Dave Charles
Encyclopedia
Dave Charles, also known as David Charles is a British drummer
, recording engineer & record producer
. He often appears under both names on the same album, e.g. Help Yourself
's The Return of Ken Whaley, where Dave Charles is credited with drums and vocals and David Charles as producer.
Charles' first recording was as drummer on Tim Rose
's first eponymous album in 1967. He joined Walthamstow blues-rock band Sam Apple Pie
, appearing on their eponymous first album in 1969, and at the first Glastonbury Festival in 1970. As well as a drummer, he was also interested in electronics, and recorded the Brinsley Schwarz Hype at the Fillmore East
Malcolm Morley
left Sam Apple Pie and invited Charles to join his new band Help Yourself
, for whom he drummed on all 6 of their albums, and played an early synthesiser. Whilst with Help Yourself Charles also drummed on the eponymous album by Ernie Graham
(ex Eire Apparent
), and Deke Leonard
's album Iceburg. After the breakup of Help Yourself in 1973, Charles recorded Unusual with Roger Ruskin Spear
, Fish for Barry Melton
and rejoined Tim Rose for Magician. He drummed for, and recorded albums with, several Welsh bands, including Geraint Watkins
, The Neutrons, Deke Leonard and Clive John.
Most of these albums were recorded at Rockfield Studios
, where Charles tried using the recording desk, because "someone had to do it, and it all looked fairly simple really." He knew Rockfield boss Kingsley Ward from Monmouth, as well as the studio, and Kingsley offered to train him as a recording engineer. He became resident engineer at Rockfield between 1975 and 1977, engineering albums for Hawkwind
(Warrior on the Edge of Time
; Quark, Strangeness and Charm
and PXR5
), Dr. Feelgood
(Down by the Jetty
), Dave Edmunds
(Get It), Judas Priest
and Graham Parker
In 1978 Charles joined Airwaves as drummer, staying for the albums New Day and Next Stop and the minor hit "So Hard Livin' Without You". In 1981 he joined Kid Creole & the Coconuts drumming on Fresh Fruit in Foreign Places
and then had a long stint with Dave Edmunds
including D.E. 7th
, Information
, Riff Raff
and I Hear You Rocking. He also drummed on albums by Bryn Haworth
(Pass It On
) and Sheila Walsh
(Future Eyes
), before joining Latin Quarter
and playing with Andy Fairweather-Low
and Hugh Masekela
.
By 1985 he was undertaking more engineering, including albums by Jeff Beck
(Flash
), The Fabulous Thunderbirds
(Hot Number
), Nick Lowe
(Pinker and Prouder than Previous
and Party of One
) the Stray Cats
and Nelson Rangell
. Having become known as an engineer, he recorded The La's
album The La's
, and worked with The Charlatans where his role changed from initially being the engineer, on The Charlatans
, to becoming the producer on Tellin' Stories
and numerous Charlatans singles.
In the 2000s he has produced albums for Man
, Paul Chapman
and Dr. Feelgood
.
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
, recording engineer & record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
. He often appears under both names on the same album, e.g. Help Yourself
Help Yourself (band)
Help Yourself, known to their fans as "The Helps", were an English rock band of the early 1970s whose style developed from “American-flavoured country-rock… …to acid-drenched psych.”.-History:...
's The Return of Ken Whaley, where Dave Charles is credited with drums and vocals and David Charles as producer.
Charles' first recording was as drummer on Tim Rose
Tim Rose
Timothy Alan Patrick Rose , best known professionally as Tim Rose, was an American singer-songwriter, who spent much of his life in London, England and had more success in Europe than in his native country...
's first eponymous album in 1967. He joined Walthamstow blues-rock band Sam Apple Pie
Sam Apple Pie
Sam Apple Pie were a British blues-rock band, of the late 1960s and 1970s, noted for having played at the first Glastonbury Festival in 1970, and for playing a role in the early careers of several musicians including Gary Fletcher, Dave Charles and Malcolm Morley.-Biography:Formed in Walthamstow,...
, appearing on their eponymous first album in 1969, and at the first Glastonbury Festival in 1970. As well as a drummer, he was also interested in electronics, and recorded the Brinsley Schwarz Hype at the Fillmore East
Fillmore East
The Fillmore East was rock promoter Bill Graham's rock venue on Second Avenue near East 6th Street in the East Village neighborhood of the Manhattan borough of New York City. It was open from 1968 to 1971, and featured some of the biggest acts in rock music at the time...
