The Knew

The Knew – Man Monster
BY TDWENGER – AUGUST 23, 2012
POSTED IN: ALBUM REVIEWS





At moments recalling huge “Indie” pop bands like The Killers and The Stokes, while clearly drawing inspiration from giants of the 70's like The Stones and The Clash, Denver’s The Knew have crafted an album of infectiously gritty, guitar-laced pop songs that should find their way onto every great jukebox in the country and fuel those late night sing-alongs that gradually fade-in as a hazy memory over a strong cup of coffee on Sunday morning.

Lead singer Jacob Hansen’s powerful tenor vocals are front and center in the mix as he sings over his band’s chugging rhythms and catchy melodies that blend, build, and eventually soar on each of Man Monster’s 11 tracks. While the barroom chorus of “Bang The Drum,” the prominent and bouncy bassline of “Animal,” and the sheer power of the album’s lead single “Major Nights” will suck you into this record, tamer tunes like “Old and Young,” “Yellow Moon,” and “Marianne” will keep you coming back for repeated listens as their deceivingly ballad-like structures yield to some of the album’s more noteworthy climaxes.

A late album stunner, “Surrender” comes tearing out of the speakers with all the force of a rumbling locomotive as the group proves they are the Garage band everyone wishes they had the balls to form. Hansen’s scream 90 seconds in foreshadows the almost metal like vocals that come 15 seconds later as he assaults the listener with the words ”On your knees! Hold up your hands! Rebel Hold! Hold! Surrender!” before the songs fades off in a wall of feedback and fuzz. Disguised as an unassuming collection of Barroom, or Garage rock, Man Monster turns out to be a very mature record that creates some important musical moments that have the potential to remain highly relevant milesontes on the critical landscape for years to come.

Catch their two CD Release parties on Friday and Saturday, August 24th & 25th at The Lion’s Lair on Colfax. Tickets are going fast so get your’s today right here! - Listen Up Denver

The Knew on how playing what you want and taking the "less-thinking road" is always the best
By Tom Murphy Fri., Aug. 24 2012 at 9:04 AM 1 Comment
Categories: INTERVIEWS




Todd Roeth
See also:
- Profile: The Knew never really set out to find success
- The Knew (CD release) at the Lion's Lair, 8/24-8/25
- The Knew at Wax Trax with the Outfit, 8/24

The Knew has been kicking around Denver for roughly eight years, having played its first show on New Talent Night at Herman's Hideaway in 2005. Since then, the quartet has carved a bit of a niche for itself as strong rock-and-roll band, respected not just for its solid songwriting, but also for the manner in which these guys conduct themselves about town. If you've been around long enough, you've probably bumped into either singer/guitarist Jacob Hansen, guitarist Tyler Breuer, bassist Tim Rynders or drummer Patrick Bowden at a show, and, if so, you know the guys are always engaging. The band's music could be described as power pop akin to the sort of thing Billy Bragg or the Clash might do, but without the emphasis on politics and less grounded in folk.



Live, these guys are consistently energetic and play with a real belief in the material. If the group's latest album, Man Monster, is any indication, that faith in self is well placed, because what you hear is the sound of people excited about the music they perform. We recently had a chance to sit down with Hansen, Breuer and Rynders and talk about the new album, how the local scene has evolved in a positive direction and having a little faith in your own creative impulses.

Westword: Why are you doing two nights at the Lion's Lair for your album release for Man Monster?

Jacob Hansen: We were talking about the "next step" for our CD release, and the question is often, "Oh, are you doing it at the Bluebird?" It sounded so foreign -- that's what a lot of people do for their next step, and that's fine. But it seemed to make more sense to us to do it at Lion's Lair across two nights. Just make it two bands and a comedian and have fun with the crowd. We've been having a lot of fun playing with crowds instead of just doing our thing.

I think that's why this album has turned out so well. There was a lot of spontaneity and not a lot of thinking. We had good rapport with Chris Fogal. When you listen to it, you can't define all the little ideas and changes, but you just know it's more what you're going for. We went in there with more of an overall attitude as opposed to a set of ideas and changes that we knew we wanted to do. We just went in there with a certain mindset, and we just knew the ideas would come. And they did.

