I first met David in 2001. He was jamming with a couple friends of mine (Aaron Palmer and Darryl Fletcher), and I got invited to hang out at one of their jam sessions.
At one point, David picked up a guitar and played a few riffs. I heard him play some heavy and interesting chords. Myself at the time, I only played single note riffs and power chords so I just had to find out what he was playing. David was more than happy to take a couple minutes to show me what he was playing.
One of the chord formations I learned that day (and mentally called it the "Dave Gold" chord from then on) was this : when playing a power chord on the A string, you also include a lower 5th on the E string. Example :
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-9-
-7-
-7-
Making heavy metal, heavier. That's what DG did.
I moved away from Windsor, wasn't really following Woods, and years passed. It was around 2006/2007 that I started listening again. I remember seeing the cover art for Woods 3 on their myspace and thought it was cool as fuck. I started 'hanging out' on this forum, and eventually started helping Woods/David with myspace graphics, web banners, etc.
It was a pretty sweet set up. I was doing something I love (web & graphic design) for a band I was really getting into.
The next few years held some really rough times for me, and listening to Woods was the medication. I would put on my iPod, dial up some Woods, and just walk.
In 2009, my band got to open up for Woods at a show in Windsor. It was an honour and a blast.
Last week when I heard the news, I was in shock. I just couldn't believe it. Part of my brain knew I'd never see my friend again, but the rest of my brain just refused to accept it. Over the past couple years, every 6 months or so, I'd see David at shows (Woods, Gates, or just other shows he attended), but I had to come to terms with the fact that this wouldn't happen again.
As fans of Woods, and friends of David, at least we have his music to remember him by. And all the tour videos he posted on YouTube. It's almost like we can visit our old friend from time to time.
David, you were one of a kind and you will be missed.
Rest in peace.
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