| Jeff Duran | |
|---|---|
Jeff hosting Duran Show 2009 |
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| Born | Jeffrey Dandurand Arcadia, California, U.S.[1] |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Radio personality, dj, musician, stand-up, actor, producer, rapper, writer |
| Influenced by | Andrew Dice Clay, Sam Kinison, Rodney Dangerfield |
| Website | |
| www.jeffdandurand.com | |
Jeff Dandurand (born February 13, 1974),[2] mostly known as Jeff Duran, is an American radio personality, dj, comedian,[3] musician and former child actor who is based in Los Angeles, California.
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Dandurand's mother was the first to nurture his creative aspirations and began taking him on auditions by the time he was 11.[4] Dandurand was able to obtain management and sign with the Savage Agency, which resulted in bit parts on television and in film.[5] Jeff Duran began his career as a child actor[6] appearing in one episode of Tough Cookies, a short-lived sitcom that starred Robby Benson.[7] Jeff's role as "kid auto thief" was omitted from the theatrical release of No Man's Land,[8] a 1987 film starring Charlie Sheen and then unknown Brad Pitt who played a "waiter".[9] According to IMDB, Jeff also appeared in Twilight Zone and the ABC series The Wonder Years episodes: "Math Class" (1989) and "Rock and Roll" (1990) as Jeff Dandurand.[6][10] In 1989, Jeff was cast as one of "Lil Dave's" friends by Penelope Spheeris in a video for the group Megadeth.[11] Dandurand’s last appearance as a child actor was in the ABC sitcom Step By Step.[12]
On Southern California radio, Jeff has been most-known as the "rock and roll junkie." At KLSX, KCXX and KIXA, Dandurand would urge callers to stump the junkie on his vast music knowledge, with the listener normally losing to challenge. Jeff has since retired stump the junkie, but includes the "rock and roll junkie" sound bite on the Duran Show.[13] Jeff began his radio career at KCLB 93.7 in Palm Springs, California where he worked from 1994 through 1995. To get back on the air, Dandurand paid out of his pocket to host a radio show called L.A. Rock Scene.[14] This led to full time work at KIXA, a small rock station in Victorville, California.
Jeff caught a break hosting "Metalblitz Radio" on KLSX, an FM talk station in Los Angeles that also carried The Howard Stern Show.[15] "Metalblitz Radio" was funded by MUSICBLITZ Records, a web based label, and became the subject of high profile articles and a sold out live show. Jeff appeared on an episode of the Late Late Show[16] as a result of his weekly show. Although the show had good ratings for KLSX, "Metalblitz Radio" was dropped when MUSICBLITZ Records folded in 2001.[17]
“Duran” resurfaced in Riverside, working for KCXX an alternative rock station.[18] At KCXX, Jeff worked his way from weekend announcer to Morning Drive co host.[19] This led to a solo morning gig at active rock station KKXX-FM in Bakersfield. In January 2006, Jeff returned to Los Angeles to resume his comedy career.[20]
Duran has worked as a radio personality on:
In 2007, Dandurand returned to radio as afternoon drive host on modern rock station KKZQ in Palmdale, California. Shortly after, a feud erupted between Jeff and morning show host Fathead. Both traded insults until he challenged Fathead to a one mile race. The feud eventually got settled with both DJs running for charity at a local water park. Even though he lost, Jeff ran on behalf of the March of Dimes in honor of a friend's baby who was born with a heart defect.[21]
Many guests appeared on the Duran Show, including Lady Gaga, who would frequent the show before becoming an international phenomenon.[22]
On February 7, 2011 Dandurand parted ways with KKZQ after three years on air. Dandurand shifted focus on his label Pop Roxx Records and comedy/music tour to support his latest CD How Embarrassing.[23]
The Duran Show will resurface for a worldwide audience in 2012. It was announced Jeff will now host the Duran Show in conjunction with Paparazzi-daily Radio and Hip Hope Dope.com.[24]. The later was inspired by a popular mixtape produced by Duran that featured Eminem and Lil Wayne. [25]
On December 11, 2011 Coupe De Grace-Best of Duran Show 2007-2011 [26]was released. The album includes exclusive interviews with Lady Gaga, Jeffree Star, Rob Halford, Breathe Carolina and Shuggie Otis.
On December 29, 2011 The Greatest Radio DJ Alive, [27] a biography about Jeff Duran was released.
Jeff's presence on radio helped his edgy stand up act,[28] opening for the likes of Carlos Mencia, Pauly Shore, Dave Attell and Doug Stanhope. Dandurand started performing stand up at age 19 under the pseudonym "JJ Star",[29][30] alongside comedians Jamie Kennedy, Dane Cook and Brian Holtzman in Los Angeles. In a 2006 television appearance, Jeff told host Denise Ames that he created JJ Star to be the "most outrageous comedian of all time."[30] Dandurand now records and performs under the moniker Jeff "JJ Star" Duran, which is a combination of his mainstream and racy personas.
How Embarrassing is the latest CD/DVD project from Jeff "JJ Star" Duran, released March 9, 2011 and featured Lady Gaga.[31] The album inspired a documentary called Belligerence - The Journey of JJ Star and will be released in early 2012. [32]
Besides releasing mixtapes for other artists like Nicki Minaj and Eminem, Duran completed work on his first all music release as a artist. 'Still Fresh' was released under the JJ Star moniker on August 23, 2011. The album's sound is a mix of electronica, pop and hip hop elements.[33] On December 29, 2011 Duran released Jeffree Star Vs. JJ Star, a mixtape featuring the electronica and hip-hop artist up against his alter ego musicially.[34] More of Duran's songs will be featured in his upcoming documentary Belligerence - The Journey of JJ Star.
| Year | Album title |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Still Kicking[39] |
| 2007 | Defects of Character |
| 2010 | How Embarrassing Mixtape |
| 2011 | How Embarrassing |
| 2011 | Still Fresh |