Green Knuckle Material (from left, Dan Ravenda, Brandon Alvaro and Dan Kee).
Green Knuckle Material was formed in 2016 as a reggae, rap and rock fusion band with a lineup that included a saxophone player and a rapper. Since then, the band’s lineup has changed numerous times. In 2019, GKM won the prestigious Stone Pony Rock to the Top Competition, solidifying their place in the local music scene. The current lineup is lead singer and rhythm guitarist Dan Kee, also known as YDK; lead guitarist Brandon Alvaro, also known as The Cuban Missile; and bassist Dan Ravenda (the only remaining original member), also known as D-String.
GKM has explored many different genres. But now — collaborating with Greg Shields, lead singer of the reggae-rock band Kash’d Out, as a producer and songwriter — they believe they have finally found their signature sound, leaning toward pop rock and pop punk, with catchy hooks.
“It was definitely a journey,” says Ravenda. “It was kind of a struggle finding our sound because we were still in that ska-ish, hip-hop, reggae world, but that wasn’t the direction our music was going in. Greg really helped shape our sound to what it is right now.”
Named after their latest single, “Beg for It” (listen below), GKM’s first headlining tour started on Feb. 21.
“Beg for It” is a blues-inspired song that captures rising sexual tension by slowly building anticipation with its lyrics and melody; it bursts into something that Ravenda describes as “guttural emotional screaming,” for a dramatic ending. Although the band created the original song demo years ago when they still included a rapper, it finally came to life during a recent writing session with Shields.
DAN RAVENDA
“We always pushed it on the back burner, but it was something we were always excited about since Dan and I were originally blues players; that’s how we came up with it,” says Ravenda. “I was surprised that we were going forward and doing it, and I was really happy with the way it turned out.”
The Beg for It Tour consists of nine stops across seven states along the East Coast, including two in the band’s home state of New Jersey.
GKM will perform in Flemington DIY on March 16 as part of the fifth annual Bury Your Memories Festival in honor of the festival co-founder’s cousin, Marshall Ogen, who passed away from brain cancer. Proceeds from the festival will be donated to The University of Pennsylvania’s Abramson Cancer Center.
The tour’s final show will be on March 29 at The Sanctuary in Butler. It’s a rare hometown show for the band.
“It’s kind of a big deal because we never play so close to home, ever,” says Ravenda. “We normally consider Asbury or New Brunswick a local show, but that’s nowhere near where we live. It’s nice because that’s a show where people who don’t normally get to come see us can come see us play.”
GKM’s fans, lovingly nicknamed Knuckle Heads, can look forward to Kee’s raw and powerful vocals along with Alvaro’s crowd-pleasing guitar solos.
BRANDON ALVARO
“We bring a lot of energy when we play live,” says Ravenda. “(Brandon) is very much an improv guy. You know, you can come to see us 10 times, and you’re going to get a different lead solo every time you see him play, which is cool. Dan is a really great live singer. He can sing any type of music.”
GKM is notorious for traveling in an beat-up 2001 Dodge Ram named Lucky. It was formerly used to transport students from Passaic County Community College but found a second life as a patinated band van with a leaky roof. After five years, the van floor finally rusted out, forcing GKM to get a 2017 GMC Savana.
“One of the reasons we decided to even do a tour around the single is because (GKM drummer) Chris said, ‘You have to put some miles on that new van,’ ” says Ravenda.
The band wrote the song “Daydreamin’ ” in honor of Lucky and will include it on the tour setlist alongside other GKM favorites like “Sleepin’ on a Good Time” (watch video below), “Blue” and “Julia.” Ravenda is particularly excited to perform new, yet-to-be-released songs, including “Nevermind,” “Closed” and “Open Your Eyes.”
“I’m really excited to start playing those live,” says Revenda. “We did play ‘Closed’ when we toured last time, but ‘Open Your Eyes’ is very new, and I think it’s one of our best songs.”
The last time Green Knuckle Material hit the road, they were opening for Ballyhoo! — an experience that left them eager to see how they would fare as headliners.
“We’re hoping to do a little bit on our own before going back out to support someone else,” says Ravenda. “This tour is really a test for us. Can we stand on our own? Are we going to sink or swim out there? We’re just hoping to at least float.”
For more on Green Knuckle Material, visit gkmband.com.
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