Dave Sharman
Encyclopedia
Dave Sharman is a critically acclaimed British guitarist, singer / songwriter, whose primary genre is rock and metal. He is also a multi-instrumentalist and producer.
, Alex Lifeson
of Rush
, Neal Schon
of Journey
, Tom Scholz
of Boston
and Allen Collins
of Lynyrd Skynyrd
, however, he possesses his own easily recognizable style.
Sharman was given his musical break by rock DJ Tommy Vance
who invited him to perform a session on the BBC Radio 1
Friday Rock Show
, which Vance use to host. Vance had listened to a 4 track demo tape that the teenage Sharman had sent him. The Rock Show was for many years the UK’s top source for rock and heavy metal, each week the show had a studio session or live performance and had featured artists such as Led Zeppelin
, Deep Purple
, Uriah Heep
, Rush
and Genesis
to name but a few.
The session was recorded at the BBC’s Maida Vale Studios
in London and a band featuring Don Airey
(ex Rainbow
, Ozzy Osbourne
, Whitesnake
and Deep Purple
keyboardist), drummer Neil Huxtable and bassist Martin Connolly was assembled to back Sharman’s guitar work.
The session was broadcast in 1989 with 4 original instrumental tracks: Pandora’s Box, Flight 212, Spellbinder and Torch The Tower, all written by the teenage Sharman. During the airing of the session Tommy Vance
sounded out record labels for the prodigy.
Two of Sharman’s instrumental tracks: Trucker and Frantic were used for a number of years by the Friday Rock Show
as its official chart countdown and news music.
followed on the back of the BBC session and Sharman’s debut instrumental guitar album ‘1990’ was recorded over a two week period at Berlin's Skytrak studios in Germany and released worldwide. BMG
was the international distributor.
All 8 tracks were written by Sharman, in addition to which he played all the instruments on the material and also co-produced the album.
As part of its marketing strategy the record label put stickers on the LPs, which read “http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=dave+sharman+1990&hl=en&client=safari&sa=X&rls=en&biw=1702&bih=1255&tbm=isch&prmd=imvnso&tbnid=HqMzPTMDVudJeM:&imgrefurl=http://www.musicstack.com/records-cds/dave%2Bsharman&docid=zahMsx4FnKMCvM&imgurl=http://www.rockofages.uk.com/stock/16414.jpg&w=460&h=439&ei=ouynToDzB8bm8QP86ZyiDw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=176&vpy=409&dur=539&hovh=219&hovw=230&tx=89&ty=117&sig=108752468975043506704&page=1&tbnh=117&tbnw=141&start=0&ndsp=66&ved=1t:429,r:22,s:0Europe’s Answer To] Joe Satriani
”. The album ‘1990’ received significant critical acclaim from the mainstream music press including: Kerrang Magazine, Metal Hammer
, Guitar for the Practicing Musician
and Raw Magazine among others . Sharman was nominated for Guitar For The Practicing Musicians: 'Guitar God in waiting'.
Sharman’s guitar work also caught the attention of Deep Purple
frontman Ian Gillan
, who at the time was working on a solo album. Sharman was recruited by Gillan to lay down the guitar parts on a number of tracks on his solo project.
Night Of The Guitars II Tour:
Around the same time, Police
and Sting manager, Miles Copeland was finalizing the lineup for the ‘Night Of The Guitars II’ tour, the first tour had featured guitarists: Steve Howe
of ‘Yes
’, Robby Krieger
of ‘The Doors
’, Alvin Lee
, Steve Hunter, Randy California
and Leslie West
of the band ‘Mountain
’. The line-up for the second version featured Ronnie Montrose
of 70's rockers ‘Montrose
’, Robin Trower
formally of ‘Procol Harum
’, Focus
's Jan Akkermann, Rick Derringer
, Saga
's Ian Crichton and Laurie Wisefield
of ‘Wishbone Ash
’ and Tina Turner. Sharman was invited to complete the tour line-up. Kick starting in Marseille France, the 8 guitarists performed to over 200,000 people across 5 countries. Carlton Media released the tour on DVD. The final show wound up in London and afterwards Sharman set to work on his second studio album ‘Exit Within’.
