Dwayne Goettel

Who was Dwayne Goettel?

Dwayne Rudolph Goettel was a member of the industrial band Skinny Puppy. Classically trained, he played keyboards for an early incarnation of the Canadian gothic/synthpop band Psyche, as well as a band called Water, who opened for Skinny Puppy in 1985. He joined Skinny Puppy during the recording of Mind: The Perpetual Intercourse when he was recruited to take Wilhelm Schroeder's place. Goettel would come to be cEvin Key's primary partner in forming Skinny Puppy's music until the album The Process, as well as in their side projects Doubting Thomas, Cyberaktif, The Tear Garden and Hilt. Despite being best known for playing keyboards and synthesizers with Skinny Puppy, his first instrument was the trumpet, which he played in his high school band, before moving to Edmonton, where he began learning piano and became involved with the local music scene. He was also a competent drummer, guitarist and bassist.

Goettel formed Subconscious Records in 1993 to release a 12" single under the pseudonym Duck. During the following year, the frustrations of recording The Process led to the formation of Download with Key, Western and Mark Spybey during improvisations during late-night jam sessions.