Dave Barbarossa in conversation: Mudsharks, Mute, Music and More.

Dave Barbarossa in conversation: Mudsharks, Mute, Music and More.

Join us for this wide reaching in conversation spanning writing, books, music and the associated activities of the talented Dave Barbarossa

Born and bred in Hackney London, Dave Barbarossa was 15 when he first picked up his drumsticks. In the late 70’s and early 80’s he was a founding member of Adam and the Ants and Bow Wow Wow, developing the distinctive tribal drumming style of that era.

In the early 1990’s he toured with Fat boy Slim’s Beats International, and later that decade, with Republica. He has worked with the likes of Gina Birch, Adamski and Chicane, and up to a few years ago, he was Roland Gift's (Fine Young Cannibals) festival drummer.

In 2012 Barbarossa published his first book; 'Mud Sharks', a semi-autobiographical novel which charts the adventures of a misplaced North-London teen who finds solace in the drums and the burgeoning punk scene.

More recently, in 2024, Dave published his second novel, ‘Mute', a fictional tale of a young keyboard player who falls for a former model, while surviving in a once successful band decimated by its megalomaniac of a leader.

In early 2025 he played drums on 'Chime Oblivion’, an album collaboration with John Dwyer of Osees, and is currently working on ‘Barbarossa Beat’; a drum-based solo project. Dave is one half of the two-piece indie-rock band, Third House."

Mudsharks

Harry Ferdinand is a misplaced North London teenager- in trouble at school, his dad hates him, a victim of racism who flees to a hippy squat where he discovers a drum kit, and then punk.. There is a little in the way of boil-in-the-bag anarchy here, the real heart of the novel is Harry trying to impress his uninterested and estranged father, punk’s lost boy screaming to fit in over the music’s iconoclastic and methamphetamine roar.

Mute

Daniel plays keys in a famous rock band. When he’s not on the road, he goes home to his mum, warms up a ready-meal and watches a video. It’s not exactly rock’n’roll but that’s the way Daniel likes it. Scarred by a childhood accident, and working in a world of lies and make-believe, it’s his haven.

But it’s 1999, and change is coming.

Daniel begins dating a former model, igniting the discomfort of love, and as the band prepares for a major tour, the megalomania of their lead singer threatens to destroy everything. There might be a way for Daniel to hold things together, get through it, and find happiness, but he’s going to have to face some hard truths and be ready to take the spotlight. Mute is a story about rock n roll and the lies we tell to keep going – until we stop.

Host or Publisher Louder Than Words Festival