Luis Dubuc
{{short description|American singer}}
{{redirect|The Secret Handshake|other uses|Secret Handshake (disambiguation)}}
{{redirect|Mystery Skulls|Dubuc's extended play under this name|Mystery Skulls (EP)}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Luis Dubuc
| image = MysterySkulls.jpeg
| caption = Luis Dubuc performing as Mystery Skulls in Dallas
| image_size =
| landscape = yes
| background = solo_singer
| birth_name = Luis Alberto Dubuc Jr.
| alias = Mystery Skulls
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|01|28}}
| birth_place = Caracas, Venezuela
| origin = Dallas, Texas, United States
| instruments = Keyboards, vocals, drums, guitar, programming, synthesizers
| genre = Electronica, indie pop, soul, metalcore (former)
| occupations = Musician, DJ, songwriter, music producer, drummer (former)
| years_active = 2004–present
| label = Triple Crown (Formerly), Warner Bros. (Formerly), MysterySkulls Music (Independent)
| associated_acts = The Secret Handshake,{{cite web |last=Rushing |first=Brenna |url=http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2012/mar/06/secret-handshake-fold-mystery-skulls-luis-dubuc/?refscroll=1531 |title=The Secret Handshake folds; new project Mystery Skulls takes over |publisher=Pegasusnews.com |date=2012-03-06 |access-date=2013-06-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212060550/http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2012/mar/06/secret-handshake-fold-mystery-skulls-luis-dubuc/?refscroll=1531 |archive-date=2013-12-12 |url-status=dead }} Of Legends, Mystery Skulls, Thirty Called Arson, Infirmity
| website = https://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{{cite web|url=http://www.theaquarian.com/2009/05/20/interview-with-luis-dubuc-of-the-secret-handshake/ |title=Interview with Luis Dubuc of The Secret Handshake | The Aquarian Weekly |publisher=Theaquarian.com |access-date=2013-06-08}}{{cite web |url=http://www.ovguide.com/luis-dubuc-9202a8c04000641f8000000006f7bdc6# |title=Luis Dubuc Music Videos |publisher=Ovguide.com |date=1985-01-28 |access-date=2013-06-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830065448/https://www.ovguide.com/luis-dubuc-9202a8c04000641f8000000006f7bdc6 |archive-date=2017-08-30 |url-status=dead }} and Of Legends.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/qa_the_secret_handshakes_luis_dubuc_on_his_metal_band_of_legends/ |title=Alternative Press |publisher=Altpress.com |date=2011-02-24 |access-date=2013-06-08}} He is currently the man behind Mystery Skulls.{{cite web|url=http://reportermag.com/article/01-13-2012/ep-review-mystery-skulls-by-luis-dubuc |title=Reporter Online | EP Review: Mystery Skulls by Luis Dubuc |publisher=Reportermag.com |date=2012-01-13 |access-date=2013-06-08}}
History
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."{{cite web|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/stories/DN-secrethandshake_0420gd.ART.State.Edition1.4a91f5f.html|title=Secret Handshake's Luis Dubuc likes that his stage name doesn't tell you much|last=Tarradell|first=Mario|date=2009-04-20|work=The Dallas Morning News|publisher=Vibe Media Group|access-date=2010-10-20}}
= Thirty Called Arson and The Secret Handshake (2004–2011) =
File:The Secret Handshake 2010.jpg
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.{{cite web|last=Apar |first=Corey |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p856204/biography|pure_url=yes}} |title=The Secret Handshake |publisher=allmusic |access-date=2010-06-06}} 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. 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), was released in early 2007 through New York's Triple Crown Records,{{cite web | url = {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p856204/discography|pure_url=yes}} | title = The Secret Handshake discography | access-date = 18 March 2009 | publisher = Allmusic}} 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".