Nick Curran
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Nick Curran | |
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Occupation(s) | Musician, singer-songwriter, record producer |
Instrument(s) | Vocalist, guitar, drums |
Nick Curran (September 30, 1977 – October 6, 2012)
Early life
Nick Curran was born in Biddeford, Maine. He began playing drums at the age of 3, showing an amazing ability to keep time even at such a young age. It was a daily ritual for him. He would turn on his radio and play along with the music. His dad, Michael, taught Nick everything he wanted and needed to know with the guitar. Any "lick" that Nick learned early on, he simply asked Michael (Mike) to show him how to do it... and a few hours later, Nick would emerge from his room having learned and practiced it. When asked at a young age why he wanted to play so badly, he replied, "I got the feelin'." He had received no formal lessons for guitar. At age 15, he played guitar and harp in his father's band, Mike Curran and the Tremors, and at the age of 17 played drums, again alongside his father, guitarist Michael Curran, in a band called The Upsetters-based out of Portland, Maine. That same year, he also formed the Rockabilly band Nick Danger and the Sideburners, frequently playing at a number of clubs in the Portland, Maine area. At 18, he auditioned for James Montgomery.
Career
Curran began his professional career at age nineteen, leaving Maine to tour with Ronnie Dawson, "The Blonde Bomber". Although Dawson was primarily a rockabilly musician, many blues and punk fans appreciated his performances. He taught Curran not to get pigeonholed. Curran toured next with Texas rockabilly doyenne Kim Lenz, moving to Dallas to join her backup band the Jaguars, and performing on Lenz's recording, The One And Only. Curran would stay with the Jaguars for two years. He is also featured on Lenz's next CD, It's All True, and toured with her in the summer of 2009.[citation needed]
In 1999, the Texas Jamboree label issued Curran's debut solo recording, Fixin' Your Head. As he would do on all future CDs, Curran used vintage recording equipment to achieve the feel and sound of old
Curran performed four songs in a scene in the 2008 HBO Series, True Blood, based on The Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris, which explores the co-existence of humans and vampires. After performing a solo show in November 2008, Curran formed the rock ‘n’ roll roots band, The Lowlifes, who were critically acclaimed and became a mainstay on
Death
In 2009, Curran was diagnosed with oral cancer. In June 2010, he had been deemed cancer free, but by April 2011 the cancer had returned and he underwent treatment. Curran eventually succumbed to the disease on October 6, 2012, at the age of 35.[3][4]
Discography
- 2000 – Fixin' Your Head
- 2001 – Nitelife Boogie
- 2003 – Doctor Velvet
- 2004 – Player!
- 2010 – Reform School Girl
Allmusic gave four stars for every album.[5]
References
- ^ "Nick Curran (1977–2012)". Austin American Statesman (via Legacy.com). October 8, 2012. Retrieved October 7, 2012.
- ^ Lotosky, Serge (October 7, 2012). "Nick Curran 1977–2012". Greasy Rockabilly Views. Retrieved October 7, 2012.
- ^ "Maine guitar savant Nick Curran dies at 35". Pressherald.com. October 9, 2012. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ Collar, Matt (October 9, 2012). "Remembering Nick Curran, 1977–2012". AllMusic. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ Collar, Matt. "Nick Curran – Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved June 15, 2013.