Celebrating 10 years of Rockin' Dave

Chapter 1 - Prologue

It was in November of 2008 that a fresh-faced lad, myself, made a significant discovery regarding the profound impact of music. At the tender age of 14, I was about to embark on the challenging journey of those daunting teenage years. In the past, I had not shown a particular interest in musical bands. Recently, I watched the movie "Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny," starring Jack Black. Ironically, it was this movie inspired me to embark on my own musical journey. As a result, all I wanted for Christmas that year was a guitar. So, Dad and I visited a nearby guitar store to explore their selection. Being a total novice, I was uncertain about the type of guitar that would suit my needs. Heck I didn't even know the difference between a guitar and bass! Fortunately, the knowledgeable shop owner provided valuable guidance. He determined that I was seeking a starter kit which included a practice amp, a black electric guitar (Fender knock-off), tuner, even a few plectrums and strap. It was perfect! However, I must admit that my attention was initially drawn to this captivating red, double-horned guitar. Its menacing appearance instantly captivated me. This guitar turned out to be a Westfield SG, and it was at that moment that my profound appreciation for the SG guitar was ignited, making it my first choice to this day.

So Christmas day came. I opened up the guitar with eager enthusiasm and started to strum away at the strings, letting out these wonderful—no, distorting—noises. I wasn't the neighbours biggest fan, it must be said! Fast forward a few weeks into the new year, and I began to teach myself how the heck you actually made some tunes out of this wondrous instrument. To be brief, YouTube was a valuable companion. I did not receive any individual lessons, but instead learned by listening and playing along with numerous songs. I appeared to grasp melodies swiftly and soon endeavored to compose my own songs and even formed a band at school with some of the other musically inclined students. BACKLASH we called ourselves. The tale of BACKLASH is one that is best left for another occasion. However, I must acknowledge that those years served as the foundation for my success as a solo artist.

Chapter 2 - Beginning

In the summer of 2014, after parting ways with the band BACKLASH, I embarked on a new musical endeavor. Armed with my trusty Gibson SG, a notebook, and an abundance of creative ideas, I commenced the composition of fresh material to contribute to the music world. As the primary songwriter for BACKLASH, I possessed a love of song concepts. Furthermore, I invested in my own mixing desk to facilitate the recording of these tracks. However, like all accomplished musicians, a captivating stage name is essential. I fondly recalled the nickname bestowed upon me by my esteemed music teacher, Mr. Civil, during my school days. "Here comes Rockin' Dave," he would often say with a chuckle, as I enthusiastically made my way down the corridor, guitar in hand, eager to secure a practice room during the lunch break. As a fan of classic rock, naturally, I was the loudest person in the entire school, and that's saying something! It seemed that the name was lived up to my reputation, and so, Rockin' Dave was born.

When these events were occurring, I resided above the renowned biker/rock pub, The King Billy Rock Bar, situated in the heart of Northampton town center with my partner at the time. Having performed numerous gigs at this historic establishment in the past, it felt appropriate to make my debut as a solo artist there, a place I genuinely considered my home. However, a realization dawned upon me: how would I effectively present my music in all its glory without the support of a traditional band onstage?

A brilliant idea struck me. I pondered, "What if I could manipulate my songs to convey the power of a full band during my live performances?" The solution became evident: backing tracks! With great enthusiasm, I retreated to my humble studio, removing lead guitar and vocal tracks to create my very own backing tracks that exuded an authentic 'live band' atmosphere. This format has remained my steadfast approach.

So, when you attend a live performance, you can be rest assured that you will experience nothing less than a one-man band, fueled by passion and amplified to captivate your senses.

Chapter 3 - Progress

At the beginning of 2015, I had a new aspiration in mind - to produce a new album. Having already recorded and released the demo album, Rite To Rock, my next album promised to be more substantial and improved. By implementing my recently acquired studio skills during the production of Rite To Rock, I felt confident in producing the new album. As before, I had an abundance of ideas, which this time seemed to fit together with relative ease. It was like gaining experience in building a jigsaw puzzle, only much more enjoyable! I would carry around a leather-bound notebook, complete with a musical clef. This way, I could add lyrics from moments of inspiration at any given time. As for the guitar riffs, they would come naturally to me, as if my subconscious was tapping into my guitar playing. To enhance my vocal abilities and explore their full potential, I decided to take vocal lessons with a local vocal coach. This truly expanded my understanding (and vocal range) of the true extent of vocal capability. Having dedicated myself to the task, I returned to my home recording studio once more.

After several weeks of hard graft, the 14-track album titled "Disconnected" was finally completed. However, as the saying goes, "There is no rest for the rockin'," (or something like that!). "Disconnected" was released on CD in the summer of 2015. As for me, I was just beginning my journey into the bigger world of music.

