In the mid-70's, Dave came out of the closet
with his creditable solo album release Subtle as a flying mallet. Shortly
afterwards he would being his very fruitful collaboration with Nick Lowe
and would sign to Led Zeppelin's new record label Swan Song. In 1977, he
and Nick (bass) along with guitarist Billy Bremer and drummer Terry Williams
formed Rockpile, a band which distinguished itself by playing
straight ahead roots-rock and thrilling audiences all over the world.
During this time, Dave released a slew of well-received
albums, including the critically acclaimed Trax on Wax 4, with his
Rockpile buddies. He also charted respectably with a number of singles
including "Queen of hearts" and Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk." Only the
album Seconds of Pleasure would be released under the Rockpile name.
Though uneven, it sold respectably, even getting Dave and the boys some
attention in the US.
Then, on what must have seemed to be the verge of
great success, the band broke up. Isn't that always the case? Dave however
continued his solo career without a pause to mourn. He has released many
albums in the ensuing years, his most recent being Plugged In, released
in 1994, which he recorded at his home in California playing all the instruments
heard there.
Dave
has also had a distinguished career as a record producer. His credits include
work for The Everly Brothers, Carl Perkins, Nick Lowe, The Stray Cats,
and the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Nowadays he performs only once in a while
and rarely goes far afield. Still he has the ability to sell-out concerts
and to put on a show that few contemporary artists could possibly match. |