Dave Derby is an American singer-songwriter, bassist, and producer most famous for fronting the indie rock band The Dambuilders. Known for his melodic songwriting and distinctive bass lines, Derby has remained a steady figure in the alternative and indie scenes for over three decades.
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Derby began playing in the late 1980s. He co-founded The Dambuilders with guitarist Eric Masunaga and bassist Tryan George. The group relocated to Boston in 1990, where they became a staple of the city's thriving alternative rock scene alongside bands like the Pixies and Lemonheads.
With the addition of violinist Joan Wasser (later known as Joan As Police Woman), and drummer Kevin March, the band developed a unique, violin-driven power-pop sound. Derby served as a primary songwriter and lead vocalist, leading the band through several major label releases on Elektra Records, including their most successful album, Encendedor (1994), which featured the modern rock hit "Shrine."
In February, 1996, The Dambuilders opened up for Jeff Buckley in Australia.
Beyond performing, Derby has built a successful career composing for film and television. His work includes music for the film Who's the Caboose? and the Disney hit Hannah Montana: The Movie. He also wrote the theme song for the popular political podcast and radio show The Majority Report with Sam Seder.
Today, Derby continues to produce and release music through his collective Gramercy Arms, maintaining his reputation as a "songwriter's songwriter" within the New York indie community.
Theme Music:
Slo-Mo Kikaida - The Dambuilders - Encendedor
Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin live at Knebworth
Moodswing Whiskey - Jeff Buckley - Mystery White Boy (Live in Australia)
Everybody Here Wants You - Jeff Buckley - Sketches For My Sweetheart The Drunk
Burn This Bridge - The Dambuilders - Against The Stars
Shrine
Smell - The Dambuilders - Encendedor
Last Goodbye was #14 on the 1995 Triple J countdown in Australia .
Grace was #89
Dave's book recommendation:
"Local Unrest' by Shawn "Speedy" Lopes
https://localunrest.com
“Everyone Has A Jeff Buckley Story” is created, recorded, edited and produced by Jeff Haley.
Co-Produced Konrad
https://www.instagram.com/thekonradmeissner/
Shine Light Podcasts is Executive-Produced by Chris via biointegrity.net
The BioIntegrity community has helped fund protection of more than 320,000 acres of old growth tropical forests since 2014. Those efforts are helping to save thousands of species from extinction, keep more than 85 million tons of greenhouse gasses out of the atmosphere (enough to offset Austin, TX's community carbon footprint for 5+ years), institute land occupation rights for more than 400 Indigenous communities around the world, keep the planet cool, and more. Chris is also co-founder, creator and executive editor of AllCreation.org, a living archive of faith and spiritual practice views on human relationships with Earth's other species and environment. AllCreation has more than 400 posts exploring sacred texts and contemporary views, and is currently read in +150 countries. Visit biointegrity.net and allcreation.org for more info.