Chapter 4 - True North

I had to take a short hiatus from producing music because of some personal challenges that I had to overcome. However, I continued to write new material inspired by these experiences. I believe that using music as a form of expression will help elevate my songs to the next level and connect with my fans.

One of the primary reasons behind my hiatus was to embark on a journey of self-discovery. Life can be quite overwhelming, and it is easy to lose sight of oneself within its complexities. With this realization as my guiding principle, I enthusiastically resumed the production of a new album titled "True North." The title resonated deeply with me, as it summed up the idea that when one feels lost, they should seek guidance from their inner compass, their "true north".

Feeling refreshed and fired up, I was prepared to produce my best work to-date! This statement appeared to be accurate, as some of my most beloved songs are featured on this particular album. "Burnin' Rubber," "Robotronic," "Hound Town," and "True North" all became highly popular among fans, frequently requested at live performances.

Alongside the launch of True North in 2017, I started my first line of merchandise. The catalogue included posters, t-shirts, and stickers, which were all available to purchase at my live performances. It was at this point that I was recognised for the distressed Union Jack flag, which featured on the front cover of the album. It seemed my journey as a self produced musician was progressing well. But of course, I knew the road ahead was a long one. No one knew what could be next, what was to happen next.

Chapter 5 - A new venture

Following the triumph of True North, I embraced every opportunity that presented itself. Having performed numerous solo shows, open mic nights, and even securing a victory in a competition held in Great Yarmouth, my prospects were indeed promising, and I was feeling great. Then, in September of 2017, I was fortunate to be headhunted by an AC/DC tribute band known as Let There B/DC. They were searching for a guitarist to temporarily assume the role of Angus Young. After a handful of energetic performances with the band, they asked me to join them as a permanent member, an offer I was delighted to accept. AC/DC has consistently been one of my most admired bands and serve as inspiration behind Rockin' Dave and my profound love for music.

Upon joining the band in March 2018, I made the decision to temporarily suspend all live performances under the moniker of Rockin' Dave. Nonetheless, I remained dedicated to composing new material, drawing inspiration from my experiences on the road as part of a rock band. It was an invigorating experience to collaborate with fellow musicians once again, as it undoubtedly contributed to the enhancement of my guitar playing abilities.

By 2019, I was once again brimming with creative ideas, prepared to embark on the journey of crafting my third studio album. The title, "Rock In Progress," emerged effortlessly, serving as both a warning and a pledge. I was here to rock!

With improved financial support from the band's income, I was able to not only produce physical copies of this album but also venture into the realm of digital distribution. Additionally, I expanded the merchandise catalog, providing fans with the opportunity to purchase items both online and in physical form. The album, "Rock In Progress," was released in August 2019 and continues to be accessible across all major streaming platforms. To date, it has proven to be my most successful album.

Chapter 6 - 10 Year anniversary

Five years have passed since the release of "Rock In Progress." During that time, I have balanced my time between performances with the band and working on my own new material. Given the time constraints, releasing albums seemed like a daunting task, so I decided to release a steady stream of singles instead. Between 2020 and 2023, five singles were released digitally: "Invisible Man," "Capture the Moment," "Liar Leaver," "Summerset Blues," "Emerald," and "Demon in Disguise." Each track offered something unique, showcasing different styles and songwriting approaches. However, these singles were merely a prelude to something truly special: my ten-year anniversary.

2024, the year that marked a decade-long solo career, and I felt quite sentimental about what I have accomplished during that time. Having reflected on my musical journey, not just as Rockin' Dave, but all the way back to 2009 when I first picked up the guitar. I believed it was time to commemorate this milestone with a special album release, both for myself and for my dedicated fans.

In January, I embarked on this project with great enthusiasm. The first step was to upgrade my equipment. I invested in a brand-new mixing system and a top-of-the-line microphone setup to ensure the highest quality recordings. Next, I carefully selected a list of songs that I felt were worthy of inclusion on this special album. Finally, the exciting process of recording began!

My goal was to re-record certain tracks that I felt did not meet the standards of today's music industry. At the same time, I also remastered some of the tracks that I believed were still relevant and of high quality.

The inaugural song of the album holds significant importance. "Rock N' Roll Dream" was the first composition I created at the tender age of fifteen. Since it remained unreleased and unrecorded, it was an obvious selection to commence the album. The third track, "Down On The Line," is a brand-new song. Its inclusion felt appropriate considering how fast the past decade has been. As the album unfolds and reaches its conclusion, I bring it to a close with "True North," as music has consistently served as my internal compass. Without the guiding force of music, I would not have achieved my current position.

I would like to conclude this brief narrative by expressing my deepest gratitude to all those who have had faith in me. Being a solo artist can be a solitary endeavor at times. However, I remind myself of the reason I wake each day; I am a musician and I play Rock N' Roll!

- Dave