The New Voice of Rock: Nicollette Knight
by Paul Autry
When Nicollette's album came across my desk, right away, I knew a simple review wouldn't do it justice. I had to do an interview. For me, there was no other option. Her debut, self titled album was so good, it threw me for a loop. This is the kind of music that I live for. In simple terms...it's rock 'n' roll...nothing more. It's the kind of music that you listen to because it's fun. You don't have to figure it out or try to understand where it's coming from. It's the kind of music that will make you feel good. That kind of positive attitude has been missing from rock 'n' roll music for a long time, in my opinion...and if anyone can bring it back, it's Nicollette Knight, who's already creating quite a buzz in the music industry. Believe me, it's only the begining. Armed with a six song album that was co-produced by world renowned guitarist Keri Kelli (Slash/Vince Neil/Skid Row) and rock journalist/manager Gerry Gittelson, Nicollette is set to take the world by storm.
Nicollette was kind enough to grant me an interview, her first, I might add...and, as an added bonus, manager Gerry Gittelson was on the phone as well and, to be honest with you, they could hardly contain their excitement about everything that's been going on and, rightly so because people are starting to take notice in a big way. It's almost as if she's a force of nature, there's no stopping her and, for those of us who enjoy her style of music, that's a good thing. Having said that...it's both an honor and a pleasure to be able to introduce you to Nicollette Knight...the new voice of rock 'n' roll music!
Paul Autry: Okay...my tape is rolling. Are you ready?
Nicollette Knight: I'm as ready as I'll ever be.
Paul Autry: So, how did you get involved in the music business?
Nicollette Knight: Well, I started singing really, really early, doing the choir, voice lessons, things in school like that. Then I met Gerry and we started this rock 'n' roll thing.
Paul Autry: How did you start it? Did you just wake up one day and say, "I wanna be a rock star?"
Nicollette Knight: No. I've always been into so many different kinds of music. One I look up to has always been Mariah Carey. But, I listen to Pink, Avril Lavigne and people like that. Also, Aerosmith and Kiss. I like that kind of music, the way they sing it and I really wanted to get into that. Before, it was always the choir and pop kind of stuff and I really wanted to try something different, something I'm more into.
Paul Autry: So, how did you hook up with Keri Kelli?
Nicollette Knight: Gerry knew Keri Kelli. They go way back. Gerry used to...go ahead Gerry, tell him the story.
Gerry Gittelson: I was the manager of Big Bang Babies. I kind of discovered Keri when he was nineteen years old. Nicollette met Keri at my wedding. She sang for him the first time at my wedding and Keri kind of remembered her and, when we did this project, Keri kind of wrote most of these songs for Nicollette.
Paul Autry: If I'm not mistaken, weren't some of these songs actually Big Bang Babies songs?
Gerry Gittelson: Yes, they are. They're re-worked Big Bang songs. But, most of them are the ones that never came out or anything.
Nicollette Knight: He rebuilt every track. He played almost every instrument on it. He had this great guy play drums. Who was that guy, Gerry?
Gerry Gittelson: Keith Alan. He was Big Bang's drummer as well.
Nicollette Knight: Big Bang Babies were huge. Gerry told me all about them. Tell him how huge Big Bang Babies were, Gerry.
Gerry Gittelson: They were really huge on the Sunset Strip. But, these songs never really made it to the public. I mean, they've sold like a few hundred CD's that people have copied through the years. They were never in retail stores or anything like that. A lot of these songs were so incredible and Nicollette has given a lot of these songs kind of a new life...and that was sort of the plan.
Paul Autry: Were you able to pick the ones that you wanted to do or were there limitations?
Nicollette Knight: I wouldn't say there were limitations. But, Gerry obviously knows every song that they ever did. What he did, when I told him what I wanted to do, he went back into the archives, went through some songs and he let me listen to a bunch and I just felt like, the ones that we did really reflect what I'm about. It's about being young and having fun, being independent...just bringing rock 'n' roll back. Now, everyone's talking about being sad, their boyfriend is leaving them, stuff like that. I just think people should have fun with it.
Paul Autry: That's like the whole Kiss attitude, who I noticed in your bio that you'd like to be like and that really caught my attention because they're my favorite band. What era of Kiss is your main inspiration?
Gerry Gittelson: Like Kiss "Alive," the really big show. That's really what we wanna shoot for...the really big show. You know what I mean?
