Knife's Edge celebrates the release of their LP, Let The Hard Times Roll, on Friday, August 29, at Yucca Tap Room.
Brian Paulson
Sure, my old North Side Kings bandmate, Luke Lanham, is part of it, so I am inclined to be more receptive to it, but that’s not why I like "Let The Hard Times Roll" by Knife’s Edge. I like this record because it has fucking heart. The band is going to celebrate its release on Friday, August 29, at a free show at the Yucca Tap Room in Tempe.
“There’s a lot of stuff going on in the political climate nowadays, so we feel it’s important to sing about … not only our opinions ... but what could be the aftermath of it all,” says Lanham.
When you listen to "Let The Hard Times Roll," there is a definite sense that the guys in Knife’s Edge, all of whom are scene vets like Lanham, have something to say. Singer Brian Paulson particularly shines on the third track, “Fake World,” and the next one, the title track “Let the Hard Times Roll,” as well. Local fans may remember Paulson in Heavy Breather and Rotten Youth, among others, and the singer really seems to have found his voice in Knife’s Edge.
“'Let The Hard Times Roll' is about coming to terms with the cycle of good and bad in my life. Rolling with the punches and celebrating the lows with the highs and persevering when everything is at its worst,” says Paulson.
Most people can appreciate where Paulson is coming from, but the singer gets even more timely with the message of “Fake World.”
“'Fake World’ is about social media’s impact on the world and how artificial and performative people have become when they interact in a space like that. Nothing can be trusted, and a time will come when we can’t even believe our own eyes,” adds Paulson.
Joining Paulson and Lanham are bassist Dane Clifford (from the excellent ska traditionalists, Bowcat), guitarist Kris Grondin (Fatskins), and drummer Kyle Eades (Rotten Youth). While Lanham seems to think that Eades smiles a bit too much in band pictures (he doesn’t), he and Grondin have created one of the more solid rhythm sections in town, and their work on "Let The Hard Times Roll" is stellar. The more I listen to it, the more I like it.
Take a listen to opening track, “Last Chance,” to hear what I mean. Grondin gets things going with a big, powerful yet catchy bass line and then locks in with Eades to an excellent backbone for Clifford and Lanham to add their buzzsaw guitars on top. I’ll be looking forward to hearing the whole record live, but paying close attention to how Eades and Grondin work together in a live setting.
Los Angeles-based label Under the Gun released Knife’s Edge's debut LP, and copies are available at the show on Friday night and on the label's website. According to Paulson, the label found the band’s first demo online and offered a chance to work together in the future.
“When the time came to release (the full length), we circled back to them and put it all together,” says Paulson, who added that this came right after the band released their demo EP, "Rats In Power."
People might be skeptical of just where the heart of the band actually lies based on their tough appearance, but Lanham is firm on what Knife’s Edge stands for.
“Obviously, our band is firmly anti-racist and anti-fascist. We’re just blue-collar music and want everyone to come out to the show and have a good time,” says Lanham.
Knife’s Edge has a lot to offer in what is currently a growing, diverse and talented Valley music scene. Check’em out.
Knife’s Edge celebrates the release of Let The Hard Times Roll on August 29, 2025 at Yucca Tap Room in Tempe. The Impossible Ones and Overstand support. Doors open at 8 p.m. for ages 21 and older.
