The Dave Howard Singers
Cult Canadian project blending lounge-pop with industrial noise.
The Dave Howard Singers are a cult Canadian alternative rock project, founded in Toronto and built around singer-songwriter Dave Howard—the sole constant member—and the distinctive sound of his Ace Tone organ. For much of the 1980s, the group was based in Britain, drawing many members from there, and gained a cult following with several national TV appearances.
Howard’s work blends eccentric humor with sincerity, deliberately clashing light popular music (lounge-pop tunes, crooner vocals) with industrial and electronic avant-garde elements (rapid rhythms, noise, screaming). His intense stage presence and emotional performances earned him descriptions like “surreal revolutionary,” “a vaudeville entertainer for the post-apocalyptic age,” and “damned irresponsible and depraved.” His songs are said to “evoke a singular world both comforting and cruel.” Howard has said, “I’ve always had a passion for exploring extreme emotions, especially in my work. Extremely deranged, delighted, demented, deluded, you name it.”
**Early years (1979–1984)** A former student of the Royal Conservatory of Ontario, Howard began his music career in Toronto in 1979 with the post-punk band The Diner’s Club, which included drummer Boris Rosych and guitarist Brian Ruryk. He later cited influences ranging from New York acts like Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, DNA, The Contortions, and Suicide, to the clean minimalism of Young Marble Giants, as well as Burt Bacharach, The Beatles, John Barry, early Genesis, Bernard Herrmann, Holst, Debussy, and Dean Martin. Going solo in 1981 with a drum machine called “Max,” he adopted the ironic name The Dave Howard Singers—though he was the only singer and member. His sets mixed Suicide and Bacharach influences, combining rapid electronic rhythms and noise with lounge-friendly pop and crooner vocals. Confused audiences, aside from the hostile ones, were won over by his humor and encouragement of participation—sing-alongs, heckling, and storytelling. In Toronto, he supported acts like James Chance and the Contortions, The Psychedelic Furs, and Jah Wobble. The first release was the 1983 cassette album *Alone And Gone*, followed by the cassette EP *A Loan And A Yawn*.
**The London years (late 1984–1986)** In October 1984, British keyboardist and producer Dave Formula (Magazine, Visage) was brought in by Howard’s manager Peter Noble to produce recording
- field
- Alternative rock / experimental
- nationality
- Canadian
- known_for
- Mixing lounge-pop with industrial/electronic avant-garde music; Ace Tone organ; cult status in Britain
- formed
- 1981 (as solo project)
- origin
- Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Lore & Background
Dave Howard started his musical career in Toronto in 1979 as part of the post-punk band The Diner's Club. Striking out as a solo act in 1981 accompanied by a drum machine called 'Max', he took on the ironic project name The Dave Howard Singers despite being the only singer and member. Drawing on influences including Suicide and Burt Bacharach, he performed song-sets mingling rapid electronic rhythms and noise with lounge-friendly pop tunes and crooner vocals. The debut release was the 8-song cassette album Alone And Gone in 1983, followed by the cassette EP A Loan And A Yawn.
In October 1984, British keyboard player and producer Dave Formula persuaded Howard to relocate to Britain. Howard moved to London and was teamed with ex-Howard Devoto sidemen Pat Aherne (drums) and Martin Heath (bass) to form a live trio. This line-up recorded the Whoishe? EP. However, Howard soon became dissatisfied with the musical direction and parted company. He then teamed up with fellow Canadian Nick Smash, a stand-up drummer and heavy percussionist. The new-look Dave Howard Singers made an appearance on The Tube, toured with Shock Headed Peters and supported Sonic Youth in Amsterdam. They released the live-in-concert EP Goodnight Karl Malden EP in March 1986 and played a bizarre free concert at the London Canadian Embassy in April 1986, described as 'the loudest launch reception for a record ever witnessed.' In October 1986, they released a cover of David Essex's 'Rock On' produced by The Stranglers' JJ Burnel, described as 'frighteningly minimalist' and 'ruffian unrest.' Smash left the band the day before the video was shot.
Howard continued as a solo performer with Max, releasing the single 'Yon Yonson' in 1987 and a disco remix 'Yon Yonson Meets Dr R-R-Ruth.' By May 1988, he had recruited singers Wendy and Sarah for live backing vocals. In November 1988, The Dave Howard Singers supported Spacemen 3. The line-up changed with the addition of 'guitar alchemist' Simon Walker and drummer T. Daniel Howard, and later bass player Christian 'Bic' Hayes. Bic left to play guitar with Cardiacs and was temporarily replaced by Stump bassist Kev Hopper. The band reorganised as a trio of Dave Howard, T. Daniel Howard and new bass player Bevin Burke. With a new contract with the Ghetto Recording Company, they recorded the single 'All My Relatives Look The Same' (1990) and the debut album It's About Time (1991), produced by Paul 'Thwack' Laventhol. The band's progress was damaged when Ghetto Recording Company folded at the time of the album release.
Reader's Guide
The Dave Howard Singers represent a singular attempt to fuse extremely disparate and clashing elements of light popular music (lounge-pop tunes, crooner vocals) and industrial/electronic avant-garde music (rapid electronic rhythms, noise, screaming). Howard's work is noted for its mixture of eccentric humour and sincerity, and his vigorous stagecraft and highly emotional performance style led him to be described as a 'surreal revolutionary', 'a vaudeville entertainer for the post-apocalyptic age' and 'damned irresponsible and depraved.' His songs have been described as 'evoking a singular world both comforting and cruel.' The project's significance lies in its persistent refusal to resolve its contradictions, maintaining a cult following through television appearances, press coverage from Melody Maker, Sounds and New Musical Express, and support slots for acts such as Sonic Youth and Spacemen 3. The band's legacy is that of a cult act that never achieved mainstream success but influenced a niche audience through its uncompromising blend of genres and theatrical live performances.
Did You Know?
- The project name 'The Dave Howard Singers' was ironic because Howard was the only singer and only member at its start.
- Howard's debut release was the 8-song cassette album Alone And Gone in 1983.
- The band's cover of David Essex's 'Rock On' was produced by The Stranglers' JJ Burnel.
- Howard's Ace Tone organ was sometimes placed on a wheelchair during performances.
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