Malcolm Morley
Malcolm Morley (musician)
Malcolm Morley is a British rock singer, guitarist and keyboard player who came to fame in the 1970s. Best known as a founder of Help Yourself and as a member of Man, he continues to perform to this day.-Early career:...
left Sam Apple Pie and invited Charles to join his new band Help Yourself
Help Yourself (band)
Help Yourself, known to their fans as "The Helps", were an English rock band of the early 1970s whose style developed from “American-flavoured country-rock… …to acid-drenched psych.”.-History:...
, for whom he drummed on all 6 of their albums, and played an early synthesiser. Whilst with Help Yourself Charles also drummed on the eponymous album by Ernie Graham
Ernie Graham
Ernie Graham was a singer, guitarist and songwriter, active from the mid 1960s to the early 1980s-Early life:...
(ex Eire Apparent
Eire Apparent
Eire Apparent was a band from Northern Ireland, noted for launching the careers of Henry McCullough and Ernie Graham, and for having Jimi Hendrix play on, and produce, their only album.-The People:...
), and Deke Leonard
Deke Leonard
Roger "Deke" Leonard is a rock musician, "serving a life sentence in the music business." Best known as a member of the progressive rock band Man, which he joined and left several times, and for fronting his own rock and roll band Iceberg, which he formed and disbanded several times, he is also...
's album Iceburg. After the breakup of Help Yourself in 1973, Charles recorded Unusual with Roger Ruskin Spear
Roger Ruskin Spear
Roger Ruskin Spear is a multi-instrumentalist who was a founding member of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, staying with it until its end.-Career:...
, Fish for Barry Melton
Barry Melton
Barry "The Fish" Melton was the co-founder and original lead guitarist of Country Joe and The Fish. Barry appears on all the Country Joe and The Fish recordings and he also wrote some of the songs that the band recorded...
and rejoined Tim Rose for Magician. He drummed for, and recorded albums with, several Welsh bands, including Geraint Watkins
Geraint Watkins
Geraint Watkins is a rock and roll pianist and accordionist backing artistes such as; Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Paul McCartney, Roy St. John and Shakin' Stevens...
, The Neutrons, Deke Leonard and Clive John.
Most of these albums were recorded at Rockfield Studios
Rockfield Studios
Rockfield Studios, near Monmouth in Wales and just outside the village of Rockfield, Monmouthshire are where many of British rock music’s most successful recordings have been made.-History:...
, where Charles tried using the recording desk, because "someone had to do it, and it all looked fairly simple really." He knew Rockfield boss Kingsley Ward from Monmouth, as well as the studio, and Kingsley offered to train him as a recording engineer. He became resident engineer at Rockfield between 1975 and 1977, engineering albums for 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....
(Warrior on the Edge of Time
Warrior on the Edge of Time
Warrior on the Edge of Time is Hawkwind's fifth studio album. It reached #13 on the UK album charts and was their third and last album to make the US Billboard chart, where it peaked at #150...
; Quark, Strangeness and Charm
Quark, Strangeness and Charm
Quark, Strangeness And Charm is the seventh studio album by the English space rock group Hawkwind, released in 1977. It spent 6 weeks on the UK albums chart peaking at #30....
and PXR5
PXR5
PXR5 is the ninth studio album by Hawkwind, released in 1979. It reached #59 on the UK album charts.-Overview:The album was recorded and mixed at Rockfield Studios in January and February 1978. "Uncle Sam's On Mars", "Robot" and "High Rise" were originally recorded on the preceding UK tour but were...
), Dr. Feelgood
Dr. Feelgood
Dr. Feelgood may refer to:In music:*Dr. Feelgood , an album by American band Mötley Crüe**"Dr. Feelgood" , a single and the title track from that album*"Dr. Feel Good", a song by Travie McCoy on the album Lazarus...
(Down by the Jetty
Down by the Jetty
Down by the Jetty is the debut album by Dr. Feelgood, released in January 1975.The band's Johnny Kidd & The Pirates influenced originals appear alongside covers material like "Bonie Maronie" and "Tequila"....
), Dave Edmunds
Dave Edmunds
David 'Dave' Edmunds is a Welsh singer, guitarist and record producer. Although he is primarily associated with Pub rock and New Wave, and had numerous hits in the 1970s and early 1980s, his natural leaning has always been towards 1950s style rock and roll.-Early bands:As a teenager Edmunds first...
