Dave Mattacks

Template:Short description Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates Template:BLP sources Template:Infobox musical artist David James Mattacks (born 13 March 1948) is an English rock and folk drummer, best known for his work with British folk rock band Fairport Convention.

Fairport Convention

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He replaced Martin Lamble, who had died on 12 May 1969 in a road accident on the M1 motorway, as the drummer for Fairport Convention. Mattacks left Fairport Convention in early 1972 to join The Albion Country Band.<ref name="NME Rock 'N' Roll Years">Template:Cite book</ref> Meanwhile, he had also contributed to numerous studio recordings such as the Morris On project, Nick Drake's Bryter Layter, Steve Ashley's "Stroll On" sessions, Steeleye Span's debut album Hark! The Village Wait, John Martyn's Solid Air<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Harvey Andrews' album Writer of Songs. He returned to Fairport Convention in order to help complete the 1973 album Rosie with a revamped line up of the band.

Mattacks also played on Nine (1974) but left halfway through the making of the follow-up Rising for the Moon, following an altercation with engineer Glyn Johns.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Some of Mattacks' most notable participation in studio recordings in the late 1970s are the work on art rock studio albums by Brian Eno (Before and After Science) and 801's Listen Now, as well as several Ashley Hutchings-related folk rock projects (The Compleat Dancing Master, Son of Morris On etc.).

When Fairport Convention re-formed in 1985 after a six-year absence, Mattacks was recruited as drummer. He had already been playing with them again during annual reunions at the fledgling Cropredy Festival. Mattacks remained with Fairport until 1997. He has rejoined them on occasion, such as at Cropredy in 2019, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the release of Liege & Lief.

Mattacks returned to Fairport Convention on a part-time basis in 2023 following Gerry Conway's retirement.

Other works

He began as a trainee piano-tuner before taking up the drums. He played with several jazz bands before joining Fairport Convention.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Mattacks has also worked both as a session musician and as a performing artist. Apart from playing the drums, he is also a proficient keyboard player and occasionally played the bass guitar on studio recordings.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

He also established himself as a touring drummer for Richard Thompson, playing on several of Thompson's studio albums.

Personal life

Mattacks was born in Edgware, Middlesex, England.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

In 1998, he moved to Marblehead, Massachusetts, United States, where he is a sought-after studio musician, record producer, and member of the band Super Genius, while still touring regularly with various acts in the United Kingdom, Europe and Australia.