Dennis Danell

Dennis Danell Birth name Dennis Eric Danell Born June 24, 1961Origin USADied February 29, 2000 Genre(s)Punk rock
Punk blues
Cowpunk
Alternative rockOccupation(s) Musician, Guitarist Instrument(s)GuitarYears active 1979–2000 Label(s)13th Floor Records
Posh Boy Records
Restless Records
Epic Records
Time Bomb RecordingsAssociated acts Social Distortion

Dennis Eric Danell (June 24, 1961-February 29, 2000) was the founding guitarist for the seminal Southern California punk rock band, Social Distortion.

Danell formed Social Distortion in 1979 with frontman Mike Ness while attending high school together. Originally the group's bassist, Danell switched to guitar after some band defections, and helped define the group's signature jangle on such albums as Mommy's Little Monster (1982), Prison Bound (1985), Social Distortion (1990) and White Light, White Heat, White Trash (1996). He remained the guitarist for the band until his death, from an apparent cerebral aneurysm(recently in an interview, Mike Ness stated that Dennis actually sucumbed to a heart condition), at his Newport Beach, California home at the age of 38.

"I am saddened beyond any possible form of expression," Ness said in a statement. "Dennis and I have been friends since boyhood, starting Social Distortion while we were in high school. My deepest regrets to his family."

After Social Distortion went on hiatus following the release of Live at the Roxy in 1998, Danell produced numerous local bands at the group's recording studio, Casbah, in Fullerton, California. His production credits included Fanmail (BEC Records), Value Pac (Four Door Entertainment), Fraidy Cats (Gray Dot Records), The Deluxtone Rockets (Tooth & Nail Records), and Rock Star Barbecue, the debut artist on Danell's new independent label, Masterpiece Records. By 2000, Danell was quickly becoming a much sought after producer in the Orange County area.

Danell also started a new side band called Strung Gurus, with Michael Knott of the Orange County band, the Aunt Bettys (formerly on Elektra). Danell produced, co-wrote, and played guitar for them, whilst working on their first full length album. The Strung Gurus debut, to be the second release on Masterpiece Records, was nearly completed.

In an interview for the Strung Gurus promotional bio, Danell had said, "I am very excited about Strung Gurus because the music is high energy and commercial, but it does not sound like Social Distortion. The new band allows me to stretch as a songwriter and producer by tackling a sound outside my comfort zone." Rough mixes of four Strung Gurus songs were already in limited circulation and had started a buzz among fans and local journalists impressed with Danell's versatility and writing abilities.

Danell's passions included cars, surfing, and producing bands. He was recognized by those around him as a down-to-earth friend and loving family man. He is survived by his wife Christy, a three year old son, James Duke, and a six month old daughter, Ruby Anna. Danell is also survived by his mother Dolores, three brothers, Gunnar, Jon, and Byron, and a sister, Pamela.