01Profile
A Dave McCabe Photo
Dave McCabe
Musician — Merseyside
03Interview
Name
David Alan McCabe
What do you do?
I'm a musician, singer and songwriter.
Describe your style in three words?
Simple, easy, comfy.
Which subcultures have had an enduring effect on you?
Grunge, 60's psyche. At school I was obsessed with The Kinks and The Beatles but I also always loved and listened to Nirvana and Sonic Youth as well. It played on my emotions for a while. I thought you had to be one or the other, but as I got older, I realised you can like it all, men, women the f*ckin lot.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I'd like to spend an hour with Quentin Tarantino I think he likes a chat. I also reckon he has some pretty good jokes and that he makes up stories as he goes along. He'd be an interesting man to have a pint with.
Another you? Any other career that would have appealed?
I always like to think I would've been a Chef or Airline pilot, but in reality, I probably would've sold drugs and gone to jail like everyone else. So, basically, music kept me on the straight and narrow and out of the clink.
Best Gig you have ever been to?
My first gig was Smashing Pumpkins with The Verve supporting them. I was only 11 years old... mind blown!
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite, and why?
I've got to say the Royal Court, Liverpool was and is probably one of my favourite ever venues to play. I saw a lot of bands there whilst growing up. So, to eventually play there myself it really meant a lot to me plus I thoroughly enjoyed it as well.
Dave McCabe is perhaps best known as the frontman of The Zutons, who broke onto the scene in 2004 with their album 'Who Killed... The Zutons' and released two further successful albums in 2006 and 2008. The band enjoyed success with a string of hit singles that included 'Valerie', 'Oh Stacey (Look What You've Done)' and 'It's The Little Things We Do'.
'Valerie' was famously covered by Mark Ronson in 2007 for his album 'Version', with the lead vocals provided by Amy Winehouse, reaching number 2 in the UK charts.
Since The Zutons disbanded, Dave has performed as Dave McCabe & The Ramifications and currently in his new band Silent-K.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
First track you played on repeat?
'Psycho Killer' by Talking Heads I wanted to be David Byrne and Axl Rose when I was young.
Song that defines the teenage you?
It probably has to be 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' or 'Killing In The Name Of' by Rage Against The Machine. These were always on loud in me Ma's. We used to get a dead good mosh pit going on in the front room and then it would all end in tears. Especially the time someone landed on and broke me Ma's cabinet door.
What was the last piece of music you bought?
The last piece of music I bought was Salah Rageb And The Cairo Jazz Band - 'Egyptian Jazz'.
It's boss, it makes you feel like your on holiday.
One record you would keep forever?
Of all the records I would keep forever, it would probably have to be 'The Velvet Underground' - their self-titled third studio album (the one with them all on the front sitting on a couch). I never ever get bored of it, and it's amazing how simple it is. It's just all about the songs.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
'You keep hanging round and am not so glad you found me'
Lou Reed - 'Hangin' 'Round'
I used to sing this with people in mind, but now it's come back to haunt me because I keep making the same mistakes lately so I'll sing it in the mirror everyday until the problem goes away. There's a lyric!!!
A song that people wouldn’t expect you to like?
I love Taylor Swift's 'Shake It Off' I'm not arsed what people think. I put it on at parties all the time, and it's amazing how many birds start dancing with you and talking to you, and then the fellas finally realise how good it really is and then they have to join in. It's my fave.
A song you wished you had written?
I wish I'd have written 'Shake It Off' by Taylor Swift. It's only three chords A minor C to G, but if I had to choose a track outright it has to be Mungo Jerry - 'You Don't Have To Be In The Army To Fight In The War'.
Any new bands you are listening to right now?
I'm really digging a band called the 'Floormen' they are a four piece psychedelic groove outfit hailing from Liverpool they're amazing. We played with them at Christmas they sound like a middle eastern roast dinner.
My new band Silent-K is going from strength to strength and seems to be going down well with the kids. I describe our music as Soul Punk detective music.
