Mr Bungle Mike Patton Ministry Aphex Twin Fudge Tunnel Melt Banana Lawnmower Deth Ozric Tentacles John Zorn Trey Spruance Naked City Voivod The Cramps The Melvins Faith no More The Orb Death Strapping Young Lad King Crimson Robert Fripp David Devant and his spirit wife 'The Major' John Barry Ramones Secret Chiefs 3 Peter Gabriel Nailbomb Django Reinhardt Daisy Chainsaw Atari Teenage Riot Sparks Pendulum Brian Eno David Byrne Pantera Steve Reich Les Wilson Adrian Day Cannibal Corpse George Formby Fugazi Kaada Bossk Queens of the Stone Age Fischerspooner Black Sabbath Godflesh MC5 Propellerheads John Martyn Senser Mike Oldfield Beach Boys Prong Motorhead Holst Primus Half man Half biscuit Old Metallica Loveage John Williams Bill Frissell Roxy music Frank Zappa Ned's Atomic Dustbin Dead Kennedys Vangelis Stromtroopers of Death Eat Static White Zombie Phillip Glass Trevor Dunn Beastie Boys John Cage The Cult Carcass Pulp Fantomas Obituary Madness Steve Vai Joe Satriani King Crimson Raging Speedhorn Old Misfits Me first & the gimme gimmes Sultans of Ping FC Ed Alleyne Johnson Charles Mingus The Cure Bjork Duane Eddy Butthole Surfers Pixies Sex Pistols Mindfunk Jeff Beck Rage against the machine Radiohead Queen Annihilator Wonderstuff Captain Beefheart Devin Townsend Tomahawk Metal Duck Portrait of a Lifetime The Locust Mongolian Dethkit Nirvana Jimi Hendrix Jack Sharp & the 3 stone cops Bill Bailey Dillinger Escape Plan Norah Jones Skinflick Queensryche dEUS Chuck Norris Fury Nine inch nails Sigue Sigue Sputnik Hank Williams III Iron Maiden Super Furry Animals Prodigy Stars of the lid Napalm Death The Bangles Ennio Morricone Steve Hillage Jello Biafra Mank David Wrench KLF Arctic Monkeys Outkast Morbid Angel Rahzel Muse Nuclear Assault Divine comedy Slowdive Maldoror Amen Death in Vegas AC/DC 'Big sick ugly' Jim Martin The Smiths Sepultura MC Hammer Led Zeppelin Tool Zodiac Mindwarp & the Love Reaction Peter Green Slayer The Kinks Extreme noise terror The Young Knives Anthrax Derek & Clive Killing Joke Gary Numan Johnny R Megadeth Horror films Science fiction etc...
Duncan chooses to perform alone. There is no miming or trickery. Sounds are created with truckloads of guitars, stomp boxes, drum machines and other gadgets he has collected over the last 20 years. These devices are pushed beyond their technical boundaries to produce the sounds you now hear on this profile.
Duncan was born in Bangor, North Wales, 1973. He took up guitar at fourteen, after developing an obsession with heavy metal. Numerous collaborations with bands followed, and a demo found it’s way to Peter Hook from New Order (legend has it he was impressed). Duncan studied contemporary music at Manchester Metropolitan University from 1993 to 1996, where he also took guitar lessons in jazz. Duncan went on to play guitar for countless bands, touring throughout the UK and Germany, as well as performing at all manner of events from raves to art gallery exhibitions and rock concerts. Much of his work has been featured on TV and Radio.
In 2003, Duncan made the decision to perform as a soloist. Although it was intended to be a side project, initial gigs were well received. This led to headline slots and favourable promotion from the North Wales music scene. Subsequently, BBC Radio Wales commissioned a live session and in 2005, a solo album was released. Duncan went on to play some ‘fairly big festivals’.
In 2006, a fan posted a video of Mr Black on ‘youtube’ – it garnered 146443 hits. A new album is currently in production.
Many have tried (and failed) to categorise Duncan’s music, although he currently cites Cannibal Corpse and George Formby as major influences.
Duncan Black resided in Canterbury, Kent with his wife Rhian and his son Devin between 2005 and 2009 where he worked as a music lecturer. He has now returned to the North Wales area. Stay tuned for inevitable happenings...
'He put on a show to shame Joe Satriani. Duncan is the Ed Alleyne Johnson of the guitar world, layering FX on FX to build up a one man symphony from Audio Sculpture, We Are Not Alone, Surfin' DOA, the brash Al Capone, a new tinkled as yet untitled track, and the crowd favourite 5*!tfist.
