Dave Mattacks, (DM), continues ‘living the dream’ with a career that shows absolutely no signs of slowing down. Since moving to Boston, Massachusetts from the UK in March 2000, Dave appears to be busier now than ever before. With international notoriety, he has played on over two hundred albums - including five with Sir Paul McCartney. Since the 1960’s, his long resume reads like a who’s who of the UK and American music scenes. Revered and respected around the world; Mattacks is a prime example of the totally consummate professional...Creative and focused at all times. Never one to get caught up in unnecessary hype; his primary objective was always about the music.
Level 42 Drummer Phil Gould acknowledges Dave with the following:
“Dave Mattacks was my first drum hero, my first major influence, and I remain a fan to this day. I have a lot to thank Dave Mattacks for; a great musician and a true inspiration. Dave has a unique and identifiable voice. His ideas, sound, taste, economy, technique, and execution are always crystal clear.”
Doane Perry, drummer with Jethro Tull for 27 years had this to say about Dave,
"Dave is one of my favorite players for several reasons. His musicality, taste, feel, note placement and sound put him in a unique class of musicians. He never resorts to "smarty-pants" playing, although he has considerable technique. But he has the maturity and style to make that part of his craft invisible. We have played many gigs together over the years and I have always loved watching him perform. He has a big, fat, warm sound and he's able to extract a tremendous dynamic range from his drums and cymbals. Right notes, right time, right place. You can't ask for a lot more from a musician. It is no surprise that he has enjoyed such a long, varied and enormously successful career. He's a great guy with martini-dry wit ... not to mention that anybody with the enviably extensive snare drum collection that Dave possesses, better be pretty damn good!!!"
Although Dave continues to amass numerous and varied accomplishments: he is most associated with the now legendary, and hugely influential British folk-rock group ‘Fairport Convention’. Mattacks joined up with them in 1969, touring, and recording seven albums. His style remains unmistakable as he forges ahead on a six decades career. The Fairport album ‘Liege & Lief’ is as fresh today as it was in 1969 - It is now considered a classic. After leaving the group in 1974, Dave has never looked back. He began focusing on dual roles as a musician and producer in the studio, and on a number of film and television scores. He also recorded or toured with George Harrison, Elton John, Jimmy Page, Jethro Tull, Brian Eno, Cat Stevens, Loudon Wainwright III, Steeleye Span, Roseanne Cash and Chris Rea, amongst many other notables.
Since settling in the United States, Dave has had a full schedule of playing, teaching, recording, and producing. He has given master-classes and clinics at London’s Royal Academy of Music, and Berklee College of Music in Boston. He has also been ‘house drummer’ at the Marblehead Arts Festival for the last seven years. In 2011 he had the distinct honor of performing with the Portland Symphony Orchestra.
Presently, Dave continues to enjoy working with the band, KBMG, around New England. He recently finished another recording with Washington, D.C. based singer and songwriter, Mary Ann Redmond, and a CD with Josh English. Dave has done twenty tours with the band, Feast of Fiddles. The band will be doing its twenty first tour of the UK this April. He continues to freelance extensively around New England.
Mattacks says:
“It’s always a great time with all of these wonderful friends of mine.”
Dave has attained such a respected reputation, that it borders on the mythical. His level of intensity behind the drums never ceases to amaze audiences everywhere. He has an incredible amount of achievements that most musicians can only dream of. Yet, with so many abundant accolades received over the years, Mr. Mattacks remains a soft-spoken and humble gentleman. Through his influence, encouragement, and passion for the instrument, Dave Mattacks continues to inspire drummers of all ages by always totally immersing himself into the music.
When asked who are some of his favorite drummers; who do you listen to for inspiration? He responded:
“It’s a very long list which obviously includes Buddy Rich, Tony Williams, and Steve Gadd. But for starters – Kenny Clare, Ringo Starr, Shelly Manne, Joe Labarbera, Paul Motian, Bill Stewart, Jake Hanna, Charlie Watts, Steve Jordan, Paul Clarvis, Tony Oxley, Roy Haynes, Jim Keltner, Mel Lewis, Levon Helm, Papa Jo Jones, Peter Erskine, Earl Palmer, Jack Bruno, and so many more."
Selected Television and Film Scores: Death Wish 2, Give my Regards to Broadstreet, "Lisztomania"; "McVicar", Time Bandits, Your Cheatin’ Heart
Selected Concert / Tour Credits: Rosanne Cash; Mary Chapin Carpenter; Richard Thompson; Steeleye Span; Jethro Tull; Chris Rea; Georgie Fame; Nick Hayward; The McGarrigals. Richard Thompson.
Selected Recording Credits: Joan Armatrading ("The Shouting Stage", "Love and Affection" Mary Chapin-Carpenter ("Place in the World", Nick Drake ("Bryter Layter"); Brian Eno; Everything but the Girl ("Amplified Heart"); Georgie Fame; "Feast of Fiddles" Debut CD; Peter Green; George Harrison; Juliana Hatfield "Gold Stars"; Jethro Tull ("A Little Light Music"); Elton John (tracks on "Ice on Fire" and "Leather Jackets" including the single ‘Nikita’); Paul McCartney (tracks on "Run Devil Run", ‘We got Married’ from "Flowers in the Dirt", ‘Long and Winding Road’ from "?Broadstreet", "Pipes of Peace", "Tug of War"); Alison Moyet (‘That Old Devil Called Love’ single); Jimmy Page ("Death Wish 2"); "Chris Rea (four CD’s including "On the Beach" and "Stainsby Girls" singles); Steeleye Span: "Bedlam Born"; Cat Stevens; Linda Thompson "Fashionably Late"; Richard Thompson (various recordings including "Hand of Kindness", "Mock Tudor", "Action Packed")"; Susan Tedeschi "Wait For Me"; Loudon Wainright; XTC ("NonSuch")
Present equipment specifications: Yamaha Drums ... Various Sets: Maple Absolute / Recording Series / Club Custom, Vintage Gretsch Kits, Large assortment of Vintage Snares, Large assortment of Avedis Zildjian Cymbals
Dave Mattacks is proud to endorse the following: Avedis Zildjian Cymbals, Yamaha Drums & Hardware, Evans Drum Heads, Pro-Mark Sticks, LP Percussion, Protection Racket Drum Cases, Hardcase Drum Covers and Cases, Cympad Cymbal Felt Alternatives, Porter and Davies Drum Thrones
Dave Mattacks Official Website:http://www.dmattacks.co.uk
KBMG at Berklee College of Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MYuC0NG6yw
FEAST OF FIDDLES http://www.feastoffiddles.co.uk/index.htm
Fairport Convention Official Website http://www.fairportconvention.com
Photo Credit : Dave MattacksPaul Janovitz Photography
Photo Credit : Steve Smith - Charlie Watts - Dave MattacksCourtesy of Jim McGathey/John DeChristopher of Zildjian