The Dirty Knobs

The Dirty Knobs are an American rock band led by guitarist Mike Campbell, best known as the longtime lead guitarist and co-writer for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Campbell formed the Dirty Knobs as a creative outlet for rawer, more blues-driven rock and roll that differed in tone from his work with the Heartbreakers, assembling a tight four-piece around vocalist and guitarist Thomas Hunter, bassist Matt Laug, and drummer Jason Sinay. The band had been performing together informally for years before releasing their debut album Wreckless Abandon in 2020 on BMG Records, produced by Campbell himself. The album showcased a loose, high-energy garage rock sensibility rooted in the blues and classic rock traditions Campbell absorbed over five decades as one of America's finest guitarists. The Dirty Knobs have continued touring and recording since Campbell's departure from Fleetwood Mac's 2018-2019 world tour, with Campbell now treating the band as his primary musical focus following Tom Petty's death in October 2017.