03Interview
Name
David Alan McCabe
What do you do?
I'm a musician, singer and songwriter.
Describe your style in three words?
Simple, easy, comfy.
Which subcultures have had an enduring effect on you?
Grunge, 60's psyche. At school I was obsessed with The Kinks and The Beatles but I also always loved and listened to Nirvana and Sonic Youth as well. It played on my emotions for a while. I thought you had to be one or the other, but as I got older, I realised you can like it all, men, women the f*ckin lot.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I'd like to spend an hour with Quentin Tarantino I think he likes a chat. I also reckon he has some pretty good jokes and that he makes up stories as he goes along. He'd be an interesting man to have a pint with.
Another you? Any other career that would have appealed?
I always like to think I would've been a Chef or Airline pilot, but in reality, I probably would've sold drugs and gone to jail like everyone else. So, basically, music kept me on the straight and narrow and out of the clink.
Best Gig you have ever been to?
My first gig was Smashing Pumpkins with The Verve supporting them. I was only 11 years old... mind blown!
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite, and why?
I've got to say the Royal Court, Liverpool was and is probably one of my favourite ever venues to play. I saw a lot of bands there whilst growing up. So, to eventually play there myself it really meant a lot to me plus I thoroughly enjoyed it as well.
Dave McCabe is perhaps best known as the frontman of The Zutons, who broke onto the scene in 2004 with their album 'Who Killed... The Zutons' and released two further successful albums in 2006 and 2008. The band enjoyed success with a string of hit singles that included 'Valerie', 'Oh Stacey (Look What You've Done)' and 'It's The Little Things We Do'.
'Valerie' was famously covered by Mark Ronson in 2007 for his album 'Version', with the lead vocals provided by Amy Winehouse, reaching number 2 in the UK charts.
Since The Zutons disbanded, Dave has performed as Dave McCabe & The Ramifications and currently in his new band Silent-K.
04Playlist Notes
First track you played on repeat?
'Psycho Killer' by Talking Heads I wanted to be David Byrne and Axl Rose when I was young.
Song that defines the teenage you?
It probably has to be 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' or 'Killing In The Name Of' by Rage Against The Machine. These were always on loud in me Ma's. We used to get a dead good mosh pit going on in the front room and then it would all end in tears. Especially the time someone landed on and broke me Ma's cabinet door.
What was the last piece of music you bought?
The last piece of music I bought was Salah Rageb And The Cairo Jazz Band - 'Egyptian Jazz'.
It's boss, it makes you feel like your on holiday.
One record you would keep forever?
Of all the records I would keep forever, it would probably have to be 'The Velvet Underground' - their self-titled third studio album (the one with them all on the front sitting on a couch). I never ever get bored of it, and it's amazing how simple it is. It's just all about the songs.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
'You keep hanging round and am not so glad you found me'
Lou Reed - 'Hangin' 'Round'
I used to sing this with people in mind, but now it's come back to haunt me because I keep making the same mistakes lately so I'll sing it in the mirror everyday until the problem goes away. There's a lyric!!!
A song that people wouldn’t expect you to like?
I love Taylor Swift's 'Shake It Off' I'm not arsed what people think. I put it on at parties all the time, and it's amazing how many birds start dancing with you and talking to you, and then the fellas finally realise how good it really is and then they have to join in. It's my fave.
A song you wished you had written?
I wish I'd have written 'Shake It Off' by Taylor Swift. It's only three chords A minor C to G, but if I had to choose a track outright it has to be Mungo Jerry - 'You Don't Have To Be In The Army To Fight In The War'.
Any new bands you are listening to right now?
I'm really digging a band called the 'Floormen' they are a four piece psychedelic groove outfit hailing from Liverpool they're amazing. We played with them at Christmas they sound like a middle eastern roast dinner.
My new band Silent-K is going from strength to strength and seems to be going down well with the kids. I describe our music as Soul Punk detective music.