David J's slim figure and sunglasses have cut a striking figure in the worlds of Goth and underground rock scene for nigh on 40 years now. The 54-year-old musician is best known for his work as the bassist in legendary dark rock outfit Bauhaus, and as one-third of the equally dark but much more pop minded trio Love & Rockets. Along the way, he has joined up to create music with figures like author Alan Moore and the arch pop outfit The Jazz Butcher Conspiracy, as well as releasing a fine series of solo LPs along the way. David is gearing up to release a new album in September entitled Not Long For This World, a concept LP that centers around death and dying, and includes covers of Smog, Tom Waits, and Dennis Wilson alongside some original work. David J is coming to town twice this month, with a stripped down acoustic show to be held this Saturday at Lovecraft, a new "horror-themed" bar on SE Grand, and then a full band performance on the 22nd at Dante's. ---
Video for Bauhaus' "She's In Parties"
What do you remember about filming this video?
You seem to be the one in the video who looks the least committed to the video concept. Were you not having a good time filming?
The band was together such a short time but seemed to have such a huge impact and influence on any number of bands. Is it a good or strange thing to see how much people still love what Bauhaus did?
Fan-made video for The Jazz Butcher Conspiracy song "Caroline Wheeler's Birthday Present"
After Bauhaus had broken up you joined The Jazz Butcher Conspiracy for a stretch - how did you end up working with Pat Fish?
This song has always been a favorite of mine and seems so out of sync with so much of Pat's other JBC songs. Do you know how this one came about?
You were only in the band for a brief time - why did you leave the fold?
Fan-shot footage of Love & Rockets rehearsing their hit "So Alive" in 1989
Is it true that Love & Rockets got started because you were planning on a Bauhaus reunion and Peter Murphy never showed up for rehearsals?
At least here in the States - this is the one song that you will be remembered for. How was it to watch that song take off over here and end you up in the top 10?
It is said that during the time the album Love & Rockets was written that you and Daniel were pretty much writing material on your own for the band - is that true?
Have you ever seen this video clip before?
Promotional video for "The Bubblemen Are Coming" by The Bubblemen (a.k.a. Love & Rockets)
I would be remiss if I didn't ask you about The Bubblemen...who came up with this idea?
How was it wander around London in these costumes to film this video?
When you played Lollapalooza in 2008, you brought out the Bubblemen costumes...did that get a big response?
Is Love & Rockets and therefore the Bubblemen completely over with at this point or do you think you'll work together again?
[see below]
Bauhaus performing at the Sasquatch Music Festival in 2006
Why did you and Peter, Kevin and Daniel decide to reform Bauhaus in 1998?
Was it gratifying to see how well people responded to the idea of you touring and performing your old Bauhaus material?
How was it to be an opening act for Nine Inch Nails?
You recorded one last album and called it quits again. Is it for good at this point?
I have to ask about the story I've read about Peter Murphy spitting rose petals in the band's face during the recording of the final Bauhaus album....true story?
David J performing the Bauhaus song "Who Killed Mr. Moonlight?" with Portland's own The Upsidedown
How did you get connected with The Upsidedown?
Do you get calls from lots of bands to work with them and do old Bauhaus/Love & Rockets material? If so, how many do you accept or at least take seriously?
David performing the Love & Rockets track "Dog-End of a Day Gone By" at a record store in California in 2010
Lately you've been performing a lot of solo shows like this recent one and I was always wondering if you are okay with the fact that many people just want to hear L&R and Bauhaus material from you rather than new songs?
You're now living in Los Angeles - how did you end up out there?
You've been doing a fair amount of musical theater work in L.A. including an upcoming show about the Black Dahlia murder. What can you tell me about that and how you ended up working in that milieu?
I was looking over the track listing for the album you have coming out soon - and the theme of the songs surrounds mortality and death. What inspired that?
Can we expect to hear some of the songs from this in your performance here in Portland?
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