Eric Erlandson

Eric T. Erlandson (born January 9, 1963, in Los Angeles, California) is the co-founder of and former lead guitarist for '90s rock/grunge band Hole. He grew up in sunny San Pedro, where he was picked on for being lanky and pale. During his college years he worked for the now defunct Licorice Pizza record store chain, alongside many members of various iconic LA punk bands. He has a B.S. in Economics with a Minor in Marketing from Loyola Marymount University, where his father, Theodore Erlandson, served as Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Before forming Hole, Eric worked for Capitol Records doing Paul McCartney's and Tina Turner's royalties. He was friends with Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love, and at one time dated actress Drew Barrymore, who is the godmother of Cobain and Love's daughter Frances Bean. He also had a relationship with former Hole bassist Kristen Pfaff, who is now deceased.

Eric remains good friends with Melissa Auf der Maur, and played guitar on one track (Would If I Could) from her 2004 solo album Auf Der Maur. Over the years, he's worked with Bijou Phillips, John Wolfington, Everett True and Rodney Bingenheimer. In 2007, he formed an improvisational music project with his neighbor Vincent Gallo. Their band together, RRIICCEE, toured the U.S and Canada, and played the Fuji Rock festival in Japan. He has since left the group to pursue other endeavors.

Eric has practiced Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism since 1990. Currently, he is working on various writing, music and art projects, while studying Creative Writing, Tai Chi, health cultivation and Raw Food/Vegan cuisine.