Knapsackheroes! in Hard Rock Battle of the Bands - Interview with Percussionist Justin P. Mitchell

It's hard to define the music of Knapsackheroes! and that seems to be a deliberate move on the band's part as they zig zag across musical genres refusing to be nailed down. With their beginnings in Nashville, they had their pick of genres to develop and they chose to blend several styles into their own unique mix. The ploy appears to be working for the band as they recently won the Hard Rock Battle of the Bands competition in Nashville against many other bands, giving them a top spot in the global Hard Rock Battle of the Bands competition.

Region 4 Finalists in Hard Rock Battle of the Bands Competition: "It would really change our lives if we win this," the band's percussionist, Justin Paul Mitchell told me at three different points during our conversation when I ran into him recently in Nashville. "We made it to the top 10 in the country and are in the top 40 globally," he pointed out, adding that 2,000 bands entered entered the competition.

Band Members: Knapsackheroes! is Vinyl Jones (lead vocals, keys & production), Eric Coomer (lead vocals, keys & guitar), Kevin Tetuan (guitar, keys & bgv's), Nick Waugh (bass, bgv's) and Justin Paul Mitchell (drums, percussion). When in his street clothes, Mitchell looks like any nice guy in a t-shirt and baseball cap with piercings. His band look involves taller hair which was hidden by his cap the day we spoke.

Early Days Playing Churches: According to Youthpastor.com, the five member group took their music to churches, youth rallies and local clubs in the early days, playing with Christian artists such as Rebecca St James, Seventh Day Slumber, Building 429, Kevin Max, John Reuben, The Turning, and Solomon's Wish. Mixing several genres of music, including dance rock, pop, hip hop, and 80s new wave dance rock, the band never quite fit the gospel music mold.

"We used to play at churches, but we aren't CCM and we never will be," Mitchell said stating that the sound of Knapsackheroes! is "kind of like The Killers meet the Gorillaz." Mitchell went on to describe the band's sound as "80s, dancy, Duran Duran, Hip Hop, Britpop and other styles."

Influences: According to their Facebook page, the band's versatile music influences include: Beastie Boys, The Beatles, Beck, The Bravery, David Bowie, Coldplay, Phil Collins & Genesis, Common, Depeche Mode, Devo, dcTalk, Duran Duran, Fugees, Gorillaz, Interpol, Heavy D, Michael Jackson, Joy Division, The Killers, Kraftwerk, Mutemath, Outkast, The Police, Prince, Queen, Radiohead, Talking Heads, Steve Taylor, Tears For Fears, U2, Kanye West, and a wide variety of others.

Knapsackheroes! Projects: In spite of its multiple mixing of musical genres, Knapsackheroes! still maintains close ties with the Christian music industry. Knapsackheroes! recently released their self-titled EP which was produced by the team behind the scenes of artists such as Mutemath, Mat Kearney, David Crowder Band, and Newsboys.

Mitchell told me the band is currently "in the throes of recording a new album with Lynn Nichols and Tedd T" (the men behind Mutemath, Mat Kearney, Delirious and many other Christian acts).

"The Lord has been with us every step of the way," Justin P. Mitchell stated, saying, "A lot of miracles have happened for us. We owe everything to Him."

Vote for Knapsackheroes! Examiner reports Mitchell has been handing out fliers in Nashville, asking people to vote for Knapsackheroes! to help send the band to London to open for Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart and Bon Jovi if they win the Battle of the Bands competition. The Knapsackheroes! voting page is at: http://www.hardrockbattleofbands.com/KNAPSACKHEROES. While on the page, people can watch a live performance of their new song "Run Run Fire."

"We want to be a positive force in the world." Mitchell said if Knapsackheroes! wins the competition, "God will use us."

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