David Potts
Encyclopedia
David Potts known to bandmates and fans as "Pottsy", is the ex-frontman of Monaco
.
's Revenge
. After the departure of Davyth (Dave) Hicks in 1991, Potts was unexpectedly drafted into the band. Revenge eventually fell apart, with Hook and Potts being the only members left. They continued on as a two-piece, Monaco
, with Hook on bass guitar and vocals, and Potts on drums, guitar, keyboards, vocals, and sometimes backing Hook on bass. They recorded the hit "What Do You Want From Me" in 1997, which reached No.11 on the British music charts. The album Music For Pleasure
also reached No.11 and produced two more singles, "Sweet Lips" (which reached #18) and "Shine" (which did not chart). After three years of frustration with their record company, Polydor Records
, Monaco's self-titled follow-up was released on a different label, and despite severe underpromotion and lack of a strong single, received generally good reviews.
Around this time, tensions were mounting in the studio, due to Potts' unbelievable workload and his dissatisfaction with the band's failure to depart from a New Order
-like sound – a similarity further highlighted by Potts' remarkable vocal similarity to Bernard Sumner
. This was highlighted by what Potts called "a disastrous gig" at the Eclipse festival, where Hook and Potts were in a massive argument. They both took a break, and after letting things cool down, got together and decided it was best to split up Monaco.
Around this time, Oasis
rhythm guitarist Paul Arthurs
and bassist Paul McGuigan
had departed from the band, and Potts was found on the shortlist of possible replacements for McGuigan due to his connection with one of the band's roadies. Briefly contacted by Noel Gallagher
, Potts rehearsed with the band on bass. Andy Bell
was eventually selected as McGuigan's replacement. Potts later said that although the band was "a charming bunch of lads", he wanted to be his own boss, and did not pursue the position for two reasons: a fear of getting sacked in a matter of weeks (something Oasis is notable for), and a general distaste for playing the bass guitar.
Potts then formed RAM, a nod to McCartney, with friends Steve Brannan and Paul Kehoe receiving lots of positive press for their psychedelic-influenced pop/rock sound. Their Songs on Page One EP and single 'For Your Love' were critically acclaimed.
Pottsy released an EP I'm The Greatest in November 2006 followed by a new album 'Coming Up For Air' in January 2007 under the name David Potts. He also participated in the New Order
tribute album project Community 2: A NewOrderOnline Tribute
.
His solo album, entitled Coming Up For Air was released 29 January 2007 with double A-side single 'Monkey in the Rain / Roll Up!' due for release in August 2007.
October 2007 saw the reformation of Monaco for a special one-off gig for the Oxfam charity.
Coming Up For Air was released in Japan in February 2008 on Kaffrec Records and was supported by two concerts in Tokyo.
David played the Manchester Vs Cancer gig (23 Feb) at the MEN Arena in Manchester with fellow musician Peter Hook, Damon Gough – Badly Drawn Boy, Steve White, Aziz and Andy Rourke.
2011 will see Pottsy putting together a new collection of songs for a new project. According to one source, a total of 16 new tracks have been recorded with all instrumentation, production and writing done by Pottsy himself.
In July 2011 Pottsy was re-united, albeit briefy, with Hooky for a short series of gigs as guitarist for Joy Division celebration band, Peter Hook & The Light, taking in gigs in Italy, Ireland and France.
Monaco (band)
Monaco was a side project of New Order bassist Peter Hook. Together with David Potts, the only remaining member of Revenge, the band was formed in 1995...
.
Career
In the early 1990s, Potts was working as a tape operator during recording sessions for Peter HookPeter Hook
Peter Hook is an English bass player, musician and author.He was a co-founder of the post-punk band Joy Division along with Bernard Sumner in the mid-1970s. Following the death of lead singer Ian Curtis, the band reformed as New Order, and Hook played bass with them throughout their career until...
's Revenge
Revenge (band)
Revenge was a band formed by New Order bassist Peter Hook and Lavolta Lakota and Rawhead singer Davyth Hicks on guitar and vocals, and Chris Jones . Revenge formed after New Order's hiatus in 1989-1990 and played their final gigs in January 1993...
. After the departure of Davyth (Dave) Hicks in 1991, Potts was unexpectedly drafted into the band. Revenge eventually fell apart, with Hook and Potts being the only members left. They continued on as a two-piece, Monaco
Monaco (band)
Monaco was a side project of New Order bassist Peter Hook. Together with David Potts, the only remaining member of Revenge, the band was formed in 1995...