{{cite web|last=Mueller |first=Chelsea |url=http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/dc9/2008/04/notes_punk_goes_crunk_handshak.php |title=Notes: Punk Goes Crunk, Handshakes and Highfives on iTunes - Dallas Music - DC9 At Night |publisher=Blogs.dallasobserver.com |date=2008-04-09 |access-date=2010-06-06}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.dallasobserver.com/2009-04-23/music/the-secret-handshake/|title=The Secret Handshake - My Name Up in Lights (Triple Crown)|last=Freedman|first=Pete|date=2009-04-23|work=The Dallas Observer|publisher=Vibe Media Group|access-date=2010-10-20}} In 2009, the album reached #17 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/heatseekers-albums|title=Heatseekers Albums: Up and Coming Musicians Chart|magazine=Billboard}} and #45 on the Independent Albums chart.[http://www.billboard.com/charts/2009-05-09/independent-albums Charts], Billboard.com
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/archive_secrethandshakefallball/ |title=The Secret Handshake added to the AP Tour Fall Ball |date=16 July 2009 |publisher=AltPress.com |access-date=2010-06-06}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kqhxmySGyP1qzic9xo1_400.jpg |title=Picture |website=29.media.tumblr.com |format=JPG |access-date=2019-05-12}}
The Secret Handshake toured in Australia from November 26 to December 6.{{cite web |url=http://www.altpress.com/news/tshaussietour.htm |title=// AP: NEWS - The Secret Handshake plan Australian tour |publisher=Altpress.com |access-date=2010-06-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001184911/http://www.altpress.com/news/tshaussietour.htm |archive-date=2012-10-01 |url-status=dead }}
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.{{cite web|url=http://hollywoodmusicmagazine.com/whoshot/every-avenue-rock-yourself-to-sleep/|title=Every Avenue - "Rock Yourself To Sleep"|last=Smith|first=Raewyn|date=2010-07-12|work=Hollywood Music Magazine|publisher=Vibe Media Group|access-date=2010-10-20}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://soundinthesignals.tk/2010/08/secret-handshake-night-and-day-album.html |title=soundinthesignals.tk |publisher=soundinthesignals.tk |access-date=2019-05-12}}
Alternative Press noted the new Motown sound was a risky move but stated that Dubuc "obviously had the skills to pull it off".{{cite web|url=https://www.altpress.com/reviews/the_secret_handshake_-_night_day/|title=The Secret Handshake - Night & Day|website=Alternative Press |date=16 August 2010}}
Luis Dubuc was interviewed in the Alternative Press October 2010 issue, in the feature article titled You Can Hurry Love.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/magazine/issue/267_-_the_state_of_the_scene/ |title=Alt Press: Magazine #267 (The State of the Scene)|date=19 August 2010 |publisher=AltPress.com |access-date=2010-09-07}}
= Mystery Skulls (2011–present) =
In 2011, Dubuc put The Secret Handshake to sleep and began to make music under the name Mystery Skulls.
{{cite web |last=Rushing |first=Brenna |url=http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2012/mar/06/secret-handshake-fold-mystery-skulls-luis-dubuc/ |title=The Secret Handshake folds; new project Mystery Skulls takes over | www.pegasusnews.com | Dallas/Fort Worth |publisher=www.pegasusnews.com |date=2012-03-06 |access-date=2013-12-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212020311/http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2012/mar/06/secret-handshake-fold-mystery-skulls-luis-dubuc/ |archive-date=2013-12-12 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|last1=Abbate|first1=Jake|title=Mystery Skulls will perform songs inspired by past influences|url=http://www.collegian.psu.edu/arts_and_entertainment/article_3aec1422-e916-5bca-b0fa-cc4ebca3b2d8.html|publisher=PSU Collegian|access-date=October 29, 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mystery-skulls-mn0003314744/biography|title=Mystery Skulls - Biography & History|website=AllMusic}} In 2013, Mystery Skulls signed with Warner Bros. Records.{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=3224511 |title=Warner Bros. Sign Mystery Skulls - News Article |publisher=AbsolutePunk.net |access-date=2013-12-09}} His debut album as Mystery Skulls featured collaborations with Nile Rodgers, Adam Lambert, and Avicii.