Ernie Cunnigan, better known by his stage name Ernie C, is the lead guitarist of heavy metal band Body Count

Body Count

Body Count is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1990. The group is fronted by rapper and actor Ice-T, who founded the group out of his interest in heavy metal music, taking on the role of vocalist and writing the lyrics for most of the group's songs. Lead guitarist...

.

Early life

Cunnigan grew up in Compton, California

Compton, California

Compton is a city in southern Los Angeles County, California, United States, southeast of downtown Los Angeles. The city of Compton is one of the oldest cities in the county and on May 11, 1888, was the eighth city to incorporate. The city is considered part of the South side by residents of Los...

 and attended Crenshaw High School with Ice-T

ICE-T

* Ice-T, an American rapper and actor* ICE T , a tilting model of the German InterCityExpress series of high-speed trains...

. Cunnigan was one of the few students attending the school who was interested in rock music, and was a dedicated guitar player. Ernie's Uncle had given Ernie many CDs and tapes when he moved away. Ernie bought a guitar from his local music store. Ernie was always self taught and from age 12 began playing.

Cunnigan's guitar playing and showmanship earned him respect among his fellow students, including members of the Crips

Crips

The Crips are a primarily, but not exclusively, African American gang. They were founded in Los Angeles, California, in 1969 mainly by Raymond Washington and Stanley Williams...

 gang. Cunnigan also taught guitar lessons to students, including D-Roc the Executioner, who later joined the band Body Count

Body Count

Body Count is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1990. The group is fronted by rapper and actor Ice-T, who founded the group out of his interest in heavy metal music, taking on the role of vocalist and writing the lyrics for most of the group's songs. Lead guitarist...

.

Music career

Cunnigan and Ice-T

ICE-T

* Ice-T, an American rapper and actor* ICE T , a tilting model of the German InterCityExpress series of high-speed trains...

 , co-wrote the song "Cop Killer

Cop Killer (song)

"Cop Killer" is a song by American band Body Count, from its 1992 self-titled debut album. The lyrics are sung from the point of view of an individual who is outraged by police brutality and decides to take the law into his own hands by killing police officers...

". Cunnigan also produced demo tapes that led to the signings of Stone Temple Pilots

Stone Temple Pilots

Stone Temple Pilots is an American rock band from San Diego, California that consists of Scott Weiland , brothers Robert DeLeo and Dean DeLeo , and Eric Kretz ....

 and Rage Against the Machine

Rage Against the Machine

Rage Against the Machine is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1991, the group's line-up consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello and drummer Brad Wilk...

, as well as the Forbidden album for Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...

. Today Ernie still plays for Body Count. Due to Body Count's steided touring schedule Cunnigan started his own band Masters of Metal in 2010. The Band is expected to release an album in December of 2011.

Discography

• Body Count CD/LP/CS (1992)
• Born Dead CD/LP/CS (1994)
• Violent Demise: The Last Days CD/LP/CS (1997)
• Murder 4 Hire CD (2006)
• TBA (2011)

Videography

• Murder 4 Hire (2004)
• Live in LA (2005)
• Smoke Out Festival Presents: Body Count (2005)

External links