Dave Shevil

Dave Shevil
Dave Shevil at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards
Born	David Arthur Shevil (1949-11-09) November 9, 1949 St. Paul, MN
Occupation	Record producer, Sound engineer, A&R, Music executive
Years active	1970s–present
Associates	Parma Records Split Phones Records Tonal Records Portside
Known for	Producer of Foolish Creeper (1978-2022)

Dave Shevil is an American record producer, sound engineer, talent scout, and music executive. Best known for his decades-long relationship as the visionary producer and unofficial "fifth member" of the New Prairie hard-rock band Foolish Creeper, Shevil played an instrumental role in shaping the Midwestern rock, metal, and synth-pop soundscape from the late 1970s through the 2020s.

Beyond his career-defining tenure with Foolish Creeper, Shevil gained a reputation across the music industry as a tenacious studio perfectionist and a resilient mediator capable of navigating intense band conflict, severe lineup overhauls, and corporate record label clashes.

Early Life and Career Beginnings (1970–1980)

Born and raised in the Upper Midwest, Shevil spent his early twenties working as an apprentice audio engineer and tape operator in various Chicago and Milwaukee recording studios. Developing an ear for raw power and clean radio mixing, he quickly transitioned into independent A&R (Artists and Repertoire) work, searching regional basement venues, dive bars, and college towns for emerging underground acts.

By the late 1970s, Shevil had established connections with independent Midwestern record labels, most notably Parma Records, a label known for distributing garage rock and proto-punk.

Career with Foolish Creeper

Discovery and Parma Records Era (1981–1983)

In February 1981, Shevil attended a showcase at Jumpers, an underground music spot in downtown New Prairie. Struck by Denis Porter’s aggressive vocal delivery and Lauren Jensen’s raw guitar work, Shevil immediately signed on as the band's producer and manager figure, brokering a deal for them with Parma Records.

Shevil produced the band's heavy metal debut, Battler (1981). However, interference from Parma executives—who pressured Shevil and the band to tone down their gritty edge for radio viability—coupled with poor label distribution, resulted in a commercial failure. When Parma abruptly dropped the group in early 1983, Shevil personally took charge of finding them a new home.

The Split Phones Era and Mainstream Breakthrough (1984–1989)

During a business trip to Chicago in late 1983, Shevil pitched Foolish Creeper to the executives at Split Phones Records, securing a two-album deal by promising the label that the band had moved past their early struggles.

Shevil produced the band’s breakthrough record, Tasteful Tasteless (1984), embracing the band’s purchase of a Korg Poly-800 synthesizer and encouraging expansive studio arrangements (such as a 10-piece orchestra on "Finally You"). The album earned three Grammy nominations and propelled the band into the national spotlight.

When the band proposed pivoting away from heavy metal toward pop-rock for their 1987 album Inside Out, Shevil initially expressed intense anxiety, fearing the genre shift would alienate their core audience. Despite his fears, Shevil trusted Porter and Jensen’s creative direction and produced the album, which went on to become one of their biggest commercial hits.

Dave Shevil in the studio mixing Look Again in 1991.

Managing Crisis and Band Dissolution (1989–1994)

Shevil's skills as a crisis manager were put to the test during the tour for Backwards from the Front (1989) when founding member Lauren Jensen abruptly quit, followed closely by rhythm guitarist Craig Hansen. Facing a 50-city tour commitment and booked late-night television appearances, Shevil swiftly recruited replacement musicians Carmella McGrew and Joe Simmons to keep the band afloat.

Shevil went on to helm the troubled production of Look Again (1992), acting as a buffer between an increasingly isolated, heavy-drinking Denis Porter and the rest of the group. Following Porter's exit and Split Phones dropping the act, Shevil orchestrated the return of Lauren Jensen and brought on her boyfriend, Victor Morgan, to take over lead vocals. Utilizing this revamped lineup, Shevil secured a deal with Los Angeles-based Tonal Records, producing their 1994 effort, Fresh Faces.

Later Years and The Classic Lineup Reunion (2007–2022)

In the mid-2000s, Shevil played a crucial role behind the scenes following the band's post-2003 hiatus. Recognizing a resurging cultural nostalgia for 1980s arena rock and synth-pop, Shevil helped facilitate the classic lineup’s return to the studio. He produced their 2009 comeback hit Inside Out II, as well as their 2012 self-titled record.

In 2015, Shevil achieved a personal career milestone when he and the band retrieved the original 1981 master tapes of their failed debut album Battler. Working together in the studio for over a year, they completely reconstructed and re-recorded the tracks. Released in 2016 as Battler...Again, the album received widespread critical acclaim, delivering artistic closure and redeeming the early project that had nearly ended Shevil's production career 35 years prior.

Following the acquisition of all the band’s original master tapes, Shevil oversaw the remastering process for their final anniversary collection, 40 Years Too Short.

Later Years

After the death of Denis Porter and Foolish Creeper officially ending, Shevil retired to his upstate New York home. He continues to oversee the usage of Foolish Creeper alongside surviving member Lauren Jensen and has made a few public appearances when the band is honored with another award for their work in the music industry.

Production & Engineering Discography

Year	Album	Artist	Credit	Label
1981	Battler	Foolish Creeper	Producer, Mixing	Parma Records
1984	Tasteful Tasteless	Foolish Creeper	Producer	Split Phones Records
1987	Inside Out	Foolish Creeper	Producer	Split Phones Records
1989	Backwards from the Front	Foolish Creeper	Producer, A&R	Split Phones Records
1992	Look Again	Foolish Creeper	Producer	Split Phones Records
1994	Fresh Faces	Foolish Creeper	Producer, Writer ("The Little Things")	Tonal Records
1998	Break It Off	Foolish Creeper	Producer	Tonal Records
1998	Cover Me	Foolish Creeper	Producer	Tonal Records
2001	Revamp	Foolish Creeper	Producer	Portside
2009	Inside Out II	Foolish Creeper	Producer	Portside
2012	Foolish Hits	Foolish Creeper	Producer	Portside
2012	Foolish Creeper	Foolish Creeper	Producer	Portside
2016	Battler...Again	Foolish Creeper	Producer, Audio Reconstruction	Portside
2022	40 Years Too Short	Foolish Creeper	Producer	Portside

Appearances

Films

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Stories

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