Jay N. Miller
- Dave Herlihy was the frontman of the band O Positive.
- His first solo album was “Postcards from Kindergarten: Vol.
- Herlihy is a professor of law at Northeastern University.
Dave Herlihy abandoned his legal career for his love of music and rode a mid-1980s rock and roll merry-go-round with the band O Positive, which enjoyed considerable success and signed to a major label. But when that rocket to the top stalled and record deals faded, Herlihy put his legal acumen to work, telling musicians and other artists how to navigate an often frustrating business. I advised you
Herlihy’s career in music and law is one of the most unique stories in the Boston-area music scene and is now entering a new chapter. Herlihy will release her first solo EP titled “Postcards from Kindergarten: Vol. One” on Lunch Records this month and will headline Club Passim at Harvard Her Square on Friday night. increase.
Herlihy’s legal work includes advising musicians and other artists on contract, copyright, and intellectual property rights, and teaching these subjects at Northeastern University. But this proud graduate of Boston College his law school has never lost his love for music, especially for playing with his friends.
“I left BC Law in 1983 and worked for a white-collar crime firm, but realized it wasn’t for me,” Herlihy explained from his Boston office this week. “In my twenties, I seemed to have a midlife crisis, but I decided to quit and pursue music. Sounds very romantic, but it wasn’t at the time. Never do law work again.” I never thought it would, and most artists I really love would say there was no ‘Plan B’. After moving, I gave O Positive my all.And it’s amazing how, after 12 years, we’ve all stuck with O Positive.During that time, we had two drummers, All other members were original.
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A series of EPs made O Positive a popular rock band in Boston. 1985’s debut ‘Only Breathing’ and his ’87’s ‘Cloud Factory’ sold well enough to attract the attention of his label. Old his V66 channel videos boosted their profile and before long they sold out his two shows in his one day on The Paradise. In 1990, when Epic Records released the album toyboattoyboatTOYBOAT, with high expectations and increasing touring, Herlihy’s witty, intriguing folk and his pop and alternative rock songs were always in concert. I was fascinated. However, ensuing record company turmoil interrupted his campaign for promotion, which was eventually dropped entirely. There was another album in ’93, but by January ’95 the handwriting was on the wall and O Positive decided to retire.
“We loved what we did,” says Herlihy. “We had a steady job and it went up pretty quickly after 1985. Video was going big and we did well with it and sold a lot of records. In 1989 By the time Epic called us, we were in really good shape, a band that had been working hard, all the stars of the music industry seemed to be in line, and had gone through the big conveyor belt of the industry. But the timing just wasn’t right. You can get a gold record right away, but you always have to sign new bands. I held it for a while, but I still loved playing it..But admittedly, the fire in my belly wasn’t as hot as it was when I was 28.
“I want to be a lawyer”
Herlihy explores ways to change his life and course. He was not eager to return to legal work, and starting another band seemed too daunting. Perhaps the dream of any artist who has had to negotiate payments with club owners and promoters. Herlihy’s legal background, however, did not exactly fit into that field.
“I went back to school and took about 30 more courses on copyright law and such,” says Herlihy. “I wanted to hang shingles for creative clients who are my inspiration. I love being a lawyer for creative people. The WBCN Rock Rumble was still going on, so I offered to offer my services as one of the prizes, and then said, “BCN always mentioned in that broadcast. was offered a gig lecture on copyright law at Northeastern University, which became a full-time job in the music industry law program at Northeastern University. I help litigate intellectual property issues.Also stay close to the music industry and the young people who enter it.”
“The Invisible Girl” was Hurley’s first single
The first single from the new five-song EP has already been released, and ‘The Invisible Girl’ is vintage Herlihy, arranged with energy bubbling beneath the main melody, so there’s a lot going on. looks like it’s happening. Woman. There’s certainly Oh Positive’s response, which is perhaps more mainstream pop-biased, but Harlihy still has a knack for crafting songs that are decidedly intoxicating and fun.
“I still write a lot of songs,” Hurley continued, adding, “I play songs that I like with my friends. You can call me a world-class enthusiast. I’m not going to quit my day job.’ These songs are like Polaroid snapshots, not the sort of thing a professional songwriter would obsess over them. The sensibilities are still almost the same.
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Herlihy’s Club Passim show is a solo gig. “I have to practice,” he said with a laugh. My set at Passim is going to be different than my set at The Paradise, for example.O Positive’s bassist/drummer trio and EP producer Beth I would love to bring Burnett on keyboards. But this solo debut and Passim gig is… another chapter in the story. Inside the Route 128 belt might be the limit of my tour. But we’re making videos and releasing music online.
Rockin’ with Rhett Miller in Plymouth
Last Friday at The Spire Center in Plymouth, Rhett Miller’s super fun solo show featured a set full of Old 97 favorites like ‘Barrier Reef’ and ‘Big Brown Eyes’ and Tom Petty’s ‘American Girl’. included a mouth-watering encore of It merges into Miller’s own “Timebomb,” another song about a memorable woman. But it was also fun to check out the posters for upcoming attractions: The Spire features Stonehill College graduate The Ballroom Thieves on February 10th, blues princess Shemekia Copeland on March 4th, and March The 10th hosts a longtime South Shore favorite, The Swinging Steaks.
More Let Miller:Read an in-depth interview with the singer
Upcoming gigs: Mallett Brothers, Suki Waterhouse and more
Thursday: Play dead grooves at Soundcheck Studios. Paradise rock club electro jam band Lotus. Philadelphia alternative rock band Slaughter Beach Dog will take over The Sinclair for two nights.
Friday: The Pearly Baker Band thrives on Grateful Dead music, but The Narrows Center tends to spice things up with Rolling Stones and Beatles covers. A tribute to City Winery’s David Bowie, Starman. The Mallett Brothers Band of Maine is one of the best Americana his bands at Soundcheck Studios. The Spire Center welcomes guest singer Chris Dermhorst to his acclaimed session, where Americana promises a good time. Punk reggae quintet Bumpin’ Uglys perform at Brighton Music Hall. Irish songsmith Eden calls his new album and his ICYMI Tour a hymn to “ephemerality”.
Saturday: Indie rock songwriter Gregory Alan Isakoff is headlining Roadrunner. The Sinclair has a Radiohead tribute. Vineyard rockers Johnny Hoy and Bluefish rock The Narrows Center. Assisted Living Band returns to C-Note. Electronic artist Chris Lorenzo at Big Night Live. Token his rap at the Paradise Rock Club. Moondance is City Winery’s homage to Van Morrison. A boombox with backbeat brass means many happy feet at Brighton Music Hall. Folkists Lani Arbo and Daisy Mayhem harmonize at Club Passim. The sextet known as The Waves rocks Soundcheck Studios.
Sunday: City Winery offers songs and stories from Liverpool’s The Lads, British Invasion heavyweight Billy J. Kramer, Badfinger’s Joey Molland and The Hollies’ Terry Sylvester. Actress/singer Suki Her Waterhouse performs at the Paradise Rock Club. Robin Batteau is at Club Passim. The quintet’s Detroit fun-rock when Mac Saturn burned down Brighton Music’s halls.
watch dave hurley
Where: Club Passim, 47 Palmer Street, Cambridge
when: January 27, 8:00 p.m.
tickets: $25
information: 617-492-7679 or clubpassim.org
