The Deep End Live in Redondo Beach is small, intimate and about as close to the stage as a rock fan can get—and on September 11, 2026, Prescott Niles’ The Knack turned that little room into one seriously loud rock and roll party.
After a somewhat subdued but courteous response to the opening set by Gene Loves Jezebel, everything changed when Prescott Niles and his all-star band stormed the stage. As an original member and the bass player who fortified The Knack’s unmistakable sound, Niles was clearly in his element. He anchored the entire performance with his trademark bass playing while leading a band that sounded like anything but a nostalgia act. At one point, Niles delivered an amazing bass solo, demonstrating the kind of extraordinary musicianship associated with legendary players such as Jaco Pastorius, James Jamerson and John Entwistle. It was a remarkable reminder that Niles is not simply a piece of rock history—he is a phenomenal musician in his own right.
Matt Starr was a powerhouse on lead vocals, bringing the energy, charisma and vocal strength needed to front this legendary material. He also added plenty of personality between songs, offering humorous commentary and stories that gave the audience a glimpse into The Knack’s history while explaining the sometimes decidedly suggestive nature of some of the band’s lyrics. It made the performance feel personal, entertaining and anything but a simple trip down memory lane.
Then there was Rocky Kramer. What this guy did with the famous Knack guitar parts was absolutely incredible. He didn’t simply reproduce the classic solos—he took them somewhere new, adding his own virtuosity while never compromising the character or integrity of the original songs. And then, during his guitar solo, Kramer literally came off the stage and into the audience, “shredding” right in front of fans while tossing out his highly coveted custom guitar picks bearing his name. It was one of those personal moments nobody in the room was going to forget.
And Thomas Lowrey? Wow. His massive drum solo had the entire audience screaming and cheering. He brought tremendous power and precision to the songs, but that solo demonstrated just how much firepower he has behind the kit. Lowrey wasn’t just keeping the beat—he was driving the whole band. Lowrey made would make the late Bruce Gary very proud.
The band tore through the songs the audience came to hear, delivering all of the fan favorites, including “Good Girls Don’t,” “Frustrated” and, of course, the legendary “My Sharona.” Every song seemed to trigger another wave of recognition from the crowd.
The biggest difference between watching a band like this in a large theater and seeing them at The Deep End Live was the sheer immediacy of it all. There was virtually no distance between the musicians and the audience. And judging by the crowd, nobody wanted any distance at all.
For roughly 75 minutes, the entire room was on its feet. Cell phones were out everywhere, recording, photographing and capturing the action as it happened. When the band finished, the audience wasn’t ready to let them go, and the very well-received encore made that perfectly clear.
This wasn’t just a trip down memory lane. Prescott Niles’ The Knack sounded alive, energetic and completely engaged—and in a venue as intimate as The Deep End Live, you could see, hear and feel every bit of it.
Prescott Niles is still bringing the history. Matt Starr is commanding the stage. Rocky Kramer is taking the guitar to another level. Thomas Lowrey is pounding those drums. And Niles is ensuring The Knack won’t fade away!
