Andy J. Davies
{{Short description|British musician, songwriter, and producer (born 1966)}}
{{use British English|date=September 2018}}
{{use dmy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Andy J. Davies
| image = Andy J. Davies 2021.jpg
| caption = Davies at Damage Recordings/The Analogue Room 2018
| image_size =
| birth_name = Andrew James Davies
| alias =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1966|03|22}}
| birth_place = Islington, London, England
| instrument = guitar, bass, drums, vocals, keyboards
| genre = Punk, Glam punk, metal, Hardcore punk, Post-hardcore, Hard rock, indie, Indie Rock, New Wave
| occupation = Musician, songwriter, sound engineer, record producer, guitarist
| years_active = 1984–present
| label =
| associated_acts = Soho Roses, SMASH, Guns 'n' Wankers
}}
Andrew James "Andy J." Davies (born 22 March 1966), is a British musician, songwriter, audio engineer, and record producer. He was a member and main songwriter of late 1980s glam punk band Soho Roses. He produced music for various bands, including SMASH. He is the co-founder and owner of Damajive Studios, co-owner of Earthworks Studios, and the founder and owner of the current studio and production companies The Analogue Room and Damage Recordings.
Early years
Classically tutored from an early age, Davies formed his first band White Lie with school friends at age 12, and recorded for the first time at age 13 at The Crypt recording studio in Stevenage, UK. The band went on to enter and reach the regional finals of the TSB School Rock competition held at the Shaw Theatre Euston road in 1981. Later, the band morphed into The Gunrunners featuring guitarist (later of SMASH) Edward Borrie and Simon Coxhill, son of Jazz saxophonist Lol Coxhill.{{cite AV media |last1=Foley|first1=Adam|title=Flawed Is Beautiful|medium=DVD |format= Interview with Edward Borrie|time= Event occurs at time 6min|publisher=Flawed is Beautiful Productions|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Flawed-Beautiful-Adam-Foley/dp/B01N57YLIF}} After the breakup of the band in 1986, Davies replied to an advertisement in Melody Maker and completed the lineup of London band The V2's which in 1987 became The Soho Roses.{{cite AV media |people=Stu Gibson |date=2007 |title=Whatever Happened to... The Soho Roses |trans-title= |type=CD Liner |language=English}}
Damajive Studios
After a short career with Soho Roses in the late 80s, Davies opened Damajive Studios in Hitchin, Hertfordshire in 1991.{{cite web|title=Damajive Studios|url=https://www.discogs.com/label/334882-Damajive-Studios|website=Discogs|accessdate=20 March 2018|language=en}}
During this time, he recorded for numerous local bands, notably SMASH's Spring 1994 mini album, including the double A side "Lady, Love Your Cunt"/"Shame",{{cite AV media |people= |date=1994 |title=Spring 1994 |trans-title= |type=CD Liner |language= |time= |location= |publisher= |id= |isbn= |oclc= |quote= }}{{cite web|title=S*M*A*S*H - "Lady Love Your Cunt" / "Shame"|url=https://www.discogs.com/SMASH-Lady-Love-Your-Cunt-Shame/release/2602854|website=Discogs|accessdate=20 March 2018|language=en}}{{cite news|last1=Cook|first1=James|title=Cult heroes: SMASH and These Animal Men should have changed people's lives|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/jul/28/cult-heroes-smash-and-these-animal-men-should-have-changed-peoples-lives|newspaper=The Guardian|accessdate=20 March 2018|language=en|date=28 July 2015}} King Rizla's seminal 1994 album Time For A New Day{{cite web|title=TimeForANewDay - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKf1zbTlX34I1TpzXgl5S00wJnhz8yLAr|website=YouTube|accessdate=20 March 2018|language=en}} and the Guns n' Wankers LP For Dancing And Listening, released on Fat Wreck Chords.{{cite web|title=GunsNWankers - For Dancing And Listening - Discography - FatWreckWiki|url=http://www.fatwreckwiki.com/w/GunsNWankers:Discography/For_Dancing_And_Listening|website=Fatwreckwiki.com|accessdate=20 March 2018|language=en}} In 1995, due to SMASH's notoriety as an independent band, Shame appeared on the EMI compilation Unlaced.