David Baker is an American musician best known as a founding member and the former lead singer of the indie rock band Mercury Rev, formed in Buffalo, New York in the late 1980s, and after as vocalist for Variety Lights. After leaving Mercury Rev in 1994, he released the critically acclaimed album under the alias Shady which featured contributions from members of a variety of leading British alternative acts, including Rollerskate Skinny, Th' Faith Healers, The Boo Radleys and Swervedriver. Later, he formed the band Variety Lights, a collaboration with Will MacLean.