David Spann has been rockin’ Austin Texas for decades…
Coming of age in a town of sensational guitarists afforded David the opportunity to see and meet truly great guitarists, like brothers Stevie Ray and Jimmy Vaughan, Eric Johnson, Monte Montgomery and many more fantastic players. Austin inspires and keeps its guitar community humble. David has played with many local artists and very early on in his career, (at twenty years of age) David got a gig with Kansas lead vocalist Steve Walsh.
The first band that bared David’s name “Spann” formed in 1985 with Kyle Brock (Electromagnets, Eric Johnson Group) Bass and Eddie Cantu (Extreme Heat, Bruce Robinson, Kelly Willis, Joe Ely) drums. In 1987 Eric Johnson was about to record his 2nd album for Warner / Reprise Records and he recruited Kyle back into his fold and the “Spann” group disbanded. Kyle and Eric’s album was a multi-platinum success and the track “Cliffs of Dover” to date Eric’s biggest song is featured in the video game Guitar Hero 3.
Now this line-up “Spann” is reunited writing new material and revamping the best of the old stuff. Better than ever! It’s the material, musicianship, chemistry and musical direction that make up the uniqueness of the group “Spann”. The group was founded by Kyle Brock and David Spann in 1985, Eddie Cantu replaced the initial drummer within 4 months and this outfit went into the studio with engineer John Viehweg. As a Texas Power Trio in the ‘80’s the band played shows with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Johnson, Robin Trower, Mega Death, Jon Butcher Axis, Roy Buchanan and numerous acts of the day throughout the Texas cities Dallas, Austin, Houston and San Antonio. The group also went into the studio with industry giant record producers Andy Johns (Led Zepplin, Rolling Stones, Van Halen….) and sessions with Richard Mullen (Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Johnson…) before a final product was ever released?
Kyle and Eddie have had cameo performances on all 3 of David’s CDs and thou, the band kicked around reunion multiple times it never happened until August of 2017 at the 1-2-1 Bar in Austin, TX. The basis of their set consisted of songs taken from a bootleg recording of the band at their last gig in July 1987.
John Viehweg an accomplished guitarist / vocalist as well as sound engineer and record producer came to the show to see his boys kicking it. After the show while visiting with David, said half-jokingly I’d like a shot at being lead vocalist. Ends up David had been wanting to add another member to the band.
John was a shoe-in and was totally familiar with the bands roots. He played in bands with Kyle and engineered records featuring Kyle.
David Spann has a passion for guitar and he loves to share that passion. David is one of the most sought after guitar instructors in Austin, Texas and he has been sharing his talent since 1983. David intends to continue sharing his knowledge and talent for many years to come...
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT DAVID
David Spann
Described as a guitar virtuoso by Austin’s KLBJ DJ Loris Lowe; David is a respected Austin Guitarist with elements of various styles to his music. Friends with guitar legend Eric Johnson and once part of Steve Walsh’s (Lead Singer/Keyboardist for group Kansas) solo group. He’s traveled domestically and internationally as a full-time professional guitar product specialist for English amplifier icons Marshall and Vox 2000-2009.
Concert promoters and live music venues have paired David’s band with touring acts especially the guitar heavies. Some of the acts The David Spann Trio has shared the stage with:
Eric Johnson (x5)
Stevie Ray Vaughan (x2)
Steve Morse (currently guitarist for Deep Purple)
Johnny Winter
Jack Bruce (Bassist, lead vocalist, songwriter for Cream)
Pat Travers (x4)
Robin Trower (x4)
Yngwie J. Malmsteen (X3)
UFO (Michael Shencker guitarist)
Tony McAlpine
Billy Cobham (drummer Mahavishnu Orchestra)
Roy Buchanan
Beach Boys
Uriah Heep
Al DiMeola
Monte Montgomery
Chris Duarte
Omar Dykes
Foghat
Loudness
Van Wilks
Tony Carey (Keyboardist from Richie Blackmore’s Rainbow)
David Spann musical influences: Jimi Hendrix, Freddy King, Johnny Winter, Stevie Wonder, Kyle Brock, Eric Johnson, Steve Walsh (Kansas), Audioslave, Steve Morse, John Petrucci, Ray Charles, Maceo Parker, Led Zeppelin, Cream, Limp Biscuit and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
In Eric Johnson’s Guitar Player Cover Story Interview May 1986, he mentioned David as one of his favorite unknown guitarists.
