Craig Blundell
Craig Blundell is a Roland demonstrator for Drums & Percussion products
Q. Craig, you work with Roland UK as their drum demonstrator, how did you get where you are today?
A. That’s a real tough one to answer! I guess I’ve always had a dream that I wanted to be a musician for a living. I’ve always tried to do things differently to other people and had a plan from the outset how I was going to take that leap from day job to professional player. I feel extremely proud that my passion is my living and still have so many things I want to do within the industry. I don’t think there’s any secret or fast track to longevity and success. My key was hard work, a plan A and definitely B! determination and most importantly, picking myself up when I got knocked down, which was extremely often when I was starting out.
Q. What is your favourite quality about yourself?
A. I love to go the extra mile, push people to see differently and hopefully inspire and motivate. It makes me very happy
Q. What is your least favourite quality about yourself?
A. Not being able to say no.
Q. What instruments do you play?
A. Drums, keys, bass, guitar
Q. What is your claim to fame?
A. I have quite a few in the industry, outside the industry, playing last post at the cenotaph in front of the queen when I was in the royal marines band service was a big moment as well as writing drum solos for the corps of drums for the Edinburgh tattoo, the fa cup final and Mountbatten festival of music.
Q. What was your favourite outdoor activity as a child?
A. I was a massive footballer as a kid, every Saturday and Sunday I was out playing, my poor mum used to go nuts with the whites wash on a Sunday evening!
Q. What are your favourite and least favourite types of music?
A. I find myself playing lots of progressive stuff nowadays and it’s a genre that’s very close to my heart. I actually really don’t like pop stuff, it doesn’t inspire me in the slightest, either playing it or listening to it.
Q. What are your favourite and least favourite foods?
A. I love rich spicy food, Thai, Indian, Japanese, i’m not a fan of fast-food rubbish.
Q. Who taught you to ride a bike?
A. My late father, he was a massive inspiration to everything I did as a child and everything I do to this day.
Q. Who is your favourite sports personality and why?
A. It would have to be Carl Lewis, the phrase “legend” is dramatically over used these days. This man shaped athletics to what it is today.
Q. Who is your favourite musician/artist/band?
A. Massive tie between Toto, King Crimson and Kraftwerk. The musicians with each set up are just incredible.
Q. What do you do to unwind and relax?
A. I’ve played golf since I was a kid, I know most people I know see it as a good walk ruined but for me it’s a welcome escape from the pressures of the day job and it works every time.
Q. What is your favourite place in the world?
A. I’m very lucky to have seen some amazing places in the world including my time in Japan which is just breathtaking. It’s hard to choose but I have a real love affair with Canada. I’ve been visiting Canada since I was 11, Vancouver island is the most tranquil place on the planet.
Q. When people look back at your life, how do you want to be remembered?
A. As a man that would give his last minute to help someone get better and achieve their goals. As a drummer that truly made his mark and reshaped the way the instrument was played and perceived. As a producer that wrote some of the coolest music ever played on TV and radio. As a friend, the best and loyalest that they ever had.