{{cite web|url=http://pic.twitter.com/53uhzLFshc |title=Twitter / nilerodgers: @AdamLambert and @MysterySkulls |publisher=Pic.twitter.com |access-date=2013-12-09}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LhSafEoC2I |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/-LhSafEoC2I |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Mystery Skulls - Don't F**k With My Money|last=Mystery Skulls|date=13 December 2018|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} 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,{{cite tweet |author=Furry Weekend Atlanta - May 11-14th 2023 |author-link=Furry Weekend Atlanta |user=FurryWeekend |number=1096170972971974657 |date=February 14, 2019 |title=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 |language=en |access-date=February 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314201600/https://twitter.com/FurryWeekend/status/1096170972971974657 |archive-date=March 14, 2022 |url-status=live}} 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.{{cite tweet |author=Mystery Skulls |author-link=Mystery Skulls |user=MysterySkulls |number=918950985543716864 |date=October 13, 2017 |title=Im on Dragon Ball Super tmrw night singing at the end of the episode <3 |language=en |access-date=February 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902222501/https://twitter.com/MysterySkulls/status/918950985543716864 |archive-date=September 2, 2022 |url-status=live}}
Mystery Skulls band members
=Current members=
- Luis Dubuc – vocals, electronics, production (2011–present)
=Session and touring musicians=
- Zack Ordway – guitars (2023–present; studio only 2014–2023)
- Sean William Friday – drums (2023–present)
Discography
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break}}
=As The Secret Handshake=
==Albums==
- Antarctica (2004)
- One Full Year (2007)
- My Name Up in Lights (2009)
- Night & Day (2010)
==EPs==
- This Is Bigger Than You and I (2005)
- Summer of '98 (2007)
==Singles==
- "Too Young" (2007)
- "Summer of '98" (2007)
- ''Gamegirl" (2008)
- "Midnight Movie" (2008)
- "Saturday" (2009)
- "All for You" (2009)
- "Domino" (2010)
==Mixtapes==
- History in the Making, Vol. 1 (2008)
==Compilations==
- Punk Goes Crunk contributed the cover of I Wish by Skee-Lo (2008)
- Family Force 5 Album, Dance Or Die With A Vengeance, song titled Dance or Die (Secret Handshake Han Valen Remix)
- Contributed to the Suicide Season - Cut Up remix album by remixing the track Suicide Season by Bring Me the Horizon (2009)
- Remixed All Time Low's song "Weightless"
{{Col-break}}
=As Mystery Skulls=
==Albums==
- Mystery Skulls - EP (2011){{cite web|url=https://mysteryskulls.bandcamp.com/album/ep|title=EP, by Mystery Skulls|website=Mystery Skulls}}
- Forever (2014){{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/mystery-skulls/chart-history/tlp/|title=Mystery Skulls - Chart history - Billboard|website=www.billboard.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/mystery-skulls/chart-history/tln/|title=Mystery Skulls - Chart history - Billboard|website=www.billboard.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/mystery-skulls/chart-history/elp/|title=Mystery Skulls - Chart history - Billboard|website=www.billboard.com}}
- Ultra Rare Vol. 1 (2015){{cite web|url=https://mysteryskulls.bandcamp.com/album/ultra-rare-vol-1|title=Ultra Rare Vol 1, by Mystery Skulls|website=Mystery Skulls}}
- One of Us (2017){{cite web|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Mystery-Skulls-Ventures-Into-Dystopian-World-with-New-Album-One-of-Us-20170623|title=Mystery Skulls Ventures Into Dystopian World with New Album 'One of Us'|author=Music News Desk|publisher=Broadway World|date=June 23, 2017|access-date=June 23, 2017}}
- Back to Life (2019){{cite web |url=https://themontclarion.org/entertainment/mystery-skulls-comes-back-to-life-with-new-album/ |title=Mystery Skulls Comes 'Back to Life' with New Album |date=2019-04-24 |website=The Montclarion |language=en-US |access-date=2019-04-27}}
- Now or Never (2020){{cite tweet |author=Mystery Skulls |author-link=Mystery Skulls |user=MysterySkulls |number=1250857350669295617 |date=April 16, 2020 |title=The 1st Single from the NEW Mystery Skulls Album, NOW OR NEVER comes out May 1st 2020 🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨 https://t.co/i2lnwqWJjB |language=en |access-date=February 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417052006/https://twitter.com/MysterySkulls/status/1250857350669295617 |archive-date=April 17, 2020 |url-status=live}}
