I'd like to spend a few minutes telling you all about a very interesting chap that made contact with me via the website, he's loved experimenting with genres, pushing his songwriting in exciting new areas, and getting to work as a session musician for Daniel Lanois, Andrew Loog Oldham, Alex Chilton, and others.
His roots are in the first wave of Canadian punk, and for the last year couple of years he's been able to harness that energy in Minneapolis.
He found his new band, The Governors while on tour. After a couple of years of bopping in from time to time, it was decided that they'd make a record. He was into the idea of going to one of the coldest places in the world to start the project at Rich Mattson's Sparta Sound. Sparta is in between Eveleth and Gilbert on Minnesota's Iron Range. That’s where Ashtray Makeup (11 Track 2013 album) was made. It’s the middle of nowhere and cold, but the songs come from the fun and humour that is completely unique to Minnesota.
We caught up with Dave at Battersea Dogs Home where he was trying desperately to adopt a Labradoodle (as you do) and whilst he was waiting for the nice staff to sort him out a couple to choose from, we threw a load of questions at him, here's how it went down….
Name of band / act? Dave Rave and The Governors
Location? Hamilton/Minnesota
Names of all members? Dave Rave, Craig Teiken, Rich Mattson, Tom Cook, Tag, Dave Lloyd
When did you form? Minneapolis (I think this should have been a date but hey ho…)
Introduce yourself and your music in one sentence.... Dinosaur Jr, meets Big Star
A fascinating fact about you or one of the band members? We only play together two weeks our of the whole year, but we play the whole two weeks.
Last time you used public transport and where did you go? The 5 Train from 14th Street to 86 Street in NYC
Last time you felt proud? When we received Ashtray Makeup (2013 album)
What classic song do you wish you recorded and why? Blitzkreig Bop, because it has the best chorus ever
Last movie you saw? American Hustle
Last book you read? Americana by Ray Davies
What did you dream about last night? Dancing in a Liverpool dance club
Last time you cried? Today
Last time you were rude to someone and why? My Bank because they were making me wait in the cold for service.
What excites you? Girls who dance
Biggest musical influence? Early sixties rock n roll
Earliest childhood memory? Watching the Ed Sullivan Show on Sunday nights
Best gig you ever played? The Cavern in Liverpool
Best band/artist of 2013? Hailee Rose
Biggest act you have ever played with (supported or on the same bill as)? The Grateful Dead or Lou Reed Or Bruce Springsteen. It's a toss up.
The last album/record you bought? Haim - Days Are Gone
Last time you had a fight? My guitar player last Sunday.
Tell me one of your guilty pleasures? Baseball
Best advice you ever received and who was it from? From Daniel Lanois. Discover your sound, don't contrive it.
Largest amount spent in a single purchase? (excluding property) Car, but the guitars have been close.
The staff at the dog's home were having problems trying to locate Dave a Labradoodle so he asked if they had any Pugs, whilst they went scurrying off in search of a baggy-faced canine friend for him, we rolled in the 'big gun' quick fire questions….
Coffee or Tea? Coffee
Coke or Pepsi? Coke Zero
Mac or PC? who knows
Holidays/Vacations – Beach or ski-ing? none
Meat or Vegetables? Vegetables
CD or Vinyl? Cassette
Car or Motorbike? Car
Cat or Dog? Cat
Acoustic or Electric? Both
Angelina or Jennifer? What the hell, Jennifer.
Cooked Breakfast (bacon/eggs/mushrooms/toast etc) or Cereal? Cooked breakfast. Bacon.
So there you have it folks, a journey into the mind of Dave Rave from Dave Rave and the Governors, we hope that you feel that you know him a little better now, if you happen to cross his path when he's out walking his cross breed hound in Minnesota, be sure to say that you read this interview and have bought his album on every format available, I'm sure he'll buy you a coffee to say thanks….
