Martin Craig
Martin Craig wrote the bikers' anthem 'Rockin' At The Ace Cafe' about the legendary North London haunt in 1973. 'Mile After Mile' is a stripped-down solo acous
3
songs
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Old V-Twin Old V-Twin
Old V-Twin is a Brit-biker's 'chase-to-the-Ace' story with a twist in the ending.
Love At The Downbeat Love At The Downbeat
Love At The Downbeat is about nightlife in pre-Beatles Newcastle, England.
Gear Jammin' Boots & A 3-Speed Hat Gear Jammin' Boots & A 3-Speed Hat
A road song that follows the crew of an 18-wheeler over 3,000 miles from Watsonville to the Hunts Point Market in New York.
'Mile After Mile' is a 16-track acoustic solo album of English Road Songs by Martin Craig, whose 1973 single 'Rockin' at the Ace Café' helped to spark interest in the re-opening of the legendary 50s and 60s British biker haunt in North London.
Martin says,
"MILE AFTER MILE is a stripped-down, solo acoustic collection of 16 of my songs. Some of the tracks draw on my experiences of running a 13-year music & songwriting group in a high security prison and leading a long-term community development project in one of the UK's most deprived and high-crime areas."
"During the 14 years I worked with the neighbourhood project, my family and I were on the receiving end of death threats, wrecked cars, ram raids, arson attacks and a burgled home, all carried out by criminals who wanted to take control of the troubled community away from the people who lived there. The area suffered large-scale rioting in the 1990s."
"Writing and playing music has long been my way of dealing with the personal impact of incidents such as these, and my song 'Contract Killer' which opens MILE AFTER MILE is a literal description of real-life situations, sung from the point of view of a local hit-man."
"I am promoting MILE AFTER MILE with live shows, radio performances and interviews. Check my web-site for further details."Band/artist history
The songs are drawn from my life in Britain; born in Yorkshire and growing up mainly on Tyneside in the North East of England during the post - WWII era. In my early teens I latched onto the Rocker culture of the late fifties/ early sixties, visited the Ace Cafe in 1961 as an awestruck 15 year old and went on to found, record and gig with bands such as the Hot Rod Gang, the Sabre Jets, Diesel & the Firebirds and the Kindness of Strangers, as well as performing solo and in two duos (including MG & Lynnette) live, on CD and on radio.Have you performed in front of an audience?Live is best. I play regular venues, but also care homes, a high security prison, outdoor gigs. Been joined on stage by Alan Clarke (The Hollies) and legendary rocker Vince Taylor. Ray Davies, Sting have attended gigs. One special gig in the late 70s was at Acklam Hall in the Westway, a hang out of The Clash. As we were sound checking the place filled up with mean-looking Rastafarians and we thought this white rock'n'roll band was dead meat, but they went wild for the music and we had a great night.
Your musical influences
Elvis, Scotty and Bill. Lonnie Donegan. The Shadows. Buddy Holly. Leadbelly. John Lee Hooker. Chuck and Bo. The Animals. Dylan. Bert Jansch. Martin Carthy. Lou Reed. Charlie Parker. Miles. Beefheart. Tom Waits. And so on and so on and shooby dooby doo-wah...What equipment do you use?
Guitars: Taylor 314KCE, 1979 Fender Strat, 1966 Baldwin Vibraslim (from new) Guild F112 12-String, Godin Acousticaster, early Ovation Custom Balladeer. AER Domino acoustic amp and Marshall 30th Anniversary Combo for the electrics. Waiting with bated breath for delivery of a special order Burns Marvin solid, made to commemorate The Shadows final tour in 2004.Anything else?
Along with music I love dogs (we have four) bikes and cars. Member of the Ace Cafe Club, London, and H.O.G.
Newcastle upon Tyne,
United Kingdom
ID
151575
Contact
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Comments (4)
Listening to old v twin.
I like the melody. Really cool
If you have some time, I would love if you gave my song THE LONG ROAD and DEAR JIMMY a listen and if you have time ALONE. Leave me some feedback that would be cool :) Thanks so much.
Jenae
Yo, what up you got some nice flava. Keep Elevating your skills. Check my music if you get a chance. PeAcE
Hi Chris,
Nice to hear from you. I only decided to put this page up today, on advice from my US publicist! The .mp3s should be live in 24 hours.
Your track is very good - I especially like the piano intro, which reminded me at first of David Bowie's 'Bring Me The Disco King', on the Reality album he's currently touring. 'Call On You' goes on to be a big production and it sounds great - I bet it sounds good with just the piano as well. Are you able to do it live - are keyboards your main instrument?
All the best,
Martin.
Martin-
Looks like the song hasnt posted yet -
I'll come back for a listen though-
Mind lending your ear to one I've done in the meantime?? I'd like your feedback if you can- thx alot!
Chris
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