- Ultra Rare Vol. 2 (2020){{cite tweet |author=Mystery Skulls |author-link=Mystery Skulls |user=MysterySkulls |number=1342320638539665418 |date=December 25, 2020 |title=Ultra Rare Vol 2 is OUT NOW! https://t.co/VslifJvt0h Merry Christmas! |language=en |access-date=February 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225040606/https://twitter.com/MysterySkulls/status/1342320638539665418 |archive-date=December 25, 2020 |url-status=live}}
- Beam Me Up (2022)
- The Gold Album (2023)
- Ultra Rare Vol. 3 (2024)
==Singles==
- "Amazing" (2011)
- "Money" (2012)
- "Ghost" (2014){{cite web|last1=Loza|first1=Larissa|title=Exclusive: Mystery Skulls Reveals His "Ghost," Talks Warner Bros Deal, Nile Rodgers Collab|date=4 February 2014 |url=http://www.vibe.com/article/mystery-skulls-ghost-nile-rodgers-collab|publisher=Vibe|access-date=October 29, 2014}}{{cite web|last1=Barkan|first1=Jonathan|title=Mystery Skulls Spoofs 'The Exorcist' With "Ghost" Music Video|date=5 February 2014 |url=http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3276780/mystery-skulls-spoofs-the-exorcist-with-ghost-music-video/|publisher=Bloody Disgusting|access-date=October 29, 2014}}{{cite web|title=EXORCISE YOUR DANCE DEMONS WITH MYSTERY SKULLS' NEW VIDEO|url=http://thump.vice.com/videos/music-videos/mystery-skulls---ghost|publisher=Vice|access-date=October 29, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029100402/http://thump.vice.com/videos/music-videos/mystery-skulls---ghost|archive-date=October 29, 2014}}{{cite web|title=Ghost|url=http://www.billboard.com/song/mystery-skulls/6305886/ghost|publisher=Billboard|access-date=November 14, 2014}}
- "Paralyzed" (2014){{cite web|last1=Young|first1=Killian|title=A Grim Basketball Game Sets the Scene for Mystery Skulls' 'Paralyzed' Video|date=29 July 2014 |url=https://www.spin.com/2014/07/mystery-skulls-paralyzed-music-video-premiere/|publisher=Spin|access-date=October 29, 2014}}
- "Number 1" {{small|(featuring Brandy Norwood and Nile Rodgers)}} (2014){{cite web|last1=Daw|first1=Robbie|title=Mystery Skulls, Brandy & Nile Rodgers Just Dropped "Number 1," The Best New Track You'll Hear This Week: Listen|date=22 October 2014 |url=http://www.idolator.com/7567507/number-1-mystery-skulls-brandy-nile-rodgers|publisher=Idolator|access-date=October 29, 2014}}{{cite web|last1=Augustin|first1=Camille|title=New Music: Mystery Skulls Links With Brandy & Nile Rodgers For 'Number 1'|date=22 October 2014 |url=http://www.vibe.com/article/new-music-mystery-skulls-links-brandy-nile-rodgers-number-1|publisher=Vibe|access-date=October 29, 2014}}{{cite web|last1=Anderson|first1=Trevor|title=Mystery Skulls, Lion Babe & Zella Day: Emerging Picks of the Week|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6304272/mystery-skulls-lion-babe-zella-day-emerging-picks|publisher=Billboard|access-date=November 2, 2014}}
- "Magic" {{small|(featuring Brandy Norwood)}} (2014){{cite web|last1=Daw|first1=Robbie|title=There's Another Mystery Skulls, Brandy & Nile Rodgers Song, And It's Appropriately Titled "Magic": Listen|date=24 October 2014 |url=http://www.idolator.com/7567827/mystery-skulls-brandy-nile-rodgers-magic-listen|publisher=Idolator|access-date=October 29, 2014}}
- "Soul On Fire" (2015)
- "Music" (2017)
- "Losing My Mind" (2017)
- "One of Us" (2017)
- "Erase Me" (2017)
- "Endlessly" (2017)
- "Don't F**k With My Money" (2018)
- "Stronger" (2019)
- "Back to Life" (2019)
- "Its Mine" (2019)
- "Far Away" (2019)
- "Now Or Never" (2020)
- "God" (2020)
- "Movies" (2021){{cite tweet |author=Mystery Skulls |author-link=Mystery Skulls |user=MysterySkulls |number=1381797562412232707 |date=April 13, 2021 |title=Mystery Skulls - Movies (2021) https://t.co/57re0V8wHq |language=en |access-date=February 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330035730/https://twitter.com/MysterySkulls/status/1381797562412232707 |archive-date=March 30, 2022 |url-status=live}}
- "Be With You" (2022)
{{col-end}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{The Secret Handshake}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dubuc, Luis}}
Category:American keyboardists