The Knobz
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The Knobz were a significant New Zealand pop band. They became famous in 1980 with their political song "Culture?" criticising Robert Muldoon, who was Prime Minister at the time and stated that New Zealand's pop music was not part of the country's culture. A 40% sales tax had been placed on popular music, with more 'traditional' music being exempt from the tax.
The Knobz were fairly typical of the New Zealand pop scene in the 1980s; they were described in an article of the time as "XTC meets The Knack". However, several things set them apart from their contemporaries. They were the first band to have a self-funded single hit the top 5 in New Zealand, released on their own label, Bunk Records. They also managed themselves and toured extensively following chart success with two further singles - "Liverpool to America" and "K.G.B." - and, later, an album, Sudden Exposure. They were considered to be an accomplished live act.
The band toured New Zealand before leaving for Australia in 1980, where they played with other acts of the period such as Divinyls, Men At Work, Misex, Swanee and Moving Pictures. The Knobz dispersed at the end of 1981, with some of the members moving on to other projects; most notably, drummer Bob Reid went on to play for the powerhouse Sydney band The Sharks.
The Knobz later reformed with songwriter Kevin Fogarty for one more trip around New Zealand and to promote the album Roads to Rome. The new album had been written by former band members, but these were replaced with drummer Tim Powles and bassist Warwick Keays, both formerly of Flight X-7.
In their heyday, The Knobz can be said to have epitomised the early 80s period when punk still held a slender audience and New Romantic music was starting to make an impact.