Chuck Dukowski

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Chuck Dukowski
Chuck Dukowski performing with the band FLAG in 2013
Chuck Dukowski performing with the band FLAG in 2013
Background information
Birth nameGary Arthur McDaniel
Born (1954-02-01) February 1, 1954 (age 70)
OriginSan Pedro, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresHardcore punk, punk rock
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)Bass, guitar, vocals
Years active1973–present

Gary Arthur McDaniel (born February 1, 1954[1] ), better known by his stage name Chuck Dukowski, is an American punk rock musician. He’s most well known for being the bass player and occasional songwriter for Black Flag.[2]

Career[edit]

Early years[edit]

Dukowski was born and raised in a self-described middle-class family in San Pedro, Los Angeles, California where his father worked for TRW.[3] Dukowski's mother was German and her family lineage had many musicians and composers.[1]

Dukowski attended San Pedro High School and later Chadwick School, where he played football. After graduation, he went to college to study psychobiology.[3]

Würm[edit]

Main article: Würm (band)

Dukowski's first band was Würm, which started in 1973.[4] By 1977, the band had moved to Hermosa Beach and lived in a communal house called "the Würmhole" but broke up later that year.[4]

Black Flag[edit]

Main article: Black Flag (band)

Keith Morris and Greg Ginn were regulars at Würmhole parties[4] in 1977 Dukowski joined their band Panic before they played their first show. Panic changed their name to Black Flag after discovering another band using the name "Panic".[5] He left the band in 1983 before the recording of My War,[6] and afterward served as Black Flag's manager. He was responsible for booking nationwide and worldwide tours until 1986. Dukowski wrote or co-wrote some of Black Flag's most popular songs, including "My War,"[4] "The Bars,"[7] "I Love You"[7] and "Modern Man."[7] Dukowski started SST Records with Ginn in 1978 and was a co-owner until 1989.[4] During Black Flag's appearance in The Decline of Western Civilization, he is credited as Gary McDaniel.

Later projects[edit]

After Black Flag, Dukowski reformed Würm[8] which continued until guitarist Ed Danky died.[4] Other bands Dukowski formed include SST "supergroup" October Faction,[9] and SWA[9] formed in 1985 with Merrill Ward of Overkill.

Dukowski has a new band with his wife, artist and musician Lora Norton, and son Milo called The Chuck Dukowski Sextet.[10] They released their debut album, Eat My Life, on Dukowski's own Nice & Friendly Records in 2006. In 2013 Chuck launched Flag with former Black Flag members Keith Morris, Bill Stevenson, Dez Cadena, and Descendents/All guitarist Stephen Egerton to perform the music of Black Flag.

He appeared in the documentaries The Decline of Western Civilization, Open Your Mouth And Say... Mr. Chi Pig, We Jam Econo, Urban Struggle: the Battle of the Cuckoo's Nest and "We Were Feared (Clockwork Orange County)".

FLAG[edit]

In 2013, Keith Morris, Chuck Dukowski, Dez Cadena, Bill Stevenson and Descendents member Stephen Egerton, created FLAG as an offshoot of Black Flag. As of now, they are only touring. No plans for an album have been announced.[11]

FLAG
Genres
Years active2013-
Spinoff ofBlack Flag, Descendents
Members

Stage name[edit]

"Chuck Dukowski" is a stage name, originating from a Zippo lighter with "Chuck the Duke" inscribed on it that he found while searching for change. Feeling that the name "Chuck the Duke" sounded macho, he wanted to add a Polish sounding last name, as Poles were frequently picked on. He turned "Chuck the Duke" into "Chuck Dukowski".[12] Dukowski was credited under his real name on original pressings of Black Flag's Nervous Breakdown EP as well as in film The Decline of Western Civilization and its companion soundtrack album.[13] He is credited as "Charles Dukowski" on Black Flag's Damaged LP.

Discography[edit]

Black Flag[edit]

SWA[edit]

  • Your Future (If You Have One) (1985) – bass
  • Sex Dr. (1986) – bass
  • XCIII (1987) – bass
  • Evolution 85–87 (1988) – bass
  • Winter (1989) – bass
  • Volume (1991) – bass/vocals

Chuck Dukowski Sextet[edit]

  • Eat My Life (2006) – bass/guitars
  • Reverse the Polarity (2007) – bass
  • Haunted (2012) – bass

Other[edit]

  • Wurm – I'm Dead EP (1982) – bass/vocals
  • Wurm – Feast (1985) – bass
  • October Faction – October Faction(1985) – bass/vocals
  • October Faction – Second Factionalization (1986) – bass/vocals
  • Chuck Dukowski/Paul Cutler/Bill Stinson – United Gang Members CD (1994) – bass/vocals
  • Black Face – "I Want to Kill You / Monster" 7" (2011)
  • Bl'ast – For Those Who've Graced The Fire! single (2015) – bass (as guest)

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Chick, Stevie (2011). Spray Paint the Walls: The Story of Black Flag. PM Press. pp. 37-39. ISBN 978-1-60486-418-2.
  2. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Biography: Black Flag". AllMusic. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
  3. ^ a b Video on YouTube
  4. ^ a b c d e f Lang, Dave (May 2007). "Chuck Dukowski Interview". Perfect Sound Forever. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  5. ^ Grad, David (September–October 1997). "Oral history of Black Flag". Punk Planet (20). Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  6. ^ Azerrad, Michael (2001). Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground 1981–1991. Little, Brown and Company. p. 41. ISBN 0-316-78753-1.
  7. ^ a b c Gitter, Mike (February 19, 2013). "FLAG vs. Black Flag: a Chat With Chuck Dukowski and Dez Cadena". Noisecreep. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  8. ^ O'Neill, Brian (November 20, 2018). ""Exhumed" From the Earth: Chuck Dukowski and the Reissue of Würm's Full-Length". Invisible Oranges. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  9. ^ a b Prindle, Mark (April 9, 2016). "Chuck Dukowski Interview". Rebel Noise. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  10. ^ Grimley, John (July 26, 2012). "Interview: Former Black Flag Bassist Chuck Dukowski Discusses New CD6 Album, 'Haunted'". Guitar World. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  11. ^ Greg Prato (January 28, 2013). "Black Flag Reunite for Album, Live Dates | Music News". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  12. ^ "de beste bron van informatie over jay babcock. Deze website is te koop!". jaybabcock.com. Archived from the original on August 1, 2009. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
  13. ^ "Various – The Decline of Western Civilization (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. September 28, 1993. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
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