Shields started playing drums as a teenager with lessons from
Brian Downey of
Thin Lizzy. Shields went on to form
Rollerskate Skinny with members of the band Shake in 1991 as guitarist/drummer/vocalist. He played on, co-produced and wrote much of their debut 1993
Shoulder Voices LP, as well as on the
Novice (1992),
Trophy (1993), and
Threshold (1994) EPs. He wrote and recorded a song with Mercury Rev's
David Baker for his Shady project in 1994. Shields left Rollerskake Skinny in 1994 and moved from Dublin to Chicago. While in Chicago, he formed Lotus Crown, and released ''Chokin' on the Jokes'' on
Reprise Records in 1997. In 2002 Shields worked with
Martina Topley-Bird as touring drummer and In 2008, with the
Wounded Knees, he released the "All Rise" EP on limited-edition 10" brown vinyl featuring
J Mascis and played a string of tour dates supporting Dinosaur Jr. Shields later recorded drum sessions with brother
Kevin Shields for sampling purposes on My Bloody Valentine's 2013 release
m b v. Shields is design director of TTT - (thirtythreetrees), an award winning landscape architecture and garden design practice based in Dublin City. Shields established the practice with his wife Maria Vlahos in 2004. Tolka Estuary Greenway, at Dublin Port, and the Marconi Wireless Station, at Derrigimlagh, are among the award winning works designed by Shields. ==References==