// Workers AI · dad joke modeIs Dave Formula a math problem? No, he's a person.
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Dave Formula | |
|---|---|
 Formula in 2007 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | David Tomlinson, Dave Tomlinson, Dave Formula |
| Born | David Tomlinson 11 August 1946 Whalley Range, Manchester, England |
| Genres | Rock, beat, post-punk, synthpop, new wave, electronic, jazz, funk |
| Instruments | Keyboards, synthesizer |
| Years active | c. 1965–present |
| Labels | Decca Records, Virgin, EMI, Polydor |
| Website | Dave Formula's official MySpace site wire-sound: Dave Formula |
Dave Formula (born David Tomlinson[1] 11 August 1946, Whalley Range, Manchester in England),[2] is an English keyboardist and film-soundtrack composer from Manchester, who played with the post-punk bands Magazine and Visage during the end of the 1970s and the beginning of the 1980s and in the "world music" band The Angel Brothers.
Biography
[edit]Early years and St. Louis Union
[edit]Formula grew up in Whalley Range, Manchester.[3]
He initially worked under his real name of David Tomlinson, achieving some success in the mid-1960s with the R&B blues/soul band St. Louis Union, including appearances on TV shows Top of the Pops and Thank Your Lucky Stars and in the film The Ghost Goes Gear (which also featured The Spencer Davis Group). At the time he formed the group, he was working as an apprentice television engineer with John Nichols, the band’s bass player.[2] Later he worked as a cabaret musician. Before moving to London during his stint in Magazine, he shared a flat with record producer Martin Hannett.
Magazine
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Formula was a member of Magazine, joining in 1978 following the departure of Bob Dickinson and the release of their debut single "Shot By Both Sides" and remaining until the band's breakup in 1981. His multi-layered keyboard sounds, made with equipment including the Yamaha CP70 electric grand piano, Yamaha YC45D Organ, an ARP Odyssey, a Yamaha SS30 string synth, and on later albums a Prophet 5, were a defining part of the band.
Magazine reformed in February 2009 with Formula returning to play keyboards.
Visage
[edit]Formula joined New Romantic ensemble Visage with Magazine's John McGeoch and Barry Adamson in 1978; he played on their first two albums, Visage and The Anvil. He left the group in 1983 after having some differences with drummer Rusty Egan regarding the musical style of their third album.
Ludus
[edit]Formula was a performing and songwriting member of Ludus in 1982 and remained for at least five years.[4]
Inaura
[edit]He also joined a band called Inaura in the mid-1990s and played on their album One Million Smiles.[5][6]
The Angel Brothers
[edit]Whilst lecturing in popular music, he met up with Keith Angel, Dave Angel & Andy Seward which eventually led to Formula joining the world music band The Angel Brothers in 2003, playing on their two albums, Punjab To Pit Top and Forbidden Fruit.
Design For Living
[edit]After Formula's stint with Magazine, he formed part of a band called Design For Living.[7]
Solo album
[edit]In January 2007, Formula began working on a solo album recording 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 Devoto, Barry Adamson, John Doyle, John McGeoch (posthumously), and Robin Simon-as well singer/ songwriter Robert Wyatt, Swing Out Sister's Corrine Drury, Dennis Rollins, and Joel Purnell. The release was delayed due to Magazine's 2009 activity and the album was released in February 2010 on Wire Sound.[8] A video of the collaboration with Devoto; "Via Sacra" is posted on YouTube.[9]
Discography
[edit]- Satellite Sweetheart (February 2010)
References
[edit]- ↑ "What's On: Music, Film, & Things To Do in Manchester - Manchester Evening News". Citylife.co.uk. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
- 1 2 "Manchester Beat – "St. Louis Union are tops", a newspaper from 1965". Archived from the original on 5 September 2008. Retrieved 12 September 2008.
- ↑ Dave Formula interview Yeah, I grew up in Whalley Range Dave Formula
- ↑ Ludus – The Damage (booklet notes)
- ↑ "Inaura". Music.metason.net.
- ↑ Inaura live review specifically mentioning Formula in band, Melody Maker November 25, 1995
- ↑ "The Great Rock Discography", p. 492. Edited by M.C. Strong. Published by Giunti, 1998. ISBN 88-09-21522-2, ISBN 978-88-09-21522-1
- ↑ "wire—sound | 360-degree music entertainment company". Wire-sound.com. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
- ↑ "Dave Formula & Howard Devoto "Via Sacra"". YouTube. Archived from the original on 18 December 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
External links
[edit]- Dave Formula's new recording studio, The Sweet Factory
- wire-sound – Dave Formula Official blog-web site
- Dave Formula Photograph 2009
- AllMusic Guide profile
- 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
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