German Thomas Brache was recruited by Sharman to take on lead vocals with Sharman providing the backing vocals. Iron Maiden
guitarist Adrian Smith
upon hearing ‘Exit Within’ would later contact Brache to consider him as vocalist on Smith's solo project. Sharman invited Neil Murray
who had previously played with Black Sabbath
, Whitesnake
and Brian May
to play bass on Exit Within. Pre-production took place at Nina Hagan studios in Berlin, with the album itself being recorded at Skytrak studios also in Berlin.
Once again Sharman’s work received significant critical acclaim from the music press, with Sean Tyler from Kerrang Magazine saying Sharman had done well to avoid the pitfalls that so often befall the guitar based artist and that with a concerted effort he may yet rewrite the rulebook.
and UFO.
The album also saw Sharman further transition to song based work, the 10 track album, all written by Sharman, however, did include three instrumentals as a throwback to his instrumental days.
The music took on more of a grunge
based influence.
Work also started on a self-titled album. Duran Duran
producer Colin Thurston
took on the role of co-producer.
The ‘Wave’ album was never officially released as Sharman was said to be unhappy with the production.
The new band ‘Rain’ featured Tali Dennerstien on lead vocal alongside a drummer, bass and keyboard player, with Sharman on guitar, production and songwriting.
The band eventually split with Sharman going his own way retaining bassist Stelios Ftergous.
Sharman also decided to go back to the classic three piece lineup with himself on guitar, vocals and production, Stelios Fterougas on bass, along with a revolving door of drummers.
and H.P. Newquist is a virtual encyclopedia of great electric guitar players with 35 chapters examining over 300 major figures in every style across the decades.
After years under various management and labels, and trying to find a balance between his guitar playing alongside his songwriting and vocals, Sharman is under new management, has a new label and is said to be finalising work on a new album expected to be released in 2012, on which he is the singer / songwriter and also playing all instruments alongside guitar. The album is also self-produced. Sharman is also expected to return to being a solo artist with a backing band. In many ways a throwback to his debut '1990'.
Sharman’s new material is expected to be a hybrid of influences with the guitar firmly at the forefront, including elements of other genres such as funk, eastern and classic rock
. The majority of the material is expected to be song based with a couple of instrumentals included.
It will be the first studio album with Sharman not only as a guitarist, but also as a singer / songwriter.
style.
He is also amongst only a handful of British guitarists to be labelled as a shredder. Some of the first exponents of the shred style, which originated in America include Yngwie Malmsteen and Paul Gilbert
.
Sharman started out as a child prodigy
. He is recognised as a guitar virtuoso and as being very technically proficient. He is known to employ fast speedy licks and tapping during his guitar solos.
and the checkerboard finish guitars that the company custom built for him early on in his career remain his signature guitars. He continues to feature as a Jackson Guitars Artist alongside other British guitarists such as Iron Maiden
’s Adrian Smith
and Def Leppard
’s Rick Savage
.
A little known fact is that of all of Sharman’s guitars, his favourite is a plain black Jackson Dinky
which has been used on all of his albums.
Sharman plays Ibanez
bass on his material.
He also has been an official endorser and continues to use DiMarzio
pickups and Kahler
tremolos.
In the past he has also endorsed Washburn Guitars
, Hohner
Guitars as well as Hughes & Kettner
Amplification.
Sharman has also been an official D’Addario Strings
endorser, however, it appears that Sharman is currently not associated with any string companies.
and Mozart, who he often says he admires. In his spare time Sharman enjoys reading about the universe, time and dimensions.
Career
Sharman started to teach himself to play the guitar at the age of nine. His influences include: Eddie Van HalenEddie Van Halen
Edward Lodewijk "Eddie" Van Halen is a Dutch-American guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter and producer, best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the hard rock band Van Halen, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...
