Knapsack

by John Bush & Al CampbellIndie-rockers with an emotional core to their music as well as the requisite adrenalin rush, Knapsack formed around two high-school pals studying at University of California at Davis. Vocalist/guitarist Blair Shehan and drummer Colby Mancasola both grew up in nearby Redding, and in mid-1993 they formed the group, originally featuring guitarist Jason Bokros and bassist Rod Meyer. By 1994, Knapsack had released a seven-inch single on the San Diego label Goldenrod, and thanks to an incessant tour schedule, the quartet signed with Alias Records by May of that year. Their debut album, Silver Sweepstakes, appeared in April 1995, followed by tours with amenable acts such as Pavement, Jawbox, Drive Like Jehu and Rocket from the Crypt. After Bokros left the group, Knapsack replaced him with Sergie Loobkoff (of Samiam) and released their second album, Day Three of My New Life, in early 1997. This Conversation Is Ending Starting Right Now followed a year later. Further lineup changes occured in 2000 when Shehan left the band and joined The Jealous Sound.