Luis Dubuc

"The Secret Handshake" redirects here. For other uses, see Secret Handshake (disambiguation).
"Mystery Skulls" redirects here. For Dubuc's extended play under this name, see Mystery Skulls (EP).
Luis Dubuc
Luis Dubuc performing as Mystery Skulls in Dallas
Luis Dubuc performing as Mystery Skulls in Dallas
Background information
Birth nameLuis Alberto Dubuc Jr.
Also known asMystery Skulls
Born (1985-01-28) January 28, 1985 (age 39)
Caracas, Venezuela
OriginDallas, Texas, United States
GenresElectronica, indie pop, soul, metalcore (former)
OccupationsMusician, DJ, songwriter, music producer, drummer (former)
InstrumentsKeyboards, vocals, drums, guitar, programming, synthesizers
Years active2004–present
LabelsTriple Crown (Formerly), Warner Bros. (Formerly), MysterySkulls Music (Independent)
Websitehttps://mysteryskullshq.com/

Luis Alberto Dubuc Jr. (born January 28, 1985) is an American DJ, musician, singer-songwriter, record producer and former drummer from Dallas, Texas. He was a member of The Secret Handshake[2][3] and Of Legends.[4] He is currently the man behind Mystery Skulls.[5]

History

[edit]

Luis Alberto Dubuc Jr. was born in a small town in Venezuela on January 28, 1985, he and his family moved to Toronto, Canada when he was 8 years old and years later to Dallas, Texas but Dubuc went to live in Los Angeles (whose main inspiration for the song "Ghost").

He speaks Spanish fluently, but in an interview he said "I didn't want people to think I was a Latin singer like Enrique Iglesias. Not because those people are bad, because they make great music. But I didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea. I wanted a nondescriptive band's name so that the music can speak for itself."[6]

Thirty Called Arson and The Secret Handshake (2004–2011)

[edit]
Dubuc performing as The Secret Handshake on July 16, 2010

Dubuc first got his start playing drums in a couple of bands with his friends, most notably in the hardcore unit Thirty Called Arson where he played in their live shows.[7] Inspired by artists like Michael Jackson and Daft Punk, he eventually began writing and recording some songs as a side project in his Dallas-based bedroom with a laptop and Wurlitzer to assist him.[7] By November 2004, Dubuc had self-released his first full-length album, entitled Antarctica. Less than a year later, he followed up with the EP This Is Bigger Than You and I, which was issued through Doll House Recordings. Momentum began building around his distinctive electronica laptop pop/rock, and The Secret Handshake developed a devoted fanbase. Another EP, Summer of '98 (referring to the summer before he started high school),[7] was released in early 2007 through New York's Triple Crown Records,[8] anchored by the vocoder-heavy title track. The full length One Full Year followed, becoming his full length Triple Crown Records debut.

In 2008 The Secret Handshake was featured on the Punk Goes Crunk compilation/covers album, where he covered Skee-Lo's rap classic "I Wish".[9]

On April 29, 2009, The Secret Handshake released his third studio album, My Name Up in Lights. The album was recorded entirely in Dubuc's apartment in Dallas.[10] In 2009, the album reached #17 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart[11] and #45 on the Independent Albums chart.[12]

The Secret Handshake opened for the Alternative Press Tour 2009, entitled The Fall Ball, which also featured You Me At Six, Set Your Goals, The Academy Is..., and Mayday Parade.[13] Luis Dubuc was featured on the subscriber-only cover of Alternative Press November 2009 issue, along with the lead singers of the other bands featured on The Fall Ball tour with a feature article.[14] The Secret Handshake toured in Australia from November 26 to December 6.[15]

The Secret Handshake finished a two-month tour in the summer of 2010 with Every Avenue, Sing it Loud, and There for Tomorrow on the Motel 6 "Rock Yourself to Sleep" tour.[16]

The Secret Handshake's fourth studio album Night & Day was released on August 17, 2010. Sound In The Signals complimented the new style found on the album, but criticized Dubuc's vocal ability.[17] Alternative Press noted the new Motown sound was a risky move but stated that Dubuc "obviously had the skills to pull it off".[18]

