The Dirty Knobs: Recording Wreckless Abandon

Wreckless Abandon is the Dirty Knobs’ debut recording. Formed over a decade ago, the Dirty Knobs began as a side project by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers lead guitarist and co-songwriter, Mike Campbell. The band includes guitarist Jason Sinay (Neil Diamond, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jackson Browne, Lucinda Williams), bassist Lance Morrison (Don Henley, Volto!) and drummer Matt Laug (Alanis Morissette, Alice Cooper, Slash’s Snakepit). It was produced by George Drakoulias (The Black Crowes, The Jayhawks, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Tift Merritt) and mixed by engineer Martin Pradler (Ry Cooder, Robbie Robertson; see our March 2020 interview). There are also guest appearances by Chris Stapleton, Benmont Tench and Augie Meyers. It’s a thick, layered straight-ahead rocker, with pristine production values and depth. Kick back and get your boogie on as Mike, George, and Martin take us behind the scenes into the making of Wreckless Abandon.