Ko and the Knockouts have a rhythmic-driven, blues-influenced sound. Ko Shih, a Detroit rocker through and through, fronts the group. Ko is a captivating performer to watch live – she enters a sort of mesmerizing punk-blues-soul-influenced trance and the audience can’t seem to look away from her. Eddie Baranek (also lead singer of The Sights) used to man the guitar, but now Mark Craven works with Jeff Klein (drums) to provide driving harmony and rhythm under Ko’s commanding vocals.

If the heavy blues and soul influence didn’t already alert you that Ko and the Knockouts are from Detroit, they also do great, updated covers of Motown classics by the Marvelettes and Nolan Strong. The band’s strongest performances are their own material however such as the lyrical “Go Getter” written by Ko and Eddie, and “Black and Blue” written by Ko (featured on the Sympathetic Sounds of Detroit compilation). With great melodic lines, Ko and the Knockouts are catchy and upbeat.

Though Ko & the Knockouts disbanded in 2003 so leader Ko Shih could replaced Tom Potter on bass/fuzz in the Dirtbombs, the band still does play select engagements.  Ko Shih is also a D.J. on the XM-Sirius Satellite Radio Garage rock channel.

More Info:
Ko & The Knockouts MySpace Page

Key Recordings:
2002 – Ko & The Knockouts

Recent Ko & The Knockouts Posts:

• Detour Party Time
• Radio Ga Ga