Before Mike Campbell & the Dirty Knobs played a note on the third date of their summer tour, the group’s frontman, and Heartbreakers co-founder, announced that over the course of the show he hoped it would be a refuge from the “wicked world outside” of the casino. To reference a Nobel Prize recipient he previously worked with, Campbell wanted everyone in the Center Stage to find shelter from the storm. Over a 26-song, two-and-a-half-hour set, the quartet did just that with a setlist that leaned heavily on Knobs material, while touching on his work with Tom Petty and tossing in a couple choice covers for good measure.
Prior to the group’s appearance, opener Sarah Lee Guthrie charmed the crowd with a mix of stories and songs. Her set included originals such as “Honey and the Dew, “Go Waggaloo,” which featured lyrics from her grandfather, Woody, and a cover of Steve Goodman’s “City of New Orleans,” which was covered by her father, Arlo.
When Mike Campbell & the Dirty Knobs took the stage, their recent album, Mission of Mercy, dominated the main set with 11 of its 12 tracks performed including the Beach Boys-influenced title track, “Vicious Hangover,” “No Regrets,” “More Than Gold,” which found guitarist/keyboardist Chris Holt providing vocals that were done by Morgane Stapleton in the studio version, “I Remember” and “Bongo Mania,” which had a more Heartbreakers vibe live than its studio counterpart, which evoked a ‘60s dance party.
Not only does Campbell have a drawl and timbre to his voice similar to Petty but since he co-wrote and played guitar on that band’s songs, his Knobs’ songs display that musical lineage yet feel of the moment, rather than nostalgic.
While the musicianship showed off a sharp, rehearsed unit, Campbell’s personality encouraged a looseness to the proceedings. Whereas some bandleaders would flip out, he just laughed when drummer Steve Ferrone started the beat for a different song than what Campbell, Holt and bassist Lance Morrison played. (“We are not here for perfection.”) Later, during introductions, the Brighton, England-born Ferrone took his time as he explained the story behind the band’s name, which had to do with a dirty amplifier knob causing a buzzing sound. Then, while checking his phone, he finally announced that England defeated Norway in World Cup action before mentioning Campbell.
That attitude permeated the seven-song encore, which included a call for requests. It also consisted of five Petty/TPHB numbers—“Rockin' Around (With You),” “You Got Lucky.” “I Need to Know” (a request granted), “Listen to Her Heart” (with Campbell giving instructions to the other three before it started) and “You Wreck Me” along with “It's All Over Now” and “Little Queenie.”
Acknowledging the nine Petty tunes played throughout the night, Campbell said, “I don't want to be a tribute act, but I helped write those songs and tonight I feel like playing them.”
With those songs and the growing catalog by the Dirty Knobs, Campbell’s muse continues to inspire him, and he’s found the right mix of musicians to put together a long evening of rock-and-roll.
