Difference between revisions of "Knightshade"

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The band traces its origins to 1982 in Te Puke, where they were originally called ''Clearlite''. This band featured Kevin Taylor (bass), Ian Taft (vocals) and Wayne Elliot (drums). The band played mainly surf clubs and pubs in coastal towns, but with Taft leaving the band, Elliot moved to vocals, leading to a name change to ''Knightshade''. The band moved to Hamilton in the mid-1980s. The most well-known lineup included [[Wayne Elliot]] (lead vocals), [[Rik Bernards]] (guitar), [[Gavin Lind]] (guitar), [[Jon Bell]] (bass), and [[Alan Grady]] (drums). Other members have included [[Paul Martin]] (guitar), [[Craig Pollock]] (guitar), Simon Garlick (guitar), and Laurie Goosens (guitar). ''Bernards'' and ''Bell'' had played together in [[The Bronx]]. Guitarist [[Rik Bernards]] taught music at [[Wintec]] in the late 1990s, and his classes were taught for a time by Garlick while Bernards was studying overseas. [[Alan Grady]] is the drummer in "The Stevie Ray-Cream and Hendrix Experience" and "A.K.A" a tribute to Toto, Foriegner and Journey.
 
The band traces its origins to 1982 in Te Puke, where they were originally called ''Clearlite''. This band featured Kevin Taylor (bass), Ian Taft (vocals) and Wayne Elliot (drums). The band played mainly surf clubs and pubs in coastal towns, but with Taft leaving the band, Elliot moved to vocals, leading to a name change to ''Knightshade''. The band moved to Hamilton in the mid-1980s. The most well-known lineup included [[Wayne Elliot]] (lead vocals), [[Rik Bernards]] (guitar), [[Gavin Lind]] (guitar), [[Jon Bell]] (bass), and [[Alan Grady]] (drums). Other members have included [[Paul Martin]] (guitar), [[Craig Pollock]] (guitar), Simon Garlick (guitar), and Laurie Goosens (guitar). ''Bernards'' and ''Bell'' had played together in [[The Bronx]]. Guitarist [[Rik Bernards]] taught music at [[Wintec]] in the late 1990s, and his classes were taught for a time by Garlick while Bernards was studying overseas. [[Alan Grady]] is the drummer in "The Stevie Ray-Cream and Hendrix Experience" and "A.K.A" a tribute to Toto, Foriegner and Journey.
  
The band reformed in 2011 after a 15-year hiatus, releasing a song called ''Rough at the Top''. The lineup at that time consisted of Wayne Elliot (vocals), Rik Bernards (guitar), Craig Pollock (guitar), Alan Grady (drums) and [[Xiyao Chen]] ("Yao"; keyboards). Grady and Yao soon left the band, being replaced by Scott Williams (drums) and Neil McDonald (bass). The band are to play their final gig at [[Altitude]] on August 5 2016.
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The band reformed in 2011 after a 15-year hiatus, releasing a song called ''Rough at the Top''. The lineup at that time consisted of Wayne Elliot (vocals), Rik Bernards (guitar), Craig Pollock (guitar), Alan Grady (drums) and [[Xiyao Chen]] ("Yao"; keyboards). Grady and Yao soon left the band, being replaced by Scott Williams (drums) and Neil McDonald (bass). The band played their final gig at [[Altitude]] on August 5 2016. Nevertheless, they released a new single, 'U Say', in September 2017.
 
   
 
   
  

Revision as of 21:02, 29 September 2017

"Knightshade", c. 1986

Knightshade were a successful mainstream/metal rock group active, on and off, from 1982 to 2016. They had early chart success with Out for the Count in 1986 (five weeks in the chart, peaking at 26), with The Physical You (1987; seven weeks, peaking at 14) and Last Night in the City (1988; peaking at 9). They also hit the album charts with their debut release Out For the Night in 1987 (three weeks in the album charts, peaking at 37). On the back of this success, they supported international acts ZZ Top, Deep Purple, Bon Jovi, The Angels, Guns and Roses, Jimmy Barnes and Stryper. All later releases were on Hark Records, including the 1995 single Television Eyes that had a video made by Greg Page. At their peak they had a fan club with 800 members.

"Knightshade", c. 2011, Rough at the Top video

The band traces its origins to 1982 in Te Puke, where they were originally called Clearlite. This band featured Kevin Taylor (bass), Ian Taft (vocals) and Wayne Elliot (drums). The band played mainly surf clubs and pubs in coastal towns, but with Taft leaving the band, Elliot moved to vocals, leading to a name change to Knightshade. The band moved to Hamilton in the mid-1980s. The most well-known lineup included Wayne Elliot (lead vocals), Rik Bernards (guitar), Gavin Lind (guitar), Jon Bell (bass), and Alan Grady (drums). Other members have included Paul Martin (guitar), Craig Pollock (guitar), Simon Garlick (guitar), and Laurie Goosens (guitar). Bernards and Bell had played together in The Bronx. Guitarist Rik Bernards taught music at Wintec in the late 1990s, and his classes were taught for a time by Garlick while Bernards was studying overseas. Alan Grady is the drummer in "The Stevie Ray-Cream and Hendrix Experience" and "A.K.A" a tribute to Toto, Foriegner and Journey.

The band reformed in 2011 after a 15-year hiatus, releasing a song called Rough at the Top. The lineup at that time consisted of Wayne Elliot (vocals), Rik Bernards (guitar), Craig Pollock (guitar), Alan Grady (drums) and Xiyao Chen ("Yao"; keyboards). Grady and Yao soon left the band, being replaced by Scott Williams (drums) and Neil McDonald (bass). The band played their final gig at Altitude on August 5 2016. Nevertheless, they released a new single, 'U Say', in September 2017.


Releases

"Knightshade" logo, 1987

Published Articles

  • Remembering the Good Old Days of Knightshade by Ben Telfer, Waikato Times, 28 July 2007 [1]
  • Knightshade are Back to their Deadly Best by Jonathan Carson, Waikato Times, 22 December 2011 [2]
  • Hamilton rockers Knightshade to play final gig by Georgia Grayling, Waikato Times, 20 July 2016 [3]

External Links