Dave Formula
Encyclopedia
Dave Formula, is an English keyboardist and film-soundtrack composer from Manchester
, who played with the post-punk
band Magazine
, and New Romantic
ensemble Visage
during the end of the 1970s and the beginning of the 1980s and in the "world music" band The Angel Brothers.
He worked under the name of David Tomlinson and achieved some success back in the mid-sixties with the R and B blues/soul band St. Louis Union
, including appearances on 'Top of the Pops' and in the film 'The Ghost goes gear' (featuring also the Spencer Davis Band); at the time he formed the group, worked as an apprentice television engineer. Later he was a cabaret musician and before joining Magazine, he shared a flat with record producer Martin Hannett
.
in 1978 after the departure of Bob Dickinson until the band's breakup in 1981. His multi-layered keyboard sounds, made with equipment such as the Yamaha CP70 electric grand piano, Hammond B-3, an ARP Odyssey
, a Yamaha SS30 string synth and in later albums a Prophet 5, were a defining part of the band.
Magazine reformed in February 2009 with Dave Formula returning to play keyboards.
ensemble
Visage
with Magazine
's McGeoch
and Barry Adamson
in 1978; he played on their first two albums, Visage
and The Anvil
. He left the ensemble in 1983 after having some differences with drummer Rusty Egan
regarding the musical style of their third album.
, Barry Adamson
, John Doyle
, John McGeoch
(Posthumously) and Robin Simon
as well singer/ songwriter Robert Wyatt
, Swing Out Sister
’s Corrine Drury, Dennis Rollins, Joel Purnell. The release was delayed due to the Magazine 2009 activity and the album is now to be released on 15 February 2010 on Wire Sound http://www.wire-sound.com/. A video of the collaboration with Howard Devoto; "Via Sacra" is on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pKosPhd2dI
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, who played with the post-punk
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
band Magazine
Magazine (band)
Magazine are an English post-punk group active from 1977 to 1981, then reformed in 2009. Their debut single, "Shot by Both Sides", is now acknowledged as a classic and their debut album, Real Life, is still widely admired as one of the greatest albums of all time...
, and New Romantic
New Romantic
New Romanticism , was a pop culture movement in the United Kingdom that began around 1979 and peaked around 1981. Developing in London nightclubs such as Billy's and The Blitz and spreading to other major cities in the UK, it was based around flamboyant, eccentric fashion and new wave music...
ensemble Visage
Visage
Visage are a British New Wave rock band. Formed in 1978, the band became closely linked to the burgeoning New Romantic fashion movement of the early 1980s, and are best known for their 1980 hit "Fade to Grey".-New Wave years :...
during the end of the 1970s and the beginning of the 1980s and in the "world music" band The Angel Brothers.
Early Years and St. Louis Union
He lived his early youth in Whalley Range, Manchester.He worked under the name of David Tomlinson and achieved some success back in the mid-sixties with the R and B blues/soul band St. Louis Union
St. Louis Union
St. Louis Union were a 1960s, short-lived, freakbeat rock band from Manchester, England, who formed part of the mod rock scene. They were formed by singer Tony Cassidy, guitarist Keith Millar, tenor saxophone/flute player Alex Kirby , keyboardist David Tomlinson, bassist John Nichols and drummer...
, including appearances on 'Top of the Pops' and in the film 'The Ghost goes gear' (featuring also the Spencer Davis Band); at the time he formed the group, worked as an apprentice television engineer. Later he was a cabaret musician and before joining Magazine, he shared a flat with record producer Martin Hannett
Martin Hannett
Martin Hannett , sometimes credited as Martin Zero, was a record producer and an original partner in Factory Records with Tony Wilson...
.
Magazine
Formula joined MagazineMagazine (band)
Magazine are an English post-punk group active from 1977 to 1981, then reformed in 2009. Their debut single, "Shot by Both Sides", is now acknowledged as a classic and their debut album, Real Life, is still widely admired as one of the greatest albums of all time...
in 1978 after the departure of Bob Dickinson until the band's breakup in 1981. His multi-layered keyboard sounds, made with equipment such as the Yamaha CP70 electric grand piano, Hammond B-3, an ARP Odyssey
ARP Odyssey
The ARP Odyssey was an analog synthesizer introduced in 1972. Responding to pressure from Moog Music to create a portable, affordable "performance" synthesizer, ARP scaled down its popular 2600 synthesizer and created the Odyssey, which became the best-selling synthesizer they made.The Odyssey is...
, a Yamaha SS30 string synth and in later albums a Prophet 5, were a defining part of the band.
Magazine reformed in February 2009 with Dave Formula returning to play keyboards.
Visage
Formula joined New RomanticNew Romantic
New Romanticism , was a pop culture movement in the United Kingdom that began around 1979 and peaked around 1981. Developing in London nightclubs such as Billy's and The Blitz and spreading to other major cities in the UK, it was based around flamboyant, eccentric fashion and new wave music...
ensemble
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
Visage
Visage
Visage are a British New Wave rock band. Formed in 1978, the band became closely linked to the burgeoning New Romantic fashion movement of the early 1980s, and are best known for their 1980 hit "Fade to Grey".-New Wave years :...
with Magazine
Magazine (band)
Magazine are an English post-punk group active from 1977 to 1981, then reformed in 2009. Their debut single, "Shot by Both Sides", is now acknowledged as a classic and their debut album, Real Life, is still widely admired as one of the greatest albums of all time...