You're one of the few active bands in town that have been fairly prolific and have stuck around for more than five years, and you haven't changed your name or re-formed.

JH: We've talked about changing our name or whatever we think would get a new wave of something. But it always comes back down to the fact that we've always played what we wanted to, and if we have a new album and we want to sound completely different, that's what you do. Nobody cares. You don't have to have a new package. Bands do it all the time. I don't see a problem with keeping the same name. The less-thinking road is always the best way because it's always more peaceful. Lose fans, gain fans -- you don't let yourself get too wrapped up in that.

It's funny how basic it is and honest it is, and it sounds so cliché to say, "Oh you're in a band. You should do what you want." Every little decision and the outfit you put on when you play a show or what songs to put on or leave off an album, to not think of anyone outside of the band is really hard. You always think back to, "What would the band I really love do?" It's really hard to just say, "Nope, I'm going to do what I want to do."

Tim Rynders: "We lose people every time we do this, but I really like this part."

JH: Yeah -- "Every time we play this live, the crowd hates it, but we really love this part." So you end up wondering if you really like a part or because someone was into it at a show. It's hard to keep those lines clean.

Tyler Breuer: Over time, it's more manageable. I feel like a few of the bands we played with, like, five years ago, the ones we might have thought had shitty attitudes -- we were probably one of them. Nowadays when we play with them, they're so much more relaxed and so much more supportive.

It feels so much less competitive now because there are no longer really any big fish in the pond like there were then.

TB: I think people realized this is all that we might have right here and we're going to have to fucking deal with some shitty venues and whatnot, but support each other and make it worthwhile.

JH: It's turned more into the bands versus the venues and versus periodicals. The bands are in it for the same thing, and different periodicals have their priorities and limitations, and everybody has a - Westword

Note Worthy: The Knew – “Man Monster”
by MATT PUSATORY on Aug 28, 2012 • 11:39 am No Comments

The Knew’s new release is bigger and better.
It’s been two years since The Knew released the stellar Pulperia, an album that really displayed a band coming into its own. The Knew defined its sound on that album and it was a wonderful mix of rock ‘n’ roll heart, bluesy roots and classic sounds. Now, after an agonizing wait, the group has followed up with Man Monster. And what a follow-up it is.

The band still has that punk rock abandon that has endeared them to fans over the years as displayed on the opener and first single “Major Nights.” It’s a fierce slice of straight-ahead rock that could begs for a sing along. Everything that has endeared The Knew to its fan base is right there in the first three minutes.

But there’s a new dimension to The Knew too. The addition of keys, courtesy of Patrick Lee, as well as a horn section showing up on some songs make Man Monster one of the band’s most ambitious albums yet. The fresh instrumentation makes it sound bigger, fuller and more complete.

Man Monster comes out swingin’. On “Awesome,” the band’s high energy eventually gives way to a calming piano outro that lulls you into a false sense of security before “Bang The Drum” comes at you with even more fervor like a solid right cross to the jaw.

The first appearance of horns comes on “Animal.” The great thing about this song is, along with the subtle organ sounds, the horns (which were arranged by fellow Denver musician and FaceMan bassist David Thomas Bailey) sound like a natural addition. Even when they’re given solos, it sounds like a next step rather than a gimmick.

“Surrender,” on the other hand, is a heavy guitar-driven jam that showcases Tyler Bruer’s skills with the axe. It’s a thudding white-knuckle ride. It’s simple, but effective. A nice counterpoint to the more embellished tracks on the album and a solid reminder of The Knew’s swagger.

Where the group really takes things to the next level though is on the slower numbers. “Marianne (Four Winds)” stretches toward the six-minute mark with a nice slow build and a slight country vibe. Previous tracks established the band as a no-nonsense outfit, but “Marianne” shows there’s more too them than high-octane anthems.

