About
Photo by Dan Kazinski
With a music career spanning nearly four decades, Eric Madunic first got his start performing in his dad's '50's & '60's rock 'n' roll cover band playing keyboards and singing. While attending Milwaukee Trade & Technical High School, Eric played drums, percussion, piano, guitar, and sang in the school's music programs. During his senior year, he was the recipient of the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award, which is the "top senior jazz award" or highest level interscholastic award given to a musician.
In the following years, Eric performed in various bands throughout Southeastern Wisconsin as a keyboardist and singer. In 1997 he started playing the bass guitar and it has since become his main live performance instrument.
In 2006 he received his first Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) award for "Cover Band of the Year" with former Milwaukee cover band Old Mil.
In 2013, he received his first finalist nomination for and won the Wisconsin Area Music Industry award for "Bass Player of the Year". In 2014 and 2015, he received his second and third consecutive finalist nominations in the category. He also received a Wisconsin Area Music Industry award in 2015 and again in 2017 both in the category for "R&B/Soul Artist of the Year" with original Soul/Blues group Tweed Funk. In 2024, he received his fourth finalist nomination for "Bass Player of the Year".
In 2016, he served as a chief songwriter, producer, and arranger while also playing bass, Hammond organ, Rhodes electric piano, guitar, and performing backing vocals on Tweed Funk's release "Come Together".
In 2017, Eric became a member of the Willy Porter Band, holding down bass guitar and backup vocal duties for the nationally recognized contemporary singer/songwriter and guitar virtuoso.
Eric has toured extensively throughout the continental US and Europe. In addition to his current projects, he also works as a studio session/freelance musician for hire. He is endorsed by and uses Bergantino Audio Systems bass amplification.
In the following years, Eric performed in various bands throughout Southeastern Wisconsin as a keyboardist and singer. In 1997 he started playing the bass guitar and it has since become his main live performance instrument.
In 2006 he received his first Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) award for "Cover Band of the Year" with former Milwaukee cover band Old Mil.
In 2013, he received his first finalist nomination for and won the Wisconsin Area Music Industry award for "Bass Player of the Year". In 2014 and 2015, he received his second and third consecutive finalist nominations in the category. He also received a Wisconsin Area Music Industry award in 2015 and again in 2017 both in the category for "R&B/Soul Artist of the Year" with original Soul/Blues group Tweed Funk. In 2024, he received his fourth finalist nomination for "Bass Player of the Year".
In 2016, he served as a chief songwriter, producer, and arranger while also playing bass, Hammond organ, Rhodes electric piano, guitar, and performing backing vocals on Tweed Funk's release "Come Together".
In 2017, Eric became a member of the Willy Porter Band, holding down bass guitar and backup vocal duties for the nationally recognized contemporary singer/songwriter and guitar virtuoso.
Eric has toured extensively throughout the continental US and Europe. In addition to his current projects, he also works as a studio session/freelance musician for hire. He is endorsed by and uses Bergantino Audio Systems bass amplification.
What people are saying...
"Bassist Eric Madunic rustles up comparisons to James Jamerson or Carol Kaye....." - The Extended Play Sessions
""Eric's bass line on "Love Ain't Easy" (Tweed Funk) sports a near Richard Bona-type "pumping in the pocket" style. He definitely knows his stuff and his work is supportive and yet, has a life of its own." - Bluebird Reviews
"From the intro the listener knows what the band is all about as the horns are popping over Madunic’s killer bass line that is perfectly in time with Schoepke’s drums." - Rex & The Bass
"The bass slinks in like Jamerson with a Coffey styled guitar riff similar to "Ball Of Confusion" as the horns urge Smokey to "Light Up The Night" then bassist Madunic doubles down on Hammond organ and the backing vocals of Chrissy Dzioba and Sara Moilanen lightens the mood on the Curtis Mayfield-like anthem "Don’t Give Up." - Big City Blues Magazine
"...Eric Madunic steals the show with a Motown groove straight out of the James Jamerson playbook..." - The Extended Play Sessions
"Bassist Eric Madunic and drummer Dave Schoepke have mastered the art of keeping a groove." - Elmore Magazine
"King of bass!" - Vinnie Paul (Drummer for Pantera, Damageplan, & Hellyeah)
"It's like Billy Cox and Bob Babbitt had a soul baby!!" - Dave Schoepke (Drummer/Clinician)
