Dez Cadena
Encyclopedia
Dez Paul Cadena is an American
punk rock
singer and guitarist
. He was the third vocalist and later rhythm guitarist for hardcore punk
band
Black Flag
. Since 2001 Cadena has played guitar with the Misfits. He currently resides in Newark, New Jersey
.
, was a well-known A&R man in the music industry, and the co-founder of iconic jazz label Savoy Records
.
Dez Cadena joined Black Flag
in 1980, replacing singer Ron Reyes
. During the first year of touring with the band, his hoarse voice became a recognizable and often imitated style of singing in hardcore punk. Eventually, and due in part to straining his voice, Cadena decided he wanted to play guitar
. Henry Rollins
joined as vocalist, and for a period, Cadena played rhythm guitar alongside founder Greg Ginn
, including on the seminal 1981 album Damaged
.
Cadena went on to play in DC3
. Before, during and after his stint in Black Flag, Cadena was a member of Redd Kross
, Twisted Roots, and Ella and the Blacks, a band which he co-founded. He also made a guest appearance on Hüsker Dü
's 1984 double album, Zen Arcade
.
During the mid 90s, Dez teamed up with George Hurley
and Tom Troccoli to form Vida. Their self-titled album was released by Blue Man from Uranus Records. The band has since dissolved. He also played with raucous Hermosa beach bar band The Jim Mellon Quartet, as well as Steve Reed
and Dave Markey
in Carnage Asada.
Dez played guitar and sang lead vocals for the super-group Chop
on their only single, which consisted of Blue Öyster Cult
covers. The group also included Mike Watt
, Dave Markey
, Dave Peterson
, and Dave Travis.
In around 1999, Cadena toured as part of ex-Guns N' Roses
bassist Duff McKagan
's solo band to promote McKagan's latest album "Beautiful Disease
" which was never actually released because of the merger between Universal
and PolyGram
, but promoted on tour.
Most recently, Cadena toured with The Misfits' 25th and 30th Anniversary tour and played guitar on the band's Project 1950
album. (He has become the official guitarist for The Misfits, which has been stated by Jerry Only) He is currently still touring with the band, which features Jerry Only
on bass
and vocals and ROBO
, another past Black Flag member and former Misfits drummer, on drums
. The Misfits are set to work and record a new studio album
for which Cadena is expected to have a major hand in both writing and singing the songs. The album was set to be released in 2007, to coincide with the Misfits 30th anniversary since their formation in 1977.
Cadena currently plays lead guitar for punk rock
supergroup
Osaka Popstar
, along with Jerry Only
, Marky Ramone
, John Cafiero
and Ivan Julian
. The band has released one album to date, Osaka Popstar and the American Legends of Punk
, in 2006.
Cadena was also a judge for the 8th annual Independent Music Awards
to support independent artists.
Between Misfits tours, Cadena is playing in the NY/NJ area as "Dez Cadena + The Broken Down Bitches". He is currently working on a solo record featuring many guest musicians and friends.
:
With Redd Kross
With DC3
With Vida
With Loaded
With Carnage Asada
With The Misfits:
With Osaka Popstar
:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
singer and guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
. He was the third vocalist and later rhythm guitarist for hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
band
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
Black Flag
Black Flag (band)
Black Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. The band was established by Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes in the band...
. Since 2001 Cadena has played guitar with the Misfits. He currently resides in Newark, New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
.
Biography
His father, Ozzie CadenaOzzie Cadena
Oscar "Ozzie" Cadena was an American record producer with Savoy Records and Prestige Records who recorded gospel and jazz music in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, and helped popularize jazz music in Los Angeles.-Background:...
, was a well-known A&R man in the music industry, and the co-founder of iconic jazz label Savoy Records
Savoy Records
Savoy Records is an American record label specializing in jazz, R&B and gospel. Starting in the mid 1940s, Savoy played an important part in popularizing bebop.Savoy Records is an American record label specializing in jazz, R&B and gospel. Starting in the mid 1940s, Savoy played an important part...
.
