Prescott Niles’ The Knack

The Epic Story of The Knack Continues!

There are songs that arrive at the perfect moment and never leave. They become shorthand for summers, for radios stuck on repeat, for first loves and last dances. Few bands have written those kinds of tracks as indelibly as The Knack. Countless fans around the globe fondly remember when the voice of Doug Fieger, the incredible guitar work of Berton Averre, the unforgettable bass lines of Prescott Niles and unmatched drumming of Bruce Gary helped christen 80’s rock music. Now, the sound that defined a generation returns with renewed fire and a new lineup anchored by the man who
helped make it famous.

Prescott Niles’ The Knack is the all-star tribute that bridges eras. Led by original founding member and bass architect Prescott Niles, the band reanimates the five albums of hits that made The Knack a global phenomenon — from the whip-crack riff of “My Sharona” to a vast catalogue of punchy, melodic rock that still sparks singalongs and adrenaline rushes. This is not a museum piece; it’s a living, breathing continuation of a catalog that still speaks to the heart of rock ’n’ roll.

The lineup reads like a bill of musical intent. At the helm of the vocals and rhythm guitar is Matt Starr, whose muscular voice and stage presence are equal parts grit and heart.

Starr’s pedigree as a frontman brings a commanding warmth and urgency to every chorus, ensuring each lyric hits with the clarity and power it deserves.

On lead guitar is Rocky Kramer, a modern virtuoso whose single “Rock Star” topped the Global DRT Charts in 2019 and whose reputation as one of the world’s premier guitarists precedes him. Kramer’s tone and taste honor The Knack’s punchy, melodic spirit while adding soaring, contemporary flourishes that illuminate the songs in new ways.

Behind the kit sits Gabe Niles, Prescott’s son, whose drumming credits with Gateway Drugs and Missing Persons testify to his ferocious pocket and musical sensitivity. Gabe literally grew up around these songs — watching, learning, and internalizing the grooves that would one day become part of his own heritage. Indeed, Gabe received personal lessons from none other than the rhythm master himself, Bruce Gary, the Knack’s original drummer and founding member, who sadly passed away in 2008.

Gabe is unquestionably an extension of Gary’s presence turning this project into something deeply personal: a family celebration and a passing of the torch.

Prescott Niles — the low-end heartbeat of the original Knack — steers the project with reverence and ambition. “It’s a real thrill to revisit the music that shaped so many memories,” he says. “With such talented artists alongside me, we’re ready to bring that energy back to the stage and share these songs with both longtime fans and new audiences.” That promise will be fulfilled in a major way when Prescott Niles’ The Knack make their live debut at The Stratosphere Hotel in Las Vegas on June 6, 2026.

This band is at once a tribute and a revival: a chance to relive the iconic hooks and kinetic energy of The Knack while hearing them reinterpreted by musicians at the top of their game. Expect faithful takes on classics like “My Sharona,” plus spirited performances that highlight the craft behind the songs — the compact arrangements,
the syncopated drive, and the vocal swagger.

For fans who grew up on the original recordings, this is a chance to reconnect with anthems that shaped the soundtrack of their lives. For younger listeners, it’s an invitation to discover the immediacy and joy of tightly wound rock songwriting — delivered with contemporary virtuosity and familial heart.

Prescott Niles’ The Knack is more than a nostalgia act hon It’s a resurrection: the original spark, fanned by exceptional players and a new generation’s energy, ready to light up stages again. The legacy persists, the grooves remain, and the band is poised to prove that great rock songs only get better with age.