Photo: Vicky Mullen
In the late 1960s into the 1970s and
beyond, Denver was, indeed, a melting pot of varied musical
genres. As a hub for many national touring acts, Denver became a testing ground for new music, not only
by national acts, but also by international acts. Credit where
credit is due, the visionary eye and ear of the late great concert promoter, Barry Fey, brought the music
of our generation straight into our hometown. More than a few young
starry eyed musicians rooted themselves in this very fertile field of creativity. Many obtaining
world fame - many not. Dave "Greywolf" Frisk is of the latter.
Dave was born and raised in Denver, Colorado.
By the age of 11 he was performing in folk groups, playing mostly Elks
Clubs, Lions Clubs, Optimists, VFWs -- wherever he could -- wherever he was invited. By the time
he was 13, he was playing rock 'n' roll with college bandmates at
fraternities, sororities, and 3.2 clubs around the midwest. Within the next few years
(and many band member changes) his power rock and blues trio (JAPETUS)
had become a well known fixture in the 3.2 club, college, and roadhouse circuit. As always,
change has always been inevitable. The 60's were amazing -- then the
70's brought us disco, 80's metal, 90's grunge --- by the 2000's
anything goes.
Finding a way to continue to perform
means to re-invent yourself every so often. Dave is no stranger to this,
taking pieces
from each decade -- always expanding the repertoire -- expanding the craft.
He has continued to perform throughout the years. He has had the honor
of writing for Heart (the Wilson Sisters -- "not that they liked anything I wrote or ever recorded anything I gave them, but I
was honored to be in the arena"), done soundtrack work
(and some acting as well) for movies,
he has been a studio musician on call, he has been a hired gun
performing with Beau Allen and the Lost Patrol, Warren Floyd, Heavy Heat, different incarnations of the
Runaway Express with Pat Curto, Scotty Bennet, Harry Bruckner -- this
lineup also would occasionally back up Don Watson. He has been an opening act for
Chuck Berry, Molly Hatchet,
 Doug Kershaw, as well as sharing the stages
with Chris Daniels and the Kings, the late great Billy Ryan and Black Irish, Pete Fletcher, Brian Hornbuckle,
Bruce Cole, Joe King Carasco (man, haven't heard that name in a while!),
Big Twist and the Mellow Fellows, and many more. In the mid 80s he formed the "all
original" but short lived Dave Frisk Group with drummer Bob Krushansky,
vocalist Tony Baksa, and bassist Roger Sublett, and a few short years later was asked to join
Ecclectica, an all original prog-rock group -- the brainchild of Maestro
Daniel Magoun (now, very sadly departed) --"an all star band of the most amazing musicians I have ever
had the pleasure of working with." This lineup included Daniel Magoun on
keyboards and vocals, Paul Mack on drums, keys, and vocals, Lex Phillipus on guitar, bass,
and vocals, and Dave on guitar, bass, and vocals. Sadly, both projects
fell apart as soon as there was label interest. 
He's also appeared in acoustic duos -- Beau Allen & Dave Frisk, Heavy &
Frisk, Frisk & Schultz, Dave Frisk & Jack Stoehr, Dave Frisk & Jason
Kay. Still performing, mostly as a solo
these days, but does employ a rockin' power trio for the more intense
venues -- Dave Frisk and Friends' lineup includes (depending on availability) drummer Bruce Crisman,
drummer Chris Crisman, bassist Sam Ray, bassist Will Morrison, bassist
Jim Stevens, and once in a while a guest appearance by other musicians, as well as filling
inform time to time with the classic rock bands Nightwolf, Band of
Brothers, and, now, a permanent position with Buckner Funken
Jazz when they need him. Locally, he
was a regular fixture at the Shack in Littleton Colorado since they
first opened their doors 25 years ago, at world famous Jerry D's for 25
years until it sold in 2015, at the Buffalo Rose in Golden Colorado for
18 years until it sold in 2016, at the Rock Rest in Golden Colorado
(still there after 26 or so years), Dirty Dogs in Golden Colorado since they opened 4
years ago, the Lariat Lodge in Evergreen, the Grande Station in
Littleton, as well as being a mainstay for the Merchants Association
in Historic Downtown Littleton
performing for all the events and festivals like the Littleton Block
Party, and Western Welcome Week, and is a regular performer at the Reinke Brothers' Haunted Mansion every
year -- plus many other venues to fill in the blanks. With more than 250
shows a year -- stages large and small -- he has played for 5 people and for 350,000 -- he's
still going. While he is known by many of the famous, he is not a
worldwide rock star. However, he is a world-class performer. With a
vast repertoire of cover songs as well as originals
-- whatever the night needs to be memorable. That's Dave
Dave "Greywolf" Frisk.
Dave "Greywolf" Frisk
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