The KnuckleHeadz Band Fu*k McDonald's
The PRFC enjoying the newly opened McDonald’s PlayPlace - Photo ©Real Deal Flacko
Our heroes in black and green, The KnuckleHeadz Band, have finally hit the big time. I covered them at Rebellion. I covered them at Punk Rock Bowling. I reported that they were unanimously voted the best performance by everyone in attendance at their set at Punk In Drublic (I literally talked to every person there). I even covered them fighting cancer in a parking lot and took them to afternoon tea.
But it was the show I missed at McDonald's that has truly catapulted them into the spotlight.
I was out of state when the festivities were scheduled. Lucky, with the help of Knucklehead Tom, we enlisted our little brother—the Real Deal Flacko, a competitive mixed martial artist, Punk Rock Fight Club member, and photographer—to document what was meant to be just a fun event for the club to make a video for the band’s song Fuck McDonalds. Instead, it has exploded into a full-blown media frenzy.
Photo ©Real Deal Flacko
I had it covered—exclusive photos and videos from Flacko, plus an interview with Tom. My plan was to put it all together once I got back to California the next day. But by the time I got home, it had already blown up online. So, I posted some of the video with a note to watch for the story, thinking I’d let things settle for a week or so. Turns out, there seems to be no settling—this thing just keeps getting picked up and re-reported. So, I figured I better jump on the trolley or get left at the station. But that does make my job easier; I can report on the aftermath. With a new interview, provide all the links to do a deep dive and unveil Flacko’s incredible never-before-seen photos. to a wider audience.
Photo ©Real Deal Flacko
The story was first reported by everyone on Instagram, but first legitimately by LA Taco, which—if you don’t know—is an online Los Angeles food and lifestyle magazine. Think Brooklyn Vegan, but better, because there’s meat in a taco. Plus, they actually know about The KnuckleHeadz Band and the club, so good on them. But then Channel 5 News picked it up, and from there it really exploded; now it's being translated into different languages. Knucklehead Fritz is even putting together a press kit because he’s getting a flood of show and media inquiries—not just from In Spite Magazine anymore.
There are many things I appreciate about The KnuckleHeadz Band and Punk Rock Fight Club. Their commitment isn’t just to the band—it’s to their brothers in the club and their families. Their music is a fun, infectious brand of hardcore punk rock. We also have a lot in common—we, of course, share good looks, muscle-bound physiques, and charm—but it’s our deep, unwavering hatred for McDonald’s and our sense of humor that truly bonds us as brothers.
Photo ©Real Deal Flacko
Dick: Why did you play at McDonald's?
Knucklehead Tom: Because fuck McDonald's, that’s why! They're poisoning our children—that's why we wrote the song, and that's why we played there. Everything they do is shit. They treat their workers like shit, they treat the environment like shit, and they treat animals like shit. We really do hate everything they stand for. They take the EBT (government hunger assistance card in the US) and give people diabetes. Fuck McDonald's.
Photo ©Real Deal Flacko
Dick: I completely agree, and it’s been great for the band. It looked like you had fun. Sorry I missed it.
Knucklehead Tom: Yeah, it was fun—but honestly, Dick, I’m ready to turn the page. We’ve got a lot of big shows coming up with The Exploited on February 28th, and we’ve got a killer show on March 28th at DBZ Backstage in Corona with DAS KLOWN and CHCKNSHT. That one’s going to be great—I can’t wait. and we are playing with the Cockney Rejects on May 17th.
McDonald’s was fun for what it was, but the shows are what are on my mind now. We’ve got a lot going on; we don’t need to be known as that band that played McDonald’s It was just for fun and because we hate McDonald's.
Dick: Don’t knock it—Take all the press you can get. It only spreads the word about the club and the band. Lean into that shit.
Knucklehead Tom: It was just kind of a joke that we thought would be fun for the club and the video. I’ve got the uncut video. I’ll send it to you.
Dick: I think the club should get a bus, and you can take it all over the country.
Knucklehead Tom: Yeah, maybe we will.
Dirty loves surfing - Photo ©Real Deal Flacko
Dick: Did the cops come?
