Dave Mattacks

Dave Mattacks
Drummer - Rock, Folk Bands: Fairport Convention Drumsticks: Pro-Mark http://www.DMattacks.co.uk/

David James "Dave" Mattacks (born 13 March 1948, Edgware, Middlesex, England) is a rock and folk drummer. Best known for his work with Fairport Convention, Mattacks has also worked both as a session musician, and as a performance artist. Apart from playing the drums he is also a versed keyboard player and occasionally played the bass guitar on studio recordings. He was with George Harrison when the news of John Lennon's murder came through.

He began as a trainee piano-tuner before taking up the drums. He played with several jazz bands before joining the electric folk band, Fairport Convention, in August 1969.

First Fairport stint

He replaced Martin Lamble, who had died on 12 May 1969 in a road accident, on the M1 motorway. Mattacks left Fairport Convention in early 1972 to join The Albion Country Band. Meanwhile he had also contributed to numerous studio recordings such as the Morris On project, Nick Drake's Bryter Layter, Steve Ashley's "Stroll On" sessions, Steeleye Span's debut album Hark! The Village Wait and Harvey Andrews' album "Writer of Songs". He returned to Fairport Convention in order to help complete the 1973 album Rosie with a revamped line up of the band.

Second Fairport stint

Mattacks also played on Nine (1974), but left halfway through the making of the follow-up Rising for the Moon following an altercation with engineer Glyn Johns.[citation needed] Some of Mattacks' most notable participations in studio recordings in the late 1970s are the work on art rock studio albums by Brian Eno (Before and After Science) and 801's Listen Now, as well as several Ashley Hutchings-related folk rock projects (The Compleat Dancing Master, Son of Morris On etc.). He also established himself as a touring drummer for Richard Thompson, playing on several of Thompson's studio albums, too.

Third Fairport stint

When Fairport Convention reformed in 1985 after a six-year absence, Mattacks was recruited as drummer. He had already been playing with them again at annual reunions at the fledgling Cropredy Festival. Mattacks would remain with Fairport until 1997.

In 1998 "DM", as he is known, moved to Marblehead, Massachusetts, United States, where he is a sought-after studio musician, record producer, and member of the band, Super Genius, although he still tours the UK, Europe and Australia regularly with various acts.

Other Projects

He has toured and recorded with:

Fairport Convention, Kate and Anna McGarrigle, Chris Rea, Ralph McTell, The Chills, Mickey Jupp, Everything but the Girl, Richard Thompson, Georgie Fame, Jethro Tull, Ashley Hutchings, Steeleye Span, Feast of Fiddles, Jimmy Page (Death Wish II), Judith Owen

He has toured with:

Nick Heyward, Andy Fairweather-Low, Grey DeLisle, Rosanne Cash

He has recorded with:

Mike Heron, Incredible String Band, Elton John, XTC, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Cat Stevens, Loudon Wainwright III, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Brian Eno, Alison Moyet, Martin Phillipps, Joan Armatrading, Jimmy Page, The Proclaimers, Gary Brooker, Elkie Brooks, Nick Drake, Liane Carroll, Sandy Denny, Super Genius, Four Piece Suit, Barbara Dickson, The Happy Kenneths, The Barron Knights, Beverley Craven, Sebastian Santa Maria, Shelagh McDonald, Shirley Collins, Kajagoogoo, Spirogyra, Bill Nelson, Brooks Williams, Ayuo, Debra Cowan, Michael Wang, Elaine O'Rourke, The Dream Academy, Phil Manzanera

Drumstick Collection

Current Drumstick Count in Collection: 2.

(2014) - 0217-0218 Dave Mattacks - autographed, event used, Pro-Mark signature model drumstick, 1/8/14 drum clinic at The Drum Shop North Shore, Beverly, MA.