David Robert Hemingway (born 20 September 1960) is an English musician and songwriter, best known as a vocalist for the Hull based band The Beautiful South until they disbanded in 2007. Previously he had been a member of The Housemartins.
Hemingway was born in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, to Harry Hemingway, a lorry driver and local comedian on the club circuit, and Flo Hemingway, who was one of Hull's best-known barmaids.[1] In Hull's Henry Cooper School, Hemingway was in the same class as The Housemartins' future drummer, Hugh Whitaker. The two shared an interest in drumming, and one day, when the class were asked who would like to learn drums, they put their hands up first.[citation needed] Hemingway followed Whitaker into bands, first the Newpolitans with Dave Rotheray on bass, and then the Velvetones. Whilst at university in London, Hemingway was the drummer and a founding member of The Shoppers. It became a well regarded post-punk band (Steve Brain guitar/ lead vocals, Maxine Tarte keyboards/ vocals, Gavin Hearne lead guitar/vocals, Christos Yanni bass/ vocals).
His break came when he got a call from Rotheray telling him Whitaker had left The Housemartins. Rotheray recommended him to Housemartins guitarist Stan Cullimore, who phoned him. He was working as a purchase ledger clerk at the time for the Crystal Motor Group. Hemingway quit his job on 6 March 1987, and soon found himself in the studio, recording the band's second album, The People Who Grinned Themselves to Death.
After the Housemartins disbanded, he and Housemartins founder Paul Heaton put together The Beautiful South from its ashes, featuring roadie and bassist Sean Welch.
Hemingway's first solo album, Hello Cruel World, was released as a download only on iTunes. The album's title was inspired by Hemingway's experience recording in the capital.
After forming "The South" in 2008, Hemingway along with Alison Wheeler from the Beautiful South line-up, released their first album since 2006 entitled Sweet Refrains. The album, featuring songs written by keyboardist Damon Butcher and guitarist Phil Barton, was recorded and released in 2012.[2]
Sunbirds
editAfter leaving The South in 2017, Hemingway formed a new band called Sunbirds with former bandmate Phil Barton, drummer Marc Parnell and vocalist Laura Wilcockson. In 2020, Nectar Records released the first single by Sunbirds. Titled "Meet You on the Northside", the song is from the band's debut album, Cool to Be Kind.[3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
References
edit- ^ "Tributes to Hull barmaid Flo Hemingway, mother of Beautiful South's David Hemingway | Hull Daily Mail". Thisishullandeastriding.co.uk. 2 January 2013. Archived from the original on 5 January 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
- ^ "About". Thesouth.co.uk. 17 June 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
- ^ "The Beautiful South's Dave Hemingway shares new song". Classicpopmag.com. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ "Former Beautiful South Singer Dave Hemingway Talks About His New Band – Sunbirds". Lancashire Times. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ Millar, Mark (2 October 2020). "THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTH founder member DAVE HEMINGWAY announces October release date for SUNBIRDS debut album". Xsnoize.com. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ "Album giveaway from The Beautiful South founder member's new band Sunbirds". The Leader. 4 November 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ "Northside rendezvous: Dave Hemingway, post-Housemartins, Beautiful South and The South, introduces the Sunbirds". Writewyattuk.com. 10 August 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ Evans, Emyr (2 October 2020). "The Beautiful South founder member Dave Hemingway announces October 2020 release for 'SUNBIRDS' debut album "Cool To Be Kind"". Westwaleschronicle.co.uk. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ "Mansfield singer teams up with Beautiful South founder". Mansfield & Ashfield News Journal. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
Bibliography
edit- Pattenden, Michael (1999) Last Orders at the Liars Bar. ISBN 0-575-06739-X