Bio

      Erik Zukauskas (pronounced Zoo-Cows-Cuss), is a Guitarist, Songwriter, Multi-Instrumentalist, Recording Engineer and Producer from Massachusetts. A Berklee College of Music Graduate, Erik has been playing music for nearly 25 years, and in that time has performed with dozens of bands and released five full length solo albums.
      Although Erik currently lives the suburban, middle class, married with children, 9 to 5 lifestyle, he continues to write, record and perform music. This website is not only the history of Erik, but the future as well.      
This is Erik Z’s Music.

History

      Erik began playing music at the age 7 when a Piano arrived on his birthday. Over the next three years Erik built his musical foundation learning not only to read and write music, but to play and appreciate the classical masters such as Beethoven and Mozart. Along the way he tried his hand at numerous other instruments, including Drums, Violin, Cello, Autoharp, Dulcimer, recorder and whatever else came his way.
      At the age of 12 Erik received his first guitar; a red hohner electric. After learning a few basic chords from his mother, he quickly moved onto bigger things, and before long was able to play along with his favorite Guns N Roses or Metallica Records. From there on, Erik was mostly self taught, learning to play primarily by listening to records and reading tab from guitar books and magazines. It wasn't until years later, at the Berklee College of Music, that he would take formal lessons.

      Erik began his recording career at the age of 15 when he received a 4-Track as a Christmas Gift. Using his programmable synthesizer and growing guitar skills, Erik recorded three full length albums over the course of the next few years. The First Album (Bear Crossing) in 1994, Schizophrenic Daze in 1995 & Tastes like Chicken in 1996. Erik enjoyed minor local celebrity in 1996 due to a music video for the song Playing the Game from his second album Schizophrenic Daze. The video was created by Ken & Glen Aspeslagh, and was featured on their local Public Access TV show "The Ken & Glen Show".
      In the summer of 1996 Erik joined the already established band Male Order Brides as their second guitarist. Over the course of several months, Erik played a handful of shows, including 1996's Localpalooza in Worcester MA playing alongside God Lives Underwater and the Beth Hart Band. Erik also joined the Male Order Brides in the studio to finish recording 5 additional songs for their full length album. The band parted ways in the fall of 1996.

      In the winter of 1997, Andrew Burkus (former lead singer and songwriter of the Male Order Brides) formed a new band, Aesthetik, featuring Erik Zukauskas on guitar, Jake Fink on Bass, and Eric Bisceglia on drums. Over the course of the next two years Aesthetik played numerous concerts throughout the New England Area, including a high profile show at 1997's locobazooka playing alongside Faith No More, Godsmack and Limp Bizkit. In the fall of 1997 Aesthetik entered the studio to record a 2 song EP. Aesthetik played their last public show at Cambridge's famous TT the Bears in March of 1998. The band officially disbanded the following fall.

      In 1996 Erik also began attending the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. Over the course the next four years Erik would hone his skills as guitarist and musician. Focusing on recording, he graduating in 2000 with a degree in Music Production and Engineering.
      In 2000, Erik began work on his personal recording studio. Featuring state of the art hardware and digital software, Erik's new studio was worlds away from the cassette tape 4-Track era.
      Since the creation of his studio, Erik has recorded and released two full length albums; disc 1. The Allston Years and Three and a half years gone. Unfortunately the realities of life don't allow Erik to pump the albums out as quickly as he once had, but the drive is still there, and Erik continues to write, record and dream music on a daily basis.