Dez Cadena joined Black Flag
Black Flag (band)
Black Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. The band was established by Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes in the band...
in 1980, replacing singer Ron Reyes
Ron Reyes
Ron Reyes is an American musician most noted as the second singer for the Los Angeles punk rock group Black Flag. Reyes, who is of Puerto Rican descent, joined Black Flag after original vocalist Keith Morris had quit to form the Circle Jerks...
. During the first year of touring with the band, his hoarse voice became a recognizable and often imitated style of singing in hardcore punk. Eventually, and due in part to straining his voice, Cadena decided he wanted to play guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
. Henry Rollins
Henry Rollins
Henry Rollins is an American singer-songwriter, spoken word artist, writer, comedian, publisher, actor, and radio DJ....
joined as vocalist, and for a period, Cadena played rhythm guitar alongside founder Greg Ginn
Greg Ginn
Gregory Regis Ginn is a guitarist, songwriter, and singer. He is best known for being the leader of and primary songwriter for the hardcore punk band Black Flag, which he founded and led from 1976 to 1986....
, including on the seminal 1981 album Damaged
Damaged (Black Flag album)
Damaged is the debut studio album by the American hardcore punk band Black Flag. It was released in December 1981 through SST Records. In 2003, the album was ranked number 340 on Rolling Stones list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time....
.
Cadena went on to play in DC3
DC3 (band)
DC3 was an American rock and roll band formed by singer, songwriter and guitarist Dez Cadena in 1983 and active until 1988....
. Before, during and after his stint in Black Flag, Cadena was a member of Redd Kross
Redd Kross
Redd Kross, a rock band from Hawthorne, California had their roots in 1978 in a band called The Tourists begun by Jeff and Steve McDonald while the brothers were still in middle school...
, Twisted Roots, and Ella and the Blacks, a band which he co-founded. He also made a guest appearance on Hüsker Dü
Hüsker Dü
Hüsker Dü was an American rock band formed in Saint Paul, Minnesota in 1979. The band's continual members were guitarist Bob Mould, bassist Greg Norton, and drummer Grant Hart....
's 1984 double album, Zen Arcade
Zen Arcade
Upon its release Zen Arcade received positive reviews in many mainstream publications, including NME, The New York Times and Rolling Stone. In his review for Rolling Stone, David Fricke described Zen Arcade as "the closest hardcore will ever get to an opera .....
.
During the mid 90s, Dez teamed up with George Hurley
George Hurley
George Hurley is a drummer noted for his work with The Minutemen and fIREHOSE.Even though he went to the same high school as D. Boon and Mike Watt he did not meet them until around 1978. That same year, Hurley formed The Reactionaries with Boon, Watt, and Martin Tamburovich...
and Tom Troccoli to form Vida. Their self-titled album was released by Blue Man from Uranus Records. The band has since dissolved. He also played with raucous Hermosa beach bar band The Jim Mellon Quartet, as well as Steve Reed
Steve Reed
Steve Reed may refer to:*Steve Reed , American baseball player*Steve Reed , English footballer*Steve Reed , leader of Lambeth Council, London, England-See also:...
and Dave Markey
Dave Markey
Dave Markey is an American film director.As a self-taught filmmaker and musician, Markey directed, produced, edited, and photographed most of his films, the majority of which has been self-funded and distributed. His work documents the punk scene in Southern California throughout the 1980s and 1990s...
in Carnage Asada.
Dez played guitar and sang lead vocals for the super-group Chop
Chop
Chop, CHOP, Chops, or CHOPS may refer to:-Music:*Embouchure, in music, a synonym for chops*CHOPS, Asian-American hip-hop producer, rapper and member of rap group Mountain Brothers*Chops , 2006...
on their only single, which consisted of Blue Öyster Cult
Blue Öyster Cult
Blue Öyster Cult, often abbreviated BÖC, is an American rock band, most of whose members first came together in Long Island, NY in 1967 as the band Soft White Underbelly...
covers. The group also included Mike Watt
Mike Watt
Michael David Watt is an American bassist, singer and songwriter.He is best known for co-founding the rock bands Minutemen, dos, and Firehose; , he is also the bassist for the reunited Stooges and a member of the art rock/jazz/punk/improv group Banyan as well as many other post-Minutemen...
