Knightshade
Knightshade | |
---|---|
Origin | New Zealand |
Genres | Rock |
Years active | 1985– |
Members | Wayne Elliott (vocals), Rik Bernards (guitar), Scott Williams (drums), Craig Pollock (guitar), Neil McDonald (bass), Kingsley Smith (keys) |
Past members | Jon Bell (bass), Gavin Lind (guitar), Paul Martin (guitar), Simon Garlick (guitar), Laurie Goosens (guitar), Kevin Taylor (bass), Alan Grady (drums) |
Knightshade is a New Zealand metal/rock group. They formed in Te Puke in the early 1980s. The band based themselves in Hamilton in the mid-1980s when the lineup changed. The lineup then consisted of Wayne Elliott (vocals), Alan Grady (drums), Rik Bernards (guitar), Jon Bell (bass), Paul Martin (guitar). Paul Martin left the band and Gavin Lind rejoined. This was the lineup that performed and recorded the majority of their work. Craig Pollock replaced Gavin Lind on guitar in 1991. They have had several top 20 singles and have supported major touring acts including Deep Purple, ZZ Top, Bon Jovi, Jimmy Barnes, The Angels, Iggy Pop and Guns 'N' Roses. Knightshade are still based in Hamilton.
The band went their separate ways in 1997, but after a 14-year hiatus they reunited in 2010 and released a new single, 'Rough at the Top', a year later. On June 6, 2014, the band finally returned to the public stage and gave a long-anticipated gig in Hamilton at the Altitude, with several further gigs the same year. 2015 saw the band grow and plant their feet more firmly on the ground, with the help from their latest line-up, including; Scott Williams on drums, Neil McDonald on bass, and Kingsley Smith on Keyboards. Wayne, Rik, and Craig remained the core original members of the band as the KS machine gathered momentum from its Hamilton home base. Knightshade were invited to perform as part of the bill for the infamous Gemini party, hosted by Paul Martin, May 31, 2015. The headlining act was Devilskin with Medusa Glare also appearing on the same bill. The rest of 2015 saw the band working on new material and honing the new line-up. On November 6, 2015, they performed at the Mount, at the newly opened 'Totara Street' venue. This was their first gig in the Bay area in almost 20 years. It was a kind of 'coming home' gig for Wayne and Rik, who originally came from the Bay of Plenty area. (Wayne from Te Puke and Rik from Whakatane). The gig was a great success and has marked a new era for Knightshade with a tight new line-up.
Recording sessions started for the new material towards the end of 2015 with new songs scheduled for release in 2016.
Discography
Knightshade on Compilation Albums
- 3 Points of Metal album, 1984
- Attack From Downunda album, 1986
- Vicious Vinyl album, 1987
- Bark Number One album, 1995
- Old Skool of Rock: Vol 2 album, 2008
- Simply The Best: 80s Rock Ballads album, 2008
- No Peace For The Wicked album, 2011
Albums
- Out For the Night album, 1987 (vinyl only)
- Knightshade best-of album, 1995 (CD only)
EPs
- Out For The Count 4 track EP, 1986 (vinyl only)
- The Physical You 4 track EP, 1987 (vinyl only)
Singles
Date of Release | Title | Label | Charted | Weeks in Chart | Certification | Catalog Number |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1986 | 'Out For The Count' | Reaction Records | 26 (NZ) | 5 | - | X19022 |
1987 | 'The Physical You' | Reaction Records | 14 (NZ) | 7 | - | X19024 |
1988 | 'You Don't Need Me' | Mushroom Records | 14 (NZ) | 11 | - | K588 |
1989 | 'Last Night In The City' | Mushroom Records | 9 (NZ) | 6 | - | X13419 |
1995 | 'Television Eyes' | Hark Records | - | - | - | HKS31 |
2011 | 'Rough At The Top' | - | - | - | - | 001 |
Videos
- Knightshade reunites - You Don't Need Me - LIVE 6 June 2014
- Knightshade reunites - The Physical You - LIVE 6 June 2014
- The Physical You - (OFFICIAL) LIVE at the Altitude, Hamilton, 6th June 2014
Gigs
- 6th Jun 2014, KNIGHTSHADE with 8FORTY8, Venue: Altitude, Hamilton.
- 21st Nov 2014, KNIGHTSHADE with 8 steps to Madness, Spex & Gary; at the Mayfair, New Plymouth.
- 5th Dec 2014, KNIGHTSHADE with 8 steps to Madness, Spex & Gary; at the Altitude, Hamilton.
- 31 May 2015, KNIGHTSHADE with Devilskin, Medusa Glare, Pet & Ali; at the Altitude, Hamilton.
- 6th Nov 2015, KNIGHTSHADE with Sabbatage, at Totara Steet, the Mount.