About the Band
Points North creates melodic guitar-driven instrumental music, combining musicianship and a modern aesthetic with classic tones, song structures, and pop sensibility.
Some of the diverse and noted artists Points North has played with across Northern and Southern California include:
- Blues Traveler
- Eric Johnson
- KingsX
- Al Di Meola
- Steve Morse
- UFO (featuring Vinnie Moore)
- Larry Carlton
- Michael Schenker (UFO, Scorpions, MSG)
- Steve Lukather (Toto, legendary studio musician)
- Pat Travers
- Ronnie Montrose
- Gary Hoey
- George Lynch
- Uli Jon Roth (Scorpions, Electric Sun, Sky Academy)
- Eric Martin (Mr. Big, Eric Martin Band)
Who We Are
Eric Barnett
Eric Barnett (guitar) began playing music at age 5 as a
violinist, attending Manhattan School of Music and Juillard summer
programs. After switching to guitar, Eric attended GIT in Los Angeles,
and played and taught in LA. Later on, Eric worked in
New York as a studio musician, including with noted performer/producer
Kenny Vance (Jay and the Americans, Steely Dan). Prior to joining
Points North, Eric has shared the stage with national acts as diverse
as The Offspring, Henry Rollins, Ween, Jeff Buckley, and The Lemonheads.
Eric was also a finalist in Guitar Player Magazine's Guitar Superstar 2008 Competition, hosted by Andy Summers (the Police), with judges including Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Elliot Easton (the Cars), and George Lynch, and performed (with Points North) at the opening night of the Guitar Superstars Live! tour in San Francisco.
Eric at Guitar Player Magazine's Guitar Superstar 2008
Recent accomplishments also include instructional videos for GuitarTricks.com, composing and producing the lead track for Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection (a video game title for Crave Entertainment, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, and Xbox 360), composing and performing television cues published via Atrium Music Group, and collaborating with esteemed composer Mark Griskey (best known for his work on the Star Wars videogame franchise) on movie trailer work.
Eric is endorsed by TC Electronics, Egnater Amplification, Seymour Duncan pickups, Mogami cables, MXL Microphones, Sfarzo Strings, and Suhr guitars.
Points North represents a long time dream of Eric’s to develop the guitar as a lead instrument and primary voice.
Uriah
Duffy has been been the "go to" bassist for nearly every genre since
he picked up the bass at 10 years old. For the past 15 years, he's based
himself in the San Francisco Bay Area lending his bottom end to stages large
and small around the world - multiple times. For 5 years he was a member of the
legendary rock group Whitesnake. While doing that, he maintained a healthy
workload with credits including the likes of Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys,
Too Short, Sly & the Family Stone, Pat Travers, Starship & more.
Growing up around funk, pop, metal & rock has rounded out his skill set as
a working bassist, but upon meeting the group Points North, Uriah has been able
to release some of his former East coast Classic Rock & Prog
influences. Uriah
brings a dynamic combination of technicality, versitility & feel that is
uniquely suited to the inherent challenges in being a bassist in an instrumental three piece
band.
Kevin Aiello (drums) is a seasoned veteran drummer who grew up in the SF Bay Area. Having played in many working bands over the years covering many styles, Kevin brings versatility and an amazing range of musical knowledge to Points North. Prior to joining Points North, he has shared the stage with a number of classic blues acts such as Etta James, Mark Ford, Stu Blank, and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. A long-time fan of instrumental music, Kevin's solid foundation and visually exciting approach is the perfect compliment and adds a fine finish to Points North..