, Dave Markey
Dave Markey
Dave Markey is an American film director.As a self-taught filmmaker and musician, Markey directed, produced, edited, and photographed most of his films, the majority of which has been self-funded and distributed. His work documents the punk scene in Southern California throughout the 1980s and 1990s...
, Dave Peterson
Dave Peterson
Dave Peterson, alias The Prodigy is a super middleweight professional boxer from Minnesota.-Professional career:...
, and Dave Travis.
In around 1999, Cadena toured as part of ex-Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
bassist Duff McKagan
Duff McKagan
Michael Andrew "Duff" McKagan is an American musician and writer. He is best known for his twelve-year tenure as the bassist of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s and early 1990s...
's solo band to promote McKagan's latest album "Beautiful Disease
Beautiful Disease
Beautiful Disease was to be the second solo album released by ex-Guns N' Roses's bassist Duff McKagan in 1999. However, it was shelved after a merger between McKagan's label Universal and Polygram....
" which was never actually released because of the merger between Universal
Universal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
and PolyGram
PolyGram
PolyGram was the name of the major label recording company started by Philips from as a holding company for its music interests in 1945. In 1999 it was sold to Seagram and merged into Universal Music Group.-Hollandsche Decca Distributie , 1929-1950:...
, but promoted on tour.
Most recently, Cadena toured with The Misfits' 25th and 30th Anniversary tour and played guitar on the band's Project 1950
Project 1950
-Chart positions:-Bonus DVD:# "This Magic Moment"# "Dream Lover"# "Diana"# "Donna"# "Runaway"*Tracks 1-4, recorded at the Phillips US Open Snowboarding Championships*Track 5, recorded live, at The World in NYCBonus Material...
album. (He has become the official guitarist for The Misfits, which has been stated by Jerry Only) He is currently still touring with the band, which features Jerry Only
Jerry Only
Jerry Only is an American bassist. He is the current bassist and vocalist for the Misfits. He is credited with creating the infamous hair style known as the devilock.-Life and career:...
on bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
and vocals and ROBO
ROBO
Robo is a Colombian-American drummer. He was the drummer for the Misfits, and first gained recognition as a drummer for Black Flag.-Life and career:...
, another past Black Flag member and former Misfits drummer, on drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
. The Misfits are set to work and record a new studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
for which Cadena is expected to have a major hand in both writing and singing the songs. The album was set to be released in 2007, to coincide with the Misfits 30th anniversary since their formation in 1977.
Cadena currently plays lead guitar for punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
supergroup
Supergroup (music)
In the late 1960s, the term supergroup was coined to describe "a rock music group whose performers are already famous from having performed individually or in other groups"....
Osaka Popstar
Osaka Popstar
Osaka Popstar is a pop punk supergroup formed in 2006 by New Yorker John Cafiero. Cafiero wanted an outlet to express his music but also incorporate his love for Japanese anime. In 2006, Cafiero teamed up with several well known punk rock artists to create the anime based punk group, Osaka Popstar....
, along with Jerry Only
Jerry Only
Jerry Only is an American bassist. He is the current bassist and vocalist for the Misfits. He is credited with creating the infamous hair style known as the devilock.-Life and career:...
, Marky Ramone
Marky Ramone
Marky Ramone is an American musician. He is best known for being the drummer for the Ramones, but has also played in other notable bands like Dust, Wayne County and the Backstreet Boys, Richard Hell & The Voidoids, and the Misfits.Although he is not the original drummer , Marky is the only living...
, John Cafiero
John Cafiero
John Cafiero is an American punk rock musician, film director and film producer. He is best known as the frontman for the punk supergroup Osaka Popstar, whose debut album was released the summer 2006...
and Ivan Julian
Ivan Julian
Ivan Julian is a guitarist and bassist, founding member of the seminal Punk/New Wave group Richard Hell and the Voidoids, The Outsets and Lovelies.He has performed with the Isley Brothers, The Clash, Matthew Sweet, and Shriekback....