Nicollette Knight: Yes...and also...their whole attitude, their whole presence. You don't have to listen to any of their songs to know exactly what they're about. They just go on stage and rock it and everyone in the audience feels it. It's great.
Paul Autry: What's your stage show like then?
Nicollette Knight: Well, we just put my band together. We just started rehearsing and it's coming together really, really nicely. We've got our first show on the Sunset Strip in a couple of weeks. So, we're gonna be rehearsing around the clock this week. We'll see how it goes. I'm really excited.
Paul Autry: The CD I have only has six songs. I assume you have more material live, correct?
Gerry Gittelson: Yes. There's gonna be a total of nine or ten songs. Right now, those six are an advance...a little taste. That's all you really need. We're only gonna play like 30 or 40 minutes.
Paul Autry: It states in your bio that you're looking for a record deal. Are these the songs that you're gonna use to push that or is there other material?
Nicollette Knight: I would say so. I think that the songs we have are pretty strong right now. As my band and I develop, we'll see what direction it's gonna take. But, right now, today, that's what we're going for.
Paul Autry: Is it too early to ask about video? Do you have any visuals for people to see?
Nicollette Knight: Yeah...it's a little early. Our first show is in a couple of weeks with my band. It will be the complete package. We're gonna videotape it and that will be our first little video clip.
Paul Autry: Was this album your first time in a studio?
Nicollette Knight: I've actually recorded some stuff before with friends, it was more on the pop side. Before this project, I had some experience behind the mic in the studio. But, this was completely different. Working with Keri was a whole new experience for me. What we did was, we ran the track, we went through it one time, no stopping, no punching in. It was great. It had more of a live feel to it when I recorded it.
Paul Autry: I know this is a real hot topic for musicians. What are your thoughts on file sharing and do you think something like that would hurt or help your career, especially since you're just starting out.
Nicollette Knight: As of right now....it is copyright infringement.
Paul Autry: Since I always ask this question, before I talk to someone, I usually do a search to see what comes up.
Gerry Gittelson: Don't tell me we're on there already.
Paul Autry: Actually...no...I haven't found any. So, would you consider that a good thing or a bad thing?
Nicollette Knight: I think it could be a little bit of both because, like you said, you made a search. That's what a lot of record labels are doing. They're checking to see what kind of following a band has. I'm kind of on the fence about that. It's harder for bands to go platinum because everyone can get the songs for free. So, why should they go out and buy them. When you're with a label, they wanna see that you're moving units and if people are file sharing and you're not moving units, what are you gonna do? You're caught between a rock and a hard place with that one. But, I think it's always good as far as showing what you have in terms of a following.
Paul Autry: What made you decide to do a cover of Joan Jett's "I Love Rock 'N' Roll?" That song seems perfect for you.
Nicollette Knight: Right. You know what...it was weird because Gerry was the one who came to me with the idea. But, it was like, an idea that was in the back of my head. Then he brought it out and I was like, "Oh, my God, that's perfect, yeah!" It was crazy. Yes, I'm with you on that one, it was perfect.
Gerry Gittelson: We discovered, after the fact, that Britney Spears had also done that a few years ago. But, it's like a dance version of "I Love Rock 'N' Roll" and she ruined it.
Paul Autry: Personally, I think she ruined every song she ever sang. But, that's just me.
Nicollette Knight: (laughs) Okay...that's off the record. That's funny. But, yeah, I have a lot of fun doing "I Love Rock 'N' Roll." I'm just...I'm really happy with this whole project. I'm really excited. I can't wait to see where it's going.
Paul Autry: Do you know if Joan Jett has heard your version yet?
Nicollette Knight: I'm gonna venture to say, "Not quite yet!"
Gerry Gittelson: She's gonna come out and sing back up vocals at the Cat Club show.
Paul Autry: Seriously?
Gerry Gittelson: No.
Paul Autry: (laughs) Okay...how about the other one, "Kids In America?" That was a big song back in the day.
Nicollette Knight: You know what? That one has been remade about twice and it was never done successfully. I don't think it was ever done right. The person who came to us with that idea was...what's his name Gerry?
Gerry Gittelson: Kenny Kerner. He used to be a producer for Kiss.
Nicollette Knight: He's also with Taxi right now, right?
Gerry Gittelson: Yes, he's like the head of Taxi.
Nicollette Knight: He said that he listened to the first couple of songs...he got the first, first preview...and he was like, "Do you know what would really go well with these songs? You should really look into a song called "Kids In America." So, I got a copy, I heard it and I was like, "Wow...this is great!"
