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. During this time, he also took guitar lessons in jazz and performed at all manner of events from raves to art gallery exhibitions and death metal concerts. Duncan went on to play guitar for numerous bands, touring throughout the UK and Germany - some were 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 now resides in Canterbury, Kent with his wife Rhian.
____________________________________________________________ ____ Reviews...
’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)
____________________________________________________________ __ Links...
To book me for a gig contact Boughton studios.
Click on the following link -
-BOOK ME-
If you would like to purchase my CD ’The Ubiquitous guitar mercenary’ contact my publishers at Judmusic. Click on the following links -
If you live in the UK
-PURCHASE CD-
If you live in the USA
-PURCHASE CD-
____________________________________________________________ __ Videos...
To see Duncan play guitar, click on one of the screens below. The videos were supplied by Dave Vango at www.bordominduced.co.uk 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’-
Audiosculpture
Arkanoid
Al Capone
Surfin’ D.O.A
We are not alone
Platillos Voladores
Bonehead
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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