Biography
The creative evolution of Alexander Craig
mojo spleens
Alex's journey in creating music started with his first electric guitar and amp at the age of 12. Coming up with melodies and learning songs evolved into basement jams with his brother Clint. They started playing in public together and eventually formed a surf punk band called Mojo Spleens. Performing shows in the underground punk scene, self recording and releasing music, networking grassroots style and touring nationally during that period set the groundwork for his next chapter and alias as Crankshaft.
Crankshaft
Forming a one man band that combined the D.I.Y. approach and in-your-face attitude of punk with traditional blues and rock 'n roll he started spearheading a new genre of music he called "pork neck" and hit the streets to make a name for himself. Eventually his solo act evolved into a trio that he promoted as Crankshaft and the Gear Grinders. Fronting the band was a natural progression, he started gaining traction and getting more attention which led to bigger and bigger opportunities. Operating at a high level, he produced and self released five studio albums, seven music videos and played over 1,000 shows in ten years. The fast paced lifestyle and physiological demands started taking a toll on him. Over a six year span he was hospitalized more than a dozen times for mental health and substance use issues. Something had to give. He departed from the Crankshaft persona and took a year off from performing to reflect and refocus.
Alexander Craig
With new perspective gained from sobriety Alex started writing for a new full length album that was recently released. Much of his new music features a three piece horn section which accompany the fundamental guitar, bass, and drum trio. The six piece version of his band (promoted as: The Lifters) started performing live in the spring of '22 and can be heard on about half of his debut self-titled release. Alex currently covers all aspects of his career from the writing and arranging of his songs to the producing of his studio recordings, the directing and editing of his music videos, as well as all booking, band and tour management. Look forward to more singles, music videos, and artwork in 2023.
More about the man behind the music:
Top Three Front-Men:
Howlin' Wolf
Chuck Berry
Bo Diddley
Top Three Front-Ladies:
Tina Turner
Aretha Franklin
Etta James
Top Three Bands (all time):
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Lynyrd Skynyrd
ZZ Top
Top Three Modern Bands:
Southern Culture on the Skids
Left Lane Cruiser
Dirtbombs
Top Three Guitar Players:
Freddy King
Albert Collins
Steve Cropper
Favorite Pastimes:
Dancing
Live Music
Water Sports
Racing (anything w/engine)
Motorcycles and Hot Rods
Billiards and Pin-Ball
Record Collecting
Thrift Store Shopping
Preferred Gear:
Guitars: anything goes
Amps: vintage Fender
Vocal mic (live): EV Co9
Music Listening: Vinyl
Motorcycles: 1980's Hondas
V8: small block Chevy
Daily Driver: Toyota
Work Boots: Thorogood
Nail Guns: Hitachi