, Alex Lifeson
Alex Lifeson
Aleksandar Živojinović, OC, better known by his stage name Alex Lifeson, is a second generation Serbian-Canadian musician, best known as the guitarist of the Canadian rock band Rush. In the summer of 1968, Lifeson founded the band that would become Rush with friend, drummer John Rutsey...
of Rush
Rush (band)
Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart...
, Neal Schon
Neal Schon
Neal George Joseph Schon is an American rock guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist best known for his work with the band Journey. He is the only member to have recorded on all of Journey's albums...
of Journey
Journey (band)
Journey is an American rock band formed in 1973 in San Francisco by former members of Santana. The band has gone through several phases; its strongest commercial success occurred between the 1978 and 1987, after which it temporarily disbanded...
, Tom Scholz
Tom Scholz
Donald Thomas "Tom" Scholz is an American rock musician, songwriter, guitarist, pianist, inventor, and mechanical engineer, best known as the founder of the hard rock band Boston. He is also the inventor of the Rockman guitar amplifier...
of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
and Allen Collins
Allen Collins
Larkin Allen Collins Jr. was one of the founding members and guitarists of Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, and co-wrote many of the band's songs with late frontman Ronnie Van Zant...
of Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band prominent in spreading Southern Rock during the 1970s.Originally formed as the "Noble Five" in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964, the band rose to worldwide recognition on the basis of its driving live performances and signature tune, Freebird...
, however, he possesses his own easily recognizable style.
Sharman was given his musical break by rock DJ Tommy Vance
Tommy Vance
Tommy Vance was a British pop radio broadcaster, born in Eynsham, Oxfordshire. He was one of the few music broadcasters in the United Kingdom to champion hard rock and heavy metal in the early 1980s, providing the only national radio forum for both bands and fans...
who invited him to perform a session on the BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
Friday Rock Show
Friday Rock Show
The Friday Rock Show was a radio show in the United Kingdom that was broadcast on BBC Radio 1 from 10pm to midnight on Friday nights from 1978 to 1993. Throughout most of its run it was hosted by Tommy Vance. Ostensibly for the genre of rock in general, it was most closely associated with heavy metal...
, which Vance use to host. Vance had listened to a 4 track demo tape that the teenage Sharman had sent him. The Rock Show was for many years the UK’s top source for rock and heavy metal, each week the show had a studio session or live performance and had featured artists such as Led Zeppelin
Led 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...
, Uriah Heep
Uriah Heep
Uriah Heep is a fictional character created by Charles Dickens in his novel David Copperfield.The character is notable for his cloying humility, obsequiousness, and insincerity, making frequent references to his own "'umbleness". His name has become synonymous with being a yes man...
, Rush
Rush (band)
Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart...
and Genesis
Genesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
to name but a few.
The session was recorded at the BBC’s Maida Vale Studios
Maida Vale Studios
Maida Vale Studios is a complex of seven BBC studios on Delaware Road, Maida Vale, London.It has been used to record thousands of classical music, popular music and drama sessions for BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 3 and BBC Radio 4 from 1946 to the present...
in London and a band featuring Don Airey
Don Airey
Donald Airey has been the keyboardist in the rock band Deep Purple since 2002, succeeding Jon Lord...
(ex Rainbow
Rainbow
A rainbow is an optical and meteorological phenomenon that causes a spectrum of light to appear in the sky when the Sun shines on to droplets of moisture in the Earth's atmosphere. It takes the form of a multicoloured arc...
, Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
, Whitesnake
Whitesnake
Whitesnake are an English rock band, founded in 1978 by David Coverdale after his departure from his previous band, Deep Purple. The band's early material has been compared by critics to Deep Purple, but by the mid 1980s they had moved to a more commercial hard rock style...
and 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...
keyboardist), drummer Neil Huxtable and bassist Martin Connolly was assembled to back Sharman’s guitar work.
