Name? Dave Warner
Birthday? January 21, 1969
Hometown? Grew up in Highland Hts., Ohio, (Currently living in Wickliffe, Ohio)
High School? Mayfield High (graduated 1987)
How did you end up in your current band? I auditioned for Abby Normal back in the spring of 2006 (I was friends with them for
quite awhile). I love playing with these guys! (Diverse group playing everything under the sun – plus, no personal politics in this
band……imagine that!)
What instruments do you play? Bass (and the occasional drums – not very much though)
Talk about your gear, favorite instruments, why you like or use certain things.
I have 4 basses:
1. Yamaha TRB-5 (My main axe).
2. Alembic Epic 4 string.
3. Customized Fender Jazz bass (I modified a Jazz Squire my ripping out the passive pickups and dropping a screaming set
of Bartolini’s and covering it in Miller Genuine Draft beer label all over it. This is my party bass).
4. Dean Pace Electric Upright (I’m now addicted to playing this instrument. Next up, a true acoustic upright).
Amplification:
1. Hartke 5000 systems Head (Bi-amped).
2. SWR Goliath Jr 2x10 cabinet.
3. Hartke 15 inch bottom cabinet.
I use the 5 string pretty much on everything. Both 4 strings I will use for the funk/disco songs (the sound and feel of these
basses is a better match for these songs). I am converting all the swing/big band songs to the upright (gotta play upright on this
material!)
When was your first gig, and were you paid for it? I opened for Catch 22 at Spanky’s East in 1988 (when I played with XLR8) –
The only pay I received was a free beer from one of the bartenders!! (ha ha)
What is your favorite piece of music to perform and why? Lately its toss up between Zoot Suit Riot, Rock This Town (the
swing version), and Love Rollercoaster (cool funk/Disco song). I also love playing “Sweet Caroline” because of how the
audience eats it up!
Favorite local artist? I like quite a few of the local bands and artists – too many to list. I do support local bands. Even though we
all play slightly different material, I feel it's important to support each other - in a sense, it's kind of a union between all of us.
Favorite venue to play? Willoughby Brewing Company, the Blind Pig.
Artists you really like to listen to? The Beatles, The Guess Who, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Michael Buble (especially the Big
Band/Swing stuff he does), Barnaked Ladies, Reel Big Fish, Stevie Wonder, Brian Setzer Orchestra, Earth Wind and Fire, Sly and
the Family Stone.
New artists you admire? John Mayer, Chris Daughtry, Gwen Stefani (she’s a cool chick and good performer).
What bands today could you see being around in 25 years? Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dave Mathews Band – (any band whose
members don’t kill each other)
What were your first three albums ever owned? There quite a few – Here’s the 3 that I remember the most:
Queen – the Game, Rush – Moving Pictures, Assorted Disco Artists by RONCO (ha ha)
Five CDs you can’t live without?
Too many to list off the top of my head.
Most embarrassing thing in your CD collection? Depends on what you call embarrassing (my collection has anything from
The Commodores to Rush to Counting Crows to Snoop Dogg to Neil Diamond to Greenday to Stevie Wonder). Ok……I own the
“Best of Jefferson Starship” in my collection.
What’s in your CD player right now? Brian Setzer Orchestra – the Ultimate Collection LIVE. Awesome CD!!!
Favorite website? MySpace.com, YouTube.com
Favorite movies? JAWS, Goodfellas, Casino, Caddyshack, Stripes, Clerks, Shawshank Redemption
Favorite television shows? LOST, Mythbusters, Dirty Jobs, Family Guy, House, Bones, the Bionic Woman.
It’s 1969, you’re 18 years old, and you have the opportunity to go to Woodstock. Would you go?
Hell Yes!!
