piece is interpreted in the singer’s own personal style. 

“I also double up on keyboards and also play mandolin; Bernie plays some harmonica; and James is also a guitarist, so it all helps to add to the sound,” Macaulay pointed out. 

Among the biggest challenges and issues of being in a band is that “it can be like trying to herd cats,” Macaulay said. “They just won’t all go in the same direction. But luckily we are all on the same page, and everyone is very reliable. We also really like the songs we play, and I think we all generally agree on the direction we want to go in.” 

Personnel changes also present yet another challenge for the group. In fact, before drummer Michael Marlowe finalized The Knobs’ lineup, the group went through at least 10 different skinsmen. 

The band officially formed in 2016.

“I don’t know where they go; it’s very ‘Spinal Tap,’” Macaulay quipped, “as some have spontaneously combusted; some have been abducted by aliens; and some have just wandered off never to be seen or heard from again!” 

Speaking to the scene on the peninsula, Macaulay said that nothing beats a Rockaway summer season.

“Summers are really something to look forward to here in Rockaway; you can hop from place to place and no band – be it Wine With Sue, The Knobs, Solshyne, The Pointers, Wades, Arturo, Kerry Kearney –  will be playing the other’s song list.”

According to Macaulay, the audiences in Rockaway really like good music – and a lot of folks have pretty in-depth knowledge about bands and music genres – “so of course it’s a pleasure to play for them,” he said. 

As for favorite venues to play on the Rock, Macaulay said he finds it very difficult to choose – as they all are somewhat close to the band’s heart. 

“All of the venues are great, however, we also play parties, and that has a different kind of vibe; we have actually played parties both on the beach and bay sides on a summer day, and with those great views, it just can’t be beat,” he explained. 

The Knobs are looking forward to another season of gigging, and have a new list of songs that they plan on performing live. Also, while the quintet has exclusively been a cover band, when it comes to incorporating original compositions into their set list, Macaulay said, “you never know.”

“But whatever we do, we would definitely like to add that certain ‘Knobetry’ to it – and of course turn the knob to 11!” 

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