The session was broadcast in 1989 with 4 original instrumental tracks: Pandora’s Box, Flight 212, Spellbinder and Torch The Tower, all written by the teenage Sharman. During the airing of the session Tommy Vance
Tommy Vance
Tommy Vance was a British pop radio broadcaster, born in Eynsham, Oxfordshire. He was one of the few music broadcasters in the United Kingdom to champion hard rock and heavy metal in the early 1980s, providing the only national radio forum for both bands and fans...
sounded out record labels for the prodigy.
Two of Sharman’s instrumental tracks: Trucker and Frantic were used for a number of years by the Friday Rock Show
Friday Rock Show
The Friday Rock Show was a radio show in the United Kingdom that was broadcast on BBC Radio 1 from 10pm to midnight on Friday nights from 1978 to 1993. Throughout most of its run it was hosted by Tommy Vance. Ostensibly for the genre of rock in general, it was most closely associated with heavy metal...
as its official chart countdown and news music.
1990 and the instrumental years (1990–1992)
A record deal with then major metal label Noise RecordsNoise Records
Noise Records was a German record label founded by German music industry personality Karl-Ulrich Walterbach in 1983 as an expansion of his company Modern Music Records. Noise Records specialized in thrash and melodic speed metal. It was sold to the Sanctuary Records Group in 2001 and ceased any...
followed on the back of the BBC session and Sharman’s debut instrumental guitar album ‘1990’ was recorded over a two week period at Berlin's Skytrak studios in Germany and released worldwide. BMG
BMG
Bertelsmann Music Group, , was a division of Bertelsmann before its completion of sale of the majority of its assets to Japan's Sony Corporation of America on October 1, 2008. It was established in 1987 to combine the music label activities of Bertelsmann...
was the international distributor.
All 8 tracks were written by Sharman, in addition to which he played all the instruments on the material and also co-produced the album.
As part of its marketing strategy the record label put stickers on the LPs, which read “http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=dave+sharman+1990&hl=en&client=safari&sa=X&rls=en&biw=1702&bih=1255&tbm=isch&prmd=imvnso&tbnid=HqMzPTMDVudJeM:&imgrefurl=http://www.musicstack.com/records-cds/dave%2Bsharman&docid=zahMsx4FnKMCvM&imgurl=http://www.rockofages.uk.com/stock/16414.jpg&w=460&h=439&ei=ouynToDzB8bm8QP86ZyiDw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=176&vpy=409&dur=539&hovh=219&hovw=230&tx=89&ty=117&sig=108752468975043506704&page=1&tbnh=117&tbnw=141&start=0&ndsp=66&ved=1t:429,r:22,s:0Europe’s Answer To] Joe Satriani
Joe Satriani
Joseph "Joe" Satriani is an American instrumental rock guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, with multiple Grammy Award nominations...
”. The album ‘1990’ received significant critical acclaim from the mainstream music press including: Kerrang Magazine, Metal Hammer
Metal Hammer
Metal Hammer is a monthly heavy metal music magazine published in the United Kingdom by Future Publishing, and in several other countries by different publishers. Metal Hammer articles feature both mainstream bands and more unusual acts from the whole spectrum of heavy metal music...
, Guitar for the Practicing Musician
Guitar for the Practicing Musician
Guitar for the Practicing Musician was a guitar magazine published in the United States by Cherry Lane Music in the 1980s and 1990s. In 1992, it was the most popular music publication at newsstands, selling 740,000 issues over a six-month period. It was popular for publishing songs with guitar and...
and Raw Magazine among others . Sharman was nominated for Guitar For The Practicing Musicians: 'Guitar God in waiting'.
Sharman’s guitar work also caught the attention of 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...
frontman Ian Gillan
Ian Gillan
Ian Gillan is an English rock music vocalist and songwriter, best known as the lead singer and lyricist for Deep Purple. During his career Gillan also fronted his own band, had a year-long stint as the vocalist for Black Sabbath, and sang the role of Jesus in the original recording of Andrew Lloyd...
, who at the time was working on a solo album. Sharman was recruited by Gillan to lay down the guitar parts on a number of tracks on his solo project.
