FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's ERIC 'A.K.' KNUTSON: 'The Whole Grunge Era Really Did Damage To Us'

On this week's episode of The David Ellefson Show, former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson and co-host Joshua Toomey welcome vocalist Eric "A.K." Knutson of veteran Arizona metallers FLOTSAM AND JETSAM for a conversation spanning more than four decades of thrash metal history. Eric joins the show to discuss FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's upcoming album, "Rats In The Temple", how the members of FLOTSAM AND JETSAM approach songwriting today, and the major impact drummer Ken Mary has had on the band's sound and recording process. Eric also takes a trip down memory lane, remembering FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's history with MEGADETH, including touring together during the "Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?" era and the camaraderie that developed on the road. The conversation also turns to the 1995 tour with MEGADETH, FEAR FACTORY and a then-up-and-coming KORN, with Eric sharing stories about meeting KORN before they became one of the biggest bands in hard rock and metal.

Reflecting on some of the "dark years" and "challenging" times in FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's history, Eric said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I kind of feel like the whole grunge era really did damage to us as far as writing and the direction we wanna go and the music that we should be playing. We were on this huge MCA label, and it was just a weird kind of time. We didn't know what to do or where to go or which direction to head. And we really probably should have stayed with our roots. We tried to get a little more commercial — not really on purpose, but we got a little more commercial, a little more hooky on stuff. And we put three records out on MCA that was — I get the feeling it wasn't us, even though I love those records. The songs are amazing, but it just felt like it wasn't right sometimes. And then half of my band quit. I had to get new players, new lineup, and that sent us in a completely different direction for a few albums. And I think I've got a lineup now that kind of makes me feel like if I would've just kept going from [FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's second album, 1988's] 'No Place [For Disgrace]' on, without the interruption of the whole grunge era taking half of everybody's audience and the label trying to turn us into something that was super money-making, and if we just would've kept going the way we were, I think we'd be heading to the direction we are now finally. So, it's kind of cool to be back with the root feel of what FLOTSAM was first couple records, but with an updated production, updated feel."

Elaborating on the personal and musical chemistry with the rest of the current FLOTSAM AND JETSAM lineup, in which he is backed by the guitar duo of co-founder Michael Gilbert and Steve Conley, drummer Ken Mary (ALICE COOPER, ACCEPT) and bassist Bill Bodily, Eric said: "Ken Mary, he's ridiculous when it comes to writing. He does everything so fast, and he's got such experience behind him. I've learned that if he tells me, 'Hey, I think this chorus could be a little better. Why don't you let me punch it up a little bit?', I've learned to not argue with the guy because he's right 95.6% of the time. He always gets the hook a little hookier and somehow keeps it really heavy at the same time. It's kind of made me listen to everybody in the band when it comes to writing songs and ideas on touring and setlists and all that. It has made me realize that it's not my band. I'm just in it. And the other guys are the same way. We're all equal partners in the writing, in the decisions, in the picking of shirt designs — just everything. And it makes everything flow a little easier and it keeps egos down to nothing."

Due on August 28, 2026 via Napalm Records, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's new album will mark 40 years since the band's groundbreaking debut, "Doomsday For The Deceiver" — one of the only albums to ever receive a 6K rating from Kerrang! magazine. Though bassist Jason Newsted departed to join METALLICA, the band pushed forward, following up with 1988's unstoppable "No Place For Disgrace". Since then, they have continued to evolve, showcasing some of their best work to date with recent releases "Flotsam And Jetsam", "The End Of Chaos", "Blood In The Water" and "I Am The Weapon".

Gilbert is the only other member of the current FLOTSAM lineup, besides Knutson, to have played on "Doomsday For The Deceiver".