From 1982 to 91 Knightshade were one of the hottest and most exciting bands on the NZ music scene. Several top 20 singles and a host of supports for touring acts including, Deep Purple, Iggy Pop, Bon Jovi, The Angels & Guns ‘N’ Roses, they cemented their place in Hamilton and NZ rock history.
Between 87 & 88 I was one of their official photographers and lucky enough to catch them at the very live best, on and off stage.
Capturing the action on and off stage was always a joy, and provided many happy hours in the darkroom processing rolls of film and printing selected images. Thirty years on, I find myself working with the original negatives once again, this time in broad daylight. Using a high-quality scanner and professional processing software, this exhibition has been created from over 400 frames and presented in collaboration with doublebass curator Phil Walsh.
The technology may have changed, but the joy and happiness of working with these images endures.
HILLCREST TAVERN 1987
A lot of bands attempted greatness in and around Hamilton during the eighties. No other band worked as hard or was as focused on simply being the best musicians and songwriters they could as Knightshade.
Lawrence Arps
BACKSTAGE 1
RADIO WITH PICTURES
1987
GAVIN LIND
ANGELS SUPPORT 1987
ALAN GRADY
XMAS AT THE HILLCREST 1987
BACKSTAGE 2
THE HILLY 1988
JOHN BELL
THE METROPOLE 1988
BACKSTAGE 3
RAINED OFF LAKE CONCERT 1988
WAYNE ELLIOTT
Of all the engineers and producers who worked with Knightshade I think I saw them live the most. I don’t believe anyone, myself included, managed to capture the true greatness of Wayne's vocals on record. To hear the true Wayne you had to see him live.
Lawrence Arps
METROPOLE 88 pt1
Amazing pics and what a delight to see them and remember those times. For me, it brings back the joy of working with the guys in the days of big pre-digital studios and gigs that had queues stretched around the block to see the legendary Knightshade. And so much HAIR! I’ve always been honoured to be a tiny part of their story.
Gael Ludlow
RIK BERNARDS
ROXOFF 88 pt2
THE CREW
THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Doc K.E. currently lives in England with her pet sansevieria. These days she is content with capturing life and musical artists in black and white on her modest mobile phone. In Feb, 2020 she was back in NZ photographing the Waikato Rockers Reunion at The Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival.