“Yellow Moon” — which you may recognize from Something Like Sound’s Colorado Sounds comp released last year — got a bit of a makeover, with the harmonica being replaced with a silky smooth horn line. It starts as a ballad before picking up a little in the middle. It’s a great song that demonstrates just how far the band has come in the two years since Pulperia.

On Man Monster The Knew has expanded, grown and produced their best album to date. One that, while still fun and catchy, also shows a band that’s more dynamic than ever. And that makes for a truly exciting listen. - 303 Magazine

The MadeLoud stage at Monolith this year will have its share of dance acts, quirky solo performers, and full-out rock bands. In the latter category is The Knew, a Denver quartet who describe themselves as a mixture of "punk and roots."

We spoke with guitarist Tyler Breuer about the city he calls home and some of the nitty-gritty details surrounding The Knew. He was quite funny.

First, the standard question - how did you guys get together? What are the familial ties that you hint at in your bio?

Tyler Breuer: Often times people ask us if we are actually related. We are not. However, we are all pretty tall, fair skinned dudes. We all met here, in Colorado. Jake and myself messed around on the guitar off on for a few years during college. When we finished school, Jake met Pat at work and we started the band. Tim joined up with us a couple years down the road. We’re all buddies before bandmates.

What inspired the direction of The Knew? Was there a particular sound (alt-country, for example) that everyone in the band was inspired by?

Breuer: We all have pretty different tastes and inspirations – but I’d say our cohesive inspiration comes from creating simple songs that, for whatever reason, get us going. That and rocket sauce.
As a Denver band, how big of a deal is the Monolith Fest to the community? What other events in town are a big deal for Denver acts?

Breuer: Monolith, as the name suggests, is a big deal to Denver. We’re proud that a festival comprised of interesting and exciting bands happens right here in our hometown. We are even more excited to be a part of it. Outside of Morrison, the Larimer Lounge BBQs, Denver Post music fest and all the DIY venues scattered across this town make Denver a great place to make music.

You’re readying your first full-length album, correct? With whom are you recording, and what can your fans expect for this release?

Breuer: We are recording with Nick Sullivan from American Relay (r.i.p.) and Pena at Macy Sound Studios here in town. Our fans can expect the audio equivalent of having a trunk full of illegal fireworks.

You also have a tour planned for the West Coast? Are you bringing anyone along with you?

Breuer: We toured the West Coast earlier in the year and plan to do it again soon. There are only 4 seats in our van – but the cooler provides seating for anybody that can handle their ass falling asleep for 6 hours at a time.

Will this be the band’s first festival show? What do you have planned for your set?

Breuer: We’ve played a few festivals before. In fact, this summer, most of our shows have been festivals. We are planning to have an excellent time during our set.

What are some of the best places to perform in town?

Breuer: The Larimer Lounge and The Lion’s Lair. Denver has no shortage of great clubs, theaters and DIY venues. Of course, we are ecstatic about being able to play Red Rocks.

Similarly, what, in your opinion, are some must-see Denver locales? Restaurants, museums, etc...

Breuer: There are a ton of musical acts in Denver. To Be Eaten are a must see metal act. As far as food goes, anywhere outside of downtown can cook up a mean plate of green chile and if you have a hankering for it, check out some taquerias or get a bowl of menudo at any establishment on the Westside of town. Los Carboncitos is a go to Mexican joint with a few locations around Denver. Other than food, if you’re looking to get a feel for the Queen City, WaterWorld provides world-class fun and entertaining Juggalo watching. - MadeLoud

There were many bands at the Monolith Festival last weekend. In fact, there were so many, it was hard to keep track of all of them (Saturday’s monsoon [I exaggerate...but, really] didn’t help either). The one band everyone seemed to have agreed upon were Colorado’s The Knew. I only say this because I couldn’t walk outside of a media tent on Friday without hearing “Do you know of The Knew? You don’t? OK, well they play on Sunday at 1 o’clock. You’ll be there, right?”