What do you do in your day job? Software/Firmware Engineer (I graduated from CSU in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in
Electrical Engineering). Currently employed with Money Controls Inc (we design dollar bill acceptors for the slot machine
industry). I also run a multimedia company called “DTW media”. I’ve done DVD work for quite a few local bands (L-80’s Night,
1988, Son Of Glam, etc)
What do you like to do in your spare time? Spend time with my wife and kids, Camping, go fishing with my parents, tinkering
around the house, going to see other local bands, re-watching movies over and over again and memorizing all the funny lines
from them, people watching with my friends.
Most unusual request while playing out? Toss up between something by Cannibal Corpse or the Grease Soundtrack Medly
(These two might even been asked for in the same night!)
Most tiresome request while playing out? “Freebird!!!!!” or “ZEPPLIN!!!”
Favorite beverage at a gig? Depends. Miller Light, Ice Water, and Ginger ale.
When I play the Willoughby Brewing Company I drink their home brewed Root Beer – Outstanding!!!
Name a song you’d love to see on your “To Learn” list: I would love to learn how to play “FreeBird”!
Describe yourself in three words: Ambitious, Positive, Comical
What is your advice to up-and-coming musicians? Have fun. That’s the bottom line. If your not having fun then what’s the
point? Plus, too much ego can be bad – Nobody is better than anybody else. Just play and enjoy yourself.
Email address:DavidTWarner@hotmail.com
| Welcome to Spotlight! ....the opportunity for local musicians to be placed front and center. Enjoy the show! 11/18/07 Vol. XV |
| Current band? Abby Normal and the Detroit Lean |
| Other bands you have been in? Tripside (1997-2005) Genuine Son (2000-2001) Toybox (1995-1997) Up and Adam (1992-1994) Rapture (1990-1992) The Outlook (1989-1990) XLR8. (1988-1989) (There are a few others but these are the main groups I’ve been with) |
| Why did you choose this instrument? I love the sound. Always a very intoxicating instrument. Plus, there are lots of different styles associated with it that make it cool and fun to play (Rock, Funk, Swing, etc) |
| Age you started playing? Age 13. (took lessons at the world famous Sodja Music!!! - thanks Tony Martin!) |
Who are your heroes? My
Mom and Dad – they rule!
(Plus my wife Tanya and
kids – I admire anybody who
puts up with my nagging).
Mom and Dad – they rule!
(Plus my wife Tanya and
kids – I admire anybody who
puts up with my nagging).
Influences? Early Influences were
(and still are): Geddy Lee (Rush),
John Taylor (Duran Duran), Stanley
Clarke, Louis Johnson, Ross Valory
(Journey), Michael Anthony (Van
Halen).
The last couple of years I’ve gotten
into: Flea (Chili Peppers), Jim
Creeggan (Barenaked Ladies),
Verdine White (Earth Wind and Fire),
Lee Rocker (Brian Setzer/Stray Cats),
Ron Carter, Larry Graham (Sly and
the Family Stone), and Sting.
(and still are): Geddy Lee (Rush),
John Taylor (Duran Duran), Stanley
Clarke, Louis Johnson, Ross Valory
(Journey), Michael Anthony (Van
Halen).
The last couple of years I’ve gotten
into: Flea (Chili Peppers), Jim
Creeggan (Barenaked Ladies),
Verdine White (Earth Wind and Fire),
Lee Rocker (Brian Setzer/Stray Cats),
Ron Carter, Larry Graham (Sly and
the Family Stone), and Sting.
| Relate a funny or outrageous story from a gig. I’m not ripping on him but, both funny stories relate to Tommy Deakins when we were in TRIPSIDE together: 1. When Tommy “forgot” to bring his guitar and amp to Put-In-Bay (Thank God Adam had backup equipment for the 1st night – Tommy called home and one of his buddies brought his gear the next day). 2. When Tommy was late getting to Muldoons in Eastlake. When he arrived, we were already in the middle of the 1st song and he just joined in. But, he ran in so quickly that he left his car door open and the engine running parked at the front door of the club (after the set was over, someone ran up and said “Tommy!! – your car is still running up front!!”) Tommy, you freaking rule buddy!! |
