David Barbarossa

Last updated

Dave Barbarossa
Also known asDave Barbe
Born1961 (age 62–63)
London, England
Genres Alternative rock, new wave, electronic
Instrument(s) Drums
Years active1977–present

David Barbarossa (born 1961, [1] also known as Dave Barbe) is an English musician and author. As the drummer in both Adam and the Ants and Bow Wow Wow, he was instrumental in creating the highly influential and innovative tribal drumming style that was popular among British and some American bands from 1979 to 1983. [2]

Contents

Adam and the Ants

Barbarossa joined Adam and the Ants in 1977 [3] and was the drummer for their debut album Dirk Wears White Sox . It was released on 30 October 1979 by Do It Records and was the first number one album on the UK Indie Chart when the chart debuted in Record Week in 1980. [4]

Shortly afterward, Adam Ant hired former Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren in the hope of gaining more widespread recognition. Instead, McLaren persuaded Barbarossa, guitarist Matthew Ashman and bassist Leigh Gorman to leave Adam behind, and form a group under McLaren's management. [5] Thirteen-year-old Annabella Lwin joined the group as its vocalist, and the band became Bow Wow Wow.

Bow Wow Wow

Bow Wow Wow signed with EMI Records in July 1980. Their first single, "C·30 C·60 C·90 Go!", for which Barbarossa shared songwriting credit with McLaren, Ashman and Gorman, [6] holds the distinction of being the world's first-ever cassette single. [7] It reached No. 34 on the UK Singles Chart and stayed on the chart for seven weeks, despite its lack of promotion due to lyrics that encouraged music piracy. [8]

In November 1980, Bow Wow Wow released the cassette-only Your Cassette Pet . Likewise, Barbarossa shared songwriting credit with McLaren, Ashman and Gorman on seven of Your Cassette Pet's eight tracks. As it was not available on vinyl, [9] it was eligible only for the UK Singles Chart, where it peaked at No. 58. [10] EMI dropped the group after their second single "W.O.R.K. (N.O. Nah, No No My Daddy Don't)" failed to chart.[ citation needed ]

After splitting with EMI, Bow Wow Wow signed with RCA Records, and released their first full-length album See Jungle! See Jungle! Go Join Your Gang, Yeah. City All Over! Go Ape Crazy in October 1981. It produced their first UK top 10 hit "Go Wild in the Country" in early 1982. In May 1982, Bow Wow Wow released the four-track EP The Last of the Mohicans , [11] which contained a remake of the Strangeloves' 1965 hit "I Want Candy'. "I Want Candy" was Bow Wow Wow's biggest international hit, due in part to an iconic music video that played in heavy rotation on MTV. [12]

In 1983, Bow Wow Wow released their second full-length album When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going . The lead single "Do You Wanna Hold Me?" reached No. 47 in the UK, but fared best on the Dutch charts, where it peaked at No. 3. [13] The song reached No. 77 in the U.S. [14]

The group were due to embark on a world tour in support of When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going, but tensions within the group were rising as the members were suffering from illness and exhaustion after intense touring. [2] After a brief hiatus, Barbarossa, Ashman and Gorman kicked Annabella out of the group, and formed Chiefs of Relief with Ashman as its lead singer. [15]

Post Bow Wow Wow

Barbarossa's stay with Chiefs of Relief proved short lived, and he was soon replaced by former Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook. [16] After which, Barbarossa went into session drumming, and was part of Beats International's ever changing line-up. It was while doing session work that he teamed up with former Flowered Up keyboardist Tim Dorney, Andy Todd, guitarist Johnny Male and Nigerian-born lead singer Saffron to form Republica. Their debut album Republica was released in July 1996 and reached No. 4 in the UK charts. The single "Ready to Go" peaked at No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart, and "Drop Dead Gorgeous" peaked at No. 7.[ citation needed ]

He has played for Chicane, [17] Adamski, Gina Birch, Cactus Rain, Driza Bone and is a core member of CHANT, an open source band whose members include Youth and Jon Moss.[ citation needed ] He played with Adam Ant on his Dirk Wears White Sox Tour of 2014. He also plays drums for Roland Gift of Fine Young Cannibals.

Mud Sharks

In 2012, Barbarossa released Mud Sharks, a semi-autobiographical novel of a teenager growing up in London's punk scene in the late 1970s. [18]

Musical style

Barbarossa is a self-taught musician. While he was still with the Ants, Malcolm McLaren gave him music tapes from different parts of the world, and he became fascinated by Burundi tribal drumming. Having emerged from the underground London punk rock scene, he created a highly unique tribal drumming style. Coupled with the suggestive lyrics squealed into the mic by their teenage lead vocalist, it became the signature of Bow Wow Wow's danceable new wave sound. [19] Gorman & Lwin reunited for the "Barking Mad" tour in 1997-1998. [20] Two shows from this tour were included on the CD Wild in the U.S.A. on Cleopatra Records. In the liner notes, they thank Barbarossa for giving them "the original grooves."

