Dave King (singer)

Dave King
Dave King in 2018
Background information
BornDublin, Ireland
GenresCeltic punk, folk punk, hard rock
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, musician
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, bodhrán, banjo
Years active1982–present

Dave King (born in Dublin) is an Irish singer, musician and songwriter. He is the frontman of the Celtic punk band Flogging Molly, of which he is a founding member. He first gained notability as the original lead singer of hard rock band Fastway in the 1980s.

Roots and early life

King grew up in a small two-room flat in Beggars Bush, Dublin that had once been part of Beggars Bush Barracks. When he was around the age of six or seven, his parents bought him a guitar. King remembers being called inside by his mother to watch David Bowie perform "Starman" on television, which he cites as one of many influences along with Luke Kelly, Joe Strummer, Johnny Cash, and Freddie Mercury to name a few. King's father died when he was 10 years old. He left Dublin in his twenties, residing in London where he first joined Fastway and later Los Angeles where he formed Flogging Molly with Ted Hutt, Jeff Peters, and Bridget Regan.[1]

Career

King with Flogging Molly at Reload Festival, 2015

King's professional career began in the early 1980s when he was hired as the vocalist for Fastway, a British hard rock band formed by ex-Motörhead guitarist "Fast" Eddie Clarke and ex-UFO bassist Pete Way in 1983.[2]

After Fastway, King formed Katmandu with Mandy Meyer (ex-Krokus) and Mike Alonso (former member of the Detroit-based band Speedball), who released one self-titled album. The band had a couple of minor hits but later disbanded.[3]

King retained a record deal with Epic Records, who wanted him to sing for Jeff Beck, but he declined. He cofounded Flogging Molly and asked to be released from his Epic contract.

Flogging Molly continues to record and tour, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Billboard Indie Chart over the years.[4]

On March 20, 2024, Dave and Flogging Molly covered The Pogues' "The Old Main Drag" at the Sinéad & Shane (billed as "a St. Paddy's Celebration of Sinéad O'Connor and Shane MacGowan") at Carnegie Hall concert in New York City. [5]

Flogging Molly followed up their summer 2024 European tour with a headlining run in the US in September/October.[6]

Personal life

King is married to musician and bandmate Bridget Regan.[7]

References

  1. ^ Friction magazine, by George B. Sanchez, 5 November 2002
  2. ^ Steve Goldby. "The Official On-Line Tribute to Fast Eddie Clarke". Fasteddieclarke.com. Archived from the original on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
  3. ^ "Katmandu". Sleaze Roxx. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
  4. ^ Daniel McConnell (16 March 2008). "Band at top of US chart unknown at home". Irish Independent. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  5. ^ "Sinéad & Shane at Carnegie Hall concert listing". CityWinery.com. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  6. ^ "Flogging Molly Concert & Tour History". Concert Archives. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  7. ^ "Why Irish rockers Flogging Molly are all about the live concert experience". Phoenix New Times. 4 September 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.

Media related to Dave King at Wikimedia Commons