Night Of The Guitars II Tour:
Around the same time, Police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
and Sting manager, Miles Copeland was finalizing the lineup for the ‘Night Of The Guitars II’ tour, the first tour had featured guitarists: Steve Howe
Steve Howe
Steve Howe is the name of:*Steve Howe , progressive rock guitarist*Steve Howe , former major league pitcher...
of ‘Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
’, Robby Krieger
Robby Krieger
Robert Alan "Robby" Krieger is an American rock guitarist and songwriter. He was the guitarist in The Doors, and wrote some of the band's best known songs, including "Light My Fire," "Love Me Two Times," "Touch Me," and "Love Her Madly."...
of ‘The Doors
The Doors
The Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore, and guitarist Robby Krieger...
’, Alvin Lee
Alvin Lee
Alvin Lee is an English rock guitarist and singer. He began playing guitar at the age of 13, and with Leo Lyons formed the core of the band Ten Years After in 1960...
, Steve Hunter, Randy California
Randy California
Randy California was a guitarist, singer and songwriter and one of the original members of the rock group Spirit, formed in 1967.-Biography:...
and Leslie West
Leslie West
Leslie West is an American rock guitarist, singer and songwriter.-Biography:Originally named Leslie Weinstein, West was born in New York City, grew up in Hackensack, New Jersey, and in East Meadow, Forest Hills and Lawrence. After his parents divorced, he changed his surname to West...
of the band ‘Mountain
Mountain
Image:Himalaya_annotated.jpg|thumb|right|The Himalayan mountain range with Mount Everestrect 58 14 160 49 Chomo Lonzorect 200 28 335 52 Makalurect 378 24 566 45 Mount Everestrect 188 581 920 656 Tibetan Plateaurect 250 406 340 427 Rong River...
’. The line-up for the second version featured Ronnie Montrose
Ronnie Montrose
Ronnie Montrose, is an Amercian rock guitarist who has headed his own bands as well as performing with a variety of musicians, including Sammy Hagar, Herbie Hancock, Van Morrison, The Beau Brummels, Boz Scaggs, Beaver & Krause, Gary Wright, Tony Williams, The Neville Brothers, Dan Hartman, Edgar...
of 70's rockers ‘Montrose
Montrose
-Places:Scotland* Montrose, AngusAustralia* Montrose, Tasmania, a suburb of Hobart* Montrose, Victoria, a suburb of MelbourneCanada* Montrose, British Columbia* Montrose , neighborhood in Edmonton, Alberta* Montrose No...
’, Robin Trower
Robin Trower
Robin Leonard Trower , known professionally as Robin Trower, is an English rock guitarist who achieved success with Procol Harum during the 1960s, and then again as the bandleader of his own power trio.-Biography:...
formally of ‘Procol Harum
Procol Harum
Procol Harum are a British rock band, formed in 1967, which contributed to the development of progressive rock, and by extension, symphonic rock. Their best-known recording is their 1967 single "A Whiter Shade of Pale"...
’, Focus
Focus
Focus, FOCUS, or foci may refer to:In science, mathematics or computing:*Focus , selectively concentrating on one aspect of the environment while ignoring other things...
's Jan Akkermann, Rick Derringer
Rick Derringer
Rick Derringer is an American guitarist, vocalist, and entertainer.-1960s:When he was seventeen years old, his band The McCoys recorded "Hang on Sloopy" in the summer of 1965, which became the number one song in America before "Yesterday" by The Beatles knocked it out of the top spot. The song was...
, Saga
Saga (band)
Saga is a progressive rock quintet, formed in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Jim Crichton and Welsh-born vocalist Michael Sadler have been the principal songwriters for Saga. Ian Crichton is the band's guitarist; apart from his work with Saga, he has recorded several solo albums as well as sessions...
