Eric Keyes
Encyclopedia
Eric Keyes is a guitarist
and singer based in Denton
, TX. He is well known as a performer as well as for his proficiency on guitar.
In 1995, Keyes graduated from the University of North Texas
with a degree in Music (Music Theory). Upon graduation he founded the electric rock band Riddle Me This.
Riddle Me This quickly gained the public's attention and were one of the bands featured on the Denton, Texas
compilation album Denton Discoveries. The band then went on to record 3 albums starting with the humorously titled debut album "Merkin Wig" (a reference to pubic wigs) released in 1995.
The band stayed the course when the media conglomerate "Time Warner" challenged the band's trademark application claiming a "likelihood of confusion" with their batman
movies.
The case considered ridiculous by many, nevertheless cast the band into the national spotlight. They found support from Kurt Loder
and MTV
as well as the story was picked up by the Associated Press and the media throughout the US
.
The band followed up "Merkin Wig" with the aptly titled album "Trademark" in 1998.
In 2000 the band released what many consider to be their best album "Eden" which featured a song written by Eric titled "Im a Cow"
originally penned as a vehicle to make an ex-girlfriend laugh. The song was marketed on the internet by using clever animation produced by Portland, Oregon based animator Aaron Pendland.
The album also featured stunning renditions of the song "Godzilla" by Blue Oyster Cult and "Eye in the Sky" by The Alan Parsons Project.
At one point the bands website, was one of the most popular sites on the internet due to the clever animation file and subsequently spearheaded the "indie movement" and guerrilla marketing
on the web.
Eric has since released his first solo album "Wake Up" produced by versatile New York based musician and former "Steps Ahead" guitarist Jimi Tunnel.
The 2004 release featured a renewed emphasis on songwriting with a strong "tribal groove" and also featured guest artist "Aloke Dutta" on tabla
Eric's versatile guitar style is influenced by Allan Holdsworth who he has recorded with as well as Clint Strong, Ted Greene, Al Di Meola, Neal Schon and Yngwie Malmsteen.
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
and singer based in Denton
Denton, Texas
The city of Denton is the county seat of Denton County, Texas in the United States. Its population was 119,454 according to the 2010 U.S. Census, making it the eleventh largest city in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex...
, TX. He is well known as a performer as well as for his proficiency on guitar.
In 1995, Keyes graduated from the University of North Texas
University of North Texas College of Music
The University of North Texas College of Music, based in Denton, is a comprehensive music school with the largest enrollment of any music institution accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, and the oldest in the world offering a degree in jazz studies...
with a degree in Music (Music Theory). Upon graduation he founded the electric rock band Riddle Me This.
Riddle Me This quickly gained the public's attention and were one of the bands featured on the Denton, Texas
Denton, Texas
The city of Denton is the county seat of Denton County, Texas in the United States. Its population was 119,454 according to the 2010 U.S. Census, making it the eleventh largest city in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex...
compilation album Denton Discoveries. The band then went on to record 3 albums starting with the humorously titled debut album "Merkin Wig" (a reference to pubic wigs) released in 1995.
The band stayed the course when the media conglomerate "Time Warner" challenged the band's trademark application claiming a "likelihood of confusion" with their batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
movies.
The case considered ridiculous by many, nevertheless cast the band into the national spotlight. They found support from Kurt Loder
Kurt Loder
Kurt Loder is an American film critic, author, columnist, and television personality. He served in the 1980s as editor at Rolling Stone, during a tenure that Reason later called "legendary". He has contributed to articles in Reason, Esquire, Details, New York, and Time. He has also made cameos on...
and MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
as well as the story was picked up by the Associated Press and the media throughout the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
The band followed up "Merkin Wig" with the aptly titled album "Trademark" in 1998.
In 2000 the band released what many consider to be their best album "Eden" which featured a song written by Eric titled "Im a Cow"
originally penned as a vehicle to make an ex-girlfriend laugh. The song was marketed on the internet by using clever animation produced by Portland, Oregon based animator Aaron Pendland.
The album also featured stunning renditions of the song "Godzilla" by Blue Oyster Cult and "Eye in the Sky" by The Alan Parsons Project.
At one point the bands website, was one of the most popular sites on the internet due to the clever animation file and subsequently spearheaded the "indie movement" and guerrilla marketing
Guerrilla marketing
Guerrilla warfare is about waging small intermittent attacks on different territories of the opponent with the aim of harassing and demoralising the opponent and eventually securing permanent footholds....
on the web.
Eric has since released his first solo album "Wake Up" produced by versatile New York based musician and former "Steps Ahead" guitarist Jimi Tunnel.
The 2004 release featured a renewed emphasis on songwriting with a strong "tribal groove" and also featured guest artist "Aloke Dutta" on tabla
Eric's versatile guitar style is influenced by Allan Holdsworth who he has recorded with as well as Clint Strong, Ted Greene, Al Di Meola, Neal Schon and Yngwie Malmsteen.