Being the curious individual I am, I figured that I would at least check this band out. I mean, Colorado is cool enough to harbor the Monolith Festival, so why wouldn’t they harbor a kick-ass band? My suspicions were correct, and I was surprised at how hard this band could rock. While other acts were recovering from the night before and maybe not putting as much punch into the early shows with less of a crowd (who were probably also recovering from the night before), The Knew made sure to please the crowd members who did show up, incited jealousy in anyone who missed out. - Audioholic Media

Here’s the thing about The Knew: They are Colorado.
The music of the “Deanver” quartet’s previous EPs is lean and quick, rigorous but not overcaffeinated. Muscular grooves run rampant, void of aggressiveness. They’re a solid rock band, but with country and blues influences quietly present. They look like the shaggy dudes you knew in high school who skipped out on college for mountain biking and rock music. And quite honestly, there’s nothing more Colorado than guitarist Tyler Breuer strapped with a six-string Epiphone and Denver Broncos t-shirt.
The spirit is much the same on Pulpería, their first full-length. Opener “United” fits nicely into this category, with drummer Patrick Bowden pounding along with the stellar vocal styling of Jacob Hansen, who leads the band in a shout-along chorus.
What’s a great album without the little details? On “United,” it’s a slinking chime guitar inserted deep into the mix. The guitar shimmers of “Citytown” are not exactly underlying, but there’s some sort of summertime yearning. The slow-burning bridge of “Neckbreaker” combines psychedelic riffs with soft subtle keyboard jangle.
The album’s star, however, might just be “Gretna.” The bobbing guitar build-up and Hansen’s brusque delivery mask a slow-moving tempo but make for a fantastic courageous melody. Grab a cold one (locally brewed), pop in Pulpería and let the summer come to you. - Fort Collins Scene

*see URL - 303 Magazine

Personnel: Jake (vox, guitar), Ty (guitar), Tim (bass), Pat (drums)
Website: theknew.com
Colorado connection: Ty is a native, Jake and Pat have been here since the '90s and Tim is secretly Canadian.
Genre: Guac n' roll
Members in other bands: Nope.
Favorite local acts: The Outfit, Faceman, Black Lamb, Peña, Vicious Women, A. Tom Collins and anything Patrick Lee is up to.
Next show: 10 p.m. Friday, Verizon Wireless Stage @ the Hi-Dive, The UMS
We got into music because: Boosh.
We're still in it because: Slightly older boosh.

Read more: 2010 UMS: The top 10 underground bands tell it like it is - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/entertainment/ci_15526484?source=pkg#ixzz0zitJM2MA - Denver Post

The Knew is a fiery Denver four-piece on a mission — and it's one of movement, fluidity and music. The melodic garage-rock outfit, celebrated for its raucous live shows and loved for its '70s hairstyles, isn't one to rest on its laurels. When its members aren't pushing a festival date, they're throwing a song on the "Rock Band" video-game network. When they're finishing a full-length record, they're itching to record more songs in the studio with a different producer.

And that's how "Before It Ends," the group's latest release, came about. When the Knew releases the 7-inch single tonight at the Hi-Dive — its first release on vinyl — the foursome will celebrate friendship, rock music and community.

"We wanted to release 'Pulperia' on vinyl, but the costs were too high for a full-length," said the group's guitarist, Tyler Breuer, of its debut LP. "So we decided to do a seven-inch right after the full-length."

Added bass player Tim Rynders, "It's all about keeping the drive going and writing new music — and getting better ourselves."

The group recorded the three-song single with Denver-based musician/producer Chris Fogal, whose throwback metal band TaunTaun has made waves (and headlines) in the last year. Whereas the band had spent weeks in the studio working on its debut full-length, "Pulperia," the goal for the single was to be in and out of the studio as quickly as possible. After two days in Fogal's Black in Bluhm studio in Park Hill, they were done.

"We wanted to have fun with this and not worry about every detail," Breuer said.

The songs on "Before It Ends" sound like the group had fun with Fogal. "Company" kicks off Side A with a sunny, pop-rooted melody that brings a smile to Breuer's face.

