Rogue (musician)
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Rogue (born July 4, 1972) is a founding member of the 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 70s and early/mid 80s, 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 he was given the name "Rogue" by his friends.
Rogue started The Crüxshadows in the early 90's while in college. 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 1990s, the Crüxshadows began to enjoy some success and notoriety within the darkwave scene. They signed with Nesak International in 1995 and released one album, Telemetry of a Fallen Angel. However, difficulties and disagreements led to a fallout between members of the band, causing Rogue to seek new collaborators. Rogue recorded an album, Mystery of the Whisper with a new lineup, but felt that Nesak lacked the necessary experience to market to the goth crowd, and as such, he enlisted the aid of music industry friends to find a label willing to buy out the band's contract. Dancing Ferret Discs bought out the band's contract from Nesak and issued a limited edition EP, Until The Voices Fade, to coincide with the band's appearance at the Convergence music festival that year. Mystery of The Whisper followed shortly thereafter.
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 rigorous and difficult touring schedule, Rogue and long-time band-mate Rachel McDonnell became two of darkwave's more identifiable personalities, with Rachel making appearances as guest violinist on a number of songs for other bands.
Rogue's spider-like hairstyle may be the most identifiable feature of his appearance. But it is his positive lyrical content, high energy stage performances, physical and emotional dedication to his audience and musical writing style that have helped enhance the success of The Crüxshadows.