The Strawman

Who is The Strawman? Where are you from, how long have you been playing music etc

The Strawman is everyone, so I am the Strawman. I was born in Portsmouth and started experimenting with music in 1978. First sort of successful band was “4 Minute Warning” You can find one of our songs here … This band was 1979 to 1984. Van dwelling and old skool motorway cafe’s sort of miss it sort of. I was the singer.

Who came up with your stage name and does it have a story or any meaning behind it?

My band name The Strawman is my legal fiction and I decided to use this as a name.

If you had to describe your sound using just five words, what would they be?

Random reggae ska folk rock.

Who are your biggest influences musically?

Joe Strummer Frank Zappa  Bob Marley, Sex Pistols The Specials, Yard Act

When you were younger, what was the first album that blew you away and you remember putting on repeat non-stop?

T Rex . Ride A White Swan album. My Nan bought it for Christmas for me when I was about 8 years old. She thought, by the title , that it was a kiddies bed time record. Quick side note My Dad worked with Marc Bolan’s brother (Harry Feld) on the Portsmouth buses. And sometimes he would come round after work with my Dad for a beer or whatever. And he would take the piss out of my Marc Bolan posters! It was only  when Marc died that I actually believed that he was his brother.

If you could go on tour with any current band or artist, who would it be and why?

5 Times August, Brad (5 Times August) and I would have so much to talk about. We chat via email occasionally and is based in Texas.

If you could put your dream team band together consisting of any musicians from the past or present who would the band members be?

On drums Sly Dumbar, Bass would have to be Jaco Pastorius, On Guitar Frank Zappa. Keyboards Dave Greenfield (The Stranglers) Bob Marley vocals and The Brian Setzer  Orchestra for brass

If we were to browse your music library, what is the most embarrassing song we might find? Or who is your guilty pleasure artist?

I have so many sort of embarrassing numbers.. Benny Hill “Ernie” is a timeless classic. Then most songs written by Lionel Bart and always “Crazy Horses” by The Osmond brothers.

If people want to check you out online, where is the best place to go?

Dave Tommo – You Tube

Finally, What does the future hold for you as an artist?

Either complete annihilation of my soul or  be able to make people smile and think.