While still a child, Duce was often sent to rehabilitation institutes by his parents, later in life he got involved with drugs, even spending periods in drug rehab because of drug overdoses. He has been a close friend with former Machine Head guitarist Logan Mader since childhood.

He was introduced to rock music with AC/DC’s album For Those About to Rock We Salute You.

At the age of 11 he was sent to a reform school in Texas for two years. He explains the reason for this in an interview: "I had too much energy for my body to contain”. In that school he lost touch with the outside world’s art, especially music.

After getting out of the rehab school, Logan Mader introduced him to metal music with bands such as Slayer, Metallica, Exodus, King Diamond, Celtic Frost, Sacrilege B.C..

Around 1987 Duce and Mader decided to start playing the guitar. They’ve unsuccessfully tried to form a band several times. Later, Duce realized that the bass guitar was more suitable for him due to his large frame and finger width, so he became a bass player.

Adam Duce points out that his main influences come from bass players such as Cliff Burton, Geezer Butler, Steve Harris.