"These are chord progressions used by everybody from Buddy Holly to the Rolling Stones," he said. "Nothing intricate, but it's fun."

The title track comes next on Side A with a squirrelly, Breuer-penned guitar riff that sticks in your head and gets your foot tapping. It's a groover that finds singer Jacob Hansen jumping from note to note and drummer Patrick Bowden thriving in the driving percussive pocket.

"We pushed a lot more with Chris," Rynders said. "We felt he had a better understanding for a production that was full of energy. He captured what we were doing with the way he wanted to mic things and the way he was mixing things. He had a good approach to making a live-sounding recording — and still keeping it professional. He wasn't totally focused on lining everything up. He was more focused on the production."

The work paid off. The Knew has always been a band you needed to see live to understand, but these three songs come closer to the group's infectious on-stage energy than any of its previous recordings.

Side B has only one song, the six-minute epic "The Key," a sprawling feel-good jam Breuer describes as "a band favorite."

"We love all our songs, but this one is pretty indulgent," Breuer said. "It's six minutes long and it has guitar solos from two different people. It's like a classic-rock jam from that Dennis Hopper/Peter Fonda movie — the motorcycle movie?"

"'Easy Rider,' " Rynders jumped in.

"Yeah, 'Easy Rider,' it's that kind of a song," finished Breuer. "The first time we ever played it live, we had a keyboard player, Patrick Lee, with us. And it was fun to play a six- or seven-minute song with a full band and not care about it too much. If we felt that some parts were unnecessary, it'd be a different song. But every part serves its purpose up to the end at six minutes."


Read more: Get to know the Knew at new-release fete - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/music/ci_16026069#ixzz0ziqrvJD3
- Denver Post

Time has proven to be on The Knew’s side: After two ho-hum releases in 2007 and 2008, the Denver band has re-emerged with Pulpería, an excellent full-length that feels more realized than any of its previous work. The album benefits, too, from analog recording, a switch from digital as heard on earlier efforts; the tracks now have a fully fleshed-out sound that gives Pulpería a warm, human component. In particular, the sentimental “HLS” is filled with shimmering guitars that provides a dense backdrop for Jacob Hansen’s fuzzy Julian Casablancas-esque vocals.
But it’s not just the recording quality that’s improved. Each track has a renewed complexity and diversity of emotion, with tender and earnest tracks like “My Meridian” balancing out the frantic and catchy pop of “Still On Fire.” “Gretna” channels Nirvana’s “About A Girl,” opening with a grungy guitar riff that then delves into a heavy psychedelic jam. There’s a lot to hear on Pulpería. Tiny guitar nuances and cryptic lyrics pepper the album, rewarding listeners for multiple plays.
The Knew artfully pulls from a variety of Southern and modern rock influences, and though the guitar melody on “Citytown” sounds a little too much like The Strokes, it’s forgivable. The song is still undeniably catchy, and Pulpería ultimately a rich, enjoyable listen. The record owes some of its success to impeccable production, but even more to the evolution of The Knew as a band. All it took was a little time. - The Onion

There was a time when rock music didn’t sound so tame. A time when crowds were rowdy and riots were incited by barbarian frontmen that would take chugs of Jack between dirty guitar riffs and smoked cigarettes. These same bands would play behind chicken wire and have multiple fights breakout mid-song. You would find women with multiple tats littering around the front of the venue waving their bra in midair to gain the attention of any willing member on stage. There were no apologies back then. Denver’s rock titans, the Knew, have created an album that embodies all of the aforementioned. It’s the kind of album Kings of Leon should have made on the second effort. The Knew have finished their new album and about to slay crowds by the thousands starting next month. The name of their forthcoming album is “Pulpería”, and they’re having a CD release party March 6th at the Bluebird with a couple of friends. Details below. BTW, this album marks the first full length by the Knew and recorded/engineered/mixed by Nick Sullivan (Peña) @ Macy Sound Studio in SE Denver. For those of you out-of-towners that will be in Austin for SXSW, make sure to keep an eye out for them. - Cause = Time

I can't believe we lasted so long without a bass," declares Tyler Breuer, the Knew's guitarist, recalling the early days of the band when the low end wasn't much of a consideration. "What were we thinking?"

