On This Date (August 23, 1995) Dwayne Goettel / Skinny Puppy

Dwayne Goettel
February 1, 1964 – August 23, 1995

As a member of proto-industrial legends Skinny Puppy, Dwayne Goettel was instrumental in steering the band’s output away from its dance music roots and closer toward a more industrial and unique sound. Having replaced Wilhelm Schroeder (aka Bill Leeb) in 1986, Goettel was recruited for his knowledge of samplers and synthesizers, something that would become an integral part of Skinny Puppy’s music.  Although Goettel’s first album with the band, 1986’s Mind: The Perpetual Intercourse, was neither a critical or commercial success, by 1988, Skinny Puppy was being recognized as the originator of a new musical style, comprising one part Kraftwerk and one part Bauhaus. As their fame grew, the band’s lifestyle started to change too. Partnerships with Ministry’s Al Jourgensen and Paul Barker led to an increasing incidence of heroin abuse, particularly on the part of Goettel, placing a great strain on relationships within the band.    By 1990’s Too Dark Park — arguably Skinny Puppy’s finest effort — the band had split into two camps, with Goettel and cEVIN Key on one side and Nivek Ogre on the other. Although still technically a functioning band, by 1992, it had become obvious that a working relationship was unlikely. Goettel immersed himself in his new project, Download, to be joined later on by Key.  Sessions for The Process demonstrated just how far apart the trio had drifted, and the resulting album proved to be Skinny Puppy’s last. Meanwhile, Goettel completed work on the first Download album, entitled Furnace. Sadly, escalating heroin abuse took it’s toll before the album could be released, and Goettel was found dead at his parents’ home, on August 23, 1995. – Jim Harper (allmusic.com)