Paul Autry: Since the album that I have is available to the public, is it too early to ask...I mean...I know you're getting a lot of positive press. But, how's the fan reaction? How fast is your fan base building up?
Nicollette Knight: I think it's building up really quickly. My material is on a couple of different big rock websites.
Gerry Gittelson: MelodicRock.com did a big thing about her, it was like the first one. She got three thousand hits on her MySpace page after that. We've actually done this small deal with Sunset Records, which is what this thing is coming out on...and it's gonna be available on CD Baby in like two weeks, it's gonna start being sold. We did a deal in Japan and they're in record stores in Japan. That's why, if you plug in her name, you'll see all this stuff about Nicollette Knight that's in Japanese because she has a bunch of stuff going on in Japan.
Nicollette Knight: And there's that other one, GarageBand.com, where we're getting a lot of great feedback and it's really cool because people can give you their input on how they feel about the music.
Paul Autry: You made this album, you have these songs, you're getting all this positive feedback and it's starting to build up steam...do you feel any pressure?
Nicollette Knight: You have no idea.
Gerry Gittelson: You hit it right on the nose.
Nicollette Knight: Oh, my God, that's so funny. Yeah...it's really taking me by storm. I wouldn't say that I'm overwhelmed. But, I'm definitely feeling the pressure. But, I like that because it feels like things are materializing and they're moving...and they're moving fast too, which, for the record, I have no problem with. I just have to work hard and give it a hundred and ten percent and my band is doing so as well. It's a really good feeling.
Gerry Gittelson: She's got an amazing amount of press exposure considering we just recorded these songs and we just started pressing them and sending them out. So, the ball is just starting to roll. But, she's got a much bigger head start than most bands and part of it was because a lot of people knew Keri Kelli. That helped to give her a head start as compared to other bands who are so brand new. It came out really good and I've never seen so much positive feedback for an undiscovered artist who's only been out for about a month...you know what I mean?
Paul Autry: Well, maybe you'll be the one who can bring rock 'n' roll back to the head of the class...where it belongs.
Nicollette Knight: You know what? I really, really, really hope so. I hate to be cliche about it. But, it makes me feel that it was meant to be because it's like, the right place, the right time, everything's in line, everything's happening, everything's moving fast and it's just...I'm really excited.
Paul Autry: You know, I listen to a lot of different music. But, I like stuff like Kiss, Poison, Motley Crue, Warrant...the 80's kind of music...and there's still an audience for it. But, hip hop is the most popular form of music right now, you know, and I feel the whole 80's sound just needs to make a huge comeback.
Nicollette Knight: Yeah...but...hip hop was built on rock 'n' roll...everything was built on rock 'n' roll and everything always ends up coming full circle and I think rock 'n' roll will never die.
Paul Autry: I totally agree. How much does image play into it?
Nicollette Knight: I think that image plays a lot because a lot of a bands success relies on their marketing and their image. I really believe that because if people see something and they're not drawn to it, what's gonna make them wanna listen to it, what's gonna make them want to see what you're about?
Paul Autry: Since you're playing rock 'n' roll music and you're influenced by a lot of the 80's music, do you worry that people might think you're a hair band?
Gerry Gittelson: Well, she's got the hair.
Paul Autry: Yes...you do have the hair.
Nicollette Knight: Hair band? I'm gonna have to say no. I hope not. People should take it for what it is and not judge it. Know what I mean?
Gerry Gittelson: We also decided that it's kind of nice...that when you buy a CD, you also enjoy the cover because you like to look at something. I think that has been lost over the years because I remember the days when you would buy an album and you would cherish the album cover and the artwork inside. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. Why not give people more for their money?
Paul Autry: Speaking of album covers, where was that one of you taken? Was that on the Sunset Strip?
Nicollette Knight: It was actually....
Gerry Gittelson: You gonna give away your secrets Nicollette?
Nicollette Knight: Huh? Oh, okay. Gerry, why don't you take that one.
Paul Autry: What I like about it is, you have this look on your face like you're saying, "You ain't heard nothing yet!"
Nicollette Knight: Right, right...that's what we're going for.
Gerry Gittelson: It's Hollywood Blvd. That's the backround.
Paul Autry: Okay, cool. I've never been outside of Pennsylvania. So, I had to ask. Anyway, before I forget, I know this is Nicollette's interview. But, I have a question for you. Are you still a writer for the Los Angeles Daily News?
Gerry Gittelson: Yes, I am.
