RJ Knapp & Honey Robin

ROOTS MUSIC REPORT, WASHINGTON, BLUES:

RJ Knapp & Honey Robin, Don’t Blame the DYNAMITE, Critical Sun Recordings.

#5 the week of Nov. 24, 2012

#12 for week of December 7^, 2012

#12 week of December 14

#8 week of January 4, 2013

#8 week of January 18, 2013

#13 week of February 8, 2013

#13 week of March 22, 2013

#14 week of April 5th, 2013

http://www.rootsmusicreport.com/index.php?page=statechart&state=WA

12/6/12 REFERENCE FROM RANDY OXFORD OF THE RANDY OXFORD BAND:

"RJ Knapp and Honey Robin understand what it is to engage and entertain an audience from beginning to end.Not only have I seen them start their show by entering a Festival on their Harley's, but they tend to open every show with a unique entrance. Their ability to follow up with a great show is what separates them from most. They are a class act, a very entertaining show full of original music and fun and they are a must see show"

Randy Oxford

Oxford Entertainment

The Randy Oxford Band
Big Sky Blues Festival

AIRPLAYDIRECT.COM/RJKNAPPHONEYROBIN

• Top 50 APD Blues Albums - Last Week, (as of 8:04pm Tuesday, December 4th 2012) #32 out of 50 (Blasts to 1800 radio stations)

BLUES _UNDERGROUND NETWORK PODCAST AND CD PICK OF THE WEEK THROUGH NOVEMBER 24^TH;  Blues Underground Network's CD Pick Of The Week November 18-24, 2012    John Vermilyea   RJ Knapp & Honey Robin's new CD, Don't Blame The DYNAMITE...If you can't light the fuse!, made the Blues Underground Network's top 10 CD's for the year 2012, and for December's top picks.
http://www.bluesundergroundnetwork.com/Previous_CD_Picks_Of_The_Weeks.html

REVIEW, CHRIS SPECTOR, MIDWEST RECORD:

RJ KNAPP & HONEY ROBIN/Don't Blame the Dynamite if You Can't Light the Fuse: Don't tell this old white guy in Seattle he don't have the blues. He'll round up a bunch of his biker buddies and show you who has the blues. A power blues show band relying heavily on originals, this bunch is a gasser that really know how to being the electric, amped up bluz (their word). No fair, Knapp probably bugged my phone and knew in advance I'd be partial to a record with a song called "Son of a Mother F... B...(sorry had to edit that part, and SOMFB doesn't quite stand for that...Honey Robin edit)". This bunch will get your blood flowing and keep you up all night. Once again we find the future of the blues is in good hands. Hot stuff.
Chris Spector
Midwest Record
Lake Zurich, IL.

REVIEW, ERIC STEINER FOR WA BLUESLETTER:

 RJ “Blues Master” Knapp I first discovered bluesman RJ "Blues Master" Knapp when his 21st Century Bluzmen competed in the fourth semifinals of the Washington Blues Society’s International Blues Competition at the Oxford Saloon in Snohomish, Washington in 2011.  I was impressed by the way he powered through an original set that tilted heavily toward blues rock, and I could tell that his influences ranged from Led Zepplin and Black Sabbath to Popa Chubby.  RJ’s set featured high energy, plugged-in, and wonderfully over-the-top guitar histrionics thanks to the Blues Master. 

If you enjoy full-throttle blues powered by solid electric guitar, you’ll enjoy Don’t Blame the Dynamite… If You Can’t Light the Fuse.  The straight-ahead country blues on “If the Bluz Was Money” relies on the spot-on rock steady beat from the considerably talented engine room of Rick “Dr. Demo” Bowen and “Rob “Powder Monkey” Baker on bass, punctuated by the Blues Master’s fluid slide work.  “Hole in My Heart” gives RJ a chance to stretch with some opening, low-key licks that frame Honey Robin’s sultry vocals, and his inspired noodling up and down the fretboard shows that, as a guitar player, he’s much more than a three-chord power player.  RJ’s been around the Seattle blues scene since the early 80’s, and he’s earned the nickname “Mr. Bluz” by paying his dues in Pioneer Square clubs. RJ’s inventive songwriting and innovative guitar playing are front and center on this CD.  

