David J

Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction once described David J as “the avant of the avant-garde,” and never was a truer word spoken.

As a founding member of Bauhaus, one of the most influential bands since The Velvet Underground, David J helped spearhead the post-punk scene of the early ‘80’s with a string of innovative work, including Bauhaus’ defining moment, a classic song and feasibly the pinnacle of the entire goth scene: the nine minute plus epic slab of industrial dub “Bela Lugosi’s Dead,” featuring David’s lyrics and bass guitar work.

Appearances on shows such as Top Of The Pops, The Old Grey Whistle Test and Riverside coupled with an electrifying live show propelled Bauhaus to the upper echelons of the UK charts. By the summer of ‘83, the band reached their zenith and imploded – shattering into fragments of individual talent.

It was that implosion that inadvertently gave rise to David's wide-ranging solo career. The first of the four Bauhaus members to actively release music outside of the band, David went on to put out solo work and collaborations with various authors, poets and infamous indies such as 4AD. In 1985, David regrouped with two former Bauhaus members to form the hugely successful Love and Rockets, whose debut single hit gold in Canada, followed by a top three US single with “So Alive”, which the band capped with a million selling album and sold-out stadium tours.

Returning once again to his solo career, David J continues to produce his trademark brand of deeply heartfelt and darkly sophisticated music. His latest album, What The Patrons Heard, is a storied collection of originals and brilliant covers recorded over the timespan of 34 years. These ten literate and impassioned songs were originally only available digitally to David’s Patreon subscribers. What The Patrons Heard marks the first time these songs are available to the general public in any format, available now from GIVE/TAKE.