Dr. Chud

David Calabrese (born April 4, 1964), known professionally as Dr. Chud, is an American horror punk drummer, songwriter, and producer, best known for his work with the Misfits during their 1995–2000 resurrection era. He has also been a member of Graves, Gorgeous Frankenstein, Doyle and Blitzkid, and fronts his own solo project Dr. Chud's X-Ward.

Early life and education David Calabrese was born on April 4, 1964, and raised in Lodi, New Jersey. He began playing drums in sixth grade and performed in local bands by eighth grade. During high school, he studied under Les DeMerle, Sonny Igoe, and Dennis DeLucia. He attended Lodi High School together with Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein, Eerie Von and Steve Zing, all graduating on the same day in 1982. As a teenager, he was a fan of Blondie, Aerosmith, Queen and Led Zeppelin. The lineup recorded the studio albums American Psycho and Famous Monsters, and the live album Evillive II, before Chud and Graves left the band in 2000. After leaving the Misfits, the pair formed the band Graves. The band released their debut album, Web of Dharma, in 2002, produced by Chud, before splitting up that same year.

In addition to his work with the Misfits and Graves, Chud played drums for Joey Ramone on the We Will Fall: A Tribute to Iggy Pop album and appeared on Ramone's solo record Don't Worry About Me, in addition to producing the Sardonica album Flip the Grill. In 2003, Chud formed a new band named Dr. Chud's X-Ward, which released their debut album Diagnosis for Death in 2004 on the drummer's own record label Bloodwork Records. On 26 December 2009, Chud and former Misfits bandmates Doyle and Michale Graves took part in what was referred as the Misfits "Near-Reunion" in New Jersey as they performed as an opening act for Danzig, with bassist Argyle Goolsby completing the lineup.

In 2012, Gorgeous Frankenstein dissolved and Chud joined Doyle's new eponymous band. Doyle released their debut album, Abominator, in 2013. Chud departed from Doyle the following year.

In 2024, Chud produced the EP I Hate Horror Punk by the band The Karens and subsequently joined the group. In 2025, he collaborated with Ada Nicole Sanger on the single "You're Always Right".

Discography

With Sardonica "Your Own Back Yard" (1992) – Single

With Sacred Trash Sacred Trash (1994) – LP

With Misfits American Psycho (1997) – LP "Dig Up Her Bones" (1997) – Single Evillive II (1998) – LP "Scream" (1999) – Single Famous Monsters (1999) – LP "Monster Mash" (1999) – Single Cuts from the Crypt (2001) – LP

With Graves Web of Dharma (2002) – LP

With Joey Ramone Don't Worry About Me (2002) – LP

With Dr. Chud's X-Ward Diagnosis for Death (2004) – LP

With Doyle Abominator (2013) – LP

With The Karens I Hate Horror Punk (2024) – EP I Wanna Refund (2025) – LP