Mike Dupke (pronounced "DUPP-kee") is an American

drummer A drummer is a percussionist who creates music using drum The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments. In the Hornbostel-Sachs classification system, it is a membranophone. Drums consist of at least one mem ...

who has played with bands W.A.S.P. and

John Mellencamp John J. Mellencamp (born October 7, 1951), previously known as Johnny Cougar, John Cougar, and John Cougar Mellencamp, is an American singer-songwriter. He is known for his catchy brand of heartland rock, which emphasizes traditional instrument ...

Career

Early years

As an undergraduate at

Indiana University Indiana University (IU) is a system of public universities in the U.S. state of Indiana. Campuses Indiana University has two core campuses, five regional campuses, and two regional centers under the administration of IUPUI. *Indiana Universit ...

School of Music, he studied with drummer

Kenny Aronoff Kenny Aronoff (born March 7, 1953) is an American session drummer. Early life Aronoff grew up in Stockbridge, Massachusetts He developed an interest in music at an early age and gravitated to the drums as "drumming was one hundred percent ene ...

. At 19 years old, Dupke played percussion in John Mellencamp's band alongside Kenny for a short time in 1993, performing on the MTV "Human Wheels" special, The Arsenio Hall Show, and the music video for "When Jesus Left Birmingham".

John Mellencamp

He played drums on "L.U.V." from

's ''

Dance Naked ''Dance Naked'' is the thirteenth studio album by American singer-songwriter John Mellencamp released on June 21, 1994. The album was released in response to the record company's accusations that Mellencamp's previous album, ''Human Wheels'', di ...

'' and "Gambling Bar Room Blues" on "The Songs of Jimmie Rodgers - A Tribute".

W.A.S.P.

He joined W.A.S.P. in May 2006, replacing drummer

Stet Howland Stet Howland (born August 14, 1960) is an American drummer. Early life Howland graduated in 1978 from Duxbury High School. He started playing drums at age seven and has been teaching and playing for a living since age 13. His influences are Bud ...

(1991–2005/February 2006) in early 2006. Dupke made his recording debut with W.A.S.P. on 2007's "Dominator" cd. In July 2015, Dupke announced his departure from W.A.S.P. after 9 years.

Dee Snider

In August 2017 Dupke began playing with Dee Snider.

Other projects

Dupke was also the drummer in the band Hair of the Dog who was signed to Spitfire Records and released two albums, ''Rise'' in 2000 and ''Ignite'' in 2001. Dupke and bassist Mike Duda (also of W.A.S.P.) joined

Alex Grossi Alex Grossi (born November 22, 1976) is an American guitarist, best known as the guitarist of heavy metal band Quiet Riot and the hard rock supergroup Hookers & Blow. Biography Early life and career Alexander Nicholas Grossi was born Alexande ...

's band Hotel Diablo in 2011 featuring Rick Stitch on vocals and Grossi on guitar. In July 2012 the band had signed a record deal with

Scarlet Records Scarlet Records is an Italian independent record label based in Milan. It is most notable for featuring two side projects from Soilwork front-man Björn "Speed" Strid, as well as bands like Agent Steel, Royal Hunt, Skyclad, Eldritch, Hatespher ...

. They released their debut album ''Return to Psycho, California'' in September 2012.

Personal life

He is a long-time fan of

KISS A kiss is the touch or pressing of one's lips against another person or an object. Cultural connotations of kissing vary widely. Depending on the culture and context, a kiss can express sentiments of love, passion, romance, sexual attraction, ...

. Dupke is also married with a son and daughter.

References

Living people 1974 births W.A.S.P. members 20th-century American drummers American male drummers 21st-century American drummers 20th-century American male musicians 21st-century American male musicians {{US-drummer-stub