Hello Rockstars! Today’s Artist of the Week is Punk Band The Has Knots!
Here’s their own story in their own words, enjoy! 🙂
All Photos By: Kim Boteler.
VMS:
“When did you start writing and performing your music.
What’s your backstory and current lineup.”
The Has Knots:
Our current lineup:
– Vocals- Arielle Valles
– Guitar- Brook Peterson
– Bass- Devon Reed
– Drums- Geoff Vera
“Long story short, Brook started dating Geoff’s sister a while back. Geoff ends up having a party at his house back in 2019. Brook and Geoffs sister were amongst a group of people there. A couple friends end up finding Geoff’s drum set in his garage and asked him to play for them. Brook caught wind of Geoff playing and asked him if he wanted to start jamming. A couple months later and some rough songs started to take shape. During that time we went through a few members.
Our original line up consisted of Brook, Geoff, Kyle Runyon (bass) and Jason Ruyon (vocals). At this point we really started developing a sound. Not too long after, Kyle, our bassist, had to leave and we acquired Devon, who is super talented and brought some much needed stability to the band. We had our first show back in 2022 with that lineup and played a few more shows later that year. Jason, our original vocalist, suffered a nasty accident while at work that left him basically immobile for quite some time and he eventually left the band.
We were at a crossroad at this point, not sure if we could continue. The suggestion was made to ask Arielle, who is Geoff’s stepdaughter. We knew she could sing and also had a unique presence about her. She was one of our biggest supporters at that time as well. After some persuasion, we got her to try out and what can I say, she knocked it out of the park.”
VMS:
“What Artists or bands inspire you and your sound.”
The Has Knots:
“We’re inspired by the classic raw sound of bands like Minor threat, Bad brains and Descendants. Also, by more recent punk bands like Pennywise and Good Riddance. However, our Individual tastes in music vary greatly from Tool and The Cure to The Deftones and Britney Spears Or Slayer and The Appleseed cast.”
VMS:
“What’s your writing process and inspiration for your lyrics.”
The Has Knots:
“Brook is mostly responsible for coming up with riffs and creating songs. The process evolves from there by Jamming them out with drums and bass. After we develop the structure of the song Arielle and Geoff usually collaborate on writing lyrics. Our lyrics usually reflect personal feelings in our life and the world around us.”
VMS:
“I love your songs “This Scene Sucks” and “Past Mistakes”. What is the inspiration or story behind these songs.”
The Has Knots:
“This Scene Sucks” Is supposed to be a humorous song. Most of the band members have been a part of the Vegas music going back to the mid Eighties and early Nineties. That being said, we’ve witnessed the scene evolve. For example, Desert shows and all ages club shows might have 100-200 kids turn up . Those days shows were promoted through boots on the ground, passing out fliers and word of mouth. Today, you would be extremely lucky as a local band to get to perform for 100 kids, even after extensive promotion. It’s just funny to us, playing at local bars seeing some of those kids from back in the day sitting at the bar. We basically wrote “This Scene Sucks” in honor of the musicians and music lovers who continue to play music and show up to punk rock shows . Our love of the music and scene hasn’t changed, we’re old punk rockers trying to have fun and keep up with the times.
“Past Mistakes” is your standard relationship song. It’s a song about reflection. A bad relationship was unfolding and it became clear it was ending. Then the realization of all the bs you subjected yourself to for no good reason.”
Listen to The Has Knots on Apple Music:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-has-knots-single/1759248806
VMS:
“Which local artist would you want to work with and why.”
The Has Knots:
We would love to work with local bands like Gob Patrol who embody that raw classic punk sound and The Hate Band who have such a Heavy punk sound that it’s hard not to love.
VMS:
“What’s the overall theme or message of your music.”
The Has Knots:
“We want our audience to be able to relate to us through what we write about. The overall message is unification through music and the stories we share in a lyrical context.”
VMS:
“Do you have a favorite song that you like to perform.”
The Has Knots:
“We all love playing “Past Mistakes,” “Time,” “This Scene Sucks,” “Vanity” and “Dive Bar,” everyone always seems to really get into “Dive Bar.””
VMS:
“Do you have crazy or interesting stories from working with the music scene.”
The Has Knots:
“Nothing really profound. Being a fairly new band and somewhat naive, we had no real social media experience. In the beginning, it took us a minute to figure out a social media presence is essential in booking shows and promoting our music. We’re taking it in stride and still getting used to it.
I do have to say the scene is much tamer for the better. Skinheads were a real problem back in the day at shows. Brook recalls a show, I want to say, at the old Cooler Lounge when a massive fight broke out between a bunch of skinheads and basically everyone else. I guess the place was absolutely destroyed and people went to the hospital. We’re fortunate to not have to deal with that anymore!”
Check out the footage from the House Show (put on by Scumbags Productions) I got to see The Has Knots play in! (before the cops showed up! lmao)
VMS: “What does the future hold for The Has Knots.”
The Has Knots:
“As of now, we want to continue writing music and develop our sound. We also would like to put out an LP or full length album at some point. Also, we would love to hit the road for a mini regional tour. This is definitely a wish list. There are always challenges with life outside the band. You will definitely continue to see us playing shows around town.”
VMS:
“What do you want your audience to feel and experience at one of your live shows.”
The Has Knots:
“We want our audience to feel our passion for music and our passion for friendship and being inclusive. I think it’s safe to say we all found music when we needed it most in our lives. If we gain even just one fan and inspire them in any way, then there is no greater reward than that.”
Vegas Music Scene Thoughts:
Between their live shows, incredibly Kick-Ass and catchy songs that talk about breakup, their love for the music scene, self-reflection and everything in between, I feel like The Has Knots, are definitely a huge Force to be reckoned with. I remember when I saw them at the house show put on by the cool dudes at Scumbags Productions (which was an amazing show by the way, well, until the cops showed up, but that was still pretty awesome too! lmao), was how incredibly nice, sweet and down to earth they seemed, but, as soon as that music hit they we’re not fucking around!
As musicians, they are incredibly tight, and you can tell they have been in the scene a long time, even if The Has Knots is a relatively new band and as a singer, Arielle Valles has you right in the palm of her fucking hand. It’s funny, cause when Miss Valles was talking in between songs, she is so incredibly nice and sweet, but then when that song played, she kicked into punk mode times a thousand, which was so fucking cool to see, I absolutely love not only wonderful musicianship (which is what they definitely have) but I love it when they can take me on an amazing journey with their performances, and she one hundred percent killed it!
Their energy is infectious, and definitely made me want to check out more of their music and also bummed me out that I hadn’t listened to them sooner. If you get a chance to check them out you better fucking go! I feel if they stay true to who they are, and just keep bringing that amazing energy with their wonderful songs to every show that the future is truly endless for them! They are raw, in your face and definitely the real deal! I’m so incredibly proud to call them my Artist of the Week!
For more Information on The Has Knots, please visit their Instagram!
—–VMS xoxoxox