Eric Friedman
Encyclopedia
Eric Charles "Erock" Friedman (born June 28, 1984) is an American musician and songwriter, best known as the current touring rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist for Creed
. He played with the band on their 2009 United States reunion tour with Staind
and their 20-10 Tour with Skillet
. He is the former lead guitarist for the band Submersed
and also the former lead guitarist for Daughters of Mara. Submersed and Daughters of Mara both disbanded in 2008. He also currently plays lead guitar and co writes for the rock band Hemme.
pulled him onstage for a jam session during his set at the Galaxy Theatre (Santa Ana, CA) in 1996. Shortly after he began playing in his own blues outfit called The Eric Friedman Band and was endorsed by Fender at the age of 13. Eric opened up for acts such as Buddy Guy
, Jimmy Vaughan, and Jonny Lang
. He had a developmental record deal with Steve Vai
's label Favored Nations at 15.
(Virgos, Dark New Day
). In the same year, he became the lead guitarist for the band Submersed
. He performed on their debut album, In Due Time
, The band's second album, Immortal Verses
, was released later that year before the band disbanded in 2008. He was also the guitarist for Daughters of Mara during this time, who also broke up in 2008.
. The band is currently working on new material.
, Friedman is influenced by Mark Tremonti
of Creed
and Alter Bridge
and has since formed a close friendship with Tremonti, who requested for Friedman to perform as Creed's rhythm guitarist on tour. Friedman states that he grew up listening to Creed's music, particularly their debut album My Own Prison
. While on tour with Creed, he provides rhythm guitar and backing vocals. He also performs a guitar solo with Tremonti on "What If
." He appeared as a touring member on Creed's record-breaking live DVD, Creed Live
. It has also been announced that Creed will reportedly be releasing a new song called "More Than This" which will feature Friedman on guitar. Friedman has also appeared in interviews and several promotional photos and videos. All of this has led to rumors of Friedman officially joining Creed, and the band has stated that they have discussed this, but nothing has been confirmed.
Creed (band)
Creed is an American rock band formed in 1995 in Tallahassee, Florida. Becoming popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the band has released three consecutive multi-platinum albums, one of which has been certified diamond, and has sold over 28 million records in the United States, with an...
. He played with the band on their 2009 United States reunion tour with Staind
Staind
Staind is an American rock band that was formed in 1995 in Springfield, Massachusetts. For 16 years, the band consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Aaron Lewis, lead guitarist Mike Mushok, bassist Johnny April, and drummer Jon Wysocki...
and their 20-10 Tour with Skillet
Skillet (band)
Skillet is an American Christian rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee in 1996. The band currently consists of husband and wife John and Korey Cooper , along with Jen Ledger and lead guitarist Seth Morrison. The band has released eight albums, two receiving Grammy nominations: Collide and Comatose...
. He is the former lead guitarist for the band Submersed
Submersed
Submersed was an American rock band from Stephenville, Texas. They disbanded in 2008.-History:Submersed was signed to Wind-up Records, and worked with Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti on its debut studio album, In Due Time, which featured the singles "You Run", "Hollow", and the title track...
and also the former lead guitarist for Daughters of Mara. Submersed and Daughters of Mara both disbanded in 2008. He also currently plays lead guitar and co writes for the rock band Hemme.
Early years
It all started for Friedman when his teenage guitar hero Kenny Wayne ShepherdKenny Wayne Shepherd
Kenny Wayne Shepherd is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He has released several studio albums and experienced a rare level of commercial success both as a blues artist and a young musician.-Biography:Shepherd graduated Caddo Magnet High School in Shreveport, Louisiana...
pulled him onstage for a jam session during his set at the Galaxy Theatre (Santa Ana, CA) in 1996. Shortly after he began playing in his own blues outfit called The Eric Friedman Band and was endorsed by Fender at the age of 13. Eric opened up for acts such as Buddy Guy
Buddy Guy
George "Buddy" Guy is an American blues and jazz guitarist and singer. He is a critically acclaimed artist who has established himself as a pioneer of the Chicago blues sound, and has served as an influence to some of the most notable musicians of his generation...
, Jimmy Vaughan, and Jonny Lang
Jonny Lang
Jonny Lang is a Grammy award-winning American blues, gospel, and rock singer, songwriter and recording artist. Lang's music is notable for both his unusual voice, which has been compared to that of a forty-year-old blues veteran, and for his guitar solos...
. He had a developmental record deal with Steve Vai
Steve Vai
Steven Siro "Steve" Vai is a three time Grammy Award-winning American guitarist, songwriter and producer who has sold over 15 million albums. Steve Vai is widely known as a flamboyant guitar virtuoso....
's label Favored Nations at 15.