Luis Dubuc was interviewed in the Alternative Press October 2010 issue, in the feature article titled You Can Hurry Love.[19]

Mystery Skulls (2011–present)

[edit]

In 2011, Dubuc put The Secret Handshake to sleep and began to make music under the name Mystery Skulls.[20][21][22] In 2013, Mystery Skulls signed with Warner Bros. Records.[23] His debut album as Mystery Skulls featured collaborations with Nile Rodgers, Adam Lambert, and Avicii.[24] Dubuc followed up with his sophomore album "One of Us" in 2017, originally envisioned to be a soundtrack for an accompanying film. In early 2018 Dubuc began airing live streams from his studio inviting fans to collaborate on his upcoming third album. Over the next several months he aired weekly videos on either YouTube or his Patreon. He released the first single from the forthcoming album "Don't F*ck With My Money" December 13, 2018.[25] The album "Back to Life" was officially released on April 12, 2019.

As Mystery Skulls, Dubuc has performed across the country and has held many shows, including a performance at Furry Weekend Atlanta in May 2019,[26] and a summer tour to promote "Back To Life". Dubuc performed the fourth ending theme of Dragon Ball Super for its English release, "Forever Dreaming", originally performed in Japanese by Czecho No Republic.[27]

Mystery Skulls band members

[edit]

Current members

[edit]
  • Luis Dubuc - vocals, electronics, production (2011-present)

Session and touring musicians

[edit]