. The band has released one album to date, Osaka Popstar and the American Legends of Punk
Osaka Popstar and the American Legends of Punk
Osaka Popstar and the American Legends of Punk is the first, and so far only, album released by Osaka Popstar. The title references the fact that the band includes members of legendary punk bands such as The Misfits, Ramones, Black Flag and The Voidoids....
, in 2006.
Cadena was also a judge for the 8th annual Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards is an international program that honors top-ranked independent artists and releases in more than 50 Album, Song, Music Video and Design categories....
to support independent artists.
Between Misfits tours, Cadena is playing in the NY/NJ area as "Dez Cadena + The Broken Down Bitches". He is currently working on a solo record featuring many guest musicians and friends.
Discography
With Black FlagBlack Flag (band)
Black Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. The band was established by Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes in the band...
:
- 1981 - Six PackSix Pack (EP)-Band:* Dez Cadena – vocals, rhythm guitar* Greg Ginn – lead guitar* Chuck Dukowski – bass guitar* Robo – drums-Production:* Geza X – producer, recording engineer, mix engineer* Spot – producer* Raymond Pettibon – artwork...
- 1981 - Louie LouieLouie Louie"Louie Louie" is an American rock 'n' roll song written by Richard Berry in 1955. It has become a standard in pop and rock, with hundreds of versions recorded by different artists...
- 1981 - DamagedDamaged (Black Flag album)Damaged is the debut studio album by the American hardcore punk band Black Flag. It was released in December 1981 through SST Records. In 2003, the album was ranked number 340 on Rolling Stones list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time....
- 1982 - TV PartyTV Party (EP)-Personnel:* Henry Rollins - lead vocals* Greg Ginn - guitar* Dez Cadena - guitar, vocals* Chuck Dukowski - bass* Emil - drums on "TV Party"* Bill Stevenson - drums on "My Rules" and "I've Got to Run"Production* Ed Barton - producer on "TV Party"...
- 1982 - Everything Went BlackEverything Went BlackEverything Went Black is a compilation album by the American hardcore punk band Black Flag, released in 1982. It comprises early songs recorded before Henry Rollins became the band's vocalist in 1981, and released initially without the band's name on its cover, due to their lawsuit with MCA/Unicorn...
- 1983 - The First Four YearsThe First Four YearsThe First Four Years is a compilation of early songs by the American hardcore punk band Black Flag recorded before Henry Rollins became the band's vocalist in 1981...
- 1987 - Wasted...AgainWasted...AgainWasted...Again is an album released by American hardcore punk band Black Flag in 1987 on SST Records. It is a "best-of" compilation released after Black Flag's breakup in 1986.-Track listing:All songs written by Greg Ginn, except where noted....
With Redd Kross
Redd Kross
Redd Kross, a rock band from Hawthorne, California had their roots in 1978 in a band called The Tourists begun by Jeff and Steve McDonald while the brothers were still in middle school...
- 1984 - "Ballad Of A Lovedoll," "Out Of Focus," "Ballad Of A Lovedoll (Instrumental)" from the Desperate Teenage LovedollsDesperate Teenage Lovedolls (soundtrack)Desperate Teenage Lovedolls: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is an album of music from the film Desperate Teenage Lovedolls. The soundtrack was originally released on Gasatanka Records in 1984, re-issued by SST Records in 1987 and re-released again in an expanded edition on CD by Sympathy For...
Soundtrack
With DC3
DC3 (band)
DC3 was an American rock and roll band formed by singer, songwriter and guitarist Dez Cadena in 1983 and active until 1988....
- 1985 - This Is the Dream
- 1985 - The Good Hex
- 1986 - You're Only As Blind...
- 1989 - VidaVidaVida is a word meaning "life" in languages such as Occitan, Catalan, Portuguese and Spanish. It is also a female given name. It may refer to:In sports:*Club Deportivo y Social Vida, a football team from HondurasIn arts and entertainment:...
(live recordings from SST)
With Vida
- 1995 - VidaVida (album)Vida is the debut album of Argentine folk rock group Sui Generis, released on 1972.-Track listing:...