Personal life

Barbarossa lives in London, and his desire not to leave London plays a large part in his nonparticipation in reunions for Bow Wow Wow. [16] He has four children and has been married twice. [3]

His brother is Gene Barbe, a painter based in Southern France.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bow Wow Wow</span> English new wave band

Bow Wow Wow are an English new wave band, created by manager Malcolm McLaren in 1980. McLaren recruited members of Adam and the Ants to form the band with then 13-year-old Annabella Lwin on lead vocals. They released their debut EP Your Cassette Pet in 1980 and had their first UK top 10 hit with "Go Wild in the Country" in 1982. The band's music was characterized by a danceable new wave sound that drew on a Burundi beat provided by Dave Barbarossa on drums, as well as the subversive, suggestive, and sometimes exuberant lyrics sung and chanted by their teenage lead vocalist.

Chiefs of Relief were a British rock group with a unique electro-punk style, punctuated by the guitar work of vocalist Matthew Ashman, and also featuring drummer Paul Cook. The Chiefs fused rock with hip hop and electronic elements from the era but it was as a live outfit that they excelled.

<i>Dirk Wears White Sox</i> 1979 studio album by Adam and the Ants

Dirk Wears White Sox is the debut studio album by English new wave band Adam and the Ants. It was released on 30 November 1979 by record label Do It. It was the first number one album on the UK Independent Albums Chart when the chart debuted in Record Week in 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Annabella Lwin</span> Musical artist

Annabella Lwin is an English-Burmese singer, songwriter and record producer best known as the lead vocalist of Bow Wow Wow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Want Candy</span> 1965 single by the Strangeloves

"I Want Candy" is a song written and originally recorded by the Strangeloves in 1965 that reached No. 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It is a famous example of a song that uses the Bo Diddley beat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leigh Gorman</span> Musical artist

Leigh Gorman is an English rock musician, record producer, and composer, best known for his work as the bass player for Bow Wow Wow.

Matthew James Ashman was an English guitarist with Adam and the Ants and Bow Wow Wow. He died in 1995 after lapsing into a coma due to diabetes, aged 35.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Crewdson</span> British musician

Will Crewdson is a London-based guitarist/writer/producer best known for his work with the UK band Rachel Stamp, US singer Johnette Napolitano and Adam Ant.

<i>The Last of the Mohicans</i> (EP) 1982 EP by Bow Wow Wow

The Last of the Mohicans is an EP by English new wave band Bow Wow Wow, released in May 1982 by RCA Records. It was produced by Kenny Laguna of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts fame.

<i>See Jungle! See Jungle! Go Join Your Gang Yeah, City All Over! Go Ape Crazy!</i> 1981 studio album by Bow Wow Wow

See Jungle! See Jungle! Go Join Your Gang Yeah, City All Over! Go Ape Crazy! is the debut studio album by English new wave band Bow Wow Wow, released in October 1981 by RCA Records.

<i>I Want Candy</i> (album) 1982 compilation album by Bow Wow Wow

I Want Candy is a compilation album by English new wave band Bow Wow Wow, released in May 1982 by RCA Records. Side one of the album consists of all four tracks from Bow Wow Wow's EP The Last of the Mohicans, and the band's recent hit "Baby, Oh No"; these tracks were produced by Kenny Laguna of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts fame. Side two consists of four tracks from Bow Wow Wow's debut album See Jungle! See Jungle! Go Join Your Gang Yeah, City All Over! Go Ape Crazy!, and "El Boss Dicho", the B-side to the single "Go Wild in the Country".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam and the Ants</span> English rock band

Adam and the Ants were an English rock band that formed in London in 1977. The band existed in two versions, both of which were fronted by Adam Ant, between 1977 and 1982. The first phase began when the band were founded in May 1977 and were called the Ants until November of that year. They later changed their style from punk rock to post-punk and new wave, and released one album. The final line-up of this version consisted of Dave Barbarossa, Matthew Ashman, and Leigh Gorman—all of whom left the band in January 1980 at the suggestion of manager Malcolm McLaren to form Bow Wow Wow.

<i>Your Cassette Pet</i> 1980 EP by Bow Wow Wow

Your Cassette Pet is the cassette-only debut mini-album by English new wave band Bow Wow Wow, released in November 1980 on EMI Records. It included a cover of the 1940 Johnny Mercer/Rube Bloom pop hit "Fools Rush In".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Go Wild in the Country</span> 1982 single by Bow Wow Wow

"Go Wild in the Country" is a single by English new wave band Bow Wow Wow from their album See Jungle! See Jungle! Go Join Your Gang Yeah, City All Over! Go Ape Crazy!. Released in January 1982 by RCA Records, it was their first top 10 hit on the UK Singles Chart.

