Guitar technique much improved over the years as a result of teaching other people how to play the guitar, which is the closest thing to a profession that David has ever had. Phew that was a close one! He plays woodwind as well as guitars and basses, and as principal clarinet of the Great St Mary’s orchestra, which rehearses and performs just off the Market Square in Cambridge, he actually knows what all those dots mean.

 

Likes - Motown and soul; Genesis, King Crimson and Van Der Graaf Generator (all lads that knew their scales) as well as lots of post punk including Joe Jackson, Elvis Costello and Stranglers. Old-style The Who, much missed Lou Reed. Further afield Clare Martin, The Unthanks… Richard Thompson is the finest guitarist and songwriter this nation has ever produced. 

 

These days female vocalists are preferred; women’s stories are much more interesting than the pompous male

self-absorption of the past, although the killer riffs usually belong to us. David also has an enduring fondness for pop chipmunks Supertramp, much to Tony’s amusement. But if you listen to a handful of our tracks you will see that it’s musical differences that keep us together…

 

Best live gigs:

Richard Thompson, Dream Attic tour January 2011 Cambridge Corn Exchange  and/or Van Der Graaf Generator reunion, London 2005, after 27 years apart. God that was a long wait.

 

Favourite track: 

Aaah! My head will explode if you make me choose just one. Strawberry Fields Forever, One Day I’ll Fly Away, Lonely For Your Love, Tears Of A Clown Ommadawn, Coz I Luv You, Peaches, Schubert’s Unfinished (I didn’t know he’d been started!)