{{cite web|title=Release group "Unlaced" by Various Artists - MusicBrainz|url=https://musicbrainz.org/release-group/6a4ad9de-c46b-305e-8304-b0b0e7ab7e5a|website=Musicbrainz.org|accessdate=31 March 2018|language=en}}{{cite web|title=Various - Unlaced|url=https://www.discogs.com/Various-Unlaced/release/447793|website=Discogs|accessdate=31 March 2018|language=en}} The studio remained open until 1996. While doing live sound at a local venue, he continued to record bands in his private analogue studio. He also produced Gilla Bruja's first two albums Tooth and Nail (2002){{cite AV media|title="Tooth and Nail" by Gilla Bruja|date=2002|people=|type=CD Liner|language=|publisher=Magick Records|trans-title=|location=|time=|format=|id=|isbn=|oclc=|quote=Recorded and produced by Andy J Davies at Earthworks Studios}} and Six Fingered Jesus (2003).{{cite AV media|title="Six Fingered Jesus" by Gilla Bruja|date=2003|people=|type=CD Liner|language=|publisher=Retribute Records – RET014|trans-title=|location=|time=|format=|id=|isbn=|oclc=|quote=Recorded and produced by Andy J Davies at Earthworks Studios}} He played bass at a number of shows with the band following the release of 6 Finger Jesus. During this time, he also formed a post-punk hardcore band called Bad Head, singing and playing guitar.{{cite web|date=2 December 2013|title=BAD HEAD - 'Inner Daze' Live at Rhythms of the World 2010|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP0EOHJZ8WI|accessdate=1 April 2018|website=Youtube.com}}
Earthworks Studios
In 2002, he was asked to become co-owner of the long-established London studio Earthworks. While there, Davies produced several notable and critically acclaimed records including The Freaks Union's 3rd Album Songs From Despair,{{cite AV media |people= |date=2005 |title="Songs From Despair" by The Freaks Union |trans-title= |type=CD Liner |language= English| format= |time= |location= |publisher=Deck Cheese Records |id= |isbn= |oclc= |quote= Recorded and produced by Andy J Davies at Earthworks Studios}}{{cite web|title=The Freaks Union – Songs From Despair|url=http://www.punktastic.com/album-reviews/the-freaks-union-songs-from-despair/|website=Punktastic.com|accessdate=20 March 2018}} Deadline's 4th album Take A Good Look (2006){{cite AV media |people= |date=2006 |title="Take a Good Look" by Deadline |trans-title= |type=CD Liner |language=English|format= |time= |location= |publisher=People Like You (Spv) |id= |isbn= | asin= B000JBXO5S|quote= Recorded and produced by Andy J Davies at Earthworks Studios}} and the studio tracks for their 5th album 'We're Taking Over',{{cite AV media |people= |date=2006 |title="We're Taking Over" by Deadline |trans-title= |type=CD Liner |language=English |format= |time= |location= |publisher=People Like You (Spv) |id= |isbn= | asin=B00158UU8I|quote= Recorded and produced by Andy J Davies at Earthworks Studios}} and The Mercury League's album La Libertad No Es Un Show.{{cite AV media |people= |date=2006 |title="La Libertad No Es Un Show" by The Mercury League |trans-title= |type=CD Liner |language=English|format= |time= |location= |publisher=Greystone Records – GREYCD 011 |id= |isbn= | asin= B000F5GJYQ|quote= Recorded and produced by Andy J Davies at Earthworks Studios}} In 2006, Davies recorded UK black metal band Niroth's self titled album.{{cite AV media |people= |date=2006 |title="Niroth" by Niroth |trans-title= |type=CD Liner |language=English |format= |time= |location= |publisher=Bad Head – BHR0002 |id= |isbn= |quote= Produced by Andy J Davies}}
Also in 2006, he recorded vocals for the Paul Di'Anno album The Beast Live.{{cite AV media |people= |date=2000 |title=The Beast Live by Paul Di'Anno |trans-title= |type=CD Liner |language=English|format= |time= |location= |publisher=Spitfire Records |id= |isbn= |oclc= |quote= Post production vocals recorded by Andy J Davies at Earthworks Studios }}{{cite web|title=Paul Dianno* - The Beast Live|url=https://www.discogs.com/Paul-Dianno-The-Beast-Live/release/964037|website=Discogs.com|accessdate=7 April 2018|language=en}}{{cite book|last1=results|first1=search|title=The Beast|date=2010|publisher=John Blake Publishing Ltd|isbn=9781844548842|language=English}}
