Dave Pearce is a British dance DJ and record producer from Surrey. He works across trance, dance, house and electronic music, and is associated with NuLife Recordings. He also performs as a live DJ and plays gigs across the UK and internationally.

Broadcasting career

Pearce is best known for his radio work. He joins BBC Radio 1 in April 1995, first taking over the weekday early-breakfast show from Bruno Brookes, then moving to the weekend mid-morning slot later that year. In February 1997 he takes over weekend breakfast, and later in 1997 he begins presenting drivetime from Kevin Greening alongside Zoe Ball. He also takes on Dance Anthems on Sunday evenings.

In October 1998 Chris Moyles replaces him on drivetime and Pearce begins a Monday to Thursday evening show, The Late Drive, which runs until 2004. He later celebrates a decade of Dance Anthems with a five-hour special that includes contributions from Pete Tong and Judge Jules, plus a phone-in from Tiësto. His final BBC Radio 1 show airs in September 2008.

Pearce moves to BBC 6 Music, where he presents Dance Anthems. His first 6 Music show airs in October 2008 and features dance music from the previous 30 years, with Noel Gallagher choosing “Strings of Life” by Rhythim Is Rhythim as his favourite dance anthem. He also presents occasional programmes on BBC Radio 2.

Podcast and catchphrases

He launches the weekly Trancecast podcast in late 2008, focusing on trance music, with upfront tracks and a guest mix each week. Pearce is also known for catchphrases from behind the decks, including “putting on your trance trousers” when he plays a trance record, “roll another fat one” as a cue for another strong record, and “Oi Oi!”