Mike Campbell (second from L) with The Dirty Knobs (Photo: Pamela Littky; used with permission)
The Heartbreakers’ Mike Campbell has announced rescheduled dates for 2022 with his longtime side band, the Dirty Knobs. The band released their debut album, Wreckless Abandon, via BMG, on Nov. 20, 2020. Their club tour, originally scheduled to begin in March 2020, was delayed due to “some health issues” as well as the pandemic. Their opening slot on Chris Stapleton’s amphitheater tour has also been pushed back to 2022.
On April 26, the day he announced the rescheduled dates, Campbell wrote, “A sincere thanks to everyone for their patience as we push our dates back yet again. I do feel confident this is the last time we will have to do this. The important thing, is that we all get to enjoy music together with no fear. See you soon, don’t knock the boogie.”
On the album, Campbell handles the bulk of the lead vocals; at times he sounds very much like his decades-long bandmate Tom Petty. Listen to several of the songs below.
Of one new song, written with Stapleton, Campbell says, “‘Fuck That Guy’ is a simple song that could really be about anyone you know. The video is a bizarre and darkly humorous take on 2020. It’s been a hard year. It helps to just laugh. We shot the video just last month. Sometimes life ends up imitating art in almost unimaginable ways.” We all know “that guy.” The clip features a cameo from actor Jeff Garlin.
Watch the video for “F**k That Guy”
Doctors discovered Campbell’s undisclosed health issues on March 1, 2020. In a March 6 Facebook post, he wrote, “while fully treatable, [the health issues] need to be addressed before going out on tour. The good news, well really it’s great news, is that I’m going to be just fine.”
Fans who purchased tickets to the original dates but are unable to make the new date, can obtain a refund at their point of purchase.
Listen to “Southern Boy”
The celebrated guitarist, songwriter, and founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, has been playing with the Dirty Knobs for well over a decade. Campbell joined Fleetwood Mac on the road for their extensive 2018-2019 tour.
In additional to Campbell, the Dirty Knobs are Jason Sinay on guitar and vocals, Lance Morrison on bass, and Matt Laug on drums.
On October 23, Campbell and fellow Heartbreaker, Benmont Tench, played several songs for the Tom Petty 70th Birthday Bash.
Watch their performance
The Dirty Knobs album was produced by Campbell and George Drakoulias (the Black Crowes, the Jayhawks), with all songs written by Campbell. It features further contributions from fellow Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers founding member Benmont Tench as well as Stapleton, the Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and guitarist.
Watch the video for the title track, with Campbell’s familiar guitar sound
Of the project, Campbell, who turned 71 on Feb. 1, explains, “The Dirty Knobs first got together almost 15 years ago but Wreckless Abandon is our first album and occasion to tour. Over the years, the Knobs became an outlet for me to play some of the other songs I was writing and to keep the creative juices flowing in between working on albums and tours with Tom and the Heartbreakers.”
Watch the video for “Irish Girl”
After Petty’s death in 2017, one week after completing the Heartbreakers’ 40th anniversary tour, Campbell knew the only way to heal some of the pain was to throw himself wholeheartedly back into his music.
“Losing Tom was earth-shattering for me. It was a total shock,” Campbell continues. “It had felt like we would be playing together forever. For a while it was hard to imagine playing in my own band again, let alone one where I’m the frontman. Tom was always my beacon. But everything I’ve been doing since Tom passed, including this album with the Dirty Knobs, is in the spirit of honoring what we did together.”
Related: Our recap of the Heartbreakers’ final concert
Watch the trailer for Wreckless Abandon
Mike Campbell and the Dirty Knobs 2021-2022 Tour Dates (Tickets are available here and here)
2021
Jul 17 – Chicago, IL – Wrigley Field (Opening for Chris Stapleton)
Sep 18 — Asbury Park, NJ – Sea. Hear. Now Festival (with the Beach Boys, Billy Idol)
2022
Mar 09 — Tampa, FL — The Orpheum
Mar 11 — Gainesville, FL — High Dive
Mar 12 — Gainesville, FL — High Dive
Mar 15 — Nashville, TN — Brooklyn Bowl
Mar 17 — Philadelphia, PA — World Café Live
Mar 19 — Allston, MA — Brighton Music Hall
Mar 20 — Allston, MA — Brighton Music Hall
Mar 23 — Brooklyn, NY — Brooklyn Bowl
Mar 25 — Derry, NH — Tupelo Music Hall
Mar 26 — Ridgefield CT — Ridgefield Playhouse
Mar 28 — Alexandria, VA — Birchmere
Mar 30 — Indianapolis, IN — The Hi Fi
Mar 31 — Indianapolis, IN — The Hi Fi
Apr 02 — Chicago, IL — Park West
Apr 04 — Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line Music Hall
Apr 15 — San Francisco, CA — The Independent
Apr 16 — San Francisco, CA — The Independent
Apr 19 — Los Angeles, CA — The Troubadour
Apr 20 — Los Angeles, CA — The Troubadour
Apr 23 — Boulder, CO — Fox Theatre
Apr 24 — Denver, CO — Bluebird Theatre
Apr 26 — Dallas, TX — Blue Light
Apr 28 — Houston, TX — Warehouse Live
Apr 30 — Austin, TX — Antone’s
May 01 — Austin, TX — Antone’s
Opening for Chris Stapleton
Jun 02 – Nampa, ID – Arena at Ford Idaho Center (with Margo Price)
Jun 03 – Ridgefield, WA – Sunlight Supply Amphitheater (with Margo Price)
Jun 04 – George, WA – Gorge Amphitheatre (with Margo Price)
Jun 11 – San Bernardino, CA – Glen Helen Amphitheater (with Dwight Yoakam)
Jun 16 – Bakersfield, CA – Mechanics Bank Theater (with Margo Price)
Jun 17 – Wheatland, CA – Toyota Amphitheatre (with Margo Price)
Jun 18 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre (with Margo Price)
Jun 23 – West Valley City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre (with Sheryl Crow)
Jun 24 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena (with Sheryl Crow)
Jun 25 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena (with Sheryl Crow)
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6 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationAmazing to hear his voice; is so similar to Tom Petty’s. Great music and band.
Tom petty was one of a kind, miss him bad! God Bless you Mike Cambell, this is great!
Tom’s spirit and can see Mikes influences in past music , great to hear The Heart of the Heartbreakers making new music. Great music
Excellent record from a true Master…
Super album! Really like Aw Honey!
We love Mike and always have with the Dirty Knobs or Tom Petty. We saw him with Fleetwood Mac and he was great! But we purchased tickets a yr ago for a concert through Eventbrite at High Dive in Gainesville Fl and it was canceled. They simply ripped us off for the money and despite contacting them numerous times refuse to refund the ticket prices. We aren’t just giving away money here for nothing. We’d love to see Mike but before buying tickets again we need a refund for the ones we paid for and got nothing. Help Mike?!