In 1980 there was a vibrant local music scene nationwide. Penknife Glides were one of the new Auckland bands to quickly rise to prominence, from the practice room in June to the main stage of the Sweetwaters Festival in January 1981 and opening for The Police in February 1981.
Many music journalists loved their mod style and they recorded a single and two EPs before heading for London July 1982, leaving the local scene as quickly as they arrived.
Cliff Gravelle - guitar, vocals
Steven Gravelle - vocals
Jules Moloney - bass
Stefan Morris - drums
Song idea one: Penknife Glides shared their Nikau Street practice room with The Newmatics and a plague of rats. ‘City Rats’ is also about the police attending too many gigs – a reality at time.
Song idea two: When a fellow Nikau Street resident was asked how he killed time while in Mt Eden Prison, he replied, “Oh, I just took the weight off man.”
Song idea three: There was nothing new about the Anzac Avenue’s ‘New Station Hotel’ but the Harbour Lights Lounge was a great gig for Penknife Glides and elusive regular dancers inspired this song.
Song idea four: ‘It’s Too Late Now’ is the sibling song to ‘Taking The Weight Off’ and is inspired by Elvis Costello’s ‘Watching The Detectives’ and the dub reggae desires of drummer Stefan Morris.