Paying Tribute to Songs You Love From Across the Pond 1963-73.
Capital Region NY, USA
Dave Grapka - Drums, Ocarina, Harmonica and Vocals
From NY to NJ to AR to the BVB
David Grapka (a.k.a. “Dave Back There,” “OG Graps,” “Tymekeypr,” and “Mahogany Dave”) is a seasoned musician raised on transistor radio and vinyl from the wide open spaces of Western New York.
Though formally trained on clarinet, David took up drums the moment he saw Ringo play on the Ed Sullivan Show. Ringo’s simple, laid back style was one of many British Invasion influences on David’s drum “feel.” Keith Moon, Charlie Watts, Dave Clark, as well as Hal Blaine, Russ Kunkel, Don Henley, and Todd Sucherman, are just a few of the drummers who continue to influence David’s playing today as the “Tymekeypr.”
After cofounding “Trans Love Airways,” in ’64, his high school’s only Rock and Roll band at the time, David continued to perform with over a dozen well-known Top 40, Southern Rock, Country, and Pop regional acts in NY, NJ, PA, and AR. In 1973, David left the Empire State for the Garden State where he teamed with Gene Bowers’ Country Drifters (Hank Williams & Elvis Tribute) to play every honky tonk, Moose Club and roadhouse in South Jersey. After four years of continuous gigging and missing pure rock, David jumped at the chance to play Top 40 hits six nights a week with The Sting to packed houses at the Jersey Shore.
After David landed a new day gig in Little Rock, Arkansas, his musical education really took off with the Richie Ferris Band (Charlie Rich’s other piano player) and the Ricky Tripp Band. Ricky went on to win Country Showdown in ‘92, the largest music competition in the world at that time. Rest in Peace, Ricky David Tripp.
David returned to NY in ’86 and again found bands in multiple genres with whom he could sharpen his skills. Among the bands with whom David recorded* were “Jupiter,” (Top 40); Yukon (Southern Rock - nominated in ’96 for NECMA’s “Entertainer of the Year” Award); and, “Boot the Owl,” (Blues Rock). And if you attended the Schagticoke Fair in the early 90s, you may have caught David on stage with the Hager Twins’ stage band, they of “Hee Haw” fame.
In the “British Vinyl Band,” David has found his “Forever Musical Home," returning to his Brit Invasion roots where it all started back in February, ’64.
“After 12 months of the Copa Ca Basement tour - plus nearly 60 years’ gigging experience in the wilds of New York, Jersey and Arkansas - I am ready to have the time of my life playing the music I love.”
David proudly endorses the Roland TD30-K 5 pc digital kit; Behringer Amps; Gretsch Brooklyns; Zildjian, Sabian and UFIP cymbals; Vic Firth sticks; and Shure Vocal and Drum Mics. David lives in Altamont with his wife, cat, dog, and over 60 percussion instruments from around the world
*Several of “Tymekeypr’s” recordings are available on his Bandmix page.
BVB is:
The British Vinyl Band Is:
Dave B - Lead guitar and vocals
Tim Q - Keyboards and vocals
Dale W - Percussion and Lead vocals
Dave G - Drums and vocals
Pete D - Bass Guitar and vocals