A BLACKBIRD Leys sound engineer who died of cancer dedicated his life to helping people make music, friends and family said.

David Norland, 40, was a founder of community recording studio Soundworks and also produced Oxford Britpop band Supergrass’ first ever single, Caught By The Fuzz.

Yesterday friends and family described Mr Norland – who died on Friday – as a friendly man who was in tune with Oxford’s music scene.

His brother Daniel, 37, said: “David’s passion was giving people the opportunities to make the music they wanted.

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“That’s what he dedicated his life to and I think people will remember him as someone who stood up for Oxford music and the community.

“He worked in most of the live venues in the city and there were not many people in the music scene here who he didn’t know.”

Former Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes said: “Dave was such a gentle guy, always a pleasure to be around.

“He was instrumental in getting our first single Caught By The Fuzz out on 7” vinyl, which led to us getting signed.

“He went above and beyond at times to help us during those early days, he always fought for the underdog.

“Dave will be much missed.”

In the early 1990s Mr Norland notably produced Caught By The Fuzz under his record label Backbeat Records.

A limited number of the single was pressed, before the band later signed to Parlophone Records.

He later professionally worked as a freelance sound engineer in venues including Oxford’s Zodiac (now O2 Academy Oxford) and started a reggae band, Mackating.

Ronan Munro, editor of Oxford music magazine Nightshift, said he met Mr Norland in 1993.

He said: “He had just set up Backbeat and I also used to see him quite a lot out at gigs at the Zodiac.

“Dave distributed Supergrass’ first single and also that of other bands, like the Mystics.

“The thing about him that always stuck with me, and I think other people too, was his enthusiasm about music and its place in the community. He was always very supportive of other bands.”

Mark Devlin, managing editor of Black Sheep Magazine, also paid tribute to Mr Norland.

He said: “I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dave.

“I didn’t know Dave well, but on the occasions I met him he was always friendly, amiable and helpful.”

A Facebook tribute page has been set up to commemorate Mr Norland’s life and 232 people have joined it.

One mourner, David Allen, said: “I remember going around London in an old yellow Dodge van visiting various places on Backbeat business.

“We collected hundreds of green vinyl 7”s of Mansize Rooster, [a Supergrass single], among other things.

“That night we stayed at Claremont Road in Leyton, the street that was squatted to protest against the M11 link road.

“He took me into worlds I didn’t know existed.”

Daniel Norland yesterday confirmed his brother’s funeral would take place on October 28, in St Mary and St John church, in Cowley Road.

Mr Norland leaves behind his wife Kaneng and brothers Daniel and Ben.

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