Submersed
In 2000, Eric started a rock band called Blacsun that had demos produced by Brett HestlaBrett Hestla
Brett Hestla, is an American guitarist, bassist, vocalist and record producer.-Music career:In the late 1990s Hestla's band Virgos Merlot was signed to Atlantic Records. After their first release, Signs of a Vacant Soul, he became the touring bassist for Creed after the departure of Brian Marshall...
(Virgos, Dark New Day
Dark New Day
Dark New Day is an American hard rock supergroup formed in 2004 featuring Brett Hestla of Virgos Merlot, Troy McLawhorn of DoubleDrive, Clint Lowery of Sevendust, Corey Lowery of Stereomud and Stuck Mojo, and Will Hunt of Skrape...
). In the same year, he became the lead guitarist for the band Submersed
Submersed
Submersed was an American rock band from Stephenville, Texas. They disbanded in 2008.-History:Submersed was signed to Wind-up Records, and worked with Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti on its debut studio album, In Due Time, which featured the singles "You Run", "Hollow", and the title track...
. He performed on their debut album, In Due Time
In Due Time
In Due Time is the 2004 debut studio album by Submersed, a hard rock band from Stephenville, Texas. The album was originally titled All Things Becoming of the End. The album was recorded and mixed, but eventually scrapped and renamed as the band began writing new material that they felt was far...
, The band's second album, Immortal Verses
Immortal Verses
-B-sides:#"You Know Everything"#"Lonely Road"#"Everything"#"Keep You Waiting"#"Guilty Pleasure"#"Inquisition"#"Inside These Songs"#"My Pen Is Mightier"#"Messenger"#"See You In Heaven"#"We Stand Alone"#"Best Of Me "#"Coward "...
, was released later that year before the band disbanded in 2008. He was also the guitarist for Daughters of Mara during this time, who also broke up in 2008.
Hemme
Friedman is also the guitarist for Hemme, fronted by wrestler/TV personality Christy HemmeChristy Hemme
Christina Lee "Christy" Hemme is an American actress, singer, model, professional wrestling valet and former professional wrestler. Hemme is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, as a backstage interviewer and ring announcer.-Early life:Hemme was born in Poway, California, but she...
. The band is currently working on new material.
Creed
In addition to Kenny Wayne ShepherdKenny Wayne Shepherd
Kenny Wayne Shepherd is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He has released several studio albums and experienced a rare level of commercial success both as a blues artist and a young musician.-Biography:Shepherd graduated Caddo Magnet High School in Shreveport, Louisiana...
, Friedman is influenced by Mark Tremonti
Mark Tremonti
Mark Thomas Tremonti is an American musician and songwriter, best known as the lead guitarist of the American rock bands Creed and Alter Bridge. He is a founding member of both bands...
of Creed
Creed (band)
Creed is an American rock band formed in 1995 in Tallahassee, Florida. Becoming popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the band has released three consecutive multi-platinum albums, one of which has been certified diamond, and has sold over 28 million records in the United States, with an...
and Alter Bridge
Alter Bridge
Alter Bridge is an American rock band that was formed in 2004 in Orlando, Florida by lead guitarist Mark Tremonti, bassist Brian Marshall, and drummer Scott Phillips, who are all also members of Creed. Lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Myles Kennedy, formerly of The Mayfield Four and the frontman...
and has since formed a close friendship with Tremonti, who requested for Friedman to perform as Creed's rhythm guitarist on tour. Friedman states that he grew up listening to Creed's music, particularly their debut album My Own Prison
My Own Prison
My Own Prison is the debut album by Creed, released on August 26, 1997 . It has been certified 6x platinum and is one of the top 200 selling albums of all time in the United States. The person kneeling on the album's cover is Justin Brown, a friend of the band...
. While on tour with Creed, he provides rhythm guitar and backing vocals. He also performs a guitar solo with Tremonti on "What If
What If (Creed song)
"What If" is a song by Creed, released as the second single from their 1999 album Human Clay.In the song, Scott Stapp sings about hatred and those who oppress others. According to guitarist Mark Tremonti, the intro was inspired by the song "Paint It, Black" by The Rolling Stones.The song was used...
." He appeared as a touring member on Creed's record-breaking live DVD, Creed Live
Creed Live
Creed Live is the first concert film by the American rock band Creed, recorded on September 25, 2009 in Houston and released on December 8, 2009. The performance broke the world record for the most amount of cameras used at a live music event and was available for viewing for free on Rockpit and...
. It has also been announced that Creed will reportedly be releasing a new song called "More Than This" which will feature Friedman on guitar. Friedman has also appeared in interviews and several promotional photos and videos. All of this has led to rumors of Friedman officially joining Creed, and the band has stated that they have discussed this, but nothing has been confirmed.