Jeff Duncan (musician)
Jeffrey "Jeff" Duncan (born 28 January 1966) is a heavy metal guitarist, best known for being a member of Armored Saint[1] and previously Odin.[2] He currently also plays in DC4 and resides in Las Vegas, NV.
Jeff Duncan | |
---|---|
Born | United States | 28 January 1966
Genres | Rock, heavy metal |
Instruments | Guitar |
Associated acts | Armored Saint, Odin, Bird of Prey, DC4, The Thornbirds, Dizzy Reed Band, The Bones |
Biography
Duncan got his start in the Los Angeles, CA band Odin alongside brother Shawn Duncan on drums. The band self-released the 3-song 7" EP Caution! in 1983, followed by the 6-song mini-LP, Don't Take No for an Answer, on the local Half-Wet label in 1985. A promotional video was shot for the song "Shining Love". Odin would sign a deal with RCA/Victor for the Japan only release of their 1987 full-length debut, Fight For Your Life. The band infamously appeared in the 1988 documentary, The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years, and issued another 6-song mini-LP, The Gods Must Be Crazy, that same year before breaking up.[3] Duncan would contribute lead guitar on the 1990 Lost and Found album by Lostboys, a new band fronted by former Odin vocalist Randy O. He also appeared in the promotional video for the song "Cryin' Out".
In 1989, Duncan joined Armored Saint and made his recording debut on 1991's Symbol of Salvation, co-writing several songs, including the MTV video/single, "Last Train Home". Duncan remains a member to this day and has been part of every subsequent Armored Saint release.[4][5]
When Armored Saint temporarily broke up after vocalist John Bush accepted an offer to join Anthrax in 1992, Duncan formed the band Bird of Prey which also featured former Ravage vocalist Kyle Michaels, bassist Paul Puljiz (ex-Stone Soldier), and Shawn Duncan on drums. They recorded the L·T·D (Live to DAT) 8-song cassette in 1993, which received distribution in Germany. The band recorded another 5-song demo, with Matt Duncan replacing Puljiz on bass, before eventually morphing into DC4 (DC = Duncan Clan) whose initial line-up comprised all 3 Duncan brothers, with Jeff now handling lead vocal and guitar duties, and former Grave Danger guitarist, Hyland Church. They debuted in 1995 with the self-released Mood Swings EP. The current DC4 is composed of Jeff, Shawn and Matt Duncan and former Dio and Violets Demise guitarist, Rowan Robertson.[6]
In addition, Duncan plays guitar for the Dizzy Reed Band, and Dizzy Reed has played keyboards for DC4.
Duncan also plays in and around Las Vegas, Nevada, where he currently resides, and occasionally makes appearances in the Vegas Valley at Sin City Sinners shows. He is currently playing shows with Armored Saint, DC4, and the Las-Vegas based band, The Bones, featuring Sean Koos (ex-Joan Jett & The Blackhearts), Patrick Vitagliano (ex-John Connelly's Nuclear Theory), and brother Shawn Duncan. At one point he was also in a band called The Thornbirds, which also included Russ Parrish and Darren Leader from Steel Panther as well as bass player Dean Cameron.
Duncan and Odin would reunite for the first time in 2003 and have performed live as recently as 2018 in conjunction with the re-release of Don't Take No for an Answer and Fight For Your Life on Dave Ellefson's EMP label.[7][8]
Duncan's first solo album, Wanderlust, saw a digital release in late 2019 by Warrant's Erik Turner and Jerry Dixon on their Downboys label. A physical CD version of the album was set for April 2020 through EMP, with a limited edition vinyl release scheduled for July.[9]
Albums
Year | Band | Title | Label | Other information |
---|---|---|---|---|
1983 | Odin | Caution | Independent | 3-song EP |
1985 | Odin | Don't Take No for an Answer | Half-Wet Records | |
1987 | Odin | Fight For Your Life | RCA/Victor Records | |
1988 | Odin | The Gods Must Be Crazy | Independent | |
1990 | Lostboys | Lost and Found | Atlantic Records | |
1991 | Armored Saint | Symbol of Salvation | Metal Blade/Warner Bros. Records | |
1993 | Bird of Prey | L·T·D | Independent | Cassette |
1995 | DC4 | Mood Swings | Independent | |
1998 | DC4 | Volume I | Rising Sun Records | |
2000 | Armored Saint | Revelation | Metal Blade Records | |
2002 | Armored Saint | Nod to the Old School | Metal Blade Records | |
2009 | DC4 | Explode | Chavis Records | |
2010 | Armored Saint | La Raza | Metal Blade Records | |
2013 | The Bones | What Would Ginger Do? | Independent | |
2014 | The Bones | Ruin Your Rockshow Live | Independent | Live album of covers |
2015 | The Bones | Dirty Pretty Things | Independent | |
2015 | Armored Saint | Win Hands Down | Metal Blade Records | |
2017 | Armored Saint | Carpe Noctum | Metal Blade Records | Live album |
2019 | Jeff Duncan | Wanderlust | Downboys (digital) / EMP (physical) | Instrumental album |
References
- Prato, Greg. "Biography: Armored Saint". AMG. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
- Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Biography: Odin". AMG. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
- "Whatever Happened to the Stars of the Decline of Western Civilization Pt 2?". LouderSound.com. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
- "Armored Saint – 'Symbol of Salvation' - Decibel Hall of Fame". Decibel Magazine. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
- Armored Saint Announces North American Tour; Band To Perform Symbol Of Salvation In Its Entirety
- "Former Dio Guitarist Rowan Robertson Joins DC4". BraveWords.com. Retrieved 9 August 2006.
- "Odin's Jeff Duncan on Returning to the Sunset Strip and Being at Peace With His Past". NoiseCreep.com. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
- "Legendary LA Rockers Odin Announce Album Release Show at Whiskey A Go Go 4/21". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
- "Armored Saint Guitarist Jeff Duncan To Release New Solo 'Wanderlust' In April". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 27 February 2020.