Alan Davey (musician)
Encyclopedia
Alan Davey is best known as the former bassist
with Hawkwind
. He is now the bass player and vocalist for Gunslinger as well as Hawklords
, Meads of Asphodel, and Thunor.
, Deep Purple
, Motörhead and Hawkwind
, amongst others, they quickly gained a reputation for playing loud and built a solid following. They recorded a demo tape and a recording contract
was promised, but the deal was never signed.
, and in 1984 Brock invited him to join the band, moving Harvey Bainbridge
from bass to keyboards in order to accommodate him. During this first tenure with Hawkwind they released seven studio albums and four live offerings. However by 1996 Davey was unhappy with the musical direction of the band, and left to form his own Middle-Eastern flavoured hard-rock group Bedouin, and a Motörhead tribute act named Ace of Spades.
In October 2000, Davey was reunited with Hawkwind for the Hawkestra 30th anniversary event at the Brixton Academy, and in 2001 he rejoined Hawkwind. They released three live and two studio albums before Davey left the band again in June 2007 to perform and record with the re-formed Gunslinger and Meads of Asphodel.
. available from his site, www.alandaveymusic.com.
March 2008 saw the release of the début album by Gunslinger entitled Earthquake in E Minor. The album featured some of the material that had been written between 1979 and 1982 during the band's first inception. Gunslinger are currently touring on an increasingly busy schedule, through the UK and mainland Europe. The band have in particular built a following in Belgium, Holland, Germany and France. In September 2011, Gunslinger will embark upon their first US tour.
On 18 May 2009, Davey released the solo album entitled Eclectic Devils, on his own record label
Earthquake Records. It featured contributions from former Hawkwind violinist/keyboardist Simon House
, Josh Dreamspirit, Nigel Potter, James Hodkinson, Louis Davey and Isobel from Bruise.
Davey uses the 4000-series Rickenbacker
basses.
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
with Hawkwind
Hawkwind
Hawkwind are an English rock band, one of the earliest space rock groups. Their lyrics favour urban and science fiction themes. They are also a noted precursor to punk rock and now are considered a link between the hippie and punk cultures....
. He is now the bass player and vocalist for Gunslinger as well as Hawklords
Hawklords
Hawklords were an English music group active between 1978 and 1979. They were borne from the disbanded Hawkwind and a local Devon group named Ark with the addition of former Pilot keyboardist Steve Swindells.The use of the name Hawklords instead of Hawkwind may...
, Meads of Asphodel, and Thunor.
Early musical career
Davey formed his first band, Gunslinger, in 1979 with his cousin Nigel Potter. Influenced by Led ZeppelinLed Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
, Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
, Motörhead and Hawkwind
Hawkwind
Hawkwind are an English rock band, one of the earliest space rock groups. Their lyrics favour urban and science fiction themes. They are also a noted precursor to punk rock and now are considered a link between the hippie and punk cultures....
, amongst others, they quickly gained a reputation for playing loud and built a solid following. They recorded a demo tape and a recording contract
Recording contract
A recording contract is a legal agreement between a record label and a recording artist , where the artist makes a record for the label to sell and promote...
was promised, but the deal was never signed.
With Hawkwind
A long-time fan of Hawkwind, Davey had sent a tape of his playing to Dave BrockDave Brock
David Anthony "Dave" Brock is an English singer-songwriter and musician. He plays electric guitar, synthesizer, bass and oscillators. He is best known as being one of the founders and musical focus of the English space rock group Hawkwind...
, and in 1984 Brock invited him to join the band, moving Harvey Bainbridge
Harvey Bainbridge
Harvey Frederick Bainbridge is an English bass and keyboard player. He is best known as the bass player and keyboard player in Hawkwind....
from bass to keyboards in order to accommodate him. During this first tenure with Hawkwind they released seven studio albums and four live offerings. However by 1996 Davey was unhappy with the musical direction of the band, and left to form his own Middle-Eastern flavoured hard-rock group Bedouin, and a Motörhead tribute act named Ace of Spades.
In October 2000, Davey was reunited with Hawkwind for the Hawkestra 30th anniversary event at the Brixton Academy, and in 2001 he rejoined Hawkwind. They released three live and two studio albums before Davey left the band again in June 2007 to perform and record with the re-formed Gunslinger and Meads of Asphodel.
Other projects
Davey has now released an album of Arabic-flavoured material with former Hawkwind vocalist Bridget WishartBridget Wishart
Bridget Wishart is a vocalist and performance artist who performed with Hawkwind from 1989 to 1991, appearing on the albums Space Bandits, Palace Springs, California Brainstorm and Take Me to Your Future and, among others, the Nottingham 1990 video.She obtained BA in Fine Art from Newport Art...
. available from his site, www.alandaveymusic.com.
March 2008 saw the release of the début album by Gunslinger entitled Earthquake in E Minor. The album featured some of the material that had been written between 1979 and 1982 during the band's first inception. Gunslinger are currently touring on an increasingly busy schedule, through the UK and mainland Europe. The band have in particular built a following in Belgium, Holland, Germany and France. In September 2011, Gunslinger will embark upon their first US tour.
On 18 May 2009, Davey released the solo album entitled Eclectic Devils, on his own record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
Earthquake Records. It featured contributions from former Hawkwind violinist/keyboardist Simon House
Simon House
Simon House is a composer and classically trained violinist and keyboard player, perhaps best known for his work with space rock band Hawkwind. His arrival in 1974 introduced a new element to the band's style...
, Josh Dreamspirit, Nigel Potter, James Hodkinson, Louis Davey and Isobel from Bruise.
Davey uses the 4000-series Rickenbacker
Rickenbacker
Rickenbacker International Corporation, also known as Rickenbacker, is an electric and bass guitar manufacturer based in Santa Ana, California...
basses.
External links
- Official web pages for Alan Davey
- Official Myspace page for Alan Davey
- http://www.gunslinger-official.com
- Official Myspace page for Gunslinger