Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs Announce New Album Mission of Mercy, Share Lead Single “I Remember”

Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs Announce New Album Mission of Mercy, Share Lead Single “I Remember”

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Celebrated guitarist and songwriter Mike Campbell, best known for his work with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Fleetwood Mac has announced the fourth album from his band The Dirty Knobs, Mission of Mercy, arriving June 12 via Soundly Music/Thirty Tigers.

The forthcoming record features special guest appearances from Kate Pierson of the B-52s and Morgane Stapleton, alongside The Dirty Knobs’ core lineup: Chris Holt (guitars, keys), Lance Morrison (bass), and fellow Heartbreaker Steve Ferrone (drums, percussion).

Marking the announcement, the band has released the album’s lead single, “I Remember,” a driving rock track that showcases a different side of Campbell’s songwriting process. “‘I Remember’ is a song written on the piano instead of the guitar,” Campbell explains. “The Dirty Knobs turned my demo into a great rock track with an ethereal, jam-like quality. I can already tell it will be a great one to play live.”

​Mission of Mercy highlights Campbell’s wide-ranging musical voice, spanning the high-energy rock of “I Remember,” the Americana-leaning ballad “More Than Gold,” and the Brian Wilson-inspired psychedelia of the title track. “Mission of Mercy is an action-packed collection of songs that builds on the vibe we’ve established while exploring new directions in the songwriting,” Campbell says. “It’s full-throttle Knobs from start to finish, and we’re excited to bring these songs to the stage this year.”

In support of the new album, Campbell will tour throughout the summer, including select dates alongside Chris Stapleton. In addition to performances with The Dirty Knobs, Campbell will present a special orchestral program featuring Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers classics, arranged for and performed with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at Atlanta Symphony Hall on September 12.

Mission of Mercy follows the band’s 2024 release Vagabonds, Virgins & Misfits, which earned widespread critical acclaim from outlets including NPR’s Fresh Air, Rolling Stone, The Los Angeles Times, and more. The new album reunites the band with co-producers George Drakoulias and Martin Pradler.

Campbell also released his New York Times bestselling memoir Heartbreaker last year, praised by Rolling Stone as “essential” and by the Los Angeles Times as “a tale of endurance and patience rewarded.”

Originally formed in 2000 as a side project, The Dirty Knobs began as an outlet for Campbell’s songwriting outside of his work with the Heartbreakers. After releasing Wreckless Abandon (2020) and External Combustion (2022), the band has continued to evolve creatively. “Those early records were us finding our way as a rock & roll band,” Campbell reflects. “Now it’s about great songs—the depth in the lyrics and chords. We’re still a rock band, but we’re growing into different feels.”
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With Mission of Mercy, that evolution reaches a new peak, capturing a band fully in stride and pushing confidently into fresh sonic territory.

Tracklist:
1. No Regrets
2. Let Me Back In My Dream
3. My Mama Told Me
4. I Remember
5. More Than Gold (feat. Morgane Stapleton)
6. Mission of Mercy
7. Bongo Mania (feat. Kate Pierson)
8. Wrecking Ball
9. Done To Me
10. Armageddon
11. Vicious Hangover
12. Vagrant

Website:
thedirtyknobs.com
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