David McComb

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David Richard McComb, (February 17, 1962 – February 2, 1999) was an Australian musician and singer-songwriter, chiefly known as the leader of the Australian rock band The Triffids. Widely acknowledged (particularly in the UK) as one of the foremost lyricists of his generation [citation needed].

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early years in Perth

Born in Perth, Australia. Brother of Robert McComb. Their parents were doctors. David attended university.

[edit] The Triffids 1978–1989

See article under The Triffids.

[edit] Post - Triffids career 1990–1999

Lived in London from early 1990-1992 with his girlfriend Joanne Alach, and tried unsuccessfully to launch a solo career.

In 1991, McComb and Adam Peters contributed to the Leonard Cohen tribute album I'm Your Fan with a cover of "Don't go home with your hard-on", later mentioned favorably by Cohen himself. [1]

Later, he returned to Australia and settled in Melbourne, where he studied Art History at Melbourne University. Recorded with the Blackeyed Susans, one solo album for Mushroom Records, plus performances with his last band costar, who recorded a three-track EP which is yet to be released (but may be released on the W.Minc label when the Triffids reissue programme is complete. Recording for a costar album was also underway at the time of McComb's death.[2]). Post The Triffids, David occasionally sang live with the Blackeyed Susans whilst they toured in Australia, as did Kim Salmon of The Scientists fame, both giving Rob Snarski a break from vocals.

[edit] Health problems and death

McComb suffered from back pain which worsened over the years. He also struggled with alcoholism and amphetamine and heroin use, which greatly affected his health. He developed cardiomyopathy, a heart condition that, when found in young men, is most commonly induced by alcoholism. In 1996 he underwent a successful heart transplant, but reportedly continued his drinking and drug use. In January 1999 he was driving a car which was involved in a collision. He was hospitalised overnight and released with bruising. A few days later he died at home. In February 2000, after the State Coroner of Victoria finally published his findings, The West Australian newspaper wrote: "Mr Johnstone [the Coroner] said McComb's mental and physical condition had deteriorated after his accident but his death was due to heroin toxicity and mild acute rejection of his 1996 heart transplant."

[edit] Legacy and influence

David McComb was inducted into the WAMI (West Australian Music Industry Association Inc) Hall Of Fame as a composer on 21 February 2006.

McComb's work with The Triffids will be reissued in remastered and extended form on the Domino label, commencing with Born Sandy Devotional in June 2006.

McComb's work is held in high enough regard in Europe that in July 2006 The Triffids reformed and travelled from Australia to play live performances in Belgium and The Netherlands, with guest vocalists replacing McComb.

A book on McComb & The Triffids, written by compatriot Bleddyn Butcher is in production and slated for release in 2007.

[edit] Discography

[edit] David McComb with The Triffids

Limited edition cassettes

  • 1978 Tape One
  • 1978 Tape Two
  • 1979 Tape Three
  • 1979 Tape Four
  • 1980 Tape Five
  • 1981 Tape Six
  • 1983 Dungeon Tape
  • 1988 Son Of Dungeon Tape
  • 1988 Jack Brabham

Singles and EPs

  • 1981 "Stand Up"
  • 1982 "Reverie" EP
  • 1982 "Spanish Blue/Twisted Brain"
  • 1983 "Bad Timing And Other Stories" EP
  • 1984 "Beautiful Waste"
  • 1985 "Field Of Glass"
  • 1985 "You Don't Miss Your Water"
  • 1984 "Raining Pleasure"
  • 1987 "The Peel Sessions" EP
  • "Lawson Square Infirmary"
  • "Wide Open Road"
  • "Bury Me Deep In Love"
  • "Trick Of The Light"
  • "Holy Water"
  • "Goodbye Little Boy"
  • "Falling Over You"

LPs

  • 1983 Treeless Plain
  • 1986 Born Sandy Devotional
  • 1986 Love In Bright Landscapes
  • 1986 In The Pines
  • 1987 Calenture
  • 1989 The Black Swan
  • 1990 Stockholm (live recording)
  • 1994 Australian Melodrama (compilation)

Complilations, Various Artists (Contributor)

  • 1983 Live At The Wireless
  • 1984 Beyond The Southern Cross
  • 1985 The Perfect Travelling Companion
  • 1988 Hit Pix '88
  • 1988 Til Things Are Brighter
  • No Worries
  • High Temperature
  • Also Used And Recommended By
  • Sonic 3
  • Sgt Pepper Knew My Father
  • Hometown Farewell Kiss


[edit] David McComb with the Blackeyed Susans

EPs

  • 1990 "Some Births Are Worse Than Murders"
  • 1991 "...Depends On What You Mean By Love"

LPs

  • 1992 Welcome Stranger
  • 1993 All Souls Alive

[edit] Solo releases by David McComb

LPs

  • 1994 Love Of Will (produced by Nick Mainsbridge)

EPs

  • 1989 "I Don't Need You" (with Adam Peters)
  • 1991 "The Message"
  • 1994 "Setting You Free"
  • 1994 "Clear Out My Mind"

Complilations, Various Artists (contributor)

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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