Knux anyone?
Wrap your head around this one: A self-produced group comprised of two brothers from New Orleans who sound like Outkast, Juvenile, Tha Pharcyde, and The Strokes. Yes, such duo does exist.
So.. where the hell have they been all your life?
A common question asked since they're sound is mature yet very different and fresh - they are certainly one of a kind. But in fact they really did come out of nowhere.
Blood brothers (2 years apart) Krispy and Al were raised by their single mom in the East Neighborhood of New Orleans. Though they lived under the same roof and both shared an interest in high school marching band, they were never very close. Al still claims to have been the less charismatic brother who enjoyed video games rather than chasing girls like his brother Krispy. Krispy still begs to differ, but initially what brought the two together was the second Gravediggaz album. They describe their days as sitting around listening to the album over and over. Within one year, Krispy and Al were already creating rhymes and beats, eventually making songs together with an uncle who was a local producer. The Knuckle Heads were born. Right about the time when they were coming close to finishing a demo, The Knux experienced a stoke of bad luck - Hurricane Katrina. Their lives, homes and just about everything was destroyed. Relocating to Houston, things started looking up when their demo landed in Paul Rosenberg's hands. Knowing their unhappiness in Houston and their lack of inspiration - Paul sent them to Los Angeles in 2006 where the recording process began.
“Once we got out to L.A. there was just such a different vibe,” explains Al, “And we were going to all the downtown clubs with fuckin’ socialite girls and, like, the so-called hipsters, and guys like Steve Aoki. It was a totally different scene from what we were used to in New Orleans and the music we started making just reflected that.”
Their first album, "Remind me in 3 days..." released by Interscope Records does in fact have that "cruising down Sunset Boulevard in the summer" feel and it definitely works.
Austin City Limits 10-2-09
Being a long time fan of the Knux, I loved just getting the chance to see them perform live. Energy, Energy, Energy... they had lots of it. Wearing all black in 100 degree weather, Krispy was all over the stage and at one point even telling the sound man to turn it up louder. I couldn't help but laugh at their animation and liveliness. I was a little disappointed when they ended their set thirty minutes early but rather than hating them for leaving, I was eager for another dose. With increasing recognition, The Knux are booking shows left and right and it's evident that The Knux are here to stay. And if you forget, well don't worry, The Knux will Remind You in 3 Days...
peace,
tess.allen
