Dave Formula (born David Tomlinson[1] 11 August 1946, Whalley Range, Manchester in England),[2] is an English keyboardist and film-soundtrack composer from Manchester, who played with the post-punk bands Magazine and Visage during the end of the 1970s and the beginning of the 1980s and in the "world music" band The Angel Brothers.
He worked under the name of David Tomlinson and achieved some success back in the mid-sixties with the R&Bblues/soul band St. Louis Union, including appearances on Top of the Pops Thank Your Lucky Stars and in the film The Ghost Goes Gear (also featuring The Spencer Davis Group). At the time he formed the group, he was working as an apprentice television engineer with John Nichols, the band’s bass player.[2] Later he was a cabaret musician and before moving to London, whilst with Magazine, he shared a flat with record producer Martin Hannett.
Magazine
Formula performing with Magazine at the Hop Farm Festival in Paddock Wood, Kent, 2011
Formula was a member of Magazine, joining in 1978 after the departure of Bob Dickinson and the release of their debut single "Shot By Both Sides", until the band's breakup in 1981. His multi-layered keyboard sounds, made with equipment including the Yamaha CP70 electric grand piano, Yamaha YC45D Organ, an ARP Odyssey, a Yamaha SS30 string synth, and on later albums a Prophet 5, were a defining part of the band.
Magazine reformed in February 2009 with Formula returning to play keyboards.
Formula was a performing and songwriting member of Ludus in 1982 and remained for at least five years.[4]
Inaura
He also joined a band called Inaura in the mid-1990s and played on their album One Million Smiles.[5][6]
The Angel Brothers
Whilst lecturing in popular music, he met up with Keith Angel, Dave Angel & Andy Seward which eventually led to Formula joining the world music band The Angel Brothers in 2003, playing on their two albums, Punjab To Pit Top and Forbidden Fruit.
Design For Living
After Formula's stint with Magazine, he formed part of a band called Design For Living.[7]
Solo album
In January 2007, Formula began working on a solo album recording at his own Red Bird Studios. Entitled Satellite Sweetheart, it features over 30 guest musicians. The list includes almost all the members of Magazine–Howard Devoto, Barry Adamson, John Doyle, John McGeoch (posthumously), and Robin Simon-as well singer/ songwriter Robert Wyatt, Swing Out Sister's Corrine Drury, Dennis Rollins, and Joel Purnell. The release was delayed due to Magazine's 2009 activity and the album was released in February 2010 on Wire Sound.[8] A video of the collaboration with Devoto; "Via Sacra" is posted on YouTube.[9]
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