For the coming weeks I will be interrogating the band 'Strange Folk' with 20 questions about their musical history. Then I will interrogate myself - after all I am in the band too, and it is only fair !!
This week I would like to introduce you informally to Mr David Setterfield - otherwise known as Dave. Dave a founding member of Strange Folk since 2002, is the bands guitarist. He has been strumming away for hundreds of years. Dave is a super talented, medievalrock minstrel. He's even been known to play guitar over his head and without the use of his hands !!When Dave Isn't playing guitar, he likes nothing more than to drink a goblet of port and tuck into the finest brie and crackers. All this happens whilst he is wearing his favourite 'Roland Rat' Pj's and slippers.Recline with a brew and read all about Strange Folks guitarist -Drum roll please for the man, the myth & the legend - D A V E (said in a long drawn out boxing ref voice) !!
Question 1 - What was the first guitar you had ?
An old classical guitar given by my auntie.
The guitar bracing fell apart inside as the glue had perished, but it still sounded ok :)
Question 2 - When did you learn to play the guitar ?
At school when I was a kid and playing in a school band with mates, mainly covers.
Question 3 - How did you learn to play the guitar ?
I had classical guitar lessons once a week at school. This got me out of my maths classes ;)
Question 4 - Is your family musical/who are their influences ?
Strangely none of my family play an instrument, but my parents are very artistic. Both paint and draw and my father was a big influence as he has a great record collection and used to take me to gigs when I was a kid.
Question 5 - What are your influences ?
I have so many influences, as I enjoy listening to a wide selection of music. Always on the look out for new interesting music ;) here's a few ;)
King Crimson
JJ Cale
Days Of The New
Jimi Hendrix
Tom Petty
Porcupine Tree
Slash
Fairport Convention (early recordings with Sandy Denny)
Muse
Focus
Eric Clapton
Rammstein
Jethro Tull
John Squire
Lindsey Buckingham
Apocalyptica
The Doors
Skunk Anansie
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Mark Knopfler
Family
Nick Drake
Ocean Colour Scene
The Rolling Stones King King
Peter Green
The Darkness
Jimmy Rosenberg
Rory Gallagher
Led Zeppelin
Radiohead
Van Halen
Roy Buchanan
Manic Street Preachers (early albums)
Free
Soundgarden + Chris Cornell solo albums
John Martyn
Gomez
Jeff Beck
Kula Shaker
Yorgui Loeffler
Lynyrd Skynyrd
System of a Down
The list can go on and on..........;)
Question 6 - What is the most favourite guitar that you own ? And why ?
Probably my Yamaha acoustic and Fender Strat. I have done so many gigs with these two guitars and I just feel at home playing them. Ian (SF bass player) has done a great job setting them up just the way I like them.
I also have a soft spot for my 1970's Fender Musicmaster. It is not the most versatile guitar, as it only has one pickup. But it sounds great just played acoustically.
Question 7 - What is your dream guitar ?
I really like the idea of owning a vintage acoustic guitar. I have seen some lovely old 1940's Gibson acoustic archtops etc..
A vintage Strat would also be great. I can dream ;) I like the vibe and the history behind the instrument.
Question 8 - What is your favourite pedal ?
This is a hard question as I have a few:-
Vox wah wah (kindly donated by Ian our bass player).
Ibanez Tube Screamer Overdrive Pedal,
Biyang RV-10 Stereo"Tri Reverb (really cheap pedal but I like the sound),
Vintage Ibanez FL9 Flanger pedal,
Boss Delay pedal,
Plus a few cool pedals that Ian (SF bass player) built for me ;)
Question 9 - What is your guitar style ?
Not sure? Mix of folk/blues/rock.
I tend to pick notes from chords rather than strumming. This is probably due to learning classical guitar first.
Question 10 - What was your first band called ?
I was in a covers band when I was at school and played a couple of pub gigs. But I don't remember if we had a band name. Medusa (Which was formed with Annalise and then became Strange Folk) was probably the first proper band I was in.