, with Hook on bass guitar and vocals, and Potts on drums, guitar, keyboards, vocals, and sometimes backing Hook on bass. They recorded the hit "What Do You Want From Me" in 1997, which reached No.11 on the British music charts. The album Music For Pleasure
Music for Pleasure (Monaco album)
Music For Pleasure was the debut album by rock band band Monaco, a side project of New Order bassist Peter Hook. It was released in 1997 and reached No. 11 in the UK. The album sold more than 500,000 copies worldwide, with its first single, "What Do You Want from Me?", often mistaken for a New...
also reached No.11 and produced two more singles, "Sweet Lips" (which reached #18) and "Shine" (which did not chart). After three years of frustration with their record company, Polydor Records
Polydor Records
Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone...
, Monaco's self-titled follow-up was released on a different label, and despite severe underpromotion and lack of a strong single, received generally good reviews.
Around this time, tensions were mounting in the studio, due to Potts' unbelievable workload and his dissatisfaction with the band's failure to depart from a New Order
New Order
New Order are an English rock band formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris...
-like sound – a similarity further highlighted by Potts' remarkable vocal similarity to Bernard Sumner
Bernard Sumner
Bernard Sumner , also known as Bernard Dickin, Bernard Dicken and Bernard Albrecht is an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, keyboard player and producer....
. This was highlighted by what Potts called "a disastrous gig" at the Eclipse festival, where Hook and Potts were in a massive argument. They both took a break, and after letting things cool down, got together and decided it was best to split up Monaco.
Around this time, Oasis
Oasis (band)
Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher...
rhythm guitarist Paul Arthurs
Paul Arthurs
Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs is an English musician and one of the founding members of the English rock band Oasis, best known as their rhythm guitar player from 1991-1999.-Early life:...
and bassist Paul McGuigan
Paul McGuigan (musician)
Paul McGuigan , better known by his nickname, Guigsy , is an English musician and one of the four founding members of the English rock band Oasis...
had departed from the band, and Potts was found on the shortlist of possible replacements for McGuigan due to his connection with one of the band's roadies. Briefly contacted by Noel Gallagher
Noel Gallagher
Noel Thomas David Gallagher is an English musician and singer-songwriter, formerly the lead guitarist, backing vocalist and principal songwriter of the English rock band Oasis. He is currently fronting his solo project, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.Raised in Burnage, Manchester with his...
, Potts rehearsed with the band on bass. Andy Bell
Andy Bell (musician)
Andrew Piran "Andy" Bell is a Welsh musician, currently playing guitar in the band Beady Eye. He is a songwriter, singer, producer, DJ and former member of the early 1990s shoegazing band, Ride, and later, Hurricane #1...
was eventually selected as McGuigan's replacement. Potts later said that although the band was "a charming bunch of lads", he wanted to be his own boss, and did not pursue the position for two reasons: a fear of getting sacked in a matter of weeks (something Oasis is notable for), and a general distaste for playing the bass guitar.
Potts then formed RAM, a nod to McCartney, with friends Steve Brannan and Paul Kehoe receiving lots of positive press for their psychedelic-influenced pop/rock sound. Their Songs on Page One EP and single 'For Your Love' were critically acclaimed.
Pottsy released an EP I'm The Greatest in November 2006 followed by a new album 'Coming Up For Air' in January 2007 under the name David Potts. He also participated in the New Order
New Order
New Order are an English rock band formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris...
tribute album project Community 2: A NewOrderOnline Tribute
Community 2: A NewOrderOnline Tribute
Community 2 is a tribute album dedicated to the work of Ian Curtis, Gillian Gilbert, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris and Bernard Sumner of the bands New Order and Joy Division that was released in 2006....
.
His solo album, entitled Coming Up For Air was released 29 January 2007 with double A-side single 'Monkey in the Rain / Roll Up!' due for release in August 2007.
October 2007 saw the reformation of Monaco for a special one-off gig for the Oxfam charity.
Coming Up For Air was released in Japan in February 2008 on Kaffrec Records and was supported by two concerts in Tokyo.
David played the Manchester Vs Cancer gig (23 Feb) at the MEN Arena in Manchester with fellow musician Peter Hook, Damon Gough – Badly Drawn Boy, Steve White, Aziz and Andy Rourke.
2011 will see Pottsy putting together a new collection of songs for a new project. According to one source, a total of 16 new tracks have been recorded with all instrumentation, production and writing done by Pottsy himself.
In July 2011 Pottsy was re-united, albeit briefy, with Hooky for a short series of gigs as guitarist for Joy Division celebration band, Peter Hook & The Light, taking in gigs in Italy, Ireland and France.