DavE D’Amore
Father, husband, drummer, multi-instrumentalist, educator, sound engineer, strength & conditioning coach, mobility specialist, web designer, all-round tinkerer.
Early Years
Live show @ The TOTE, Melbourne (2001)
My passion for drumming started with banging on pots, pans, and air-drumming along to cassette tapes.
I got my first drum set at age 10, and by 14, I was playing live shows in Melbourne’s rock and metal scene.
Ultimate Drummers Weekend
Northcote Leader newspaper (2002)
Throughout my teens and twenties, I played with various bands, sharing the stage with some of Australia's top heavy acts and spending time in studios, honing my drumming skills.
These formative years were essential in shaping my versatility and musicality.
Moving North
Live show with Forest, Cairns (2021)
In 2014 I relocated to Cairns, seeking new opportunities and connections in Far North Queensland.
I joined the progressive rock band Forest, performing with them across the music scene for a few years.
Live show with Abi Muir @ The Tanks, Cairns (2022)
In 2021, I began collaborating with award-winning vocalist Abi Muir, taking on roles as both drummer and songwriter.
This partnership led to the release of a 5 track EP, which earned some exciting recognition:
“Stockholm” won the Grand Prize in the Rock category at the 2021 John Lennon International Songwriting Competition, a first for an Australian band.
“Forgot About Me” reached the semi-finals (top 10 of 20,000 entries) in the 2022 Road to Nashville International Songwriting Competition.
We won the 2022 Passport To Airlie competition, performing on the main stage at Airlie Beach Festival of Music alongside various national and international artists.
“Still The Same” was a finalist in the 2022 Queensland Music Awards.
In late 2023 I founded the alternative/progressive band Darkshore.
As a multi-instrumentalist, I contribute to songwriting on drums, bass, and rhythm guitar, collaborating with Owen Jacob, formerly of Kingsman (UK), who handles lead vocals and lead guitar.
We're currently working on our debut EP, with our first two singles, "Hopeless" and "The Cost," available on all major streaming platforms.
Driven By Growth
Even after years behind the drum kit, I’m still driven by the same thrill and curiosity I had as a beginner.
Following the Japanese philosophy of Shoshin (初心), I live by the simple yet profound mantra: "never stop learning."
This mindset fuels my passion and pushes me to constantly improve, while guiding others.
In 2020, I founded my drum school, sharing my passion with students of all levels.
I'm committed to empowering my students to unlock their full potential, offering them an engaging and comprehensive curriculum to develop them as drummers and musicians. I guide them from picking up their first pair of sticks to playing their first gig, always seeking innovative ways to make their drumming journey exciting.
I proudly endorse Australian brands Rech cymbals, having formed a close partnership and contributed to the development of several cymbal lines, including the Inferno Synergy, Raw, and Sand series.
BEYOND MUSIC
Outside of drumming, I’m the proud owner and head coach of Shoshin Movement Studio in Cairns, Australia, which I founded in 2014.
Just another day, upside-down at the office
My fitness facility focuses on redefining strength, mobility, and physical skills through a unique blend of calisthenics, handstands, strength and conditioning, flexibility, and playful movement practices.
As a specialist in movement mechanics and joint mobility, I bring this expertise to drumming, focusing on precise motions that enhance dynamic, effortless playing. I emphasise proper technique and ergonomics to promote longevity, efficiency, and injury prevention.