In 2007, Davies produced death metal band Corpsing second album
In 2009, Davies produced Aghast!'s well-reviewed first EP Afterlife Crisis (which also appeared on a metal hammer CD).{{cite web|title=Aghast! - Afterlife Crisis EP|url=https://www.discogs.com/Aghast-Afterlife-Crisis-EP/release/7026374|website=Discogs|accessdate=20 March 2018|language=en}}{{cite web|title=Aghast - Afterlife Crisis|url=https://www.metalreviews.com/reviews/album/5278|website=Metalreviews.com|accessdate=20 March 2018|language=en-gb}} In 2009, Bad Head independently released a self-titled album.{{cite web|title=Bad Head RARE Not On Label CD UK 2009 14 TRK ALT PUNK {{!}} eBay|url=https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bad-Head-RARE-Not-On-Label-CD-UK-2009-14-TRK-ALT-PUNK-/292281473227|website=eBay|accessdate=1 April 2018|language=en}} They subsequently played at the BBC Rhythms of The World festival in 2010.{{cite news|title=ROTW 2010 - Sunday|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/threecounties/hi/people_and_places/music/newsid_8862000/8862583.stm|accessdate=1 April 2018|date=28 July 2010}} Davies parted company with Earthworks in 2011.{{cite AV media |last1=Foley|first1=Adam|title=Flawed Is Beautiful|medium=DVD |format= interview|time= Event occurs at time 51min|publisher=Flawed is Beautiful Productions|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Flawed-Beautiful-Adam-Foley/dp/B01N57YLIF}}
The Analogue Room
In 2013, Davies restored his classic recording equipment and set up an entirely analogue studio. Over the next couple of years, the infrastructure and equipment in the studio were expanded and improved, including the acquisition of several vintage tape recorders and the integration of digital systems into the studio. During this time, Andy produced several notable recordings, including The Zipheads Prehistoric Beat (2013) album,{{cite web|title=The Zipheads - Prehistoric Beat|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Zipheads-Prehistoric-Beat/release/5882714|website=Discogs.com|accessdate=20 March 2018|language=en}} Nick And The Sun Machine's album Wide Lying Smiles (2014) and The Metatrons "Please Mister / Not Today" (2014) single.{{cite web|title=The Metatrons - Please Mister / Not Today|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Metatrons-Please-Mister-Not-Today/release/6083143|website=Discogs.com|accessdate=20 March 2018|language=en}} In 2013, Davies produced the new SMASH mini album Spring '13,{{cite web|title=S*M*A*S*H - Spring '13|url=https://www.discogs.com/SMASH-Spring-13/release/9233178|website=Discogs.com|accessdate=20 March 2018|language=en}} a reworking of material from their earlier collaborations, including an updated version of their hit single "(I Want To) Kill Somebody 2014"{{cite web|title=Adam Foley Interviews Andy J. Davies for 'Flawed Is Beautiful|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX8AxdMTA5g|website=Youtube.com|accessdate=20 March 2018|date=1 July 2014}} at the same time as recording the Without Regret mini album{{cite web|title=S*M*A*S*H - (Without Regret.)|url=https://www.discogs.com/SMASH-Without-Regret/release/7626037|website=Discogs.com|accessdate=20 March 2018|language=en}} which he also produced and engineered.{{cite web|title=Andy J Davies chats about stuff with James Tripp Part 1|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR4_DnXPqTQ|website=Youtube.com|accessdate=20 March 2018|date=18 June 2014}}
Damage Recordings
In 2016, Davies decided to expand from the analogue purist approach and return to a more modern recording ethos, while keeping the analogue facility intact and using hardware and software together in the form of Damage Recordings. The facility is complete and Davies is working on several projects. In this facility, he recently produced early demos for Dark Asphyxia's 2016 EP Executioner and subsequently, in 2018, their single 'Bury The Sun'. The first release from Davies' collaboration with ex Rubicon Vocalist Andy Delany was released in the form of the first Delany album 'Mission Creep', followed by a few shows with the group around the UK in 2019{{cite web|title=Dark Asphyxia - 'Executioner' EP Review SonicAbuse|url=http://www.sonicabuse.com/2016/02/dark-asphyxia-executioner-ep-review/|website=Sonicabuse.com|accessdate=30 March 2018|date=28 February 2016}}{{cite web|title=Dark Asphyxia - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives|url=https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Dark_Asphyxia/3540406788|website=Metal-archives.com|accessdate=30 March 2018}} In 2018, Davies produced BrainPain, an EP by punk metal band HeadAche and 'Sex Dictator,' the first single for heavy rock band Dirty Ol' Crow.