Since that International Blues Competition at the now-closed Oxford Saloon in downtown Snohomish, RJ and his band have played at the Big Sky Blues Festival in Noxon, Montana, and returned to the Blues to Benefit the Brave benefit held in Snohomish County in 2011 and 2012.  I hope that this CD will get RJ, Honey Robin, Rick, and Rob more attention and more gigs throughout the Pacific Northwest.  Their CD release party was held on December 7th at Cyndy’s Broiler in Stanwood, Washington, and I hope that we can feature the magic of that night in a future Washington Blues Society Bluesletter.

Listen to clips from the CD below. After you check out the 15 (yes, 15!) cuts on the CD, please tell your favorite blues club that this Bothell, Washington-based blues outfit can really put on a show!

Review: 4/1/2013 Blues Blast Magazine

RJ Knapp & Honey Robin – Don’t Blame The Dynamite, If You Can’t Light The Fuse!

Critical Sun Recordings

www.rjknapp.com

15 tracks; 60 minutes

RJ Knapp was born in Chicago but has been on the Seattle scene for 30 years. This CD is almost entirely original material written by RJ with occasional assistance from Honey Robin Mahaffey (‘The Canary’) who sings backing and some lead vocals.

RJ (‘Blast Master’) handles most of the lead vocals and the guitar. The rhythm section also sport nicknames and provide b/v: Rob Baker (‘Powder Monkey’) is on bass and Rick J Bowen (‘Dr. Demo’) plays drums.

Lead-off track “I Call It The Bluz” is blues-rock with some powerful chords heralding the lyrics which demonstrate some touches of humour: “Don’t call me no rock and roller, I ain’t some funky white boy. Call it what you want to; me, I call it the blues”. Similarly “Don’t Let Your Mind Be Writing Checks” has the line “…that your mind can’t cash” after the title. Indeed, RJ demonstrates an ability to turn an amusing line on several of the songs here and “If The Blues Was Money” has some excellent opening slide work.

However, RJ’s deep, gruff voice (think Omar And The Howlers) does not always make for easy listening. Robin takes over the lead on just two songs, both quieter ballads. Her clear and deep voice sounds as if she was trained in the classical traditions and offers a contrast to RJ’s.

“Bus Stop Bluz” was a frustrating listen as RJ’s lyrics produce some very forced lines, allied to some irritating sound effects (boats, seagulls, planes, buses, etc). “Kirkland Krawl” is about a traffic black spot with a very repetitive riff and chorus; unfortunately the band decided that perhaps the title would not be meaningful to all, so a bonus track appears under the title “Concrete Crawl (for those outside the great NW)”!

RJ produces some strong guitar riffs across these 15 tracks, there are some nice touches of humor in the lyrics and it is always good to see bands producing original material.

Reviewer John Mitchell is a blues enthusiast based in the UK.  http://www.thebluesblast.com/bluesartists/rjknappandhoneyrobin.htm

FESTIVAL PERFORMANCE REFERENCES:

Big Sky Blues Festival, Noxon, MT;  Blues to Benefit The Brave, Arlington, WA (2hrs); Freedom Fest, Ebey Island, WA(2yrs); Mount Rainier Arts Festival, Ashford, WA; Taste of Music Festival, Snohomish, WA; Washington Blues Society International Blues Challenge, Snohomish, WA

12/10/12  BLUES411.COM, CHEFJIMI – JIMI AWARDS 2012,

One of the Coolest Release Titles for 2012:
JR Clark: “Icicles On My Ceiling”
Mighty Sam McClain: “Too Much Jesus (And Not Enough Whisky)”
Kenny Kearney: “Ghosts of Psychedelta”
Paula Harris: “Turning On The Naughty”
RJ Knapp & Honey Robin: “Don’t Blame The Dynamite…If You Can’t Light The Fuse”
Some great titles here, but gotta go with Mr. McClain’s.

RADIO INTERVIEWS:

Radio Interview onThe Blues Note, KSVR.org    Interview 12/5/12: Tune in to The Blues Note with Janice tonight at 10pm (PST) on KSVR 91.7fm / KSVU 90.1 fm or go to KSVR.org and listen in via the live stream.

Radio Interview, Friday, January 11, 2013,with Host -Robin K, at KSER, 90.7, on Audio Indigo.

Scheduled interview: February 14, 2013: Clancy’s Bar & Grill, Host - Clancy Dunigan,
(Clancy was awarded Blues DJ of the Year by the Washington Blues Society at their annual "Best of the Blues Awards" April 19th.)