Discography

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Rushing, Brenna (2012-03-06). "The Secret Handshake folds; new project Mystery Skulls takes over". Pegasusnews.com. Archived from the original on 2013-12-12. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
  2. ^ "Interview with Luis Dubuc of The Secret Handshake | The Aquarian Weekly". Theaquarian.com. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
  3. ^ "Luis Dubuc Music Videos". Ovguide.com. 1985-01-28. Archived from the original on 2017-08-30. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
  4. ^ "Alternative Press". Altpress.com. 2011-02-24. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
  5. ^ "Reporter Online | EP Review: Mystery Skulls by Luis Dubuc". Reportermag.com. 2012-01-13. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
  6. ^ Tarradell, Mario (2009-04-20). "Secret Handshake's Luis Dubuc likes that his stage name doesn't tell you much". The Dallas Morning News. Vibe Media Group. Retrieved 2010-10-20.
  7. ^ a b c Apar, Corey. "The Secret Handshake". allmusic. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
  8. ^ "The Secret Handshake discography". Allmusic. Retrieved 18 March 2009.
  9. ^ Mueller, Chelsea (2008-04-09). "Notes: Punk Goes Crunk, Handshakes and Highfives on iTunes - Dallas Music - DC9 At Night". Blogs.dallasobserver.com. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
  10. ^ Freedman, Pete (2009-04-23). "The Secret Handshake - My Name Up in Lights (Triple Crown)". The Dallas Observer. Vibe Media Group. Retrieved 2010-10-20.
  11. ^ "Heatseekers Albums: Up and Coming Musicians Chart". Billboard.
  12. ^ Charts, Billboard.com
  13. ^ "The Secret Handshake added to the AP Tour Fall Ball". AltPress.com. 16 July 2009. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
  14. ^ "Picture" (JPG). 29.media.tumblr.com. Retrieved 2019-05-12.
  15. ^ "// AP: NEWS - The Secret Handshake plan Australian tour". Altpress.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-01. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
  16. ^ Smith, Raewyn (2010-07-12). "Every Avenue - "Rock Yourself To Sleep"". Hollywood Music Magazine. Vibe Media Group. Retrieved 2010-10-20.
  17. ^ "soundinthesignals.tk". soundinthesignals.tk. Retrieved 2019-05-12.
  18. ^ "The Secret Handshake - Night & Day". Alternative Press. 16 August 2010.
  19. ^ "Alt Press: Magazine #267 (The State of the Scene)". AltPress.com. 19 August 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-07.
  20. ^ Rushing, Brenna (2012-03-06). "The Secret Handshake folds; new project Mystery Skulls takes over | www.pegasusnews.com | Dallas/Fort Worth". www.pegasusnews.com. Archived from the original on 2013-12-12. Retrieved 2013-12-09.
  21. ^ Abbate, Jake. "Mystery Skulls will perform songs inspired by past influences". PSU Collegian. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
  22. ^ "Mystery Skulls - Biography & History". AllMusic.
  23. ^ "Warner Bros. Sign Mystery Skulls - News Article". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved 2013-12-09.
  24. ^ "Twitter / nilerodgers: @AdamLambert and @MysterySkulls". Pic.twitter.com. Retrieved 2013-12-09.
  25. ^ Mystery Skulls (13 December 2018). "Mystery Skulls - Don't F**k With My Money". Archived from the original on 2021-12-21 – via YouTube.
  26. ^ Furry Weekend Atlanta - May 11-14th 2023 [@FurryWeekend] (February 14, 2019). "Ahoy mateys, the Mystery Guest is revealed! Furry Weekend Atlanta is beyond excited to welcome @MysterySkulls to rock the boat and make waves on our Main Events stage on Saturday night! #fwa2019 💀 https://t.co/ROsrZkASbM" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 14, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2023 – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  27. ^ Mystery Skulls [@MysterySkulls] (October 13, 2017). "Im on Dragon Ball Super tmrw night singing at the end of the episode <3" (Tweet). Archived from the original on September 2, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2023 – via Twitter.
  28. ^ "EP, by Mystery Skulls". Mystery Skulls.
  29. ^ "Mystery Skulls - Chart history - Billboard". www.billboard.com.
  30. ^ "Mystery Skulls - Chart history - Billboard". www.billboard.com.
  31. ^ "Mystery Skulls - Chart history - Billboard". www.billboard.com.
  32. ^ "Ultra Rare Vol 1, by Mystery Skulls". Mystery Skulls.
  33. ^ Music News Desk (June 23, 2017). "Mystery Skulls Ventures Into Dystopian World with New Album 'One of Us'". Broadway World. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  34. ^ "Mystery Skulls Comes 'Back to Life' with New Album". The Montclarion. 2019-04-24. Retrieved 2019-04-27.
  35. ^ Mystery Skulls [@MysterySkulls] (April 16, 2020). "The 1st Single from the NEW Mystery Skulls Album, NOW OR NEVER comes out May 1st 2020 🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨 https://t.co/i2lnwqWJjB" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2023 – via Twitter.
  36. ^ Mystery Skulls [@MysterySkulls] (December 25, 2020). "Ultra Rare Vol 2 is OUT NOW! https://t.co/VslifJvt0h Merry Christmas!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2023 – via Twitter.
  37. ^ Loza, Larissa (4 February 2014). "Exclusive: Mystery Skulls Reveals His "Ghost," Talks Warner Bros Deal, Nile Rodgers Collab". Vibe. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
  38. ^ Barkan, Jonathan (5 February 2014). "Mystery Skulls Spoofs 'The Exorcist' With "Ghost" Music Video". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
  39. ^ "EXORCISE YOUR DANCE DEMONS WITH MYSTERY SKULLS' NEW VIDEO". Vice. Archived from the original on October 29, 2014. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
  40. ^ "Ghost". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  41. ^ Young, Killian (29 July 2014). "A Grim Basketball Game Sets the Scene for Mystery Skulls' 'Paralyzed' Video". Spin. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
  42. ^ Daw, Robbie (22 October 2014). "Mystery Skulls, Brandy & Nile Rodgers Just Dropped "Number 1," The Best New Track You'll Hear This Week: Listen". Idolator. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
  43. ^ Augustin, Camille (22 October 2014). "New Music: Mystery Skulls Links With Brandy & Nile Rodgers For 'Number 1'". Vibe. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
  44. ^ Anderson, Trevor. "Mystery Skulls, Lion Babe & Zella Day: Emerging Picks of the Week". Billboard. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  45. ^ Daw, Robbie (24 October 2014). "There's Another Mystery Skulls, Brandy & Nile Rodgers Song, And It's Appropriately Titled "Magic": Listen". Idolator. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
  46. ^ Mystery Skulls [@MysterySkulls] (April 13, 2021). "Mystery Skulls - Movies (2021) https://t.co/57re0V8wHq" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 30, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2023 – via Twitter.
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