's Ian Crichton and Laurie Wisefield
Laurie Wisefield
Laurie Wisefield is an English guitarist, known for his contributions to Wishbone Ash during the 1970s and 1980s.-Early career:Prior to his stint in Wishbone Ash, Wisefield performed with the progressive rock band, Home...
of ‘Wishbone Ash
Wishbone Ash
Wishbone Ash are a British rock band who achieved success in the early and mid-1970s. Their popular records included Wishbone Ash , Argus , There's the Rub , and New England...
’ and Tina Turner. Sharman was invited to complete the tour line-up. Kick starting in Marseille France, the 8 guitarists performed to over 200,000 people across 5 countries. Carlton Media released the tour on DVD. The final show wound up in London and afterwards Sharman set to work on his second studio album ‘Exit Within’.
Exit Within - Initial transition to song based work (1992–1994)
Sharman’s second studio album saw a move away from pure instrumental guitar work and began to take a more song-based approach. The 10 track album featured 4 vocal tracks: Man, Home, Cos You’re A Woman and Attitude, once again all the material was written by Sharman.German Thomas Brache was recruited by Sharman to take on lead vocals with Sharman providing the backing vocals. Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
guitarist Adrian Smith
Adrian Smith
Adrian Frederick "H" Smith is an English musician and one of three guitarists in the heavy metal band, Iron Maiden. He is also one of the band's regular songwriters and, along with bassist Steve Harris, performs backing vocals on some songs.-Biography:While at school, Smith purchased his first...
upon hearing ‘Exit Within’ would later contact Brache to consider him as vocalist on Smith's solo project. Sharman invited Neil Murray
Neil Murray
Neil Murray may refer to:*Neil Murray , British musician who has played bass for a number of notable rock bands*Neil Murray , Australian singer/songwriter who has worked solo and as a member of the Warumpi Band...
who had previously played with Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
, Whitesnake
Whitesnake
Whitesnake are an English rock band, founded in 1978 by David Coverdale after his departure from his previous band, Deep Purple. The band's early material has been compared by critics to Deep Purple, but by the mid 1980s they had moved to a more commercial hard rock style...
and Brian May
Brian May
Brian Harold May, CBE is an English musician and astrophysicist most widely known as the guitarist and a songwriter of the rock band Queen...
to play bass on Exit Within. Pre-production took place at Nina Hagan studios in Berlin, with the album itself being recorded at Skytrak studios also in Berlin.
Once again Sharman’s work received significant critical acclaim from the music press, with Sean Tyler from Kerrang Magazine saying Sharman had done well to avoid the pitfalls that so often befall the guitar based artist and that with a concerted effort he may yet rewrite the rulebook.
Here N' Now - Further transition to song based work (1994)
On his third album Sharman retained Thomas Brache on lead vocals with production duties handed to Kit Woolven, who had produced classic acts such as Thin LizzyThin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy are an Irish hard rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Two of the founding members, drummer Brian Downey and bass guitarist/vocalist Phil Lynott met while still in school. Lynott assumed the role of frontman and led them throughout their recording career of thirteen studio albums...
and UFO.
The album also saw Sharman further transition to song based work, the 10 track album, all written by Sharman, however, did include three instrumentals as a throwback to his instrumental days.
‘Wave’ - Taking on vocals (1996–2000)
Thomas Brache and Sharman parted ways after the production of ‘Here ‘N’ Now’ and Sharman who had always featured on backing vocals took on the role of lead vocals alongside guitar and production. Sharman along with his band became the power trio ‘Wave’ and toured the UK extensively.The music took on more of a grunge
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
based influence.
Work also started on a self-titled album. Duran Duran
Duran Duran
Duran Duran are an English band, formed in Birmingham in 1978. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s and a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States...
producer Colin Thurston
Colin Thurston
Colin Thurston was a British recording engineer and producer.Born in Singapore, Thurston played in bands in London before he "bluffed his way" into audio engineering...
took on the role of co-producer.
The ‘Wave’ album was never officially released as Sharman was said to be unhappy with the production.
