ABOUT US
Knee Deep is Northern Michigan's favorite stadium classic rock tribute band featuring band members Jamie Laferriere on lead vocals; Bob LaSarge on lead guitar, background vocals; Mark LaSarge on keyboards, sax, trumpet, harmonica, background vocals; Chris Knopf on bass; and Rob “Rok” Johnson on drums.
Knee Deep brings a high-energy, crowd-first classic rock show built for every audience - whether it’s a summer concert series, brewery stage, festival, or private event. Known for strong local followings and repeat bookings, the five-piece band consistently turns casual listeners into full dance floors. With setlists packed with recognizable hits, Knee Deep hits the sweet spot between nostalgia and energy—perfect for mixed-age crowds and outdoor venues.
MEET THE BAND:
Bob LaSarge
Lead Guitar / Background Vocals
Every band needs a guitar player who means it. That’s Bob.
Born and raised in West Michigan near Grand Rapids and now based in Traverse City, Bob LaSarge came up the right way—garage bands, tube amps, and a deep dive into the DNA of classic rock.
His influences read like a greatest-hits playlist: early Van Halen, The Smiths, early REO Speedwagon, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Creedence Clearwater Revival. That mix shows up in his playing—melodic when it needs to be, aggressive when it counts.
Whether it’s a soaring lead or a gritty rhythm part, Bob brings the tone and attitude that define the band’s sound.
Offstage, he’s a dedicated husband and father of two.
Mark LaSarge
Keyboard, Sax, Trumpet, Harmonica, accessories, Background Vocals
The band’s variety member—and most likely to be playing any number of instruments in each set.
Mark LaSarge, based in Traverse City and raised in the Grand Rapids area, is a formally trained multi-instrumentalist with serious range. With studies at GVSU and the University of Iowa, he brings both musical precision and creative firepower to the stage.
Keys, horns, harmonica—if it adds color, punch, or texture, Mark’s on it. Outside the band, he stays sharp performing in multiple community ensembles, keeping his chops active across styles.
He’s also the younger brother of the band’s guitarist, which explains the locked-in chemistry you hear on stage.
Offstage: father of four, and has an amazing girlfriend.
Chris Knopf
Bass
Every great band needs someone holding it down. Chris does it with intent.
Originally from Detroit and raised in Traverse City, Chris Knopf now lives in Kingsley, Michigan. After a lifetime around music, he locked in on bass in 2012—and hasn’t looked back.
His playing is rooted in groove but shaped by progressive and alternative heavyweights like Rush, Yes, Faith No More, Robert Plant, and David Bowie. The result: a bass style that’s steady, musical, and just a little unpredictable in the best way.
When he’s not on stage, Chris works as a Software QA Lead, spins tracks as a part-time DJ on a local community college radio station, and stays active in the ham radio world. He’s also the go-to human for his rescue dog.
Rob "Rok" Johnson
Drummer
If it hits hard and stays tight all night, that’s Rok.
Hailing from Sault Ste. Marie in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Rok Johnson brings over 40 years of road-tested experience behind the kit. He’s played all over Michigan and far beyond—Northern California, Arizona, West Virginia—and logged time in multiple recording projects along the way.
Rok’s style is straight out of the high-energy rock playbook—think KISS and early Van Halen—solid, driving, and built to move a crowd. No gimmicks, just groove and power that holds everything together.