David McComb facts for kids

Quick facts for kids David McComb
Background information
Birth name	David Richard McComb
Born	(1962-02-17)17 February 1962 Perth, Western Australia
Died	2 February 1999(1999-02-02) (aged 36) Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Genres	Rock
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter, guitarist, singer
Years active	1976–1999
Associated acts	The Triffids, Blackeyed Susans, Red Ponies, Costar

David Richard McComb (born 17 February 1962 – died 2 February 1999) was an Australian musician. He was best known as the singer, songwriter, and guitarist for the Australian bands The Triffids (1976–1989) and The Blackeyed Susans (1989–1993). He also had his own solo music career.

David McComb faced health challenges and had a heart transplant in 1996. He passed away on 2 February 1999. In 2001, his song "Wide Open Road" by The Triffids was named one of the Top 30 Australian songs of all time. On 1 July 2008, The Triffids were honored by being inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

About David McComb

Early Life in Perth

David McComb was born in Perth, Western Australia, on 17 February 1962. He was the youngest of four brothers. His parents were both doctors. His father, Dr. Harold McComb, was a well-known plastic surgeon. His mother, Dr. Athel Hockey, was a famous geneticist.

The family lived in a historic home called The Cliffe in Peppermint Grove, Western Australia. David and his brothers went to Christ Church Grammar School. David won awards for English Literature and Divinity. Later, he studied journalism and literature at the Western Australian Institute of Technology. His older brother, Robert McComb, later joined David in The Triffids band.

The Triffids: 1976–1989

David McComb and Alan "Alsy" MacDonald started a music project called Dalsy in 1976. This was when David was still in high school. They were inspired by the new punk rock music. Dalsy later became Blök Music, and then finally, The Triffids. The band's name came from the post-apocalyptic novel The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham.

David and Alsy wrote and performed songs with other musicians. By 1978, they had released several songs recorded at home on cassette tapes. David became the main songwriter for the band.

In 1980, The Triffids won a band competition. They released their first single, "Stand Up," in 1981. The band then moved to Melbourne, and later to Sydney in 1982. After releasing a few more singles and EPs, they saved money from playing concerts. This allowed them to record their first full album, Treeless Plain, in 1983.

In 1984, David sold the rights to three of his songs to ABC-TV. These songs were used in a TV series called Sweet and Sour. Because of the sale, The Triffids could no longer perform these songs. David later said he wished he hadn't sold them. He bought back one song, "Too Hot to Move," which The Triffids recorded for their 1989 album, The Black Swan.

In 1985, The Triffids moved to London. They added 'Evil' Graham Lee to the band. They recorded their second album, Born Sandy Devotional, in 1986. The band became popular in the UK and played on the famous John Peel radio show.

In 1986, The Triffids returned to Western Australia. They built a recording studio inside a shearing shed on the McComb family farm. There, they recorded their third album, In The Pines. When they went back to the UK, they signed a big record deal with Island Records.

In 1987, with a large budget, David McComb and Adam Peters created the album Calenture. This album featured beautiful orchestral sounds. They released singles like "Bury Me Deep in Love" from the album. However, Calenture did not become as big a hit as they had hoped.

In 1989, the song "Goodbye Little Boy" was featured in the Australian TV show Neighbours. That same year, The Triffids recorded their last studio album, The Black Swan. Even though the album was well-received, it wasn't a huge success. This disappointed the band, and they decided to break up. To finish their contract, they released a live album, Stockholm, in 1990.

After The Triffids: 1990–1999

After The Triffids split up, David McComb lived in London from 1990 to 1992. He started his solo music career. In 1991, he contributed to a Leonard Cohen tribute album called I'm Your Fan. He then formed his backing band, The Red Ponies, and played several shows in London.

When he returned to Australia, David settled in Melbourne. He began studying art history at the University of Melbourne. He recorded music with the Blackeyed Susans and completed his solo album, Love of Will. He also went on a solo tour of Europe with The Red Ponies.

David also performed in Australia with his last band, Costar. They recorded an EP that has not yet been released. David also sometimes performed with The Blackeyed Susans.

Health and Passing

David McComb suffered from back pain for many years. He also developed a heart condition called cardiomyopathy. In 1996, he had a successful heart transplant. In January 1999, he was in a car accident. He was hospitalized briefly and released. A few days later, on 2 February 1999, he passed away at home, just before his 37th birthday.

His ashes were scattered under the pine trees at his family's farm in Jerdacuttup, Western Australia.

Legacy and Influence

David McComb's music continues to be celebrated. In 2001, his song "Wide Open Road" was recognized as one of the thirty greatest Australian songs ever.

On 21 February 2006, David McComb was honored by being inducted into the West Australian Music Industry Association Hall of Fame as a composer.

In June 2006, The Triffids' music was re-released in a new, improved format. David McComb's work is highly respected in Europe. The Triffids even reunited and traveled to Belgium and the Netherlands in July 2006 to play live shows. Guest singers performed David's vocal parts. The band also played shows in Sydney in January 2008, which were released as a DVD. On 1 July 2008, The Triffids were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

In 2009, a book about David McComb and The Triffids, called "Vagabond Holes," was published. It included writings from many artists and authors. A documentary film about David McComb, titled Love in Bright Landscapes: The Story of David McComb of the Triffids, was released in 2021/22.

Also in 2009, a collection of David McComb's poems, called Beautiful Waste: Poems by David McComb, was published. In 2020, an album of cover versions of David's unreleased songs was released. It featured artists like Frente!'s Angie Hart.

Discography

Solo Releases

Albums

• 1994 Love of Will (White Label Records)

EPs

• 1989 "I Don't Need You" (with Adam Peters) (Island Records)
• 1991 "The Message" (The Foundation Label)
• 1994 "Setting You Free" (White Label Records)
• 1994 "I Want To Conquer You" (White Label Records)
• 1994 "Clear Out My Mind" (White Label Records)

Contributions to Other Albums

• 1988 Til Things Are Brighter: A Tribute To Johnny Cash (Rhino Records) – song: "Country Boy"
• 1991 I'm Your Fan: The Songs Of Leonard Cohen (Columbia Records) – song: "Don't Go Home With Your Hard On"
• 1996 Where Joy Kills Sorrow (W.Minc Records) – song: "Still Alive And Well"

Guest Vocals

• 1996 Four Hours Sleep More of Her (Mushroom Records) – songs: "This Song Can Save You" and "When I First Met You"

Awards

West Australian Music Industry Awards

The West Australian Music Industry Awards celebrate achievements in Western Australian music each year. They started in 1985.