TT: Dave, you just hit 40. How the hell are you?! Dave: I am doin' good! I am a survivor, that's for sure. I have been through some real ups and downs in my life, but I have made it this far. If it doesn't kill you, it will make you stronger... I am living proof of that!
TT: How are you doing after your Moto Cross racing accident that took place last October? Dave: Much better, my fractured hip feels a lot stronger. It was pure hell when I went down, and the aftermath in the hospital was no fun at all. The first few weeks at home were a real nightmare, I could hardly move or do anything. I needed a cane to walk up until about 2 weeks ago. I still get a bit sore towards the end of the day, but I can't complain. It could have been much worse. TT: Is this the end of your racing days? Dave: I don't know for sure. The doctors told me it would take a full year for my hip to recover 100%, and they advised me to take this year off from racing. The season starts in a few weeks, so it's obvious that I can't compete now. Maybe towards the end of the year I can do one or two races. Also, I need to spend more time with my music, so I guess it all happens for a reason.
TT: What about your music, you are involved in several projects now. Tell us what's going on. Dave: I am still working on the CD with ex VR guitarist Terry Montana. I have about half of the bass tracks done. It is cool to be active again with music, and I am playing the 8 string bass on everything. To be honest, I was burned out on bass playing and I hardly played bass over the last 7 years. I spent most of my time playing classical guitar, but now I seem to be drawn back to the bass again. I guess you never lose the touch, it's like riding a bike.
TT: How does it feel to be working with Terry again after his brief stint in VR and departure 15 years ago? Dave: Terry is a great guy, and he has been a big help to me the last few years. He was one of the few people who actually came to see me in the hospital last year. That meant a great deal. We have moved on in our lives from what went on with VR back in 85-86, he and I rarely if ever discuss it. TT: What is the other music project? Dave: Well, it is a bit early to be making any official announcements, but I am working on tunes with David Chastain! ( http://www.leviathanrecords.com/dtc.htm ) . He has sent me out some of his new stuff to work on bass parts, and we have been in touch quite a bit over the last month. I am really excited about this!
TT: How did this come about? Dave: Well, his singer is Kate French ( http://www.leviathanrecords.com/katroom.htm ) , and she of course is married to Larry Howe. David was looking for some new musicians to work with, and Kate suggested Larry and I. The whole situation is incredible, the chance to work with Larry again is unreal. I know the VR fans would love for this to work out. Of course, to hook up with David Chastain is pretty awesome in itself, and add in the lovely and talented Kate French to the mix... It almost seems to good to be true! She referred to me as her bass player a few weeks ago, that was pretty cool! I guess you can say we are in the "demo" stage right now, but I will keep everyone up to date on this as it progresses further.
TT: Today is also the one year anniversary of your VR History site, looking back over the last year, are you happy with the way it has turned out? Dave: Very Happy! My webmaster Ellen Bakvis has been an angel to me and the VR fans! She has done a great job in helping me to preserve the legacy of the band for all of the hard core fans and friends that we have out there. I get e-mail every day from the fans, and they tell me how much they love the site and what Ellen and I have done. It is very rewarding for me to see all of the love that is out there from our fans, and that they still care about VR after all these years. The website is a lot of hard work, but well worth it.
TT: It sounds like you have your hands full these days with music and the website! Dave: Yeah, I am pretty busy so I can't really complain much. The only down side in my life these days is that my 15 year old daughter Tawny lives in Texas, and I don't get to see her as much as I want to...or need to. It drives me crazy at times. But I want her to know right now in this interview for the world to see that I love her very much and I am very proud of her. She is writing op/ed pieces in the local newspaper, she is really smart, a good student, and she is a lovely young woman! TT: Well Dave, we wish you the best! Dave: Thanks, anytime!