Craig Else
Encyclopedia
Craig Else is a guitarist
, composer
, vocalist, and music producer.
, Alice Cooper
and the Sex Pistols
.
Craig moved to South Africa in 1981 and played with Steve Fataar of The Flames
and Ivy and the Creepers before joining Petit Cheval
.
Petit Cheval enjoyed great success in the 1980s. They sold out tours to fan frenzy not seen since the days of Rabbitt
. They released two albums, "The Voice of Reason" and "Perfect Gift" WEA Records along with seven singles and two compilation albums, "Young Lions" and "Once in a Lifetime". They had two number one singles, "It Was the Wind" and "Once in a Lifetime" and won the Sarie Award (South Africa's equivalent of a Grammy) for best new band.
After leaving Petit Cheval in 1987 he did session work and eventually moved to Los Angeles, California
in 1999 to work on Geffen records recording artist Vincent Rocco's solo album co-produced by Steve Van Zandt. He then joined "Tribe After Tribe" featuring Robbi Robb of South African band "Asylum Kids" and Three Fish
and appeared on the albums "Enchanted Entrance" and "Ra Hoor Khuit". In 1992 he joined Roadhouse and played five nights a week, five forty-five minute sets a night for five years. During this time he played with D.H. Peligro from Dead Kennedys
and appeared on the albums "Peligro", "Welcome to America" and "The Virus that Would Not Die" . He appeared on many other albums including Taylor Dayne's "Naked Without You" and Pure Sugar's eponymous debut album.
and then in 2007 began touring with them as "The Original Idols" along with Leif Garrett
, Barry Williams
, The Cowsills
, and Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods
. They also appeared with the Family Stone, the Guess Who
, and Nelson
. Craig played with Leif Garrett for some shows and recorded Neil Young
's "Old Man" with him. He left the Bay City Rollers
in 2008.
Craig uses about ten guitars of varying types, notably a 7-string Ibanez uv777bk, a Veillette electric 12 string, a Gibson Les Paul
, and a Yamaha
Billy Sheehan
"Attitude" bass, a gift from Billy Sheehan
.
organization.
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, vocalist, and music producer.
1970s and 1980s
In 1978 after years of music lessons given by his Grandmother, Craig discovered punk rock and formed his first band, Twisted Minds. He was influenced by The ClashThe Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
, Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
and the Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band that formed in London in 1975. They were responsible for initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and inspiring many later punk and alternative rock musicians...
.
Craig moved to South Africa in 1981 and played with Steve Fataar of The Flames
The Flames
The Flames was a musical group from Durban in South Africa. The band was originally formed in 1963 by guitarist Steve Fataar, bassist Brother Fataar , drummer George Faber and guitarist Eugene Champion. However this line-up would only be together to record a couple of songs...
and Ivy and the Creepers before joining Petit Cheval
Petit Cheval
Petit Cheval was a New Romantic rock group from South Africa. Their name is French for "little horse". The group was founded in Pretoria in 1982 by singer/songwriter Jon Selby and soon after recorded a demo, which landed them a deal with Warner Bros. Records in 1984...
.
Petit Cheval enjoyed great success in the 1980s. They sold out tours to fan frenzy not seen since the days of Rabbitt
Rabbitt
Rabbitt were a South African rock band formed in 1972, evolving from a band called The Conglomeration, consisting of members Trevor Rabin, Duncan Faure, Ronnie Robot, and Neil Cloud. Their successes included making it to the top of the South African charts with the hit "Charlie" in 1976. Rabbitt...
. They released two albums, "The Voice of Reason" and "Perfect Gift" WEA Records along with seven singles and two compilation albums, "Young Lions" and "Once in a Lifetime". They had two number one singles, "It Was the Wind" and "Once in a Lifetime" and won the Sarie Award (South Africa's equivalent of a Grammy) for best new band.
After leaving Petit Cheval in 1987 he did session work and eventually moved to Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
in 1999 to work on Geffen records recording artist Vincent Rocco's solo album co-produced by Steve Van Zandt. He then joined "Tribe After Tribe" featuring Robbi Robb of South African band "Asylum Kids" and Three Fish
Three Fish
Three Fish was an American rock band formed in 1994 by Pearl Jam's Jeff Ament. The lineup featured Ament, Robbi Robb of Tribe After Tribe, and Richard Stuverud of the Fastbacks and War Babies.-History:...
and appeared on the albums "Enchanted Entrance" and "Ra Hoor Khuit". In 1992 he joined Roadhouse and played five nights a week, five forty-five minute sets a night for five years. During this time he played with D.H. Peligro from Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys are an American punk rock band formed in San Francisco, California in 1978. The band became part of the American hardcore punk movement of the early 1980s. They gained a large underground fanbase in the international punk music scene....
and appeared on the albums "Peligro", "Welcome to America" and "The Virus that Would Not Die" . He appeared on many other albums including Taylor Dayne's "Naked Without You" and Pure Sugar's eponymous debut album.
1990s and 2000s
In 2000 Else joined Bay City RollersBay City Rollers
The Bay City Rollers were a Scottish pop band who were most popular in the 1970s. The British Hit Singles & Albums noted that they were "tartan teen sensations from Edinburgh", and were "the first of many acts heralded as the 'Biggest Group since The Beatles' and one of the most screamed-at...
and then in 2007 began touring with them as "The Original Idols" along with Leif Garrett
Leif Garrett
Leif Garrett is an American singer and actor. He became famous in the late 1970s as a teen idol, but received much publicity in later life for his drug abuse and legal troubles.-Early life:...
