Gary Arthur McDaniel, better known by his stage nameChuck Dukowski, is an American punk rock musician and a founding member, bass player, and songwriter for Black Flag.
Dukowski's first band was Würm which started in 1973. By 1977, the band had moved to Hermosa Beach and lived in a communal house called "the Würmhole". Keith Morris and Greg Ginn were regulars at Würmhole parties and eventually Dukowski joined with them to form the band Panic. Panic changed their name to Black Flag after discovering another band using the name "Panic".
Black Flag
Chuck Dukowski was responsible for booking Nationwide and worldwide tours, bringing Black Flag across the globe to spread their anarchic musical message of Freedom of speech and expression to the world for all of their early tours until 1986. Dukowski also wrote some of Black Flag's most popular songs, including "My War," "The Bars," "I Love You" and "Modern Man." He left the band before the release of My War, and afterward served as Black Flag's manager. Dukowski was also the co-owner of SST Records until 1989.
Later projects
After Black Flag, Dukowski reformed Würm which continued until guitarist Ed Danky died. Other bands Dukowski formed include SST "supergroup" October Faction, and SWA formed in 1985 with Merrill Ward of Overkill. In 2013, Dukowski along with Keith Morris, Dez Cadena, Bill Stevenson and Descendents guitarist Stephen Egerton formed Flag to tour playing Black Flag songs. Dukowski has a new band with his wife, artist and musician Lora Norton and son Milo called The Chuck Dukowski Sextet. They released their debut album, Eat My Life, on Dukowski's own Nice & Friendly Records in 2006. In 2013, Chuck launched Flag with former Black Flag members Keith Morris, Bill Stevenson, Dez Cadena, and Descendents/All guitarist Stephen Egerton to perform the music of Black Flag. He appeared in the documentaries The Decline of Western Civilization, Open Your Mouth And Say... Mr. Chi Pig, We Jam Econo, and "We Were Feared ".
Stage name
"Chuck Dukowski" is Dukowski's stage name; according to Dukowski, it originated from a Zippo lighter with "Chuck the Duke" inscribed on it that he found while searching for change. Feeling that the name "Chuck the Duke" sounded macho, he wanted to add a Polish sounding last name, as Poles were frequently picked on. He turned "Chuck the Duke" into "Chuck Dukowski". Dukowski was credited under his real name on original pressings of Black Flag's Nervous Breakdown EP as well as in film The Decline of Western Civilization and its companion soundtrack album. He is credited as "Charles Dukowski" on Black Flag's Damaged LP.
