We Are Knuckle Dragger
{{Short description|UK rock band}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{COI|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = We Are Knuckle Dragger
| image = We are knuckle dragger live in Brighton UK 2012.jpg
| caption = We Are Knuckle Dragger in 2012
| landscape = yes
| birth_name =
| alias =
| origin = Newcastle, England, and Belfast, Northern Ireland
| genre = Post-hardcore, mathcore, avant-garde metal, progressive metal
| years_active = 2008–present
| label = Sapien Records
| website = {{url|weareknuckledragger.com}}
| current_members = Pete Currie and
Shaun Abbott
| past_members = Aran Glover
}}
We Are Knuckle Dragger are an English/ Northern Irish rock band from Newcastle formed in 2008. The band consists of vocalist/guitarist Aran Glover, bassist Pete Currie and drummer Shaun Abbott. Their debut album Tit for Tat was released in 2012 via Sapien Records and was recorded by Steve Albini.{{cite web | url=http://www.themonolith.com/music/review-we-are-knuckle-dragger-the-drone/ | title=REVIEW: WE ARE KNUCKLE DRAGGER – THE DRONE | publisher=The Monolith | date=30 October 2013 | accessdate=22 December 2013 | author=Simon}} The band's second album The Drone was released in 2013, produced by Ross Robinson.{{cite web | url=http://offyourshelf.com/2013/10/27/review-the-drone-by-we-are-knuckle-dragger-2013/ | title=REVIEW: THE DRONE BY WE ARE KNUCKLE DRAGGER (2013) | publisher=Off Your Shelf | date=27 October 2013 | accessdate=22 December 2013 | author=Barnham, Sean}}
History
File:We Are Knuckle Dragger.jpg
The band was formed in 2008 when long term Irish friends, guitarist Aran and bassist Pete, met up again in Newcastle and enlisted drummer Shaun to start a new project.{{cite web | url=http://planetmosh.com/we-are-knuckle-dragger-interview-with-pete-currie/ | title=We Are Knuckle Dragger – Interview with Pete Currie | publisher=Planet Mosh | date=30 October 2013 | accessdate=22 December 2013 | author=Ashby , Mark}} Their first Extended play, Doors to Rooms, was released in 2010 and their second EP in 2011 named, ABCDEP{{cite web | url=http://www.rocksound.tv/reviews/article/we-are-knuckle-dragger-abcdep | title=WE ARE KNUCKLE DRAGGER - ABCDEP | publisher=RockSound | date=20 April 2011 | accessdate=22 December 2013}} The band has performed at various radio session and live shows including BBC Radio 1 Rock Show with Daniel P. Carter, The Tom Robinson BBC Radio 6 Music Show, and RockSound.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00z2v1r | title=We Are Knuckle Dragger in Session | publisher=BBC Radio | accessdate=22 December 2013}}{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00r2cqq | title=The Used In Session | publisher=BBC Radio | accessdate=22 December 2013}}
{{cite web | url=http://www.rocksound.tv/videos/article/we-are-knuckle-dragger-mucker-blank-session | title=WE ARE KNUCKLE DRAGGER - MUCKER (BLANK SESSION) | publisher=RockSound | date=3 April 2012 | accessdate=22 December 2013}} We Are Knuckle Dragger toured with other established bands such as Meshuggah, Animals as Leaders and The Dillinger Escape Plan and performed at festivals including Reading & Leeds Festival 2013.{{cite web | url=http://planetmosh.com/meshuggahanimals-as-leaderswe-are-knuckle-dragger-live-review/ | title=Meshuggah/Animals as Leaders/We are Knuckle Dragger – Live Review | publisher=Planetmosh | date=21 May 2012 | accessdate=22 December 2013 | author=McClary, Ella}}{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/acrosstheline/2011/08/dillinger_escape_plan_we_are_k.html | title=Dillinger Escape Plan, We Are Knuckle Dragger - Belfast | publisher=BBC | date=4 August 2011 | accessdate=22 December 2013}}{{cite web | url=http://www.thrashhits.com/2013/08/top-6-bands-you-have-to-see-at-reading-leeds-festival-2013/ | title=Top 6 bands you have to see at Reading & Leeds Festival 2013 | publisher=Thrash Hits | date=21 August 2013 | accessdate=22 December 2013}}{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/ezc5d4/acts/amw38g#p01fqk1k | title=We Are Knuckle Dragger - Bunch of Mutants at Reading Festival 2013 | publisher=BBC | accessdate=22 December 2013}}
On 26 September 2018, The Newcastle Chronicle reported that Glover died at the age of 35 from suicide.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/tributes-paid-lead-singer-newcastle-15207354|title=Tributes paid to lead singer of Newcastle heavy metal band who has died aged 35|first1=Katie|last1=Collings|date=27 September 2018|website=Chroniclelive.co.uk|accessdate=10 June 2020}}
Band members
- Aran Glover – lead vocals, guitar (2008–2018)
- Pete Currie – bass, backing vocals (2008–present)
- Shaun Abbott – drums, backing vocals (2008–present)
Discography
;Studio albums and EPs
- Doors to Rooms (EP) (2010)
- ABCDEP (EP) (2011)
- Tit for Tat (2012)
- The Drone (2013)
Critical reception
Their albums Tit for Tat received particular critical appreciation for the use of heavy metal music.{{cite web | url=http://ycnim.co.uk/2012/03/22/sa-tit-for-tat-album-review-decibelmagazine-com/ | title=SA / Tit For Tat Album Review – decibelmagazine.com | publisher=Your Code Name Is MILO | work=Decibel Magazine | date=22 March 2012 | accessdate=22 December 2013}}