Gramercy Arms is a Revolving collective of musicians and artists masterminded by main songwriter, singer and producer Dave Derby.

What are the first instruments you learned how to play?

I learned the recorder in 4th grade and went full atonal jazz on “Three Blind Mice.” My dad had a tenor guitar which I learned to play before guitar. I bought a bass in 7th grade and started by first band in 8th grade.

What was your first concert?

My grandparents took me to see Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson when I was about 10. The first concert I paid to see was Foreigner on the Double-Vision tour.

What inspired you to start making music?

My dad was a very committed Hawaiian music performer. I started learning Hawaiian music at an early age. When I heard the Contortions for the first time, to my young ears I just heard noise and and figured I could do that. Years later, after learning much more about music and free jazz in particular, I realize I could never do that and probably never have.

Cover that needs to happen?

I’ve always wanted to hear Judas Priest do “Handsome Devil” by the Smiths. 

What was your first concert?

Yes - sometime in the 80's 

What inspired you to start making music?

First I would play along with the melodies of songs that I liked. Then I would try to recreate the solos in the songs.  Then I would just make up other things that I thought sounded nice .

What was the first gig you played?

As a pro in NYC it was Joe Hurley's T-Rex Tribute at Fez

How did you get introduced to Gramercy Arms?

Joe McGinty brough me in on a GA session where I met Dave

Favorite band/artist in middle school?

GoGo's and Styx

Favorite home-made lockdown beverage?

Vodka martini, very dry with olives

What was your first concert?

Gosh I think my first concert was the Beach Boys. I don't remember what year it was. Early 80s maybe? 

What inspired you to start making music?

I think I've always been making sounds.. I learned early on that certain sounds, if you link them together and form a pattern, it starts to turn into a song. I've always been fascinated by sound-making and writing. 

What was the first gig you played?

High school battle of the bands! We lost. 

Favorite films/books/tv shows?

Star Trek forever. 

Favorite band/artist in middle school?

Go-Gos! They were so fun.. oh, and Duran Duran. I was obsessed. 

Duet that needs to happen?

Sudan Archives + that dude from IDLES.

What was your first concert?

Rush, Grace Under Pressure tour, Kemper Arena KCMO / Blue Öyster Cült opens / went with my best friend + our dads

What was the first gig you played?

With 9 Angry Possum [punk rock covers band], we played a school dance.  With my own band, we played a show in far away St. Louis [from KCMO] when the band broke down on the way and I came right off stage and threw up.

Favorite band/artist in middle school?

Rush [Middlewestern, middle eighties, middle class, middle school, not quite middle of the road, but maybe adjacent]

Musical guilty pleasures?

No music makes me guilty but there is so much good music that we'll never hear it all, so you should never listen to anything you don't really like.

Cover that needs to happen?

BeeGees: Stayin' Alive

What are the first instruments you learned how to play?

I was chosen to be "band leader" in my school production of Aladdin. This comprised of a bit of melodica, tambourine and a makeshift gong. And very dodgy Fu Manchu mustache

What inspired you to start making music?

I always sang in school and even church choir (replete with cassock and ruffle) then later in my radio career, I'd do song parodies!

Favorite band/artist in middle school?

Electric. Light. Orchestra.

Duet that needs to happen?

Me and Kate Bush. Please?

Cover that needs to happen?

Gramercy Arms covering ''Love Is Like Oxygen by The Sweet!

Potentially unpopular/controversial musical opinion

I just don't enjoy Bob Dylan

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