Knightshade

Updated on Dec 31, 2023

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Genres Rock Origin New Zealand Record label GTM		Years active 1985– Genre Rock music

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) Albums Out for the Night Live!, Out for the Count - EP, The Physical You - EP Similar Devilskin, Chuganaut, Jennie Skulander, The Narcs, Push Push

Knightshade last gig in the city aug 6th 2016

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.

Knightshade Knightshade w 8 Steps To Madness amp Spex amp Gary Hamilton Eventfinda

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.