{{Cite web|url=https://www.therockpit.net/2018/uk-punk-metal-act-headache-to-release-upcoming-ep-brainpain/|title=UK punk /metal act HeadAche to release upcoming EP 'BrainPain' – The Rockpit|website=Therockpit.net|date=19 July 2018 |accessdate=10 May 2020}} In 2019, he also recorded and produced the second Dirty 'Ol Crow single 'Johnny Boy' and their debut album 'Stranger's Nest.' 2019 also saw Davies remaster all of the Guns 'N' Wankers back catalogue for re release and record and produce the debut single for The Best Medicine, a heavy rock band featuring ex members of Aghast.{{Cite web|last=Bjørnsen|first=Olav Martin|date=2019-10-08|title=Dirty Ol' Crow: Strangers' Nest (2019)|url=https://houseofprog.com/blog/2019/10/08/dirty-ol-crow-strangers-nest-2019/|access-date=2021-03-27|website=House Of Prog|language=en-US}}
Controversies
Davies' band Soho Roses was known as a rebellious glam punk act. After a gig supporting Teenage Idols at the Marquee Club in 1988, Steevi Jaimz of Tigertailz allegedly attempted to punch a member of the Soho Roses' entourage, triggering a notorious fight that resulted in Jaimz being ejected from the club.{{cite web|title=The Last Of The Teenage Idols - Satellite Head Gone Soft|url=http://glamrock-aftershock.blogspot.bg/2009/02/last-of-teenage-idols-satellite-head.html|website=Glamrock-aftershock.blogspot.bg|date=17 February 2009 |accessdate=30 March 2018}}{{cite magazine |title=Melody Maker|date=February 1988|issue=18|page=21}} In a photograph taken by Ray Palmer used in an interview in "Metal Hammer" in November 1988,{{cite magazine |title=Metal Hammer UK|date=November 1988|volume=3|issue=21|page=28}} there is a copy of Guns N' Roses Appetite for Destruction LP featuring a prominent plastic dog turd, sparking a heated readers vs band debate in the next few issues of the magazine.{{cite magazine |title=Metal Hammer UK|date=December 1988|volume=3|issue=22|page=11}}{{cite magazine |title=Metal Hammer UK|date=January 1989|volume=3|issue=23|page=10}}
Davies worked closely with the band Guns n' Wankers, featuring ex-members of Soho Roses. The band's name was a blatant reference to their dislike of the LA glam metal scene demonstrated in the classic "Metal Hammer" interview.
Although correctly credited on the independent pressings,{{cite AV media |people= |date=1994 |title=S*M*A*S*H – Spring 1994 (popcore 001)|trans-title= |type=LP Liner |language= en|format= |time= |location= |publisher= |id= |isbn= |oclc= |quote= }}{{cite AV media |people= |date=1994 |title=S*M*A*S*H – Lady Love Your Cunt / Shame (popcore 003)|trans-title= |type=7inch Liner |language= en|format= |time= |location= |publisher= |id= |isbn= |oclc= |quote= }} Davies' work on SMASH's Spring 1994 mini album and "Lady Love Your Cunt" /"Shame 7" single was misquoted on the UK pressing on Virgin's Hi-Rise Recordings label due to a clerical error. However, Davies was correctly credited on the U.S. Hut Recordings release and all subsequent reissues of the material.{{cite AV media |people= |date=21 Mar 1994 |title=S*M*A*S*H – Spring 1994 (Hi-Rise Recordings – FLAT MCD2/ Hi-Rise Recordings – 0170 4 65027 2 6) |trans-title= |type=LP Liner |language= |url=https://www.discogs.com/SMASH-Spring-1994/release/718245 |access-date=21 March 2018 |format= |time= |location= |publisher= |id= |isbn= |oclc= |quote= }}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Davies, Andy J.}}
Category:British record producers
Category:English punk rock guitarists
Category:Military personnel from the London Borough of Islington