<i>When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going</i> (album) 1983 studio album by Bow Wow Wow

When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going is the second studio album by English new wave band Bow Wow Wow, released in 1983 by RCA Records. The album was produced by Mike Chapman. It is the final album featuring all four original members of the band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C·30 C·60 C·90 Go</span> 1980 single by Bow Wow Wow

"C·30 C·60 C·90 Go" is the debut single by English new wave band Bow Wow Wow. It was written by Malcolm McLaren, Matthew Ashman, Leigh Gorman and Dave Barbarossa. Originally only released on cassette, it was the world's first-ever cassette single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zerox</span> 1979 single by Adam and the Ants

"Zerox" is an Adam and the Ants' stand-alone single written by Adam Ant. It was later included on the 1983 CBS reissue of the band's debut album Dirk Wears White Sox and as part of the bonus material on the 2004 Columbia Records Remaster. The line-up on this track include Dave Barbarossa on drums, Matthew Ashman on guitar & Andy Warren on bass guitar. The track has been included on the compilations Antics in the Forbidden Zone, Antmusic: The Very Best of Adam Ant, The Very Best Of Adam And The Ants, Antbox, The Essential Adam Ant & Stand & Deliver: The Very Best of Adam & the Ants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cartrouble</span> 1980 single by Adam and the Ants

"Cartrouble" is a song by Adam and the Ants, released as a single in March 1980 on Do It Records. It peaked at number 33 on the UK Singles Chart. Though usually stylised as one word, the title has also appeared as two separate words.

<i>Your Box Set Pet (The Complete Recordings 1980–1984)</i> 2018 box set by Bow Wow Wow

Your Box Set Pet is a three-disc box set compilation album by English new wave band Bow Wow Wow, released on 25 May 2018 by Cherry Red Records.

<i>Wild in the U.S.A.</i> 1998 compilation album by Bow Wow Wow

Wild in the U.S.A. is a compilation album by English new wave band Bow Wow Wow, released solely on compact disc in 1998 by Cleopatra Records.

References

  1. ↑ Strong, M. C. The Great Rock Discography. Pg. 5. Giunti, 1998. ISBN   88-09-21522-2, ISBN   978-88-09-21522-1
  2. 1 2 Dahlin, Teddie. "Dave Barbarossa: The Sound of the Barbarossa Beat". Mudkiss. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  3. 1 2 Shapiro, Eileen (10 January 2018). "Interview: Dave Barbarossa". Louder Than War.
  4. ↑ Katagiri, Charlie (29 September 2012). "Adam Ant". Encyclopedia.com.
  5. ↑ Lyon, Joshua (6 September 2016). "Annabella Lwin & the History of Bow Wow Wow". V (American magazine) . Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  6. ↑ "C·30 C·60 C·90 Go". Discogs.com.
  7. ↑ Johnson, Bobbie (19 October 2006). "CDs, downloads ... and now band launches the memory-stick single". The Guardian . London.
  8. ↑ Jones, Rob (15 April 2013). "Bow Wow Wow Play "C30 C60 C90 Go"". The Delete Bin.
  9. ↑ "Bow Wow Wow – Your Cassette Pet". Discogs.
  10. ↑ "Bow Wow Wow Official UK Singles Charts". The Official UK Charts Company.
  11. ↑ "Bow Wow Wow - I Want Candy". Discogs.
  12. ↑ Demalon, Tom. "I Want Candy Review". AllMusic.
  13. ↑ "Netherlands Singles". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  14. ↑ "Bow Wow Wow – Do You Wanna Hold Me?". AllMusic.
  15. ↑ McLean, Craig (19 April 2012). "Bow Wow Wow haven't lost their bite". The Guardian .
  16. 1 2 "Interview: Dave Barbe". Ant Lib Online. 2004. Archived from the original on 28 October 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  17. ↑ Ross, Rob (5 November 2014). "Q&A: David Barbarossa". Popdose.
  18. ↑ Barbarossa, Dave (1 October 2012). "Mud Sharks". Ignite Books.
  19. ↑ Kellman, Andy. "Bow Wow Wow". AllMusic.
  20. ↑ "Bow Wow Wow: Wild In The USA". Onion, Inc. 19 April 2002.
Preceded by
Paul Flanagan
 Adam and the Ants drummer
1977–1980		Succeeded by
Preceded by Adam Ant drummer
1995
With: Dave Ruffy 		Succeeded by
Hayley Leggs
&
Johnny Love
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