Dave Sharp

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Dave Sharp, (born in the Kerzal district of Salford, Lancashire, 28 January 1959) is an English guitarist, most noted for co-founding along with Mike Peters, The Alarm.

He picked up the guitar in his early teens and from the onset was influenced by Woodstock-era rock bands of the late 60s/early 70s.

In the mid-70s, Sharp formed various experimental punk rock bands, often based in the area around Rhyl where childhood friend Nigel Twist was now living. He first joined up with Mike Peters and Eddie MacDonald in the band Seventeen in which his friend Twist was playing drums. Although in the navy at the time, between tours of duty, he stood in on guitar at some gigs.

Seventeen marked his debut guitar playing on record when he played on their Don’t Let Go / Bank Holiday Weekend single. Seventeen disbanded in 1980, however they soon regrouped as The Alarm, with Sharp now a full time member having left the navy.

The Alarm went on to have hit records across Europe and in the U.S., notably 68 Guns and The Spirit of ’76.

At the end of The Alarm’s 1991 world tour, Mike Peters left the band, prompting Sharp to release his first solo album, Hard Travellin’, for which he teamed up with record producer Bob Johnston.

Without Alarm commitments, Sharp toured the album across the UK and to America. Ultimately he quit the UK music scene and permanently relocated to the US, spending the next few years touring and recording with artists he had long respected and admired, such as Johnny Cash, Larry Crane, Dave Grissolm (The John Cougar Mellencamp band), Willie Nelson, George Porter (The Neville Brothers), Chris Solberg (Santana), and Stiff Little Fingers. His second solo album Downtown America was released in 1996.

Frustrated by the increasing domination of major corporations in the music business, Sharp moved to New Orleans where he found the local music scene insulated from the corporatism of the rest of America. He quickly found himself at home in that scene. Whilst there he discovered The Kerry Irish Pub on Decatur street. Dedicated to live music and particularly to the acoustic form, he found it the perfect venue to explore his musical influences. He would play there regularly, both as a solo performer and with the many local musicians whom he came across.

However, after a number of years in New Orleans, Sharp began to look once again to the British music scene for inspiration. Following his return to the UK in early 2002, Sharp immediately began touring solo and acoustic, headlining venues up and down the country, such as The Cavern Club (Liverpool), The Underworld (London) and King Tut’s (Glasgow), taking on opening slots with artists such as Nick Harper, 3 Men & Black, Bob Geldof and Lonnie Donegan.

During this time he began searching out musicians for his new band with just one criterion: 'These cats have got to be seriously tested rock players who can deliver.'

After a meeting with bass player, Keith Ashcroft (Chris Farlowe, Hamish Stewart), things began to fall into place. Ashcroft suggested a collaboration with 10cc drummer Paul Burgess. Dr. Feelgood band guitarist Mo Witham sat in, and with the addition of guitar player Jim Holmes the line-up was complete. The Soul Company was formed on November 5, 2003.

Dave is currently back on the road this Summer in the UK in support of his "Hard Folk" solo acoustic tour.