Career
Early Years and Saint Louis Union He lived his early youth in Whalley Range, Manchester. Later he was a cabaret musician and before joining Magazine, he shared a flat with record producer Martin Hannett. Magazine Formula joined Magazine in 1978 after the departure of Bob Dickinson until the band"s breakup in 1981.
His multi-layered keyboard sounds, made with equipment such as the Yamaha CP70 electric grand piano, Hammond B-3, an ARP Odyssey, a Yamaha SS30 string synth and in later albums a Prophet 5, were a defining part of the band.
Magazine reformed in February 2009 with Dave Formula returning to play keyboards. Visage Formula joined New Romantic ensemble Visage with Magazine"s McGeoch and Barry Adamson in 1978.
He played on their first two albums, Visage and The Anvil. He left the ensemble in 1983 after having some differences with drummer Rusty Egan regarding the musical style of their third album.
Ludus Formula joined Ludus by 1982.
He was one of his last members. He played and wrote some songs which were released. The Angel Brothers Whilst lecturing in popular music, Formula met up with Keith Angel, Dave Angel & Andy Seward which eventually led to him joining the "world music" band The Angel Brothers in 2003, playing on their two critically acclaimed albums "Punjab To Pit Top" and "Forbidden Fruit".
Design Foreign Living After his stint with Magazine, he formed part of a band called Design Foreign Living.