By Mike Fitzpatrick
Dave Barckow is without a doubt one of the hardest working guys in rock and roll. Having formed and fronted several of his own trad/rock bands (Trigger, Alternatrad, Smirk) as well as playing with Celtic Cross, Raglan Road and countless others over the years, the singer/songwriter/guitarist/drummer (what a show-off), known affectionately by his many friends and fans as ‘The Dude’, is one of the most well-known faces on the tri-state music scene.
Playing regular gigs every Monday at Sunnyside, Queens’s Bar 43, Sundays at The Courtyard (also in Sunnyside) and on Wednesdays at The Pig & Whistle on Second Avenue in Manhattan, his full schedule can be checked out at www.davebarckow.com.
Despite a hectic schedule, Mr. Barckow, perhaps the original chilled-out entertainer, put down his drumsticks, placed the guitar to one side for a moment, and joined us ‘At The Mike Stand’. Dave, welcome to the pages of The Irish Examiner.
What would you like your own tribute act to be called?
“Barfly – The Musical”.
When’s the last time you laughed out loud?
I just saw a photo of Sammy Sosa and his new milky white skin. That did the trick.
What act would you like to have seen perform live?
Might be a very standard answer but, The Beatles.
What team do you support?
Although it’s a hard life, I’m a lifelong, diehard Mets fan.
What period in history would you most like to have visited?
Any time period before DJs were considered musicians.
What song would you most like to have written?
‘Thunder Road’.
Who or what, would make you leave a room?
Karaoke contest winners who sing after the contest is well over and people who think watching ‘Law & Order’ and ‘Sex and the City’ makes them New Yorkers.
What decade rules (and why)?
The 80s, too many reasons (all X rated) to mention.
What cover version do you most enjoy performing?
Any song that someone requests and I happen to know, I’m a whore for people-pleasing.
What movie role would you like to have played?
Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz.
Have you ever been told you looked like somebody?
Yes Steve Buscemi and Lars Ulrich (I don’t see it at all but that’s what I hear).
What’s the first album you remember buying?
Sadly it was ‘Fernando’ by Abba.
Who’s your favorite Beatle?
Paul.
What’s your favorite Christmas song?
Hands down “The Little Drummer Boy”.
Who’s the most rock and roll person who ever lived?
Ray Kelly from The Mickey Finns/Prodigals. That guy’s the real deal in every way.
What artist/song/genre do you secretly enjoy listening to?
I love Arena Rock, Styx, Journey, Foreigner etc I can’t get enough of it, the cheesier the better.
Who would you most like to meet/have met?
Keith Moon (He’s pretty Rock & Roll too).
What book can you read again and again?
The TV Guide.
What’s the greatest album ever recorded?
‘Beatles for Sale’ or Elvis Costello’s ‘Armed Forces’.
What artists would you most like to have played with in the band of your dreams (supergroup)?
Sir Paul himself, Randy Rhodes, Matt Mancuso, Sue Wendelken and myself (if they’ll let me). I guess I’m a pretty lucky guy to be 60% of my way there already.
What do few people know about you?
Not that much, I’m a yapper so most folks probably feel they know too much already.
What sitcom character can you most identify with?
Chachi Arcola from ‘Happy Days’ and ‘Joanie Loves Chachi’ (he’s a drummer too).
What movie can you watch over and over again?
Howard Stern’s ‘Private Parts’. The best movie ever.
Who’s your favorite cartoon character?
Brian Griffin from ‘Family Guy’. I’ve always admired and enjoyed his style.
What’s the greatest place you’ve visited?
Amsterdam.
What’s mankind’s most wonderful invention?
Music.
What’s mankind’s most irritating invention?
The Snuggie (Those blanket/jacket/robe lookin things WTF???)
Who’s the funniest person who ever lived?
George Carlin.
Who’s your favorite namesake?
David Hasselhoff (The man has a talking car).