S4: E17: Dave Schulz (Goo Goo Dolls, Berlin, Wang Chung, Fastball) - The Grand Funkster of the Funk Dolls

Backstage Pass Radio

Date: June 7, 2023
Name of podcast: Backstage Pass Radio
Episode title and number: S4: E17: Dave Schulz (Goo Goo Dolls, Berlin, Wang Chung / Fastball) - The Grand Funkster of the Funk Dolls
Artist Bio -
Dave Schulz is an American keyboardist, vocalist, producer, composer and recording artist well known for his live and studio work with a wide range of notable artists and musicans including Andrew Cole, Andy Vargas, Angelo Moore, Berlin, Bernard Fowler, Bo Diddley, Bonnie Pointer, Bran Van 3000, Brooke Moriber, Bumblefoot, Carmen and Camille, Carmine Rojas, Chambers Brothers, Cherie Currie, Daniel Lanois, Danny Saber, Durga McBroom, English Beat/General Public, Eric Sardinas, Esthero, Fabienne Shine, Fastball, Fernando Perdomo, Fuel, Garry Shider/Andre Foxxe (P-Funk), Glenn Hughes, Goo Goo Dolls, Hensley, Jay-J, Jazz All-Stars w/ Phil Upchurch, Jean-Michel Byron, John Blackwell, Katja Rieckermann, Kristine W., Kristinia Debarge, Lee Sklar, Little Dove. Louis Conte, Maceo Parker, Macy Gray, Maxayne Lewis, Mike/Steve Porcaro, Mitch Perry Group, Nik West, Nikka Costa, One Tribe Nation / Michael Sanders, Pink, Prairie Prince, Randy Cooke, Rick Springfield, Rusty Young, Ryan Cabrera, Sleepy Brown, Sonny Cool, Stacy Michelle, Stevie Wonder, Sweet, Taylor Dayne, The Fizzies, The Rembrandts, Tony Levin, Wang Chung, Warrant, When In Rome, and XYZ.

Music was a part of Dave Schulz’s life from the beginning. Born in Buffalo NY, his father wore two hats as pianist and conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. He would seat Dave in the orchestra pit during performances as early as seven years old. Dave’s brother Robert would soon become a multiple Grammy-nominated classical percussionist, and his sister an accomplished rock/soul singer. Shortly after his father’s passing when Dave was 10, he suddenly took an interest in the piano that was sitting idly in the living room. Osmosis? Within six months Dave had mastered the C Sonata by Mozart,and began an obsession with XTC, Herbie Hancock, Yes, Todd Rundgren and of course, DEVO. Pretty diverse for an 11 year old. He clearly made the right choice. By the age of 17, he was one of the top keyboardists in his hometown, winning multiple awards consistently for seven years. Finally the big break came, when Robby Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls called and left a simple message from sunny LA: “you wanna come out and tour with us for a year?” In a matter of one day Dave went from playing in front of 300 in a local Buffalo bar to playing Woodstock in front of 65000. This led to a two-and-a-half year relationship with the Goo Goo Dolls that took Dave around the world twice as touring keyboardist/vocalist for the “Dizzy Up The Girl” tour, the landmark album that spawned five top ten singles between 98 and 2000. That experience sealed his fate. Where else do you get to open up for the Rolling Stones?

Current Projects:

Producing / Arranging / Scoring projects for emerging and established artists / filmmakers out of his Los Angeles home recording studio, aptly titled “Dave Cave”
Session / Booking info HERE

CoVideoStars an eclectic series of musical collaborations with various artists Dave has been producing since the pandemic started. Latest video features Cherie Currie of Runaways fame.

Into The Frequency world electronica / trip-hop duo project with vocalist / cellist Ruti Celli

Dave Schulz and the Funk Dolls 10-piece funk / soul band of LA’s best female musicians, fronted by Dave