Paul Autry: I assume you write about music?
Gerry Gittelson: I do write about music. I also have a sports column. I actually started out though...which is how I met Keri Kelli...I used to publish rock magazines on the Sunset Strip. I was the editor of Hollywood Rocks and Factor X and I was the main columnist in Rock City News and I did stuff for Music Connection. My roots are in rock 'n' roll and actually in the Sunset Strip. I was sort of a big influence on bringing this vibe back again because, I'm with you, I think rock is gonna come back again. You can only sing about death, guns, murder and stuff for so long before people are going to want to hear songs about having a good time, cars, girls and stuff like that. It's all gonna come back again.
Paul Autry: The term rock 'n' roll, to me...it just means fun...and I've seen a lot of shows and, I don't know, the bands just don't seem to have fun anymore.
Gerry Gittelson: Like Creed or something?
Paul Autry: Yeah...I actually met the singer for Creed...and I wasn't impressed.
Gerry Gittelson: Yeah, well, that's what Nicollette is all about...fun. Isn't that right?
Nicollette Knight: Yes. Absolutely.
Paul Autry: How has the internet helped your career.
Nicollette Knight: Oh, a lot....a lot. I hate to plug in names. But, I'm gonna have to give it to MySpace. It's a great thing. It's not like a chat room kind of deal. It's more like a community of real people who give you real feedback. It goes straight to the people and that's what I love about it. With the internet, you can reach people all over the world. We've got a guy in the UK who has my song playing on his website.
Paul Autry: I have "Youth Of Today" on mine.
Nicollette Knight: Oh, cool. Thanks.
Paul Autry: Quick question. You know, you can go on MySpace and people can read all about you. What's something that you might want fans to know that they might not know about you yet?
Nicollette Knight: One thing about me, huh?
Gerry Gittelson: Actually, I think Nicollette might be a little nervous telling you this. But, I think what fits in here is that she actually had a very difficult childhood. She came from a broken home and the fact that she's singing about all this happiness and joy, being fast and free, it's a testament to her recovery and her maturity for someone who's eighteen years old.
Paul Autry: I would have never guess that talking with you. That's something I can totally understand. I grew up in foster care and I don't have a lot of good stories about my childhood.
Nicollette Knight: Well, that's just it. I believe that your past doesn't make you. Who you are is who you are because you make it that way. You're always in control of who you wanna be. You should always just reach for your dreams because, and again, I hate to be cliche, but, anything is possible. Even though I had some issues, I think I came out pretty well. It hasn't stopped me from believing in myself and going for my goals and following my dreams.
Paul Autry: Well, speaking with you today, you seem like you have a lot of confidence. You seem like a pretty confident person...and since you're kind of new to the music business, I'm curious, how did you build up so much confidence?
Nicollette Knight: Going back to what we were talking about how everything is just happening so fast and I'm getting so much attention so quickly, it's kind of hard for me to get into that whole musician/journalist way of doing interviews. It's just not there yet. I still feel like myself and I'm able to express myself completely and to tell people how I really feel. It doesn't hurt that this is completely improvised either.
Paul Autry: Yeah. I like to have a conversation instead of "interviewing" people...so to speak. Uh...do you play any instruments?
Nicollette Knight: I can read and write music. I took a bunch of music classes. I took a couple of college classes while I was still in high school. I can key a little bit...just a little bit.
Paul Autry: Are you planning on doing more with that or are you gonna focus on being a vocalist?
Nicollette Knight: I always keep an open mind. I put in a lot of focus and hard work into my vocals. I took extensive voice lessons, voice training. I think that I'm ready, definitely. I'm confident enough with my vocals to move on to the next step. I like to try something and work at it until I'm completely confident. So, yeah, I can definitely see that happening. I'd like to play a little more keyboard, maybe some guitar here and there.
Paul Autry: Well, I think I've kept the two of you on the phone long enough and I'm sure you have a lot to do today. So, final comments?
Nicollette Knight: Definitely check me out at MySpace. We're gonna start touring very soon. So, be on the look out. I'd like to let everyone know that I'm doing this from the heart. It's what I really love and I'd like to be a great inspiration to people out there who did come from...you know...not such a great past because their future is not determined by that. Follow your dreams. That's pretty much it.
Paul Autry: It's good to see someone out there with a positive attitude...playing rock 'n' roll...and it was a pleasure speaking with you.
Nicollette Knight: Thank you. It was an honor.
Gerry Gittelson: Thank you for doing the interview.
