Jim Shaw Guitar (also some vocals, formerly drums)
Alison Shaw Vocals (and sometimes bass)
Paul Smith Bass, Guitar, Key Boards
Jon Callender Drums

The band took their name from the familiar skyline objects that were prevalent in Portsmouth in the late 1980s. According to a Jim Shaw in the mid-1990s, "When you went into Portsmouth, 5-8 years, the skyline was filled with these mechanical cranes. At the time it was just a good word to use. Unfortunately, all the cranes are gone, the shipyard all boarded up and they've lost their jobs."

The band grew out of the Portsmouth, England scene in the mid-1980's. This is the area which Jim and Alison Shaw called home. The band's evolution began when Jim and Alison reunited and found that they shared a desire to make their own music. While Alison was studying abroad, Jim was teaching himself to play the guitar and drums. When they began collaborating, Alison picked up a bass and began playing with Jim. The two started recording their sessions, according to Alison, and, "got really hooked on record recording and effects."

The first recording that the Cranes released, Fuse was issued in 1986 and the first Cranes' gig was a 10 minute show in Portsmouth in 1987. They started recording and playing more gigs in the local area, recruiting members Mark Francombe (a local Portsmouth musician) and then Matt Cope (a young guitar tech).

The siblings abilities and sound continued to grow and in 1989, Self Non Self was released and immediately caught the attention of John Peel. Peel played the album (four times in a row) and invited the group to do a Peel Session. This milestone triggered Dedicated Records to sign the band. In 1990-1991, four EPs were issued, followed by the first full-length LP Wings of Joy in September 1991. It was these EPs and LP that caught the Cure’s attention and earned the Cranes an open slot on the 1992 Wish tour.

After the Cure tour, Jim and Alison incorportaed their experiences into a new album, Forever and followed up it up with 1994's Loved.

In 1995 and 1996, the Cranes demonstrated their versitility by exploring new musical areas. They created an orchestrial adaptaion of a play, La Tragédie d'Oreste et Électre, and scored a motion picture, Scarborough Ahoy!. The 1996 album Population 4 futher demonstrated the band's ability to re-invent their sound, having a distintly different and modern sound. Following a tour and difficult contract discussions/negotiations, the Cranes headed back to the studio, eager to further develop and diversify their music and again redefine their sound. The result is the 2001 release, Future Songs, a fresh exploration at the cutting edge of today's sound.

...from Starblood.org

Releases

• Live In Italy - album, out 09/06/2003. (post review)

Links

• starblood.org - official site

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