Question 11 - Have there been any gigs that stood out for good/bad reasons ?
Muse were amazing at Reading Festival (2002). There was a great atmosphere.
The one gig that I thought was strange, was when I saw Peter Green playing with John Mayall, in the 90's in Oxford. Peter Green had moments of brilliance and then it was gone again. He did suffer from schizophrenia, so this could be a reason.
The Darkness were also incredible. They are often seen by many as a gimmick, but they are all amazing musicians.
King Crimson was unbelievable. They are the highest calibre of musicians and play the most complex of music. KC made it look so easy!
Question 12 - Do you have any writing tips ?
Personally, I try to come up with a guitar riff or an idea that is different and memorable. Something that we can use as a foundation for a song. I often I come up with an idea and then realise it has already been done ;)
Question 13 - What is your favourite song ?
I have loads, here are some standout songs :
Machine Gun (Jimi Hendrix Band Of Gypsys)
Charlie Big Potato (Skunk Anansie)
Who Knows Where The Time Goes (Sandy Denny)
Just (Radiohead)
The Weaver's Answer (Family)
Red (King Crimson)
Fruit Tree (Nick Drake)
Green Onions (Booker T. & the M.G.'s)
Tattva (Kula Shaker)
When The Levee Breaks (Led Zeppelin)
Love Spreads (The Stone Roses)
Sylvia (Focus)
Free Bird (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
Black Hole Sun (Chris Cornell)
Slither (Velvet Revolver)
Aqualung (Jethro Tull)
etc..........
Question 14 - What is your favourite album ?
I don't really have one. It depends what mood I am in.
Here's a few off the top of my head;)
Full Moon Fever (Tom Petty)
The Bends (Radiohead)
Original Masters (Jethro Tull)
Superunknown (Soundgarden)
Unhalfbricking (Fairport Convention)
K (Kula Shaker)
Band Of Gypsys (Jimi Hendrix)
Generation Terrorists (Manic Street Preachers)
Portrait Of Jimmy Rosenberg (Jimmy Rosenberg)
Bring It On (Gomez)
Post Orgasmic Chill (Skunk Anansie)
Best Of Volume I (Van Halen)
Moseley Shoals (Ocean Colour Scene)
John Mayall With Eric Clapton - Blues Breakers (John Mayall + Eric Clapton)
Way To Blue (Nick Drake)
Rumours (Fleetwood Mac)
Absolution (Muse)
Led Zeppelin IV (Led Zeppelin)
For Magnio (Yorgui Loeffler)
Question 15 - What advice would you give beginners, who are nervous about performing ?
Find a band that you can work well with, so you can support each other at the gig. I could never get on stage on my own! Practice as a band ! Solo practice is not a substitute for rehearsal as a group.
Question 16 - How do you/band handle mistakes during a performance ?
We try to cover them up ! :) Improvise ! The band should support you, until you can get back on track :)
Question 17 - What is the first tune you learned ?
Smoke On The Water and I think Tumbalalaika
Question 18 - What does your band name mean ?
It is a take on the traditional Folk sound. Folk with lots of different elements - Rock, blues, psychedelic etc... Or it could mean we are all a bit strange! ;)
Question 19 - How did your band meet ?
I met Annalise at music college, and then Ian joined later. After a few unsuccessful drummers, we got Steve :)
Question 20 - What does your band sound like ?
Each band member brings their own style and influences. For example Steve (drummer) is into metal. I would say it is a mix of folk, gothic folk (some songs are dark), blues, rock, psychedelic. A real mixture of sounds.
Silly final question - If you were stuck on a desert island and you had a record player and a record, what would the record be ?
Please can I have two 🤞
Fairport Convention "Unhalfbricking," so I can get my folk fix and Jimi Hendrix - "Band of Gypsy's," for a blues/rock fix:)
Thanks for the epic answers Dave :) I have learnt lots of new things about you now and I've known you for 50 years 😂 Next time we will be picking Ian's (bass player) brain, so tune in for some more Strange Musings !!
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