Craig Nicholls facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Craig Nicholls
|
|
|---|---|
Nicholls performing in December 2003
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Craig Robert Nicholls |
| Born | 31 August 1977 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Genres |
|
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Instruments | |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Associated acts |
|
Craig Robert Nicholls (born August 31, 1977) is an Australian musician. He is best known as the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for the rock band The Vines. He is the only member who has been with the band since the beginning.
Contents
Early Life and Band Beginnings
Craig Nicholls was born in Sydney, Australia. His father, Terry Nicholls, was a guitarist and singer in a band called The Vynes in the 1960s. Craig's father taught him how to play the guitar when he was a child. Craig loved listening to The Beatles, painting, and skateboarding. He once said he was a "loner" and spent his time listening to music.
Craig went to Marist College Penshurst but left high school in 10th grade. He then studied painting at an art school for six months. To earn money and follow his dream of becoming a musician, he worked at a McDonald's. There, he met future bandmates Patrick Matthews (bass guitar) and David Olliffe (drums). He also invited his schoolmate Ryan Griffiths to play guitar.
Together, they formed a band. Craig first named the band Rishikesh, after a city in India where The Beatles had visited. However, newspapers often misprinted the name. So, Craig decided to change it to The Vines, as a tribute to his father's old band.
Music Career Highlights
Craig Nicholls started writing songs when The Vines began playing live shows. They performed at parties and on local radio. Soon, the band became popular in Sydney and caught the attention of Capitol Records.
Craig continued to write many songs. He wrote Factory, which was the band's first single. It was even named "Single of the Week" by NME magazine in 2001. In 2002, The Vines won an award for Best Breakthrough Artist for their song Get Free, which Craig also wrote. He also won the Breakthrough Songwriter Award in 2003.
Over time, some band members left. Craig Nicholls then brought in new musicians, Tim John (bass) and Lachy West (drums), for The Vines' sixth album, Wicked Nature. Craig also produced this album himself.
Craig is also an artist. Several of his paintings have been used for The Vines' album covers. These include Highly Evolved, Winning Days, and singles like Highly Evolved and Outtathaway!. His artwork for Highly Evolved was even nominated for an award in 2002.
Living with Autism
Craig Nicholls has autism spectrum disorder. This condition was confirmed in 2004. Understanding his autism helped explain some of his past behaviors during performances. For example, in 2004, during a show, some difficulties led to a band member leaving the stage. Other performances were also cancelled.
After his diagnosis, Craig received medical treatment and therapy. He has spoken about his condition in interviews. In 2014, he shared that he manages his autism by not socializing very often. He said he prefers to live "like a kid" and avoids modern technology like smartphones and computers. Craig believes that music has "really been the thing that saved me." He focuses on his family and making music.
Images for kids
-
Nicholls with The Vines in March 2004
See also
In Spanish: Craig Nicholls para niños
