Craig's Bio--
Craig A. Montoya was born on September 14th, 1970 in Spokane, WA where he spent most of his life. He grew up with an older brother named Dave, mom named Marge, and his dad Ed. His brother had a big influence on him and where he is today. He went to Mead High School where he didn't really fit in. He wasn't rich, or popular, or into sports like most the other kids....he said, "I was a total dork" and I think that pretty much sums it up :o)
He hung out with the Stoners and Musicians where he seemed to fit in most. His dad, brother, and most of his friends were playing the guitar, but Craig always wanted to play the drums, but he couldn't afford a drum set, so the summer before he turned 16 he spent it mowing lawns to save up for a bass since there weren't very many bassist around.
Then he sat around listening to the Montley Crew record learning it down pat! Then him and a couple of friends decided to start a band and played things like Montley Crew, Iron Maiden, and Kiss songs and during a talent show at the school they decided to wear tie died shirts, bell bottoms, and wigs and play "Light My Fire" by Jimi Hendrix. "It was really funny, we were kind of outcasts but we had fun doing it."
Before leaving from Spokane to Portland Craig was working at a boat repair shop and got teased all the time from the guys he worked with about being in a band and when Craig told them he was quitting his job to move to Portland and have a career in music they got a really big kick out of it. They didn't belive he'd make it at all and told him that he would be back in a year and so he would tell them he wasn't coming back, but to come to his concerts when he comes back through town.
Then in 1990 he moved to Portland, OR with his band Soul Hammer until 1992 when they split up and by chance Craig happened to be looking through a North West free magazine called The Rocket where they have ads in the back and Craig read Art's add and called him up and it went from there and they then found former drummer Scot Cuthbert who was later replaced by Greg Eklund.
--Craig Montoya Fan Club