‘Rain’ – Departure from guitar (2001–2005)
In a complete change of direction and a move away form the rock genre, Sharman began working with female vocalists and the music took a less guitar driven approach, relying more on piano and vocals, with Sharman displaying a more subtle side to his song writing.The new band ‘Rain’ featured Tali Dennerstien on lead vocal alongside a drummer, bass and keyboard player, with Sharman on guitar, production and songwriting.
The band eventually split with Sharman going his own way retaining bassist Stelios Ftergous.
Finding artistic direction and going back to the guitar (2005–2010)
Sharman decided to go back to his classic rock roots with the guitar at the forefront and also hone his ability as lead vocalist, both of which had taken a backseat during the ‘Rain’ years.Sharman also decided to go back to the classic three piece lineup with himself on guitar, vocals and production, Stelios Fterougas on bass, along with a revolving door of drummers.
Reinvention, return and coming full circle (2011)
Sharman features in Hal Leonard Publishing’s ‘Legends Of Rock Guitar - the Essential Reference of Rock’s Greatest Guitarists’ as being England’s sole shred champ, who released a killer guitar album called ‘1990’ and then promptly fell off the face of the planet. The publication authored by: Pete PrownPete Prown
Pete Prown is a noted American guitarist and music journalist. He leads the progressive rock band Guitar Garden and also writes extensively about guitar music and its history...
and H.P. Newquist is a virtual encyclopedia of great electric guitar players with 35 chapters examining over 300 major figures in every style across the decades.
After years under various management and labels, and trying to find a balance between his guitar playing alongside his songwriting and vocals, Sharman is under new management, has a new label and is said to be finalising work on a new album expected to be released in 2012, on which he is the singer / songwriter and also playing all instruments alongside guitar. The album is also self-produced. Sharman is also expected to return to being a solo artist with a backing band. In many ways a throwback to his debut '1990'.
Sharman’s new material is expected to be a hybrid of influences with the guitar firmly at the forefront, including elements of other genres such as funk, eastern and classic rock
Classic rock
Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
. The majority of the material is expected to be song based with a couple of instrumentals included.
It will be the first studio album with Sharman not only as a guitarist, but also as a singer / songwriter.
Playing style
Sharman belongs to the era of guitarists known as shredders, however, he has often been referred to as a far more melodic and soulful guitarist by musicians, fans and the press alike and said to bring class to the style, rather than trying to cram the most notes in at the highest speed which is stereotypical of the shred guitarShred guitar
Shred guitar or shredding is lead electric guitar playing that relies heavily on fast guitar solos. While some critics argue that shred guitar is associated with "... sweep-picked arpeggios, diminished and harmonic minor scales, finger-tapping and ... whammy-bar abuse", several guitar...
style.
He is also amongst only a handful of British guitarists to be labelled as a shredder. Some of the first exponents of the shred style, which originated in America include Yngwie Malmsteen and Paul Gilbert
Paul Gilbert
Paul Brandon Gilbert is an American guitarist. He is well known for his technical guitar work with Racer X and Mr...
.
Sharman started out as a child prodigy
Child prodigy
A child prodigy is someone who, at an early age, masters one or more skills far beyond his or her level of maturity. One criterion for classifying prodigies is: a prodigy is a child, typically younger than 18 years old, who is performing at the level of a highly trained adult in a very demanding...
. He is recognised as a guitar virtuoso and as being very technically proficient. He is known to employ fast speedy licks and tapping during his guitar solos.
Equipment
Sharman has been an endorser and continues to play Jackson GuitarsJackson Guitars
__FORCETOC__Jackson is a renowned brand of electric guitar that bears the name of its founder, Grover Jackson.-Early years:Grover Jackson obtained ownership in Charvel's Guitar Repair of Glendora, California in the 1970s with a promise to bolster Charvel's business...
and the checkerboard finish guitars that the company custom built for him early on in his career remain his signature guitars. He continues to feature as a Jackson Guitars Artist alongside other British guitarists such as Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
’s Adrian Smith
Adrian Smith
Adrian Frederick "H" Smith is an English musician and one of three guitarists in the heavy metal band, Iron Maiden. He is also one of the band's regular songwriters and, along with bassist Steve Harris, performs backing vocals on some songs.-Biography:While at school, Smith purchased his first...
and Def Leppard
Def Leppard
Def Leppard are an English rock band formed in 1977 in Sheffield as part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. Since 1992, the band have consisted of Joe Elliott , Rick Savage , Rick Allen , Phil Collen , and Vivian Campbell...