Very positive reaction from the Official International Sensation CD Release Tuesday August 11th as the featured guest on KLBJ’s Local Licks with one of Austin’s favorite gals Loris Lowe. www.klbjfm.com/blogs/blogs/local-licks/david-spann-local-licks-0
International Sensation reviewed in October 2015 Houston’s Music News Magazine by Hollywood Steve Rangel.
David Spann(Trio): http://www.houstonmusicnews.net/default.html/october2015.html/october_10_15.pages/page18-04-10.html
Eric Johnson Group Bassist Kyle Brock was one of David’s mentors, David took lessons from Kyle in the 70’s, then in the 80’s Kyle was David’s bassist for over 3 years before rejoining Eric Johnson to record Ah Via Musicom. Kyle does a cameo on the new 2015 International Sensation CD an inspired instrumental titled “Fascination”. The band brings an incredible club concert act that includes original rock / blues songs and a tasty mix of very popular entertaining cover songs. The choice of complimenting cover songs makes for a memorable show “Highway Star” the Deep Purple anthem performed entirely with the organ solo played on guitar, a medley of Eric Johnson’s “Cliffs of Dover” and Joe Satriani’s “Satch Boogie” bring down the house and fill the tip jars. Or classic Robert Johnson “Dust My Broom”, Jimi Hendrix’s “Manic Depression”….etc
Band mates:
Greg Hammer- Came highly recommended by a previous band mate the legendary drummer Eddie Cantu.
Dan Cistone is one bad ass musician from Philadelphia. Dan is a 20 year Army Jazz Band veteran and graduate from the military music academy in Norfolk, VA. He’s an expert trumpeter, drummer, bassist and sound engineer.
David Spann vocals and guitar.
CD releases:
Brand NEW August 2015’s International Sensation http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/davidspann3
Distant Light 1997 CD http://cdbaby.com/cd/davidspann2
Shadow the Land 2009 CD http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/davidspann
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/DavidSpannAustinTexasGuitarist?skip_nax_wizard=true&ref_type
http://www.reverbnation.com/davidspannband
Some tunes and guitar clinic clips from Bucharest Romania and at Guitar World Magazine HQ in Manhattan - New York City, NY
o This is a conceptual video done in Europe, directed by 2EA+K Video Productions. House of Glass (1st video from International Sensation CD) https://youtu.be/5HIb1hkULiQ
SOME LIVE CLIPS
o Twister at JAX: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po2TRwsXono
o Shadow the Land at Antones: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2lhGNorK1s
o http://youtu.be/P5Qf2RHUb_0 Cliffs of Dover and Satch Boogie
o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CBKzaDQEvU 2007 Vox Clinic Bucharest, Romania
David Spann (Trio)
o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pUVQnt2kuM 2007 Guitar World Magazine Vox
Tonelab LE video, shot at GW headquarters downtown Manhattan NYC
New Music News:
David’s 3rd CD “International Sensation” released August 11th, 2015 ¾ of this CD was recorded live at the Saxon Pub Saturday May 4, 2013. Richard Vannoy tracking engineer.
This CD has musical cameos by;
o Kyle Brock bass (Eric Johnson Group), o Bosko Beuk keyboards (European Recording Artist, #5 hit song in Germany) 1st edit and mix engineer Brad Engleking at Metric Audio and mastering engineer Nick Landis at Terra Nova Digital Audio (these 2 engineers have done the mixing and mastering on most of Robert Rodriguez’s movies.)