Dusty Dave Smith

Dave started out playing the violin and achieved grade 8 by the age of 16. He then taught himself drums, and this led to getting involved with all sorts of bands. The buzz he got from drumming made him realise this was what he wanted to do, so he turned his main focus to drums and percussion.

Forsaking a promising career as a dustman, he went to university to study music, and has since performed with orchestras, djs, bands of various genres and in theatrical and performance art productions. Also an improviser and a composer, he is one half of junk percussion duo Bang On! which perfectly combines the chance to be musically creative on a whole range of instruments whilst doing what he likes best, which is drumming on anything available.

The duo have enjoyed considerable success, playing at venues like The Roundhouse and The Astoria in London, touring with The Dresden Dolls, reaching the semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent, and performing worldwide.

Dave is a seasoned performer at numerous UK & European festivals including Glastonbury, Edinburgh Fringe, Latitude and Le Mans 24h. A drumming group leader in the 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony, Dave also drummed for punk legends Disturbed, has been playing percussion for contemporary dance classes for 12 years and is now playing stand up drums and fiddle (yes, at the same time!) with Cowpunkabilly band The Wessex Pistols.

He passes on his instrumental knowledge to anyone who will listen, teaching drum kit, percussion, strings, and ukulele in schools and privately.