(Get It), Judas Priest
Judas Priest
Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band from Birmingham, England, formed in 1969. The current line-up consists of lead vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis. The band has gone through several drummers over the years,...
and Graham Parker
Graham Parker
Graham Parker is a British rock singer and songwriter, who is best known as the lead singer of the popular British band Graham Parker & the Rumour.-Early career :...
In 1978 Charles joined Airwaves as drummer, staying for the albums New Day and Next Stop and the minor hit "So Hard Livin' Without You". In 1981 he joined Kid Creole & the Coconuts drumming on Fresh Fruit in Foreign Places
Fresh Fruit in Foreign Places
-Personnel:* Kid Creole* Coati Mundi* Peter Schott* Marc Mazur* Carol Colman* Andrew Lloyd* Winston Grennon* Yogi Horton* Lori Eastside* Adriana Kaegi* Cheryl Poirier* Don Arnone* Dutch Robinson* Beverly Britton Brown* Don Hamilton...
and then had a long stint with Dave Edmunds
Dave Edmunds
David 'Dave' Edmunds is a Welsh singer, guitarist and record producer. Although he is primarily associated with Pub rock and New Wave, and had numerous hits in the 1970s and early 1980s, his natural leaning has always been towards 1950s style rock and roll.-Early bands:As a teenager Edmunds first...
including D.E. 7th
D.E. 7th
D.E. 7th is a 1982 album by Welsh rock musician Dave Edmunds. The album was Edmunds' first project for Arista Records and Columbia Records , following a five-year stay with the Swan Song label.Besides the label switches, D.E...
, Information
Information
Information in its most restricted technical sense is a message or collection of messages that consists of an ordered sequence of symbols, or it is the meaning that can be interpreted from such a message or collection of messages. Information can be recorded or transmitted. It can be recorded as...
, Riff Raff
Riff Raff (album)
Riff Raff is a 1984 album by Welsh rock musician Dave Edmunds. The album was his third release for Arista Records and Columbia Records , following 1983's Information....
and I Hear You Rocking. He also drummed on albums by Bryn Haworth
Bryn Haworth
Bryn Haworth is a British Christian singer-songwriter, guitarist, and pioneer of Jesus music in mainstream rock. Born in Blackburn, Lancashire, UK, he has released some twenty-two albums and several singles since the 1970s as well as guesting as guitarist on many other albums by rock and folk...
(Pass It On
Pass It On (Bryn Haworth album)
Pass It On is the sixth studio album by Bryn Haworth.-Track listing:# "Pass It On"# "Never Give Up On Love"# "Come Away"# "Think For Yourself"# "Perfect Love"# "The Cure"# "Peace and Understanding"# "Looking Through Different Eyes"...
) and Sheila Walsh
Sheila Walsh
Dr. Sheila Walsh, D.Min. is a Scottish-born contemporary Christian vocalist, songwriter, evangelist, author, inspirational speaker, and talk-show host.-Biography:...
(Future Eyes
Future Eyes
Future Eyes is the title of the first solo album by the Scottish singer Sheila Walsh. Recorded in Spring 1981 at Chapel Lane Studios near Hereford, engineered and produced by Paul Cobbold. It was released in the UK in 1981 on Chapel Lane Records. Sparrow Records released a slightly modified version...
), before joining Latin Quarter
Latin Quarter (band)
Latin Quarter were a British band of the 1980s and 1990s. The line-up in their 1986 heyday was Steve Skaith , Richard Wright , Michael Jones , Greg Harewood , Yona Dunsford , Carole Douet , Martin Lascelles and Dave Charles .They have reunited in 2011 and...
and playing with Andy Fairweather-Low
Andy Fairweather-Low
Andrew Fairweather Low is a Welsh guitarist, songwriter and vocalist. He was a founding member of 1960s British pop band, Amen Corner, and in recent years has toured extensively with Roger Waters, Eric Clapton and Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings.-Early career:Fairweather Low first found fame as a...
and Hugh Masekela
Hugh Masekela
Hugh Ramopolo Masekela is a South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, composer, and singer.-Early life:Masekela was born in Kwa-Guqa Township, Witbank, South Africa. He began singing and playing piano as a child...
.
