Misplaced Pages

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 68.46.229.246 (talk) at 07:29, 27 January 2005 (A short biography based upon research and several personal interviews with the subject in 2004, see also cover story in DNA6 published Germany, june 2004). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

(July 4 1972)

A founding member of American darkwave band The Crüxshadows. The son of a military officer, he was born in Charlottesville, Virginia on Independence Day. Having a full head of hair at birth, his mother called him "Bear", although his father gave him an austere, traditional family name. Throughout the 70's and early/mid 80's, he moved frequently, living on or near US Army installations in Europe and the United States. . His family finally settled in Jacksonville, Florida and he attended Florida State University in Tallahassee, majoring in art.

The nickname "Bear" endured among family members, but during his mid teens, amidst a name crisis, he was given the name "Rogue" by his friends.

Rogue started the The Crüxshadows in the early 90's while in college. Swept up in the romanticism of the previous century, he founded an ill-advised art movement called "Sentimentalism". He became active in Student politics and engineered an election that overturned the 11 year incumbent, Greek dominated Seminole Party. On the night of the election, they say that Rogue played his violin near the Student Government building, apparently delivering the swan song to his party's competition.

In 1994 He graduated from College, Magna Cum Laude. He then went to work for a short time as a curator in a state-funded art gallery, which he had helped to open while a student.

During the mid 1990's the Crüxshadows began to enjoy some success and notoriety within the darkwave scene. They signed with Nesak International in 1995, but the other members were less committed to the project. Difficulties and disagreements led to a fallout within the band and towards the label, and soon Rogue found himself as the only member remaining.

His friendship with the head of Dancing Ferret Discs led to a long-standing and mutually beneficial relationship with that label. The success of the Crüxshadows continued to increase in the US and spread into Europe. Despite a constantly changing cast of musical players, caused in part by a very rigid and difficult touring schedule, Rogue and current fellow band-mate Rachel McDonnell became two of Darkwave's more identifiable personalities.

Rogue's trademark spider-like hairstyle may be his most identifiable feature. But it is his positive lyrical content, high energy stage performances, and unique musical writing style that have helped to ensure the bands place in the history of independent music.

Very secretive about his birth name, yet it is believed that his home phone number was printed in the liner notes of Telemetry of a Fallen Angel for almost a decade.

This biographical article is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it.

• v
• t
• e

• People stubs
• 1972 births