Evidently, they weren't. And that's actually been the secret to the band's success so far. For the Knew (rounded out by drummer Patrick Bowden, bassist Tim Rynders and singer/guitarist Jacob Hansen), it's all been a bunch of happy accidents: the slot at Monolith last year; the CMJ showcase; a song placed on national television promos — all of it.

Take the Monolith gig, for example. While one show doesn't typically make or break a band, for the Knew, one show at the Larimer Lounge — a free show, mind you, on a Monday night, opening for Fake Problems — ultimately led to a choice gig at Red Rocks, which then led to an invitation to showcase at CMJ in New York alongside the country's top emerging indie-rock acts.

Fresh off a West Coast tour, the Knew were offered an slot opening for the Florida punkers. Since they liked the band, the Knew accepted the gig even though no one was getting paid. The payoff invariably came, however, when Matt Fecher, co-founder of Monolith, was deejaying that night and invited the guys to perform at his annual festival. Naturally, the band jumped at the chance and gained some memories that will last a lifetime.

"I could have played on that stage for hours," Hansen dreamily recalls. "At the time, there was no possible way to absorb it enough; everything happened so quick, but it's nice that we have those memories. If Monolith is not around next year, that's a bum deal for Denver bands, because I'll always remember that show."

The experience was just as memorable from a fan's perspective, Rynders insists. "I think it's the best festival I've ever been to," he enthuses. "They know and care more about music than most festival organizers. As far as bringing in bands that are going places, nobody does it better."

Red Rocks was the Knew's first experience playing in front of a festival crowd, but it would not be their last. On the heels of performing at Monolith, the outfit received an invitation to showcase at the CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival in New York.

Woven amid national acts like Portugal. The Man, Deer Tick and Teenage Bottle Rocket, the Knew played three CMJ shows, including one at a pirate-themed bar in SoHo called Wicked Willy's. The Knew was well received, which surprised the skeptical out-of-towners.

"Nobody was a dick," Breuer recalls. "I think I assumed people would be assholes, but everybody was super nice!"

"That," adds Hansen, "was basically five days of partying with some occasional naps."

Pretty impressive for a group of guys who met in college and whose past bands boasted cringe-worthy handles such as the South Park-inspired Faith +1 and Mariachi Pro Volleyball. From the sounds of it, Bowden's band, which played what Breuer describes as "fart punk," was the most compelling of the bunch. Breuer and Hansen counted themselves as fans and frequently watched Bowden perform. It wasn't long before the two recruited Bowden and started a band of their own.

It's rare for a band to decide on a name and then suffer through no amalgamations, but that's exactly what happened with the Knew, a moniker they chose from day one and kept. Given the other names that litter their past, it's not hard to see why. But while the name has remained the same, the lineup has fluctuated.

After a move to Denver from Boulder, the Knew began playing shows as a three-piece blues outfit with no bass player. Eventually, when Breuer relocated to Costa Rica, Bowden and Hansen kept the band going as a two-piece. When Breuer returned from Central America, he rejoined the fold, but the group still played and recorded without a low end. And that's when Rynders came into the picture, courtesy of an introduction by a mutual friend.

"We were never really looking for a bass player," Breuer confesses, "We just thought Tim was a major dude, and it just so happened he played bass. It's been a four-piece ever since."

The group released Holladay in 2007, and with the lineup solidified, they issued Boom Bust in 2008. A song from the former, a track called "Salvazar," ended up being used in a promo for Breaking Bad, the breakout AMC series starring Bryan Cranston as a terminally ill science teacher turned meth kingpin — unbeknownst to the band.

Early one morning, Bowden received a phone call from one of his friends, who didn't leave a message. Alarmed that something might be wrong, Bowden called him back expecting bad news. "He said he was awake watching Rocky II on AMC," Bowden recalls, "and swore he heard our song in a commercial."

