Knox (musician)
Encyclopedia
Knox also known as I.M. Carnarchan is a British musician and founding member of the seminal punk
band The Vibrators
.
, he spent his formative years in Cricklewood
, (North West London
) and then Watford
, where he became interested in the guitar
at the age of thirteen. He was in various school
bands
, based at Watford Grammar School for Boys, including The Renegades and Knox and the Knight Ryders. Knox's budding musical development was gradually put on hold when he went to art school (in Watford, and in the West of England), where he developed an interest in painting
.
and in early 1976 was a founder member of the Vibrators, one of the first punk bands in the UK
. As well as being the frontman he was the main songwriter
for the band, writing such hits as "Baby Baby", "London Girls" and "Automatic Lover" (all Top 40 UK Singles Chart
hits). The band played the legendary 100 Club Punk Festival
with guitar legend Chris Spedding
, who produced the single
, "Pogo Dancing".
After the Vibrators broke up, Knox worked as a solo
artist, recording an album
Plutonium Express, which came out on the Razor record label
in 1983. He also played guitar on Robyn Hitchcock
's solo debut album, Black Snake Diamond Role
. He did two gigs
with Alex Chilton
, one of which was recorded and released as the album, Live in London. Also in 1983, Knox played guitar and wrote material for the Urban Dogs, a band with Charlie Harper from the U.K. Subs and produced an album of the same name. He also played guitar on the U.K. Subs' 1988 album, Japan Today.
In 1984, Knox formed the band Fallen Angels with members of Hanoi Rocks
' rhythm section. They recorded one eponymous album (Fall Out Records, 1984) but never played live. Knox continued the Fallen Angels project for two more albums, along with occasional gigs, with a new line-up and occasional guest appearances from Hanoi Rocks members: 'In Loving Memory' (Jungle Records
, 1986) and 'Wheel Of Fortune' (Jungle Records, 1988).
With the renewed interest in punk the original line-up of The Vibrators re-formed in 1982, and, with Knox as a constant notwithstanding various line-up changes, has continued working since doing several tours a year. Knox also wrote a book on the Vibrators, The Vibrators – 21 Years Of Punk Mania, stating "nobody else seemed interested in doing it, so I did it".
, Peter Blake
and Richard Hamilton
.
He has painted numerous portraits of punk icons, including Joe Strummer
and Joey Ramone
, as well as Leatherface
, plus paintings of landscape
s and buildings. (About eighty of Knox’s paintings can be seen at the second external link shown below).
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band The Vibrators
The Vibrators
- Early career:The Vibrators were founded by Ian 'Knox' Carnochan, bassist Pat Collier, guitarist John Ellis, and drummer John 'Eddie' Edwards. They first came to public notice at the 100 Club when they backed Chris Spedding in 1976. On Spedding's recommendation, Mickie Most signed them to his...
.
Early life
Born in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, he spent his formative years in Cricklewood
Cricklewood
Cricklewood is a district of North London, England whose northeastern part is in the London Borough of Barnet, western part is the London Borough of Brent and southeastern part is in London Borough of Camden.-History:...
, (North West London
North West London
North West London may refer to:*NW postcode area*Western part of North London...
) and then Watford
Watford
Watford is a town and borough in Hertfordshire, England, situated northwest of central London and within the bounds of the M25 motorway. The borough is separated from Greater London to the south by the urbanised parish of Watford Rural in the Three Rivers District.Watford was created as an urban...
, where he became interested in the guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
at the age of thirteen. He was in various school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
bands
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
, based at Watford Grammar School for Boys, including The Renegades and Knox and the Knight Ryders. Knox's budding musical development was gradually put on hold when he went to art school (in Watford, and in the West of England), where he developed an interest in painting
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
.
Music career
In 1972 Knox returned to playing musicMusic
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
and in early 1976 was a founder member of the Vibrators, one of the first punk bands in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. As well as being the frontman he was the main songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
for the band, writing such hits as "Baby Baby", "London Girls" and "Automatic Lover" (all Top 40 UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
hits). The band played the legendary 100 Club Punk Festival
100 Club Punk Festival
The 100 Club Punk Special was a two-day event held at the 100 Club—a typically jazz-oriented venue in Oxford Street, London, England—on 20 and 21 September 1976. The gig showcased eight punk rock bands, most of which were unsigned...
with guitar legend Chris Spedding
Chris Spedding
Chris Spedding is an English rock and roll and jazz guitarist, best known for his session work. Allmusic states - "Spedding is one of the UK's most versatile session guitarists, and has had a long career on two continents that saw him tackle nearly every style of rock and roll, as well as...
