David West

David West

After starting his writing career covering the unforgiving world of MMA, David moved into music journalism at Rhythm magazine, interviewing legends of the drum kit including Ginger Baker and Neil Peart. A regular contributor to Prog, he’s written for Metal Hammer, The Blues, Country Music Magazine and more. The author of Chasing Dragons: An Introduction To The Martial Arts Film, David shares his thoughts on kung fu movies in essays and videos for 88 Films, Arrow Films, and Eureka Entertainment. He firmly believes Steely Dan’s Reelin’ In The Years is the tuniest tune ever tuned.

Articles by: David West

Nosound relaxing in a field around a wicker table

Nosound reveal the story behind the spark that ignited Scintilla

By David West published

Nosound mainman Giancarlo Erra tells Prog about the band’s evolving sound, and turning pain into art

Claudio from Coheed and Cambria jumping on stage

Coheed And Cambria live review - The Forum, London

By David West published

Not yet rated

Coheed And Cambria get spirited in London

Peter Gabriel - Growing Up Live / Still Growing Up Live & Unwrapped DVD cover

Peter Gabriel - Growing Up Live / Still Growing Up Live & Unwrapped DVD review

By David West published

Not yet rated

Vintage Peter Gabriel keeps it steady as she goes

Stick Men - Prog Noir album cover

Stick Men - Prog Noir album review

By David West published

Not yet rated

King Crimson’s rhythm section, aka Stick Men, stays weird and wonderful.

Glass Hammer - Valkyrie album cover

Glass Hammer - Valkyrie album review

By David West published

Not yet rated

Prolific Tennesseans Glass Hammer set course for Valhalla.

Focus And Friends - Focus 8.5 / Beyond The Horizon album review

Focus And Friends - Focus 8.5 / Beyond The Horizon album review

By David West published

Not yet rated

Bossa nova and 16th century classical? Focus go far out

crowd at a prog gig

Hiromi live review - Jazz Cafe, London

By David West published

Not yet rated

Japanese jazz pianist brings her Trio Project to Camden.

Curved Air - The Rarities Series Vol. 1 Tapestry Of Propositions album cover

Curved Air - The Rarities Series Vol. 1 Tapestry Of Propositions album review

By David West published

Not yet rated

The song most definitely doesn’t remain the same

Arjen Anthony Lucassen - Strange Hobby album cover

Arjen Anthony Lucassen - Strange Hobby album review

By David West published

Not yet rated

The psychedelic 60s get a glam makeover from Arjen Lucassen.

Tarja - The Shadow Self album artwork

Tarja - The Shadow Self album review

By David West published

Not yet rated

No standing in the shadows for Finland’s symphonic metal queen Tarja

audience at a prog gig

Protocol live review - Ronnie Scott's, London

By David West published

Not yet rated

Simon Phillips' Protocol wows the audience at one of London's best-known jazz venues.

Carlos

Santana Kick Off European Tour With Epic London Show

By David West published

Not yet rated

The Lion Roars Loud In Hammersmith.

Moody Marsden Real Faith album artwork.

Moody Marsden: Real Faith (Talking Elephant)

By David West published

There’s not enough venom in this snakebite.

Jimmy ‘Duck’ Holmes: It Is What It Is album artwork

Jimmy ‘Duck’ Holmes: It Is What It Is (Blue Front Records)

By David West published

Blues as gloriously undiluted as moonshine whiskey.

The Record Company performing onstage.

The Record Company

By David West published

Not yet rated

Californian roots rockers are still rough around the edges.

A close-up of a Gibson Les Paul Standard guitar

Bernie Marsden: Why I Love The Gibson Les Paul

By David West published

Guitar aficionado and former Whitesnake axeman Bernie Marsden schools The Blues on the impact of the Les Paul Standard.

Hiromi sitting on a chair with a striped top

Q&A: Japanese pianist Hiromi on Zappa and working with Simon Phillips

By David West published

The Japanese piano prodigy jammed with Chick Corea in her teens, signed a record deal while still a student at Berklee College Of Music and has just topped the Billboard Jazz chart with Spark

Cosmograf's Robin Armstrong in a grey striped suit

Cosmograf's Robin Armstrong on concept albums and staying independent

By David West published

If you don’t play live, never tour, and self-release concept albums about aliens, spirits and spaceships that you produce down the bottom of your garden, how on Earth do you build a fan base a

Album cover for Electric Citizen's Higher Time

Electric Citizen: Higher Time album review

By David West published

Not yet rated

Malevolent anthems from Electric Citizen for a land of dark Satanic mills.

The Jelly Jam cover art for Profit

The Jelly Jam: Profit album review

By David West published

Not yet rated

Dream Theater and King’s X men are back as The Jelly Jam... and at a loss.

Phil Alvin playing electric guitar and pursing his lips near the microphone.

Dave Alvin and Phil Alvin & The Guilty Ones

By David West published

Not yet rated

Forget Jake and Elwood – these are the real Blues Brothers.

Rebecca and Megan Lovell of Larkin Poe wearing leather jackets and looking at the camera.

Bluesbreakers: Larkin Poe

By David West published

Former bluegrass stars Larkin Poe embrace the power of amplification and blues.

Sebas Honing The Big Shift album artwork

Sebas Honing - The Big Shift Album Review

By David West published

Not yet rated

Dutch multi-instrumentalist finds his inner folkie.

Live audience at a prog gig

Stanley Clarke and Hiromi Live Review - London, Palladium

By David West published

Not yet rated

American jazz musician teams up with Japanese pianist for a musical treat.

live shot

O.R.k. live in London

By David West published

Not yet rated

Prog reviews O.R.k. live in London

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