’s Rick Savage
Rick Savage
Richard "Rick" Savage is the bassist and one of the founding members of the English rock band, Def Leppard. He is called "Sav" to avoid confusion between him and the other Rick in the band, drummer Rick Allen. He and lead vocalist, Joe Elliot, are the only remaining original members of the band...
.
A little known fact is that of all of Sharman’s guitars, his favourite is a plain black Jackson Dinky
Jackson Dinky
The Jackson Dinky is a Superstrat-style double-cutaway electric guitar built by Jackson Guitars. The "Dinky" is aptly named for its slightly smaller than normal body size. Usually fitted with a two humbucker pickup configuration, some models also include single-coil pickups or just one bridge...
which has been used on all of his albums.
Sharman plays Ibanez
Ibanez
is a Japanese guitar brand owned by Hoshino Gakki. Based in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan, Hoshino Gakki were one of the first Japanese musical instrument companies to gain a significant foothold in import guitar sales in the United States and Europe, as well as the first brand of guitars to mass produce...
bass on his material.
He also has been an official endorser and continues to use DiMarzio
DiMarzio
DiMarzio, Inc. is an United States manufacturer best known for its revolutionary direct-replacement guitar pickups. The company also produces miscellaneous guitar accessories, such as cables, straps and hardware.DiMarzio became known for its Super Distortion model, which was the first after...
pickups and Kahler
Kahler
Kahler may refer to:Places*Kahler, Luxembourg, a small town in the commune of Garnich*Kahler Asten,a German mountain rangePeople*Art Kahler , American football and basketball player and coach...
tremolos.
In the past he has also endorsed Washburn Guitars
Washburn Guitars
Washburn Guitars is an American guitar manufacturer. It was established in 1883 in Chicago, Illinois. Washburn is a part of U.S. Music Corporation.- History :...
, Hohner
Hohner
Hohner Musikinstrumente GmbH & Co. KG is a company specialising in the manufacture of musical instruments. Founded in 1857 by Matthias Hohner , Hohner is identified especially with harmonicas and accordions. The Hohner company has invented and produced many different styles, and most of the...
Guitars as well as Hughes & Kettner
Hughes & Kettner
Hughes & Kettner is a German brand of guitar and bass amplifiers, cabinets and effects processors. It was founded in Neunkirchen in 1984 and is based in St.Wendel since 1987....
Amplification.
Sharman has also been an official D’Addario Strings
D'Addario
D'Addario is a manufacturer of musical instrument strings, primarily guitar strings, currently headquartered in Farmingdale, Long Island, New York...
endorser, however, it appears that Sharman is currently not associated with any string companies.
Personal life
Lives in London, United Kingdom and is married. Sharman has an extensive classical music collection and owns the entire works of Beethoven, BachBạch
Bạch is a Vietnamese surname. The name is transliterated as Bai in Chinese and Baek, in Korean.Bach is the anglicized variation of the surname Bạch.-Notable people with the surname Bạch:* Bạch Liêu...
and Mozart, who he often says he admires. In his spare time Sharman enjoys reading about the universe, time and dimensions.
Discography
- 1990
- Exit Within
- Here 'N' Now
- Wave (unreleased)
- The Best of Dave Sharman - Vol I
- The Best of Dave Sharman - Vol II
- Untitled - 2012 release
External links
- Official Dave Sharman website
- https://www.facebook.com/DaveSharmanRockGuitarist
- http://www.myspace.com/davesharmanguitarist
- http://forum.ibanez.com/Default.aspx?g=posts&m=415591
- http://www.rockunited.com/nineties1990.htm
- http://www.guitaretab.com/d/dave-sharman/149132.html