Dave Kinley - Vocals & bass guitar
Dave
was born in, and still lives in Kendal (D.O.B. 08.04.59). Like Jonty, he
also began playing guitar aged 9, when his older brother Bernard taught him
chords on an acoustic guitar. Dave and three friends formed a band at
secondary school, with Dave volunteering to play bass. Unfortunately he
didn't actually have a bass guitar at the time, so played bass notes on an
electric 6 string guitar!! "That was my first lesson in improvising".
Dave's preference for bass convinced his Dad to buy him a
Zenta Telecaster, and the rest is history. He has however maintained his
interest and abilities on 6 string guitar, and went on to develop good
keyboard skills.
In terms of influence, Dave says "which bass players
haven't been impressed and inspired by the likes of Stanley Clarke and Mark
King, but my earliest impressions were from Paul McCartney and The Beatles".
Working almost exclusively in local cover bands, Dave's versatility as a
bass player and an excellent vocalist, made him first call for many notable
bands and deps. He played in Waving At Trains band with Frank Dunnery (of It
Bites), and recorded a Led Zeppelin tribute album with John Verity.
He also played in support gigs with many of the great Liverpool bands
(Merseybeats, Gerry and The Pacemakers, Tremoloes, Swinging Blue Jeans).
Kenny Johnson called Dave in to deputise when Allan Crooks was unavailable
for a prestigious cruise on P & O's flagship The Oriana, with Billy Joe
Spears on the same bill.
Dave joined Jonty in Freeway on the 1st January 1985,
remaining firm friends ever since (see
Jonty's biog). Freeway's good hard hitting pop and rock well suited
Dave's solid driving bass technique, and emulating bands such as Toto,
Queen, Eagles, Bryan Adams, etc, further developed Dave's liking for
rockier music.
In 1994, Dave formed his own rock trio, Storm, alongside
Freeway's Steve Breakell and Mark Langdon. He put his singing and keyboard
skills to good use, writing and recording much of their own material. Ex
Picasso, Stuart Macfarlane, joined as lead guitarist, and the band were
invited to support Saxon and Whitesnake. Dave had gigged with The Fabulous
Picasso Brothers when Gary was indisposed and so jumped at the opportunity
to be Gary's permanent replacement.
