Craig Shaw & Illuminators

The evolution of Craig¹s musical life began at an early age, being heavily influenced by the sounds of the1950¹s & 60¹s musicians, Chuck Berry, Link Wray, Rolling Stones, Doors, Beatles, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Paul Weller and World Party.

His music career began in earnest at the relatively late age of eighteen. Uninspired with his working life Craig made an overnight decision to break free of his uncreative existence and bought himself a guitar, taught himself how to play and along the way discovered that he could release some of his adolescent angst through his powerful and unique voice - 18 months later he performed his first live gig.

Craig formed a close musical partnership with friend and rhythm guitarist Paul Sheahan. Together they wrote and composed original material for the band they were to form in 1992, ³The Bop Shack Stompers². Craig the natural front man, played lead Guitar, Lead Vox and Harmonica in this popular and hard hitting Rockabilly influenced outfit.

Drawing heavily upon a rocket fuelled blend of 50¹s & 60¹s unabashed rock, the band was soon to build a reputation on the London live circuit, especially in Camden, gigging at Dingwalls, The Dublin Castle, Bull & Bush, Water Rats and The Verge . They were also playing venues across the country including Bristol, Norfolk and Birmingham. This lead to appearances in Germany, Holland, France and a 3 week tour of Scandinavia visiting Sweden, Norway and Finland. The band also backed Screaming Lord Sutch at the Ace Cafe Bikers Reunion in 1995. After a good run the band split in 1996 on good terms and members left to pursue other ventures. It was at this time that Craig¹s musical taste started to widen and his repertoire reflected the new styles he was listening to. Incorporating these new sounds with his Rock¹ n¹ Roll and bluesy roots Craig had developed his own unique personnel sound .

On a side step from his own music, Craig has also worked and volunteered his musical skills on various community and charity projects such as 'Core Arts', a mental health charity based in Homerton, East London. Which organised a fantastic festival @ the Union Chappell in June 2001, featuring Edwyn Collins and Karl Wallinger from World Party. Also from time to time (pending funding) The Irene Taylor Trust 'Music in Prisons', a charity promoting the awareness and positivity of music and the Arts in prisons, and has run music workshops on various Youth Projects in S.E. London.

He is a co-founder of ³FU-JAM² a collective of local musicians involved
in a monthly Jam event @ the Fu Bar, Harlesden, NW10. Fu Jam enables local talent to have a platform to perfom - also promoting cultural intergration and Peace in Harlesden. This event ran from January 2003 to2005. The Fu Jam house band has featured , Shanks Putwain - Percussion ( Paul Weller, Mica Paris, Jah Wobble). Kosimo Keita - Drums (Eddie Grant, Bee Gees, Lionel Richie). Alex Maranca - Bass ( Jamariqui, Stuart Zender). Blair Mackichan - Vox, Keys (Sacred People, Lisa Stanfield).

Craig has been continuously writing, recording, producing and performing his music since 1996 in various bands, duos and solo work. He is currently focusing and working on new material and live gigs. Watch this space....