McAlmont first came to attention in the London band Thieves, who attracted early attention with the 1992 single "Through The Door". Despite the release of a third single, "Either", Thieves split acrimoniously in 1994 shortly before the release of their first album. Following legal wrangling, the album was eventually released as the debut David McAlmont album (under the project name and album title of "McAlmont"). Despite some positive press attention, much of it still focusing on McAlmont's startling voice ("Melody Maker" journalist Taylor Parkes commented "One day he will open his mouth and a cathedral will fall out"), the album was not a commercial success.