David Donley (drums)

Born in Northampton 1967, the summer of love and grew up listening to Dad’s Jazz albums and bashing pots and pans. I loved Glam rockers “Sweet” as a child before the “road to Damascus” moment that was hearing the Sex Pistols in 1977. Through school years and for the next 7 years I formed and played in a string of bands as a drummer or guitarist. During that time, in 1981, I met Lol Tolhurst from “The Cure” who encouraged me to keep playing and practising.  In summer 1984, Lol invited me down to hang out with “The Cure” at Jam Studios, London, and at John Henry’s rehearsal complex.  I ended up standing in for absent Cure members as I had learnt the back catalogue on several different instruments.  Then I came back to Norwich and, gutted, I put down my sticks.  Lol had produced a band called “Boroque Bordello” and their need for a keyboard player/guitarist meant that in Autumn 1984 I left for Paris, France and joined the band for rehearsals, TV appearances and recordings.

Not long after returning to England, I joined forces with Paul Roe to form “Sonic City Rocker Squad” between 1986-1991.  We recorded a wealth of songs, gigged the University circuit, signed a deal in the US and released an EP.  Whilst with “Sonic City” I’d  begun to do sessions for whoever asked, including at one point “Boy George”! Did 2 albums worth of guitars for “The fire thieves” and joined “Stare” on guitar for Radio One concert and 35 date British tour in 1993.  I then formed “Pressure” as an outlet for the heavy metal beast within for 3 albums and much gigging.

In February of 1995, replaced the drum machine in “Ivy”. First gig was at the Waterfront in September and the rest is internet accessible history.

Post Ivy – After Ivy’s final gig in September 1996, I laid my sticks down again and got back to the world of guitars. I joined “Fabulous Kitchenware” in 1999 and toured, did TV, Radio, recorded and struggled on until 2001.  I was bullied into drumming again by the members of “Ostracoda” in 2002 and have been with them ever since, visit www.ostracoda.com for the full story.

In 2003 I received a phone call from Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols) to come and play guitar at rehearsals in London with drummer Chris Musto (Johnny Thunders/Iggy Pop) and in 2004.  Then I played the drums again for all-girl band “Compact Pussycat” for 3 months in 2004/2005 whilst drummer Ella took maternity leave.

Continued to rock Norwich, London and beyond with “Ostracoda” throughout 2004/2005 and then in 2006 received the call from Spence and immediately agreed to doing the Ivy reunion shows.