Dave Spencer began his guitar adventure at the mere age of 7 years old, beginning with his first acoustic guitar he ’hand picked’ from a Sears catalog. Although his first guitar was a humble instrument, he approached learning guitar with a ferver, soon progressing to classical training on a full size classical acoustic. Dave soon became fascinated with the electric guitar and studying two of his childhood idols, Tony Iommi and Eddie Van Halen. Dave began developing his own style, combining the intensity and mood of Iommi’s approach with the melody and technical prowess of Van Halen. Dave was turned on early to Dean Markley NickelSteel Electric strings at a local music store, and always depended on them for his expressive approach. Dave formed various rock projects as he developed his craft, and soon landed a spot with Azra Records artist Bobby Speed, performing in the VH1 released video for the ’Speed’ track Diane.
Dave continued on with multiple projects playing to hard rock crowds statewide and regionally in the U.S., continually evolving his playing. Always looking to expand his repertoire and tonal approach to guitar, Dave gave the industry changing Dean Markley Blue Steels a try and never looked back, still swearing by them to this day. When asked about why he plays Blue Steels, Dave has a consistent response, “I have always felt that players are defined not by the notes they play, but how they play the notes. Blue Steel strings let me express to the listener what I am trying to say with each note. No other strings can do that for me.”
Dave again expanded his music horizons in 2006 as the brainchild of the industrial rock project Deepest Symphony on Dark Star Records. The debut Deepest Symphony release ’Psycho 101’ received strong critical acclaim in reviews from multiple media sources including the national publication ’Gothic Beauty Magazine’. Live performances highlights included main stage performances at both Gothicfest music festivals in Chicago in front of thousands of fans and alongside other renowned artists in the genre such as Hanzel und Gretyl , Project 44 w/Levi Levi of My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult, Slick Idiot and many more. Psycho 101 received national distribution in US Walmart stores via Handleman Company.
Never one to sit still in his music career, Dave began feeling the itch to get back to his rock and roll roots and soon formed the group HSR (High Strung Rock), performing shows to rowdy rock crowds all over the region and continuing to cement his reputation as a no holds barred guitar player and performer.
This momentum led to the creation of Iconic Tonic, the rock group that Dave has always dreamed of since that first time he picked up the guitar at 7 years old. A rock band with passion, drive, and one that has no creative barriers. Iconic Tonic is Dave as Co-Lead Vocalist and guitarist, and long time friends Chad Eric (Co-Lead Vocalist, Bass, and Piano/Keys), and Tony Hawes (Drums, Percussion, and Backing Vocals). Iconic Tonic is releasing their debut album in 2011 with Seatles renowned mix engineer/producer Deron Daum at the production helm, and DNA Mastering’s Dave Donnelly (Whitesnake, Kiss, Bret Michaels Band, Journey) handling the mastering of the album.
It‘s full steam ahead for Dave in 2011 and his Blue Steel electric and acoustic strings will be there for the ride!
Dave Spencer plays Dean Markley Blue Steel Electrics REG and Blue Steel Acoustics TLT.
Dave Spencer-Iconic Tonic says of his Blue Steels:
I have always felt that players are defined not by the notes they play, but how they play the notes. Blue Steel strings let me express to the listener what I am trying to say with each note. No other strings can do that for me.
Be sure to visit the Iconic Tonic website at:
www.IconicTonic.webs.com or
www.MySpace.com/iconictonic.
|