It was no dream. Two years earlier, the band sent every song they recorded to a company called Rumblefish, which licenses music. Bandmembers never heard anything back and essentially forgot about it – until they were tipped off by Bowde - Westword

Never one to disappoint, The Knew made it clear that they were there to party (clearly indicated by their choice of Andrew WK as the house music). In what I can only describe as “the wildest set I’ve ever seen at Hi-Dive,” there was fog, lights, crowd-surfing, a pinata, and, of course, rock music to match. The Knew, always eager to perform new material, played two new songs they had written since finishing Before It Ends. By the end of the night the Hi-Dive was trashed and everyone went home happy. - Something Like Sound

Never one to disappoint, The Knew made it clear that they were there to party (clearly indicated by their choice of Andrew WK as the house music). In what I can only describe as “the wildest set I’ve ever seen at Hi-Dive,” there was fog, lights, crowd-surfing, a pinata, and, of course, rock music to match. The Knew, always eager to perform new material, played two new songs they had written since finishing Before It Ends. By the end of the night the Hi-Dive was trashed and everyone went home happy. - Something Like Sound

To warm up the Yule Log for its showcase at the DPUM on August 2, The Knew comes out of the songwriting closet with a new EP, Boom Bust, packing a whole album's worth of energy into a small, convenient package.
Retaining their sense and sensibility for rockabilly-ish-esque indie ditties, "Be Yourself" is a Kangaroo Jack jump fest, bouncing with the free energy of bra-less Dolly Parton during a 7.0 earthquake. I'm guessing "Revolver" was the inspiration behind the EP's artwork, but either way, this track's loaded with plenty of slide guitar goodness.

But it's "Renaissance Man" that really spotlights the band's progression over the years, with a build up that will no doubt get the crowd spilling their Old Style with complete disregard for their pristine brew cozys at this Saturday's EP Bash at Hi-Dive.

- Kaffeine Buzz

"...Their sound is country slam dancing with garage rock, punk square dancing with the blues. Their playing was tight, accomplished and damn tasty. It doesn't hurt a bit that they look and feel like a proper rock band, kind of outlandish and half-wild, oozing confidence and manic enthusiasm..." - Westword

"This was the single-best set I saw on Saturday. And that’s saying something, because I ducked out of the showcase slightly early to check out the Warlocks/Black Angels show at the Bluebird Theater later that night...The Knew has always been a solid live band, a good-times rock outfit known and loved for their wild shows and their garage-styled rock ’n’ roll. But now it seems like they’re all grown up. Playing with the right mix of garage and classic rock...their music leapt off the stage and into their fans’ chests. It wasn’t long before everyone was overtaken with the passion — the need to move and dance and yelp along. Talk about a welcome evolution...now the Knew...are one of the most exciting bands in the Mile High City." - Denver Post

"No surprise that Boom Bust recalls last year's Holladay...they share an appreciation for tight, punchy songcraft...The opener, "By Yourself," is simultaneously danceable and jittery, with guitarist/vocalist Jacob Hansen and his crew declaring, "Ooh, it's all about always being modern," in a tone that bridges the gap between irony and sincerity. That's followed by the faux-rootsiness of "Renaissance Man," the atmospheric "Coldblack" and three other reliably enjoyable tracks. It's another solid platter from a band that prizes quality and consistency over the shock of the Knew." - Westword

"...it’s easy to understand the appeal of the Knew. Before they get on stage, it’s hard to pick them out from the crowd — besides the fact that they must be the tallest band in Denver. They’re that unassuming. These four musicians don’t have skinny jeans and rockstar attitudes. They’re just like you and me, and that’s pretty refreshing to see.
As for the music –- the real reason bands have fans -– it’s plain and simple fun. It’s hard to be in a room with the Knew playing and not feel a sort of blissful rush of feelings that make your body start moving in some way, even if it’s just a secret toe-tap at the start of each of their songs."
- Denver Post