Knockhopper

November 15,2002

Knockhopper manage to evade many of today’s modern rock clichés.
They actually have distinguishable guitar solos.
They sing and don’t scream or rap.
All in all Knockhopper have a lot going for them already.

On their three track demo Knockhopper seem to define themselves as modern, yet different and still palatable. Their rock is more like the rock of Metallica in their comeback mode that the current rock of Linkin Park in their remix mode.

While Knockhopper have a steady ground to start with there are some things that don’t work as well as others. While the singer has a good voice he does little to make it more original or standout, it has a constant flow, while at times is great and at times doesn’t add enough to the song.

In “Long Way from Here” the guitar lacks much progression, the same simple, catchy, riff repeats most of the song. For a good portion of the track this technique works fine, halfway through the track however the riff begins to grate, repetitiveness can only last so long.

While there are some down points to the demo, it is only a demo. Given the state of rock, it is also a better start than many bands out there. More experience in playing and recording can only give Knockhopper the talent to better refine their music.
- Brian Tracy - opening bands.com

November 15, 2002

Rock 'n Roll. I haven't heard it in a long time. In a market saturated with "pop punk", "emo", and "nu-metal", Knockhopper are a breath of fresh air.

Their songs certainly have a degree of influence from a lot of mainstream rock, but they're an amalgamation of enough different sources that they do create a distinct sound - and that sound is pretty damn good. At first listen, I admittedly thought of it as more generic, unbrandable rock - a'la puddle of hoobestnickelback saliva. However, all it took was a second spin of the disc to find myself tapping my feet and paying closer attention to some of the really fun guitar work they toss into their songs.

Each track actually has its own distinct sound, which is often difficult for a band to pull off on a demo with just three songs. The particular stand-out would probably have to be "Knew it All Along", a smoothly transitioned mixture of various degrees of rock from "regular" to "hard". The only thing really lacking is a bit more adventurous drumming. The drums on this demo would be fine elsewhere, but there's some pretty good songwriting here, and some guitar work that just isn't done justice by the rather predictable drumming. Still, good drumming instead of great drumming isn't exactly a poor thing, just a bit disappointing.

Knockhopper certainly has potential, and if they're not drawing crowds in their home of Chicago already, they probably will be in the not too distant future so long as they work hard and play a lot of shows. - Steve Sobel - openingbands.com

The Star November 28th 2002


Part of being a musician is progressing.
When it comes to local heavy pop rock band Knockhopper, the experience of vocalist and bassist jimmy James Joyce, guitarist and back-up vocalist Harry McKittrick, and vocalist and drummer Jeffrey Joyce Jr. has begun to pay off.
“We’re starting to condense the material. It’s becoming easier to write in a range of songs.” Jeffrey, 27 says.
“We always could come up with parts pretty easily. Arranging them was always tough. Now we’re starting to get more of a radio-friendly, radio kind of arrangement to the songs.”
Although the band’s songs are a bit shorter and more to the point, Knockhopper’s music doesn’t necessarily mirror songs climbing the Billboard charts.
“It doesn’t sound like anybody else out there we’ve heard,” Jeffrey, of Alsip says.
The crux of Knockhopper—a variation on the Rockhopper penguins the band members saw during a trip to the Shedd Aquarium years ago—began with Jeffrey and his brother, Jimmy James, also of Alsip.
But with the addition of 25-year-old Cicero resident McKittrick, the band has become a true musical family.
“It’s like three brothers. Once Harry joined the group, it seemed more like … we’re on the same page,” says Jeffrey, whose influences include the late Mr. Eric Carr, Tommy Lee, Alex Van Halen and Lars Ulrich.
The trio attended Morton East high School in Cicero together, but didn’t start their collaboration until after graduation.
“I saw them play a couple of times and they were always impressive,” says McKittrick, whose influences include Les Paul, Chet Atkins and Zakk Wylde. : They were always really tight, really solid. … They make it really simple to go up there … and play. They’re there and it all works.”
This weekend, Knockhopper will bring its musical chops back to Slugger’s Sports Bar & Grill in Orland Park, where the band has played several times.
“ Slugger’s is just a really good time. It’s a party atmosphere, especially the last few times we’ve gone there,” Jeffrey says.
“Everybody is really excited about it. The people at Slugger’s are really cool with us and always have been.”
Knockhopper – which lists the Beatles, Van Halen, Motley Crue, kiss and Bon Jovi as some of its top influence – tries to gig about twice a month.
And the band has been making more of a push to get the word out on a Web site, www.knockhopper.com maintained by Oak Forest resident Chris “Multiman’ Foose.
“ This summer we thought we were going to be signed to a major label and that all went to fizzle. We thought we were going to be on tour by now,” Jimmy James, 25, says,
“When we finally knew for sure that nothing was happening, we knew what we had to do all along but we started to step up and do more.”
“More” includes networking with producers and lawyers as well as recording a new demo to be shopped in the industry.
Like Knockhopper’s last three-song demo, the new one will be recorded at the Joyces’ home studio, J.N.J. Studios, which came about through the support of their parents, Jeffrey and Marilyn.
The disc, which the band hopes will attract a producer who can help Knockhopper move to the next level, will include one or two songs from the band’s latest demo as well as one or two new songs.
“We would like to be signed to a major independent label and rule the world,” says Jimmy James, whose influences include Victor Wooten, Billy Sheehan and Gene Simmons.
Jeffrey adds, “We’re really making an effort to get signed. We’re trying to make the correct contacts and network with as many as possible and talk to as many people as possible.
“We want to make this a career and we’re willing to do what we need to do as far as working with people and collaborating but yet keeping our vision the same.”
- Jessi Virtusio

Knockhopper Rocks
Knockhopper rocked for their talent submission for "The Early Show."

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=1846861n - CBS

Just got a chance to hear this, and WORK !! I also used to love the Paul McCartney version. And you're right, it's cool but not overexposed. I had totally forgotten about it. And the vocalist does a great job - his vocal (or t his performance anyway) sounds very similar to Paul's but not "imitatingly." And your music is of COURSE giving big hard Tony Moranesque anthemosity. Nice job, I love it. - DJ RICO MIXSHOW

Here's another hot dance project from the Dauman Music group, "Goodnight Tonight" by 2 guys, DJ Scotty K feat. Knockhopper. Another hot track with lots of energy. Should keep your dance floors packed well into 2008.

Captain Kirk

- Starfleet music pool

This year's White Party CD is best described as an uplifting, energetic vocal celebration of songs that lyrically bring a smile to the dancefloor. Included are songs from #1 artists Viola Wills, Georgie Porgie, Stonebridge, Brian Kent, ATFC and Peyton. Also featured are the current Billboard dance hits "Party (For The Weekend)", "Be Free" and "It's Got To Be Love", along with a dance remake of Paul McCartney's classic hit "Goodnight Tonight".
- justcircuit.mag