, Barry Williams
Barry Williams
Barry William Blenkhorn , known professionally as Barry Williams, is an American actor best known for his role as Greg Brady in the ABC television series The Brady Bunch.-Early life and career:...
, The Cowsills
The Cowsills
The Cowsills are an American singing group from Newport, Rhode Island. They specialized in harmonies and the ability to sing and play music at an early age. The band was formed in the spring of 1965 by brothers Bill, Bob, and Barry, then shortly thereafter added John...
, and Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods
Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods
Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods are an American pop music group, known mainly for their 1970s hit singles, "Billy Don't Be A Hero" and "Who Do You Think You Are".-History:The band was formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1965 by their leader Bo Donaldson...
. They also appeared with the Family Stone, the Guess Who
The Guess Who
The Guess Who are a Canadian rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Initially gaining recognition in Canada, they also found international success from the late 1960s through the mid-1970s with numerous hit singles, including "American Woman", "These Eyes" and "Share the Land"...
, and Nelson
Nelson (band)
NELSON is a American hard rock band founded by singer/songwriters Matthew and Gunnar Nelson . NELSON featuring the twin lead front men had a No. 1 hit in the United States with " Love and Affection" during the week of September 29, 1990...
. Craig played with Leif Garrett for some shows and recorded Neil Young
Neil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
's "Old Man" with him. He left the Bay City Rollers
Bay City Rollers
The Bay City Rollers were a Scottish pop band who were most popular in the 1970s. The British Hit Singles & Albums noted that they were "tartan teen sensations from Edinburgh", and were "the first of many acts heralded as the 'Biggest Group since The Beatles' and one of the most screamed-at...
in 2008.
Equipment
Craig is the owner/operator of Permanent Wave Studios and is a sound engineer for Fox Television in Los Angeles.Craig uses about ten guitars of varying types, notably a 7-string Ibanez uv777bk, a Veillette electric 12 string, a Gibson Les Paul
Gibson Les Paul
The Gibson Les Paul was the result of a design collaboration between Gibson Guitar Corporation and the late jazz guitarist and electronics inventor Les Paul. In 1950, with the introduction of the Fender Telecaster to the musical market, electric guitars became a public craze. In reaction, Gibson...
, and a Yamaha
Yamaha
Yamaha may refer to:* Yamaha Corporation, a Japanese company with a wide range of products and services** Yamaha Motor Company, a Japanese motorized vehicle-producing company...
Billy Sheehan
Billy Sheehan
William "Billy" Sheehan is an American bassist known for his work with Talas, Steve Vai, David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, and Niacin. Sheehan has won the "Best Rock Bass Player" readers' poll from Guitar Player Magazine five times for his "lead bass" playing style...
"Attitude" bass, a gift from Billy Sheehan
Billy Sheehan
William "Billy" Sheehan is an American bassist known for his work with Talas, Steve Vai, David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, and Niacin. Sheehan has won the "Best Rock Bass Player" readers' poll from Guitar Player Magazine five times for his "lead bass" playing style...
.
Atheism
Craig is an atheist and an anti-theist. He is a member of the American AtheistsAmerican Atheists
American Atheists is an organization in the United States dedicated to defending the civil liberties of atheists and advocating for the complete separation of church and state. It provides speakers for colleges, universities, clubs and the news media. It also publishes books and the monthly...
organization.
Discography
- Petit Cheval "Once in a Lifetime"
- Petit Cheval "The Voice of Reason"
- Petit Cheval "A Perfect Gift"
- Petit Cheval "Young Lions"
- Petit Cheval "Sharp Cuts"
- Petit Cheval "Concert in the Park"
- Petit Cheval "Rocking Against the System"
- Petit Cheval "Best of SA Pop"
- Petit Cheval "Campus Classics"
- Petit Cheval "My Bleeding Heart"
- Taylor Dayne "Naked Without You"
- Sheila Nichols "Wake"
- Tribe After Tribe "Enchanted Entrance"
- Pure Sugar "Pure Sugar"
- Journey w/Steve Farmer (Ted Nugent)
- Steve Olson "What About the Kids" Skateboarder Sessions
- Amritakripa "Dancing Lotus"
- Robbi Robb "Ra Hoor Khuit"
- Ian Mitchell (Bay City Rollers) "The Gift"
- Sex With Lurch "The Good, the Bad and the Lurchy"
- Sex With Lurch "Sex With Lurch"
- Sex With Lurch "Sex With Lurch 2"
- Sex With Lurch "Best of Sex With Lurch"
- Sex With Lurch "Sex With Lurch and the Barbarellatones"
- DH Peligro (Dead Kennedys) "Peligro"
- DH Peligro (Dead Kennedys)"Welcome to America"
- DH Peligro (Dead Kennedys)"The Virus that Would Not Die" (1984)
- Jeannie Ortega "No Place Like Brooklyn" (1990)
- Ivy and the Creepers "Ivy and the Creepers" (1993)
- "Jesse McCartney" (1995)
Awards and nominations
- SarieSarieSarie is a South African women's magazine, written in Afrikaans. It is published by Media24, and is their oldest publication for women, first published in 1949 under the title Sarie Marais....
"Best New Band, Petit Cheval" - Emmy "Laker's Riot"
- Golden Mic