Dennis Eric Danell (June 24, 1961-February 29, 2000)
was the founding guitarist for the seminal Southern California punk rock band, Social Distortion.
Danell joined Social Distortion in 1979 while attending high school with frontman Mike Ness. He remained the guitarist for the band until his death, from an apparent cerebral aneurysm, at his Newport Beach home at the age of 38.
Danell started Social Distortion in 1979 with Ness. 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).
"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 church-going family man. He is survived by his wife Christie, a three year old son and a 6-month-old daughter.