, who produced the single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, "Pogo Dancing".
After the Vibrators broke up, Knox worked as a solo
Solo (music)
In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer...
artist, recording an album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
Plutonium Express, which came out on the Razor record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
in 1983. He also played guitar on Robyn Hitchcock
Robyn Hitchcock
Robyn Rowan Hitchcock is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. While primarily a vocalist and guitarist, he also plays harmonica, piano and bass guitar....
's solo debut album, Black Snake Diamond Role
Black Snake Diamond Role
Black Snake Dîamond Röle was the debut solo album by former Soft Boys frontman Robyn Hitchcock.Backed on various tracks by his former Soft Boy mates Kimberley Rew, Matthew Seligman and Morris Windsor, Hitchcock confessed satisfaction at being able to record an album with only his own artistic goals...
. He did two gigs
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
with Alex Chilton
Alex Chilton
William Alexander "Alex" Chilton was an American songwriter, guitarist, singer and producer, best known as the lead singer of the Box Tops and Big Star...
, one of which was recorded and released as the album, Live in London. Also in 1983, Knox played guitar and wrote material for the Urban Dogs, a band with Charlie Harper from the U.K. Subs and produced an album of the same name. He also played guitar on the U.K. Subs' 1988 album, Japan Today.
In 1984, Knox formed the band Fallen Angels with members of Hanoi Rocks
Hanoi Rocks
Hanoi Rocks was a Finnish rock band formed in 1979, whose most successful period came in the early 1980s. The band broke up in 1985 after the death of their drummer, Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley...
' rhythm section. They recorded one eponymous album (Fall Out Records, 1984) but never played live. Knox continued the Fallen Angels project for two more albums, along with occasional gigs, with a new line-up and occasional guest appearances from Hanoi Rocks members: 'In Loving Memory' (Jungle Records
Jungle Records
Jungle Records is a British-based record label formed in 1982, specializing in classic punk rock, post punk, gothic and alternative releases.They recorded albums by Johnny Thunders such as 'Copy Cats' and 'Que Sera Sera' and are licensors of the classic Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers tape...
, 1986) and 'Wheel Of Fortune' (Jungle Records, 1988).
With the renewed interest in punk the original line-up of The Vibrators re-formed in 1982, and, with Knox as a constant notwithstanding various line-up changes, has continued working since doing several tours a year. Knox also wrote a book on the Vibrators, The Vibrators – 21 Years Of Punk Mania, stating "nobody else seemed interested in doing it, so I did it".
Painting
Knox's painting is inspired by both classical artists, and contemporary artists like Salvador DalíSalvador Dalí
Salvador Domènec Felip Jacint Dalí i Domènech, Marquis de Púbol , commonly known as Salvador Dalí , was a prominent Spanish Catalan surrealist painter born in Figueres,Spain....
, Peter Blake
Peter Blake (artist)
Sir Peter Thomas Blake, KBE, CBE, RDI, RA is an English pop artist, best known for his design of the sleeve for the Beatles' album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. He lives in Chiswick, London, UK.-Career:...
and Richard Hamilton
Richard Hamilton (artist)
Richard William Hamilton, CH was a British painter and collage artist. His 1956 collage, Just what is it that makes today's homes so different, so appealing?, produced for the This Is Tomorrow exhibition of the Independent Group in London, is considered by critics and historians to be one of the...
.
He has painted numerous portraits of punk icons, including Joe Strummer
Joe Strummer
John Graham Mellor , best remembered by his stage name Joe Strummer, was the co-founder, lyricist, rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist of the British punk rock band The Clash. His musical experience included his membership in The 101ers, Latino Rockabilly War, The Mescaleros and The Pogues, in...
and Joey Ramone
Joey Ramone
Joey Ramone was an American vocalist and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist in the punk rock band the Ramones. Joey Ramone's image, voice and tenure as frontman of the Ramones made him a countercultural icon.-Early life:Joey Ramone was born Jeffry Hyman to parents Noel and Charlotte Hyman...
, as well as Leatherface
Leatherface
Leatherface is the main antagonist in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre horror-film series and its spin-offs. He wears masks made of human skin and engages in murder and cannibalism alongside his inbred family. He is considered by many to be one of the first major slasher film villains alongside Michael...
, plus paintings of landscape
Landscape
Landscape comprises the visible features of an area of land, including the physical elements of landforms such as mountains, hills, water bodies such as rivers, lakes, ponds and the sea, living elements of land cover including indigenous vegetation, human elements including different forms of...
s and buildings. (About eighty of Knox’s paintings can be seen at the second external link shown below).