Genres: Rock
Styles: Roots Rock
Instruments: Vocals

The ultimate scene maker, Chuck E. Weiss has spent a career hobnobbing with the cool and famous in rock's hierarchy while barely pursuing a career of his own. Born in Denver, Weiss was originally a drummer, touring with bluesman Lightnin' Hopkins. By the late 1960s, Weiss had performed and/or recorded with Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Dr, John, Roger Miller, and others. While still living in Denver, he struck up a friendship with singer-songwriter Tom Waits, later writing songs like "Spare Parts" with him and moving to Los Angeles. Living at West Hollywood's infamous Tropicana Motel with Waits and singer Rikki Lee Jones, Weiss became the subject of Jones' hit, "Chuck E.'s In Love."

Weiss' career finally stumbled off the launching pad with the 1981 release of The Other Side Of Town, a collection of demo tapes released on Select Records. Rather than follow this up with a proper release, Weiss instead put together a band called the G-d Damn Liars and spent the next 11 years performing a weekly gig at the LA nightclub The Central and later partnered with friend Johnny Depp to convert the club into the Viper Room. After a 18 year hiatus from recording, Weiss' second album, Extremely Cool was released on a Rykodisc subsidiary, Slow River, in 1999.

- Cub Koda (All Music Guide)