's McGeoch
John McGeoch
John Alexander McGeoch, , was a Scottish guitarist who played with a number of bands of the post-punk era, including Magazine, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Visage and Public Image Ltd....
and Barry Adamson
Barry Adamson
Barry Adamson is a British rock musician who has worked with rock bands such as Magazine, Visage, The Birthday Party, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and the electronic musicians Pan sonic and Depeche Mode. Adamson created the seven-minute opus "Useless " remix for the latter band in 1997...
in 1978; he played on their first two albums, Visage
Visage (album)
Visage is the eponymous debut album from the British pop group Visage, recorded at Genetic Sound Studios in Reading and released by Polydor Records on 10 November 1980...
and The Anvil
The Anvil (album)
-References:*...
. He left the ensemble in 1983 after having some differences with drummer Rusty Egan
Rusty Egan
Rusty Egan was the drummer for the British new wave band, The Rich Kids. They were founded by former Sex Pistol, Glen Matlock, bass guitarist and backing vocals, occasional lead vocals; with Steve New guitarist and backing vocals, occasional lead vocals; and fronted by Midge Ure guitarist, lead...
regarding the musical style of their third album.
Ludus
Formula joined Ludus by 1982. He was one of his last members. He played and wrote some songs which were released.The Angel Brothers
Whilst lecturing in popular music, Formula met up with Keith Angel & Andy Seward which eventually led to him joining the "world music" band The Angel Brothers in 2003, playing on their two critically acclaimed albums "Punjab To Pit Top" and "Forbidden Fruit".Design For Living
After his stint with Magazine, he formed part of a band called Design For Living.Solo Album
In January 2007 Formula began working on a solo album. Recording has been at his own Red Bird Studios. Entitled "Satellite Sweetheart" it features over 30 guest musicians. The list includes almost all the members of Magazine – Howard DevotoHoward Devoto
Howard Devoto is an English rock and roll singer-songwriter, who began his career as the frontman for the punk band Buzzcocks, but then left to form Magazine, one of the first post-punk bands...
, Barry Adamson
Barry Adamson
Barry Adamson is a British rock musician who has worked with rock bands such as Magazine, Visage, The Birthday Party, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and the electronic musicians Pan sonic and Depeche Mode. Adamson created the seven-minute opus "Useless " remix for the latter band in 1997...
, John Doyle
John Doyle (drummer)
John Doyle is a drummer who was member of New Wave bands like Magazine and The Armoury Show. He reunited with the first band for a tour which will be played in February 2009.-Biography:...
, John McGeoch
John McGeoch
John Alexander McGeoch, , was a Scottish guitarist who played with a number of bands of the post-punk era, including Magazine, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Visage and Public Image Ltd....
(Posthumously) and Robin Simon
Robin Simon
For the art historian and critic Robin Simon, editor of , see Robin JH SimonRobin Simon For the art historian and critic Robin Simon, editor of , see Robin JH SimonRobin Simon For the art historian and critic Robin Simon, editor of , see Robin JH SimonRobin Simon (born Robert Simon 12 July 1956,...
as well singer/ songwriter Robert Wyatt
Robert Wyatt
Robert Wyatt is an English musician, and founding member of the influential Canterbury scene band Soft Machine, with a long and distinguished solo career...
, Swing Out Sister
Swing Out Sister
Swing Out Sister are a British "sophisti-pop" group best known worldwide for their 1986 song "Breakout". Other hits include "Surrender", "Twilight World", "Waiting Game" and a remake of "Am I the Same Girl?" Though album sales in the U.S. and Europe have levelled off since the early 1990s, the...
’s Corrine Drury, Dennis Rollins, Joel Purnell. The release was delayed due to the Magazine 2009 activity and the album is now to be released on 15 February 2010 on Wire Sound http://www.wire-sound.com/. A video of the collaboration with Howard Devoto; "Via Sacra" is on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pKosPhd2dI
Discography
- For St. Louis Union, see Discography of St. Louis Union.
- For Magazine, see Discography of Magazine (he didn't participate in the Shot By Both SidesShot By Both Sides"Shot by Both Sides" is a song written by Howard Devoto featuring a guitar riff from Pete Shelley, and performed by the English post punk band Magazine, which appeared on their debut album Real Life in 1978 and was released as a single in the same year, reaching #41 on the UK charts.The name of the...
debut single). - For Visage, see Visage discographyVisage discography- Studio albums :- Compilation albums :- Singles :- Video albums :* 1985: Visage...
.- Satellite Sweetheart album (for release sometime in 2009)
Links
- Dave Formula's site on MySpace
- wire-sound – Dave Formula Official blog-web site
- http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b191/confarga/Tommo/daveglasses1medium.jpg Dave Formula Photograph 2009
- [ AllMusic Guide profile]
- Shot by Both Sides
- PunkNet '77 entry for Magazine
- [ AllMusic entry for Magazine]
- TrouserPress entry for Magazine
- band information
- David Formula interview on Melody Maker, 14 October 1978 as reproduced on the 'Shot By Both Sides' site
