Dave was born in Dayton and has lived there ever since. In 1983 he was an Airframe and Powerplant mechanic at a general-aviation shop south of the city. He answered a notice on the shop's corkboard that read: RHYTHM GUITAR REQUIRED FOR LONG-FORM WORK. SERIOUS APPLICANTS. He assumed it was an engine job.
He played rhythm guitar in straight downstrokes, on the beat, without ornament. In every press session from 1983 to 1992 he was asked to please sound more British. He did not manage it. Critics have since identified his parts as the most important on every album.
He wrote the method-of-compliance notes on every sleeve, in the form he used at work: what was done, by what means, and when it is next due. The band adopted the form without discussion.
"Dayton Speaks (Finally)" arrives about forty minutes into The Heir Apparent. It is the only time he speaks on record. He says the date, the aircraft time in service, and the words "complied with."
Present status. Still in Dayton. Added Inspection Authorization in 1994. Has not been asked to sound more British since 1992.