Drumming up some 80s nostalgia
David ‘Greenie’ Green drums across the world but this month sees the Low Fell lad return to the region alongside bona fide 80s icon, Adam Ant. Simon Rushworth spoke with him ahead of a duo of gigs
As a teenager growing up in Gateshead, David ‘Greenie’ Green’s life was dominated by the two things he loved most: music and football.
“There was a whole period of my life when Newcastle United and bands were all I really cared about,” explains the globally renowned musician who’s worked with a who’s who of chart-busting stars including Sam Fender, Becky Hill, Reef and Duran Duran’s Cullercoats-born guitarist Andy Taylor.
“I got into the football club when Kevin Keegan and Terry McDermott came in as the new management team in the early 90s,” he adds. “I was eight years old.
“I saw that whole period of upward mobility and was right in the middle of it. My uncle took me to games when I was a kid and I remember the promotion season and getting into Europe — then the Champions League and Tino [Asprilla] getting his hat-trick against Barcelona.
“It was just great to be part of it. My grandad was a goalkeeper who used to play for Queen of the South and he’d come to some of the games with me and my uncle.
“Then I got into bands and suddenly music and football took over my teenage life! That was a really special time.
“Fast forward to now and I’m a dad who’s married to an Italian. The rule is that my daughter can support the Italian national team but her club’s Newcastle United. I’m sure that’s the same rule Sandro Tonali has for his family!”
Greenie was back in his native North East earlier this year drumming for The Safest Place — brainchild of fellow Geordie and ex-Catfish & The Bottlemen star Johnny ‘Bondy’ Bond — but prior commitments meant he missed out on Fender’s historic three-night St James’ Park stand in June.
In fact, they’ve been like ships passing in the night for the majority of 2025.
“I was working as a drum tech in the US in April and it seemed like Sam and the band were always behind us doing the same venues,” he explains. “We kept hoping we’d be in the same city at the same time — me and Drew [Michael, Sam Fender’s drummer] were trying to meet each other but it just didn’t work out.
“I just think it’s funny going over to all of these far-flung places in the world and hearing musicians and fans talking about Sam Fender and Newcastle. It’s so cool.
“I’ve known Sam for more than 10 years. He used to support Little Comets, who I drummed for, and then I got him a support slot for my former band VANT — we were just ending as Sam was starting.
“I did some session work for him during lockdown and we’ve always stayed in touch.
“He’s put together a proper band — good mates who are great musicians. It’s not contrived, it’s authentic. It’s not put together or manufactured and that’s what makes it so special.
“It’s a band in the traditional sense and that’s really refreshing to see. They’re putting the city, the region and the football club on the map — I see it living down in London and when I’m touring all over the world.”
And talking of touring all over the world, it’s been another busy year for Greenie. But October and November see the in-demand drummer back on home turf and set for a special 24-date tour as part of new wave icon Adam Ant’s touring band.
The Antmusic tour stops off at The Glasshouse on October 29 and Stockton’s Globe the following night — Greenie is relishing a rare opportunity to play in front of his North East fans on two of the region’s most famous stages.
As one of two drummers driving Adam Ant’s live shows, he can’t wait to roll out hits including Stand And Deliver and Prince Charming in front of friends and family on Tyneside and Teesside.
“It’s not often that I get to play in the North East these days and I’ve had those dates in the diary for a while,” he adds. “I’ve always been a fan of Adam’s music and I love doing these shows.
“It’s very drum oriented, especially the Adam And The Ants phase. There are two drummers — me and Jola — and that creates a massive sound live. So from a drummer’s point of view, it’s a huge amount of fun.
“The songs are great but I’ve always been a fan of the tribal rhythms they’re built on. It’s unusual to play with another drummer live but Jola and I work well together — we’re always brainstorming and working out what we can do better.
“We’ve got a treat in store for the region’s music fans: as a Gateshead lad I’m over the moon to be playing The Glasshouse. It’s a real homecoming for me. And Stockton has a special place in my heart — whether it was KU Bar back in the day or Stockton Calling, the crowds down there have always been some of the loudest!”
Greenie grabbed his chance to be part of the Adam Ant story following a chance conversation with the band’s former drummer, Andy Woodard. It turned out to be a musical match made in heaven as the versatile performer proved to be an instant hit with his new colleagues.
“I’ve known Andy since 2011,” explains Greenie. “We were both part of the same London scene and just kept crossing paths thanks to a bunch of mutual friends.
“It was towards the end of last year that Adam’s manager got in touch to say Andy was unable to tour at that time and I’d been recommended for the job.
“I’ve always been a fan of Adam’s solo material and everything that Adam And The Ants have ever done. I was brought up on the music. And from a drummer’s point of view, it’s something I jammed along with, learning my trade as a teenager.
“I’m a fan of late 70s, early 80s punk and new wave and I was excited to try out for the band. We road tested a few things but I’d committed to do another tour and so it was all a bit of a mad dash.
“Fortunately, it went really well and I gelled with Adam and the rest of the guys. Management thought it was a great match and I jumped into the job full time — including an 80s-themed cruise! It was a random — but fun — way to get to know the rest of the band and everyone’s been buzzing to get back together for the UK headline shows.”
Adam Ant brings his Antmusic tour to The Glasshouse, Gateshead on October 29 and The Globe, Stockton on October 30. Career retrospective The Singles — featuring music from Adam And The Ants and Adam Ant’s solo career — is released on CD and coloured vinyl on October 31.