The DC5 was promoted as the vanguard of a "Tottenham Sound", a response to Liverpool's Mersey Beat sound. Dave Clark struck business deals that allowed him to produce the band's recordings and gave him control of the master recordings. Songwriting credits went to Clark, Clark and Smith, Clark and Davidson, and Clark and Payton, although it has been reported that Clark's friend Ron Ryan actually wrote or co-wrote many of the songs without receiving any credit; the issue was settled out of court. Session drummer Bobby Graham is also reported to have played, sometimes alongside Clark, on some of the band's hits.