Knucklehead Tom: Not while I was there. We played for a long time. The first McDonald's we went to had cops eating there, so we were like, "Oh shit, we better find another one." This was actually the third one. It was cool because the workers were just recording and laughing. I’m not even sure if they called the cops—everyone was really nice to me and Vamps when we were leaving, and one of the employees even said, "Great song."
Official music video
Dick: I saw that Ronald McDonald showed up, and he seemed to be enjoying it.
Knucklehead Tom: He comes to all our shows now; McDonald’s treats him like shit. He wants to quit, but he is afraid no one will hire a clown.
Dick: So should I expect to see him at Rebellion Festivals?
Knucklehead Tom: I’ll bring him to tea.
Dick: Pretty sure there is a McDonald’s in Blackpool.
Knucklehead Tom: Ha ha, I bet there is.
Taken from the article Sipping Tea with Carol Hodge and the KNUCKLEHEADZ - Photo ©dickslaughter.com
Tom is right—the band and the club are far more important than a show at McDonald's. As a band, their accomplishments are many: they’ve traveled the world, played for thousands on lineups with legends, and, at the same time, put in the work to be of service to the community. They’re always organizing and performing at benefits for various causes, often to help cover someone’s healthcare expenses or, just recently, a toy drive.
As a club, I know the PRFC has saved and changed many lives. They promote health and fitness, enforce strict rules against members committing crimes, and teach respect—for family, whether by blood or brotherhood, for the community, and for oneself. They mentor at-risk youth, help them in seeking employment, and provide a support network that young people everywhere desperately need.
Give the Knuckleheadz your children - Photo ©Real Deal Flacko
I know what you are going to say: “But Dick, Isn’t it a crime to take over a McDonald’s and have a punk show?”
No—it’s fun, and I hope every band in the world starts doing it. According to our attorney, it’s not a crime unless you’ve been asked to leave by an employee, the police come to issue a legal trespass order, and you refuse to leave. Charges like disturbing the peace or being a public nuisance are also a police matter. By all accounts, no one ever asked the group to leave, and I have yet to talk to anyone who saw any cops show up at all. I mean, they must have come, right? Maybe not—it was South Central Los Angeles.
Criminal and civil charges could be filed for vandalism or destruction of property if the group had broken anything or left a large mess, but according to KTLA 5 and other witnesses, the club cleaned up after themselves, and nothing was reported as damaged. except this guy’s face.
Punk Rock Fight Club Saving the world one punch in the face at a time. - Photo ©Real Deal Flacko
Below is the full uncut footage. It’s worth the watch. The band kicks things off with "Fuck McDonald's," then blasts into "Fighting Solves Everything," followed by "Fuck McDonald's" again—because, well, fuck McDonald's. Then, they hit the Golden Arches with the classic "Fuck You, I'm Done."
As the song wraps up, the restaurant doors swing open, and a family appears. Without a second’s delay, the crowd parts, clearing a path as big brother and his fearless little sister lead the way inside, determined to get their Happy Meals. Within seconds, the band launches into their anthem, "Glory Days," with the whole crowd singing along as bodies start surfing above the pit once more. One of the few women at the show takes her turn atop the crowd, wearing a short skirt. No feels are copped—if anything, the guys supporting her seem to use only their elbows, making a conscious effort to avoid even accidental inappropriateness.
Respect for women is deeply ingrained in both the band and the club. At a Knuckleheadz show, there’s no room for perverts, racists, homophobes, or anyone who disrespects the venue, even if it is a McDonald's.
KnuckleHeadz.Band - Photo ©dickslaughter.com
See the Knuckleheadz band live
Click here to get tickets for February 28th with the Exploited, Grim, Pig Stick, and Since We Were Kids
Click here to get tickets for May 17th with the Cockney Rejects, No Consent, Broken Cuffs, and Still Pist
Click here to get tickets for March 28th with Das klown, ChcKnShT, 9-2 , Hate Speech 714, and Later Daze
or see them with around 300 bands, August 7, 8, 9, 10 in Blackpool, United Kingdom, at the Rebellion Festivals.
RebellionFestivals.com
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