OTHER AIRPLAY:

KBOO Radio, Portland, Or = Tom Wendt, Added CD to their KBOO library. Blues Power and Blues Junction (Second & Fourth Saturdays, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

KRVM, 91.9 Breakfast Show, Kim Almasie, Eugine, Or. 11/10/12:Hi Honey, I received your CD last week from RJ and gave you some airplay on 91.9 KRVM yesterday morning. Thank you! I played SOMFB and Bus Stop Bluz. :)Kim

Blues Jazz Radio: There was a bit of a problem at the station, but I have been assured that these songs will be played back-to-back, tonight on www.bluesjazzradio.com (not necessarily in this order) Re Brett Lewis Ringgold (And they did play) bluesjazzradio@gmail.com, Songs played:

Ready for Times

Bus Stop Bluz

If The Bluz Was Money

Hole In My Heart

I Call It The Bluz

Band: RJ Knapp & Honey Robin

Album: Don’t Blame the DYNAMITE…If you can’t light the fuse!

PACIFIC COAST time of 6:00pm, or 9:00pm EAST COAST time.

INLAND EMPIRE BLUES SOCIETY support:

Name: Tommy  Hayes

Subject: 2013 Wallace Blues Fest.

Message: We lit the fuse, dyno MITE, thank you for the cd. We played it at the

18th annual blues awards in Spokane on 11/8/12 everybody loved it.

Inland Empire Blues Society

Andy Hall, Music YOU DON’T HAVE, BUT SHOULD:

I checked out your music and enjoyed it very much.  With your permission, I would like to include "I Call It The Bluz" on the 12/8/12 episode of "Music You Don't Have, But Should."  The show will be Saturday, 12/8, at 8:00 PM EST, at www.musicyoudonthave.com, iTunes, Stitcher, Podbean, and LearnOutLoud.com. 

THERHYTHMICLOUNGEMAGAZINE:  Full page feature, January 2013.Website: www.therhythmiclounge.com - Issuu: issuu.com/therhythmicloungemagazine
Hello Honey Robin,… will be placed in our next issue. (January, 2013)
Chantel Atkins
CEO/Owner|The Rhythmic Lounge

CLIMBING THE CHARTS ON REVERBNATION!  #9

Review: 4/1 2013  in Blues Blues Blast Magazine

RJ Knapp & Honey Robin – Don’t Blame The Dynamite, If You Can’t Light The Fuse!

Critical Sun Recordings

www.rjknapp.com

15 tracks; 60 minutes

RJ Knapp was born in Chicago but has been on the Seattle scene for 30 years. This CD is almost entirely original material written by RJ with occasional assistance from Honey Robin Mahaffey (‘The Canary’) who sings backing and some lead vocals.

RJ (‘Blast Master’) handles most of the lead vocals and the guitar. The rhythm section also sport nicknames and provide b/v: Rob Baker (‘Powder Monkey’) is on bass and Rick J Bowen (‘Dr. Demo’) plays drums.

Lead-off track “I Call It The Bluz” is blues-rock with some powerful chords heralding the lyrics which demonstrate some touches of humour: “Don’t call me no rock and roller, I ain’t some funky white boy. Call it what you want to; me, I call it the blues”. Similarly “Don’t Let Your Mind Be Writing Checks” has the line “…that your mind can’t cash” after the title. Indeed, RJ demonstrates an ability to turn an amusing line on several of the songs here and “If The Blues Was Money” has some excellent opening slide work.

However, RJ’s deep, gruff voice (think Omar And The Howlers) does not always make for easy listening. Robin takes over the lead on just two songs, both quieter ballads. Her clear and deep voice sounds as if she was trained in the classical traditions and offers a contrast to RJ’s.

“Bus Stop Bluz” was a frustrating listen as RJ’s lyrics produce some very forced lines, allied to some irritating sound effects (boats, seagulls, planes, buses, etc). “Kirkland Krawl” is about a traffic black spot with a very repetitive riff and chorus; unfortunately the band decided that perhaps the title would not be meaningful to all, so a bonus track appears under the title “Concrete Crawl (for those outside the great NW)”!

RJ produces some strong guitar riffs across these 15 tracks, there are some nice touches of humor in the lyrics and it is always good to see bands producing original material.

Reviewer John Mitchell is a blues enthusiast based in the UK.