Mike Knapp
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Mike Knapp, better known as Snap or Snapper, is a Musician from Hamilton, New Zealand. Snap started playing guitar, drums, and singing at an early age, around 1970, with his family in a group called 'The Doves' featuring multiple harmony vocals. in 1974 Snap created a rock band called 'Butterburr' with his sister Mary Knapp (lead vocals) and friend Mark on guitar and vocals. Knapp went on to create a hard rock group 'Hellzappopin' and a softer rock group 'Airwaves' (1976) still with Mark, Mary and newcomers Roo (second guitar)and Phil Hall (philthy). Joined by a keyboard player Jenny Hunt (Fender Rhodes) the band matured into a full time entertainment unit. Snap then joined several bands, including Spats and The Tigers (band) (1979) performing, recording, and publicity.
After moving to Australia in 1981, Snap formed The Dropbears with Phil Hall and another expatriot Kiwi, Johnny Batchelor. The Dropbears played for several years based in Sydney, with tours and concerts across Australia. Snap went on to drum for Dave Dobbyn and the Stone People band, with tours in both Australia and New Zealand, The Warratahs mostly performing in New Zealand. Snap also performed with many different bands made up of both Kiwi and Australian musicians, playing a wide range of musical genre, from punk to glitter / glam, to rock and pop. One of the last performances at the famous Gluepot before it closed down, had Snap doing lightshow for Dave Dobbyn, and then being the guest performer. Mike Knapp is one of the most versatile and experienced musicians in New Zealand.
[edit] Sydney Opera Company
Snap also worked at Canon Australia and with The Sydney Opera Company worldwide performances.
[edit] WEL Academy of Performing Arts resident Technical Manager
Snap was the WEL Academy of Performing Arts Technical Manager, and at the national launch " a toe-tapping hoe-down concert from the Warratahs who were joined for the occasion by the Academy’s resident Technical Manager, and onetime drummer, Michael Knapp." 2001 [1] "Our point of contact for this gig was Michael Knapp otherwise known as Snapper who is a great drummer and was The Warratahs drummer for many years. Snapper has also got vast experience working in Opera Houses throughout the world most recently at the Sydney Opera House." [2]
[edit] WEL Invited Comment
"My name is Michael Knapp, I am the Technical Manager of the Academy of Performing Arts. When asked what I do - I say “get ‘em on and get ‘em off” - I make them look good. Also make all technical and performance spaces and shows work within the Academy. In my deep past, I was in the music business. No, I mean very deep past. Sitting outside St John’s on the hill, a van, amps, a few lights made from coffee tins with Xmas wrap for colour. Waiting for the band to finish school. (I had already had enough of that. Worked for a year and saved enough to purchase the transport, band equipment). Once clear of school it was off with the band to play a summer of gigs. Now in the grounds next door to that school, as Technical Manager for the Academy of Performing Arts. Between those old coffee tin lights and today’s hi tech equipment at the Academy I have worked in venues, cities and shows all over the world. I am lucky to have worked with some of the best in the business. I lived in Australia for 18 years. Left Hamilton as a drummer and arrived back with a few more feathers. One band the Drop-bears opened for acts U2, UB40, the Cure, Talking Heads, INXS, and Midnight Oil - touring for weeks on end across Australia. 18 hour drives leaving at midnight from Sydney to Adelaide, but I was young and it was fun. Drumming with Dave Dobbyn and the Warratahs as drummer was pretty much the career highlight with Rock n roll. With Opera Australia I learnt detailed theatre. Every major theatre between Sydney and beyond. Worked on 114 different Operas. Didn’t even know there were that many when I started. Three months in Sydney, 3 months Melbourne, then back to Sydney for the rest of the year with side trips to Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane and the odd one in Auckland. 250 people on the road in 28 to30 semis. Two shows a day, seven days a week, for nine years (with a break in the middle for the fabulous Warratah’s) - a University of Theatre. In my down time I was Lighting Designer for the Flying Fruit Fly Circus. Sold out shows in New York, Singapore, Wellington. Why am I back here? My son when he was five asked me where I lived, so knew it was time to come off the road." [3]
[edit] The Doves
[edit] Butterburr
[edit] Hellzapoppin
[edit] Airwaves
- Snap drums/vocals, Mary Knapp vocals, Mark guitar/vocals, Phil Hall bass.
[edit] Stoney Creek
- Snap, Mary, Mark, zmike. all vocals (acapella)
[edit] Spats
[edit] The Tigers
- Vocals/Guitar -Barry Saunders[4] Keyboards/Vocals - Wayne Mason[5] Bass Guitar/Vocals - Nick Theobold Drums/vocals - Mike Knapp Guitar, Saxophone - Steve Lunn Sound Engineer - Paul Moss Guest performers - various local performers
[edit] Dropbears
- Johnny Batchelor vocals/guitar, Snap drums, Phil Hall bass.
[edit] Dave Dobbyn and the Stone People
- Dave Dobbyn vocals/guitar, Snap drums, Ian Belton bass, Mark guitar, Tim keyboards.
[edit] The Warratahs
- Barry Saunders vocals/guitar, Snap drums, Wayne Mason vocals/keyboards, Clint bass.
[edit] Radio
- Dave Dobbyn interview, Rotorua 1989
[edit] Television
- Dropbears interview, Adelaide July 1985
[edit] Performances
- Sweetwaters Music Festival (The Tigers)
- Mountain Rock Music Festival (The Warratahs)
- Mainstreet Auckland, (The Tigers) billed with the Crocodiles (band)
- Island of Real (The Tigers)
- Adelaide Televison Show (The Dropbears)
- Most pubs, clubs and concert venues in New Zealand and Australia
- Rooty Hill RSL 1988 with Dave Dobbyn and the Stone People
[edit] Discography
- Tigers - Heart Don’t Stop EMI pic sleeve EX
- Tigers - Red Dress EMI EX recordsrecords
- The Warratahs -
[edit] Albums
- The Warratahs -