With Loaded
Loaded (band)
Loaded is an American hard rock band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1999. Since 2001, the band's line-up has included vocalist and rhythm guitarist Duff McKagan , lead guitarist Mike Squires and bassist Jeff Rouse Loaded (also known as Duff McKagan's Loaded) is an American hard rock band...
- 1999- Episode 1999: LiveEpisode 1999: Live-Personnel:Loaded*Duff McKagan – vocals, bass*Michael Barragan – guitar*Dez Cadena – guitar*Taz Bentley – drumsAdditional personnel*Nick Raskulinecz – recording, mixing...
With Carnage Asada
- 1997 - Familia Carnage Asada (7" ep)
- 1999 - Permanent Trails
With The Misfits:
- 2002 - The Day the Earth Caught Fire (single)
- 2003 - Project 1950Project 1950-Chart positions:-Bonus DVD:# "This Magic Moment"# "Dream Lover"# "Diana"# "Donna"# "Runaway"*Tracks 1-4, recorded at the Phillips US Open Snowboarding Championships*Track 5, recorded live, at The World in NYCBonus Material...
(album) - 2009 - Land of the DeadLand of the Dead (song)"Land of the Dead" is a single by the horror punk band the Misfits, released October 27, 2009 through Misfits Records. It is the first release of new studio material from the band since the 2003 covers album Project 1950, and their first release of new, original material since 1999's Famous Monsters...
(single) - 2011 - The Devil's RainThe Devil's Rain (album)The Devil's Rain is the seventh studio album by the horror punk band the Misfits, released October 4, 2011 through their own label Misfits Records. It is the band's first album in eight years, following 2003's covers record Project 1950, and the first of original material since 1999's Famous...
(album)
With Osaka Popstar
Osaka Popstar
Osaka Popstar is a pop punk supergroup formed in 2006 by New Yorker John Cafiero. Cafiero wanted an outlet to express his music but also incorporate his love for Japanese anime. In 2006, Cafiero teamed up with several well known punk rock artists to create the anime based punk group, Osaka Popstar....
:
- 2006 - Osaka Popstar and the American Legends of PunkOsaka Popstar and the American Legends of PunkOsaka Popstar and the American Legends of Punk is the first, and so far only, album released by Osaka Popstar. The title references the fact that the band includes members of legendary punk bands such as The Misfits, Ramones, Black Flag and The Voidoids....
(album)
Instruments played
This is a list of instruments played by Dez Cadena:- Gibson SonexGibson SonexThe Sonex guitars were a range of budget Gibsons launched in 1980. They were made from a material called Resonwood, and manufactured with Multi-phonic body construction. There were four models: Deluxe, Standard, Custom and Artist....
(used on DamagedDamaged (Black Flag album)Damaged is the debut studio album by the American hardcore punk band Black Flag. It was released in December 1981 through SST Records. In 2003, the album was ranked number 340 on Rolling Stones list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time....
) - Gibson Flying VGibson Flying V-External links:*, , , , and , from the Gibson website*, a June 2001 article from Guitar Collector magazine*, a tribute site that lists all models and re-issues and most notable players**...
- Clear red B.C. Rich WarlockB.C. Rich WarlockThe B.C. Rich Warlock is both an electric guitar and bass guitar made by B.C. Rich. It features a distinct jagged shape and two humbucker pickups...
called "Lollipop" - SchecterSchecterSchecter may refer to:* Schecter Guitar Research, an American guitar manufacturer* Schechter Poultry Corp. v. United States, a landmark Supreme Court decision regarding the Commerce Clause...
C-1 XXX - Schecter C-1 Elite
- A black Ibanez AR Artist called "Black Betty" (used after DamagedDamaged (Black Flag album)Damaged is the debut studio album by the American hardcore punk band Black Flag. It was released in December 1981 through SST Records. In 2003, the album was ranked number 340 on Rolling Stones list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time....
and on many recordings afterwards) - Black Gibson Les Paul Standard (with the Misfits)
- Schecter Damien Solo Elite (back up/touring guitar with the Misfits)