CRAIG MARTIN WALKER
-DRUMS-
BIOGRAPHY
I’ve been playing drums for as long as I can remember as apparently when I was a small boy I would hit the couch in perfect timing to a song on the TV. My parents recognised this so got me a drumkit when I was about 8 and I was like a duck to water. I often say that I never chose to play drums, the drums chose me!
Growing up through school and college I played with numerous bands, often playing locally for college gatherings and competitions and these were some of the most fun times of my life. Ok, it was covers but the group of lads I played with were hilarious and it was a laugh a minute (I mean, we were called Popstar Heroes for goodness sake ha!)
I met my beautiful wife at the ripe old age of 19 and we were married when I was just 22 and we had our first child when I was 23 (she already had a son so there was always kids involved) so as you can imagine, family life took over and I somewhat neglected playing music for a while although I’m as much a fanboy as an artist so I am always listening to music and had a V Drums electric kit that I would tinkle on at home.
I’ve always been a metalhead being a big Metallica fan and have always been drawn to the heavier side of the spectrum (I like to hit those drums hard and fast, the poor things) however after having a family I guess I started to mature somewhat and ‘just’ metal was no longer scratching the itch. At this time I was mentoring Darrel’s son Luke on his journey to improving his drumming skills (Darrel has been a family friend in numerous bands with my Dad for as long as I can remember) and it was actually Darrel that introduced me to Dream Theater who utterly blew my mind as they bridged the metal I loved but with extreme progressive elements as well as being very melodic. When I was at college there were two guys who were mad DT fans but as I was pure metal in those days I thought they were just nerds and I never dabbled (sorry guys) but they were years ahead of me lol!
I then went on a whole journey of discovering the joy of progressive music such as Yes, Genesis, Rush, Marillion etc and a whole new world opened up for me. Because of this Darrel and I decided to put a band together called Nth Ascension with my Dad Martin on guitar, long time friend and collaborator Alan Taylor and eventually my brother Gavin on bass. The vision was to write epic songs merging melody with some heaviness thrown in.
As I’ve got older I’m really appreciating the melodic side of music so playing with Ten is a great experience and I’m loving every minute of it!
FILE - FAN FACTS
PLACE OF BIRTH
Blackpool, UK
EQUIPMENT
Pearl Masters BRX Shells
I also proudly endorse Soultone Cymbals!
FIRST MUSICAL HEROES
The first band I was obsessed with of my own accord was Queen. I idolised Roger Taylor on drums and would air drum in my bedroom to all the classics when I was a child.
TOP 3 FILMS
Braveheart
The Matrix
Tomorrow Never Dies (James Bond)
TOP 3 CITIES
Edinburgh
Rome
Barcelona
TOP 3 FOODS
Steak
KFC
Chicken Tikka
(Sorry vegan friends)
DESERT ISLAND TOP 5
Toto - Tambu
Metallica - Black Album
Pink Floyd - A Momentary Lapse Of Reason
Dream Theater - Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From A Memory
Iona - Beyond These Shores
FAVOURITE TEN TRACKS
Stay With Me
Spellbound
The Robe
TOP 3 BOOKS
The Chronicles Of Narnia
Eden by Paul Anthony Wallis
Beyond Human by Justin Paul Abraham
TOP 3 DRINKS
Coffee
Coconut Water
Real Ales!
DREAM LIVE VENUE
Manchester Apollo and Budokan, Japan
FAN Q&A
1) Which are your main musical influences?
There’s just so many I could mention but I immediately think Queen, Pink Floyd, Metallica, Toto, Dream Theater and Rush to name a few for starters…
2) Which are the most challenging TEN tracks to play live?
Currently Stay With Me. The way the drums come in on the offbeat of the main guitar riff is great, I really enjoy playing that song!
3) What's your first childhood memory of doing something rock related?
When I was about 8 years old and I got my first drumkit because my parents recognised a natural ability. I remember listening to Enter Sandman by Metallica and when I heard those thunderous toms at the beginning I KNEW I had to make that sound.
4) Which are your favourite three songs of all time?
Oh boy, this is virtually impossible to answer because any given day will be different but off the top of my head ‘Yet Another Movie’ by Pink Floyd sends a shiver down my spine every time, ‘Sad But True’ by Metallica is one I never skip when it comes on the playlist aaannnnddd…’Gift of Faith’ by Toto plain and simply for the vocal harmonies. Just gorgeous. There’s loads more I could have said though…
5) Who would play you if a movie about the band was made?
Arnold Schwarzenegger. Hands down.
6) What was your first day job?
Working in a men’s clothes shop. Boring…
7) Which hobbies/interests you have that could surprise people?
I’m actually a bit of a space cadet and am totally fascinated with the deeper things in life like philosophy, religion and spirituality, ancient civilisations, esoteric things…basically anything that distracts me from soap operas and reality TV…
8) Which are your favourite sports/teams?
I do enjoy watching my local football team Blackpool FC (UTMP)
9) Where is your favourite place in the world?
Other than my bed, I love walking in the Lake District in Cumbria here in the UK. Heaven on Earth. Oh and Cornwall…
10) Who is your favourite musician?
Sheesh, I think I’d have to say John Petrucci for his perfect balance of God status technicality and stunning melodic guitar playing.
11) What is your favourite breakfast cereal?
Curiously Cinnamon with Jersey milk.
12) What is your favourite music guilty pleasure?
I actually love 70s disco and funk (but don’t tell anyone). So much groove with lots of high energy and fun. Oh and George Michael (again, don’t tell anyone).
13) What is the proudest moment in your musical career so far?
So far - I’d say playing HRH Prog X at Sheffield 02 with Nth Ascension as my Dad Martin who plays guitar grew up in Sheffield so was a special moment for him. In fact there’s a picture out there of David Bowie playing that very stage back in the Ziggy Stardust days and my Dad is right there in the crowd on the picture ha!
14) Which would you say have been your role models in life?As corny as it sounds my parents. They’re just amazing, amazing people who have overcome so much to give me and my brother a solid upbringing and I’m forever in gratitude for them. I’m a big family man so if I can replicate with my family what they have done then I know that’ll be a huge success.
Life Motto:
Don’t leave until tomorrow what you can do today
