Brendan Croker
b. 15 August 1953, Bradford, Yorkshire, England. Croker had studied sculpture at art school before becoming a British Rail guard, a refuse collector, and a theatre set designer. It was during the last job that he met fellow guitarist Steve Phillips, with whom he formed the duo Nev And Norris. During the early '80s, when Phillips temporarily retired from music to concentrate on his own art career, Croker set about assembling his own band—the 5 O'Clock Shadows. As well as Croker, the Shadows consisted of Marcus Cliffe (bass), and Mark Cresswell (guitar). Cresswell also played alongside Tanita Tikaram. The 5 O'Clock Shadows' debut, CLOSE SHAVE, emerged on the Leeds independent label Unamerican Activities, and was promoted with the single That's The Way All My Money Goes in 1986. They moved to Red Rhino but released just one single before that company ceased trading. Croker gained a high profile for his work with Mark Knopfler, Guy Fletcher and Steve Phillips as the Notting Hillbillies and was signed to Andrew Lauder's Silvertone label. In 1989 they released a self-titled album which featured guest appearances by Tikaram, Eric Clapton, Steve Goulding and Katie Kisson (of Mac and Katie Kisson) amongst others. Croker and Cresswell also guested on Tikaram's ANCIENT HEART.