Social Distortion Guitarist Dies

 Dennis Danell, founding guitarist of the seminal Southern California punk band Social Distortion, died Tuesday in his Newport Beach home after apparently suffering a brain aneurysm. He was 38. 

 He started Social Distortion in 1979 with high school buddy Mike Ness. Originally the group's bassist, Dannell 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 bands at the band's recording studio, Casbah, in Fullerton, California. His production credits last year included Fanmail (BEC Records), Value Pac (Four Door Entertainment), Fraidy Cats (Gray Dot Records), Deluxe Tone Rockets (Sublime/Essential), 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. 

 Last year, Danell also started a new side band called the Strung Gurus with Michael Knott of the Orange County band the Aunt Bettys (formerly on Elektra). Danell produced, cowrote, and played guitar for Strung Gurus, who worked all last year on their first full-length album. The Strung Gurus debut, to be the second release on Masterpiece Records, was near completion with an expected release date of late May. 

 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. 

Dennis Danell, the 38-year-old guitarist for punk band Social Distortion, died of natural causes on Tuesday February 29th.  Danell issurvived by his wife Christie, 3 year-old son and 6 month-old daughter.

Danell, a founding member of Social Distortion, enjoyed a prosperous recording career with the band since it's inception in 1979. Over his 20 years as their guitarist and backing vocalist, Danell lent his gritty, high-octane style to the band, making him an integral link in the Social Distortion sound. With Social Distortion, Danell's album credits include Mainliner (1981), Mommy's Little Monster (1982), the punk rock documentary film Another State Of Mind (1982), Prison Bound (1985), Social Distortion (1990) Somewhere Between Heaven And Hell (1992) White Light, White Heat, White Trash (1996) and Live At The Roxy (1998).

On break from Social Distortion since recording the live album, Danell was busy recording local Orange County bands in SD's long time recording studio, Casbah in Fullerton.

  Social Distortion singer Mike Ness said, 'I am saddened beyond any possible form of expression. Dennis and I have been friends since boyhood, starting Social Distortion while we were in high school.