Dave McPherson reveals his
The Dave McPherson Interview:
Can you remember the moment when you first wanted to be a musician?
- Ever since I was about 8 years old!
You are a jack of all trades musically. Who are your main influences for your playing & singing styles?
- Hmmm, tricky question! I've always loved David Gilmour. Mark Hollis from Talk Talk has a voice that takes me somewhere else. I was massively into The Police & Led Zeppelin when I was a kid. Iron Maiden, Bon Jovi & Michael Jackson dominated my early teenage years.
Then I got into Nirvana, Radiohead, Deftones, Korn etc.
These days I love anything that moves me, be it folk artists like Loudon Wainwright, female singers like Maria Mena, Sia & Imogen Heap & progressive-metal bands such as Born of Osiris.
Can you remember your first live performance?
- Yes. At school assembly when I was 8 or 9 I got up & rapped 'Boom!Shake the room'. My first gig with the band was in my parent's front room when I was 14. About 15 people turned up, we probably sucked!
Your new album ‘The Hardship Diaries’ has had very positive reviews.
How happy are you with it?
- I'm very pleased with it but I'm always thinking to the future! I recorded quite a lot of it in 2009 so I'm glad it's finally out there.
I wanted to make it essentially just me & my acoustic guitar to carve my own path outside of InMe. It's brutally honest & was a necessary catharsis for me! The next album will have a lot of 'full band' songs.
It is a very beautiful and emotional, and much softer album, than some of your mainstream fans would be used to. How has it gone down with the InMe fans?
- They've been incredible as always but it's also brought in new people too. InMe gigs can be a bit crazy whereas these stripped down affairs have allowed me to get to know my audience a lot more personally.
When can we expect any new material from InMe?
- Later this year! We're launching a PledgeMusic campaign in November as my one was such a success. We'll give a sample track to anyone that pledges when it all kicks off. I'm so proud of this album so far.
What has been your career highlights so far?
- Achieving what most bands only dream of I guess! Touring the world, visiting new places, playing to crowds of up to 80,000. Being with my best friends all the time & making music with them. Doing the one thing I truly adore in life, full time.
First single ever bought?
- Oh dear.......Cliff Richard - Mistletoe & Wine. I was about 7.
First album ever bought?
- Michael Jackson - Bad. Although my Dad probably actually bought it!
Last album bought?
- Sylosis - The Edge of the Earth.
Are you a vinyl, CD, iTunes or mp3 man?
- iTunes! I ALWAYS buy my music though.
Desert Island Discs – What 5 albums would you take?
- This changes every day but:
- Talk Talk - The Colour of Spring
- Counting Crows - August & Everything After
- Deftones - White Pony
- Karnivool - Sound Awake
- Born of Osiris - The Discovery
Who would be in your fantasy band?
- Mark Hollis - Vox
- David Gilmour - Guitar
- Justin Chancellor - Bass
- Stewart Copeland - Drums
First gig attended?
- Not too sure, I used to go to pub gigs with my Dad very young. I went to see Bon Jovi at Wembley Stadium in 1995, with my Dad!
Best gig played?
- Probably Sonisphere 2010, such an atmosphere.
Favourite gig venue?
- I always adore playing the Concorde 2 in Brighton.
Favourite tour cuisine?
- Me & my brother often find new eateries in our spare time on the road. We're suckers for a decent Japanese restaurant.
Favourite tour drinks?
- Guinness, Blue Powerade, Water, Real Ale!
What state do you think the music business will be in, in ten years time?
- A completely different state! I'm not entirely sure where but the whole industry is going through a necessary transition. From a hard working musician's perspective I hope I can at least pay my rent & treat my girl from time to time! I think things like PledgeMusic are the signs of a very interesting movement.
You’ve been known to be interested in computer games. What have been your personal favourites down the years?
- I actually rarely play games! I haven't played on this year! I used to love Goldeneye & then me & my boys moved on to Far Cry where you can design your own levels. I tried playing AvP on Xbox 360 last year but I must admit, I got too scared playing that on my own in the dark!
I don't really have time for games these days.
Who would you consider ‘playing away' from the missus with? (hopefully with her consent):
- Kate Beckinsale.
Who would you consider turning gay with? (hopefully with their consent):
- I'd share some bromance with Johnny Depp just to make the girls jealous.
Heroes in Life:
- My Grandad, Leonard Nimoy, Leslie Nielsen.