By 1985 he was undertaking more engineering, including albums by Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck
Geoffrey Arnold "Jeff" Beck is an English rock guitarist. He is one of three noted guitarists to have played with The Yardbirds...
(Flash
Flash (Jeff Beck album)
Flash is a 1985 album by rock guitarist Jeff Beck. It was produced by Nile Rodgers and hit #42 in the US, while winning the 1986 Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental performance for Escape song...
), The Fabulous Thunderbirds
The Fabulous Thunderbirds
The Fabulous Thunderbirds are an American, Grammy-nominated Blues rock band, formed in 1974.-Career:After performing for several years in the Austin, Texas blues scene, the band won a recording contract with Takoma/Chrysalis Records, and later on signed with Epic Records.Their first two albums,...
(Hot Number
Hot Number
Hot number is a 1987 studio album by Texas based Blues Rock band The Fabulous Thunderbirds.-Track listing:All tracks composed by Kim Wilson; except where indicated# "Stand Back"# "Hot Number"# "Wasted Tears"# "It Comes to Me Naturally"...
), Nick Lowe
Nick Lowe
Nicholas Drain "Nick" Lowe , is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer.A pivotal figure in UK pub rock, punk rock and new wave, Lowe has recorded a string of well-reviewed solo albums. Along with vocals, Lowe plays guitar, bass guitar, piano and harmonica...
(Pinker and Prouder than Previous
Pinker and Prouder than Previous
Pinker and Prouder Than Previous is a 1988 album by British singer-songwriter Nick Lowe and was released on the Columbia Records label.-Track listing:All songs written by Nick Lowe, except as indicated:# " Wildest Dream" - 3:19...
and Party of One
Party of One
Party of One is an album by English singer-songwriter Nick Lowe. Produced by Dave Edmunds, it was released in 1990 by Reprise Records and reissued with altered cover art and two bonus tracks in 1995 by Upstart Records....
) the Stray Cats
Stray Cats
Stray Cats are an American Rockabilly band formed in 1980 by guitarist/vocalist Brian Setzer , upright bassist Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom in the Long Island town of Massapequa, New York. The group had numerous hit singles in the UK, Australia and the U.S...
and Nelson Rangell
Nelson Rangell
Nelson Rangell is an American velvet-smooth jazz musician and composer originally from Castle Rock, Colorado. Although Rangell is known for his work with the tenor, alto, and soprano saxophone, his primary instrument is the piccolo flute, which he began playing at the age of 15...
. Having become known as an engineer, he recorded The La's
The La's
The La's were an English rock band from Liverpool, originally active from the mid-1980s to early 1990s. Fronted by singer, songwriter and guitarist Lee Mavers, the group is most famous for their hit single "There She Goes". The band was formed by Mike Badger in 1984 and Mavers joined soon after...
album The La's
The La's (album)
The La's, the self titled album by The La's, was the only studio release from the Liverpudlian four piece, released in 1990, but it earned them a place in the history books of British music and inspired a generation of bands, from Oasis and The Charlatans to Pete Doherty...
, and worked with The Charlatans where his role changed from initially being the engineer, on The Charlatans
The Charlatans (album)
The Charlatans is the fourth album by the British band The Charlatans , released on 28 August 1995. It went to the top of the UK Albums Chart the same year...
, to becoming the producer on Tellin' Stories
Tellin' Stories
Tellin' Stories is an album by the British band The Charlatans , released on April 21, 1997. It includes the final contributions of founder-member and keyboard player Rob Collins who died in a car accident midway through recording...
and numerous Charlatans singles.
In the 2000s he has produced albums for Man
Man (band)
Man are a rock band from South Wales whose style is a mixture of West Coast psychedelia, progressive rock, blues and country-rock. Formed in 1968 as a reincarnation of Welsh rock harmony group ‘’The Bystanders’’, Man are renowned for the extended jams in their live performances, and having had...
, Paul Chapman
Paul Chapman (musician)
Paul William "Tonka" Chapman is a Welsh rock guitarist best known for his work in bands such as UFO and Lone Star. Chapman is well known by his nickname "Tonka", allegedly acquired because of his indestructible qualities.-Early career :...
and Dr. Feelgood
Dr. Feelgood
Dr. Feelgood may refer to:In music:*Dr. Feelgood , an album by American band Mötley Crüe**"Dr. Feelgood" , a single and the title track from that album*"Dr. Feel Good", a song by Travie McCoy on the album Lazarus...
.