Some guitarists are guilty of over indulgence and Duncan is one of them, but what sets his set apart is that his over indulgence is crammed into 2, maybe three minute songs. They're short, sharp, yet full of complexities. Not long enough to let your attentions stray, which can only be a good thing. Local anti-hero Jack Sharp joined Duncan for a monumental rendition of the anti-X-Factor Halleluiah; bordering on the psychotic it was a performance of encapsulation - the perfect cameo front man.' Neil Crud Link2Wales 03/01/2009 (Live Review)
'Former Skinflick axeman Duncan Black unleashes his debut solo mini-album on an unsuspecting public, and what a delicious little beast it is. Armed with a juggernaut of effects pedals he covers every genre from Industrial metal to bluegrass, and backed by some truly evil drum programming he’s produced a mini marvel’ Gary Cut, The Fly magazine
'He is a ubiquitous guitar mercenary...if you go to his website, you'll see he's been in every band since time began...bit of a guitar genius' Neil Crud, Link2wales/Green Dragon radio
'My top star no bother. A man who entertains in a pretty unique style. I think it's jazz metal. A part of inform Skinflick but Duncan's own solo act is also setting North Wales on fire. The silk shirt, amazing pedal board, the on-stage fiddling, always an encore, rare stamp indeed our Mr Black. If this guy lived in London he'd be quids in and we'd already be on the CLASSICAL BLACK CD by now. With the obvious geographical handicap he still delivers...anyone who ever mimed an air guitar would buy him. Ok he's headlined Ethania (twice) so I would say all this, a lot of people TALK about a serious Welsh record industry, well here he is, the answer to all your prayers, this is no college kid poncing around on S4C, no part-timer, no flakey rock weekender, he's the Real Deal...The next guy to plant North Wales on the global map should be Duncan Black.' Johnny R, R-bennig records
'His ability to create significantly different moods in the short instrumental pieces is excellent, whether by psychedelic space travel soundtrack, sleazy metal boogie quite like Devin Townsend or darker, spooky industrial malevolence. Plus explosions of noise and feedback to keep us all awake...Most in there in undoubted respect of his ability to get such a layered depth to his creations through mastery of the technology, as well as sheer talent on his instrument of choice' Mark Watson Jones, Link2Wales (live review)
'Duncan Black provided my highlight of the day with a brief but exquisite display of guitar genius, and let's face it, there was some stiff competition in the guitar hero category, but Duncan took it to a different level up there on his own with an array of pedals and coming across like a mute Nick Harper crossed with Ed Alleyne-Johnson, two artists who you should most definitely make yourselves familiar with.' Neil Crud, Review of the Pigstock festival (30/07/05)
To see Duncan play guitar, click on one of the screens below. The videos were supplied by three wonderful additions to the human race - namely Dave Vango at www.bordominduced.co.uk, Neil Crud (see www/link2wales.co.uk) and also Waxwing Paul (sessions taken from 'The Ether') Enjoy!
ADDITIONAL - This video link is far and away the best footage yet of Duncan Black and contains 3 songs with an exclusive interview. All of this good material comes courtesy of Waxwing Paul and his high quality online programme 'The Ether' (at www.yourkenttv.co.uk) Cheers Paul!. To see the video click the following link -
-CLICK HERE TO WATCH 'THE ETHER'-
Al Capone/Audiosculpture
Live on 'The Ether'Jack Sharp/Duncan Black 'Halleluiah' (live)Audiosculpture
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Arkanoid
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Al Capone
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Surfin' D.O.A
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We are not alone
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Platillos Voladores
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Bonehead
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Szechuan noodles
Jack Sharp 'Halleluiah'
My good friend Mr Jack Sharp wrote and sang this song. I played all the instruments. The video was created by Neil Crud.
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As you can see from my photo i have put a little weight on since your wedding...How the bloodyhell are you.. Long time no hear...what is you 2 upto these days...Mr ELEPHANT LEG
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Ahahaha Devin Duncy Dunc Dunc Black eh? I LIKE IT! And may the power of Christ compel him.. Shouldn't ever forget that.
So you've fiiiiiiinally sold out eh? Sold out to the Canterbury college establishment - you make me sick!
And yes, I got a ..Merit I think, cannae remember. I am currently working in the enlightening medium of 'dispatch assistant' of which I am soon to be made redundant.. Working on plenty of musical ideas, but will be a while before I've got stuff together enough seeing as I've got to find a new job.
I randomly saw an advert in a pub for the Donna woman you worked with in our careers in music lessons - looked hilariously cheesy, I think she was doing a gig for new years eve - that's rock'n'roll for you!
Cheers Dunc! 'Psycho Killer' is already in there actually! Not too sure about 'Umbrella' or 'Toxic'....and Napalm Death and Maiden might be a bit tricky on a jumbo acoustic, but you never know. Thanks anyhoo! Hope you're keeping tickety boo!!
