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Biography
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. Discovering 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 The Mojo Spleens. Performing shows within the d.i.y. 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 traditional one man band with the stage name Crankshaft he combined the indie approach and in-your-face attitude of punk with traditional blues and rock 'n roll and started making a name for himself. Eventually his solo act evolved to a trio which was promoted as Crankshaft and the Gear Grinders.
Fronting a band was a natural progression and he continued gaining traction. Getting more attention led to bigger opportunities. In 2011 he ended his career as a carpenter/general contractor to focus on music and art full time.
Operating at a high level, self produced five studio albums, two live albums and seven music videos in ten years paired with around 1,000 shows. During this period he also self funded and sold 10,000 physical copies.
The fast paced lifestyle and the physiological demands started taking their toll. Over a five year span he was hospitalized over a dozen times for mental health and substance use issues. Something had to give. He decided to depart from the Crankshaft persona to reflect and rebuild.
Educating himself surrounding his mental health diagnosis, minimizing his performance schedule along with studying old world philosophy expanded into a new body of work and ownership of his given name.
Alexander Craig
With new perspective and clarity he gained from peer support training in mental health he started producing, writing and arranging more music for a new full length album. Much of this music features a three piece horn section which accompanies the fundamental guitar, bass, and drums (promoted as: Alexander Craig and the Lifters) which started performing in 2022.
"The biggest difference between my new frame of mind verses the alias period is authenticity, I'm through releasing and performing songs that can't be sung with authenticity, moving forward I'm focused on writing and singing with purpose."
Alexander continues to be productive with creativity by writing and arranging songs, producing and mixing studio recordings, directing and editing video as well as making mixed media, functional and visual art. This includes hotrodding cars and chopping motorcycles.
Check the News section to see what's cookin'.
influences
Top Three Songwriters:
John Fogerty
Steve Miller
Paul Simon
Top Three Front-Men:
Howlin' Wolf
Chuck Berry
Bo Diddley
Top Three Front-Ladies:
Tina Turner
Aretha Franklin
Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Top Three Bands (all time):
ZZ Top
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Top Three Modern Bands:
Southern Culture on the Skids
Left Lane Cruiser
Dirtbombs
Top Three Guitar Players:
Freddy King
Albert Collins
Steve Cropper
More:
Guitars: anything goes
Amps: vintage Fender
Vocal mic (live): EV Co9
Strings: GHS Boomers
Music Listening: Vinyl
Motorcycles: 1980's Hondas
Daily Driver: '08 Suburban
Work Boots: Thorogood
Nail Guns: Hitachi
Phone: Android