Craig Walkner
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Craig Walkner

Madison, Wisconsin, United States | Established. Jan 01, 1996 | SELF

Madison, Wisconsin, United States | SELF
Established on Jan, 1996
Solo Rock EDM

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This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"Far Corner Review"

"...Drummer Craig Walkner is extraordinary in his precision. Playing elaborate drum beats and intricate cymbal patterns, he is the perfect partner to Kopecky's bass..." - Dr. Music


"Far Corner Review #2"

"...Rounding out the quartet are percussionist Craig Walkner, a fine drummer who navigates odd metres and rapid changes with aplomb..." - allaboutjazz.com


"Far Corner Review #3"

"...Drummer Craig Walkner is equally pluralistic as assertive propeller and textural colorist..." - John Kelman


"Far Corner Review #4"

"...With drummer Craig Walkner adeptly guiding the band through tricky time changes and turn-on-a-dime (yet often subtle) thematic shifts..." - Ground and Sky


"Snarling Adjective Convention Review"

Snarling Adjective Convention – Bluewolf Bloodwalk

2008 Unicorn Digital Records

This is some of the finest psycho-jazz to ever surface, some might dismiss it as avant-garde, but Bluewolf Bloodwalk is a collection of highly skillful jam sessions that bring a whole new meaning to the term art rock and free-jazz/fusion. Like something that would be on the opposite side of the spectrum to Canvas Solaris, Snarling Adjective Convention utilizes more jazz oriented instrumentation and arrangements than metal, armed with guitars, saxes/wind synth, brass, bass, keyboards, and drums.

It's a dark record for something that is as multi-faceted as this is, and this mood and atmosphere is much welcome in the world of happy-go-lucky jam bands – for instance the brooding laid back funky tones of "Necklace of Forever" offers a haunting tone with its droning melodies and spacious reverb, but there is always an upbeat approach within the song that breaks any melancholy; other tracks such as "Lunatic Engine" with the schizophrenic frenzy and the title track which is infused with elements of the acid jazz, trad-jazz, and even blues offer up a livelier take on the experimentation within the record, creating diversity within the diversity.

It might be hard to comprehend, but Snarling Adjective Convention bring the Black Sabbath vibe to jazz/fusion while portraying the attitude of the 70's era Miles Davis albums that went in experimental 'electric' directions, even hinting along the lines of Ornette Coleman at times with saxophonist Roger Ebner pushing the envelope for free form improvisation; but its' all the instruments that take center stage here, the axe attack that grinds at times, the powerful percussion, the bass that does more than hold the low end, and keyboards, which always move around – it's a free for all. This record by Snarling Adjective Convention is highly recommended for fans of Canvas Solaris, Spaced Out, Xinema, Liquid Tension Experiment, and Happy the Man, these guys take elements of all and meld them into their own musical entity.

Added: September 7th 2008
Reviewer: Tommy Hash
Score: 4 stars - ytsejam.com


Discography

2013 Yeti Rain:  Stars Fall Darkly (Self-released)

2011 Moo:  Introversion (Self-released)

2011 Short Film Score:  All The Colors of Steve (Wonder PIctures)

2010 Yeti Rain:  III (Crimsonic)

2010 Short Film Score:  Conjured (Wonder PIctures)

2009 Far Corner:  Intermission (Cornered Music)

2008 Snarling Adjective Convention: Bluewolf Bloodwalk (Unicorn Digital)

2007 Dan Maske: Progressive Rock Keyboard (Hal Leonard)

2007 Far Corner: Endangered (Cuneiform Records)

2006 Various Artists: Cuneiform Records: Promo 4 (Cuneiform Records)

2005 Various Artists: Cuneiform Records: Promo 3 (Cuneiform Records)

2005 Various Artists: Loud Enough to Get Your Sound (WMSE Productions)

2004 Far Corner: Far Corner (Cuneiform Records)

2003 EXIT: Scenes From Next Week

2002 Scattershot: Extrasexual Behavior

2000 Earthboys: Musical Catechism

2000 Tim Penn: All This Dreaming That I Do...


Photos

Bio

Craig Walkner is a six-time Wisconsin Area Music Industry award winner
and holds a degree in Percussion Performance from UW-Madison. A veteran
of the live and studio scene, he has appeared on 14 albums that have
been heard on national and international radio, TV, and film. He has
toured the US and performed in front of thousands, opening for The Fray,
Gin Blossoms, Hanson, Luce, Michael Glabicki (Rusted Root), Ozric
Tentacles, and The Gufs, and alongside such drumming greats as Louie
Bellson and Steve Houghton.

A highly acclaimed percussion
instructor, Craig has taught students of all ages and abilities for over
10 years. In addition, he has proofed percussion manuscripts for some
of today's most in demand percussion books published by Hal Leonard. He
has also composed music for the short films, All The Colors of Steve
(Wonder Pictures) and Conjured (Wonder Pictures), as well as performed
on Dan Maske's instructional keyboard book, Progressive Rock Keyboard,
also published by Hal Leonard.

Craig currently performs and
records in the bands Fringe Character, Bascom Hill, Far Corner, Snarling
Adjective Convention, and Yeti Rain. He has also performed with
American Idol Season 8 contestant Kendall Beard, and American Idol
Season 9 contestant Stephanie Daulong. Former bands include EXIT, the
2004 Wisconsin Area Music Artist of the Year, and Justin Black & Big
Heart, from Austin, TX. He released his solo ambient album,
"Introversion" under the moniker Moo in 2011.

Band Members