Dave Formula, (born David Tomlinson), is a British keyboardist and film-soundtrack composer from Manchester, who played with the seminal post-punk band Magazine, and New Romantic ensemble Visage during the end of the 1970's and the beginning of the 1980's and in the "world music" band The Angel Brothers.

Magazine

Prior to Magazine, he worked under the name of David Tomlinson and achieved a modicum of success back in the mid-sixties with the R and B blues/soul band 'St.Louis Union', including appearances on 'Top of the Pops' and in the film 'The Ghost goes gear' (featuring also the Spencer Davis Band). Formula joined Magazine in 1978 after the departure of Bob Dickinson until the band's breakup in 1981. His multi-layered keyboard sounds, made with equipment such as the Yamaha CP80 electric grand piano, Hammond B-3, an ARP Odyssey, a Solina string synth and in later albums a Prophet 5 [1], were a defining part of the band.

Visage

Formula joined New Romantic ensemble Visage with Magazine's McGeoch and Barry Adamson in 1978; he played in the ensemble's first two albums, Visage and The Anvil. He let the ensemble in 1983 after having some differences with drummer Rusty Egan regarding the musical style of their third album.

The Angel Brothers

Whilst lecturing in popular music, Formula met up with Dave Angel which eventually led to him joining the "world music" band The Angel Brothers in 2003, playing on their two critically acclaimed albums "Punjab To Pit Top" and "Forbidden Fruit".

Solo Album

In January 2007 Formula began working on a solo album. Recorded at his own Red Bird Studios, it will feature guest performances by many of the artists he has worked with over the last 40 years.

Links

Dave Formula's site on MySpace

References

David Formula interview on Melody Maker, 14 October 1978 as reproduced on the 'Shot By Both Sides' site