Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs

The Dirty Knob's latest album, Mission of Mercy, explores and expands the sound that Campbell helped pioneer. A collection of beautifully played guitar-driven rockers and reflections, the album finds them loosening their grip on the boogie with forays into bongos, jazzbos and even strings. The group was founded in 2000 by Campbell as a writing and club-date project outside the Heartbreakers. The group finally got on record with 2020's Wreckless Abandon, 2022's External Combustion, and 2024's Vagabonds, Virgins & Misfits. 

“Now it’s down to great songs,” says Campbell, “the depth in the lyrics and chords.” He recalls something Petty once told him: “Tom said, ‘I love the English language. There’s so much you can do with it.’ I'm discovering that, too. Looking for rhyme schemes, the right word. At first it was a struggle. Now that door has opened,” Campbell says. “I’ve turned a corner." The Dirty Knobs are “still a rock band but growing into different feels.”