Who is KRIS PETERSEN?
Kris Petersen 2015
Kris Petersen is a name that has become synonymous with the Australian Music Industry. From clubs to stadiums, Kris has performed on every continent in the world and shared the stage with some of the world’s greatest artists.
In the last few years alone, Kris has performed with, or alongside Alice Cooper, Aerosmith, Orianthi, Van Halen, Billy Joel, Matt Sorumn (Guns n Roses), Eric Martin (Mr. Big), The Drifters, Tony MacAlpine, Buckcherry, Daryl Braithwaite, The Living End, Icehouse, Marcia Hines, The Screaming Jets, The Choirboys, Mental As Anything, Bruce Kulick (KISS), Leo Sayer, Pretty Boy Floyd and many more.
With a degree from AIM (Australian Institute of Music) and over 20 years as a professional musician, Kris has toured nationally and internationally with some of the best original, cover and concept acts that Australia has to offer.
Coming from a family of professional musicians, Kris began playing guitar at the age of 5. Cutting his adolescent teeth on artists such as AC/DC, Bon Jovi, Van Halen and Joe Satriani, Kris completed his schooling and went onto study Jazz at AIM. It was here that he combined the technical and theoretical aspects of playing with his love of Guitar driven Rock. This fusion of styles, techniques and influences lead Kris to become one of the most in demand players in Sydney.
Kris Petersen in the Australian Van Halen Show 1998
After spending his university years jumping in and out of numerous jazz, rock and fusion bands, Kris went on to make his mark on the industry in the concept show circuit. Playing the role of Edward Van Halen in the Australian VAN HALEN show “VAN HAGAR”, Kris’ reputation quickly spread as a force to be reckoned with. As the band tore up Sydney’s booming concept show circuit of the late 90’s, Kris enjoyed night after night of high-energy rock, sold-out crowds and the first steps in a long and successful career.
In the early 2000’s the demand for concept shows began to dwindle making way for a new era of party bands. Kris was quick to make the transition. He suddenly found himself playing consistently for thousands of people night after night in Sydney’s hottest dance and party bands in some of the best venues Sydney had to offer. It was during this period that Kris also completed his first national and international tours.
At the demise of the covers industry in Sydney, Kris was quick to shift into the duo circuit. Keeping up with his in-your-face song selection and performance, Kris teamed up with fellow party band front man Matt Low. Together they brutally attacked the pub and club circuit earning a name as the most entertaining duo’s working the scene. This not only earned them a minimum of 26 shows a month, they also became regulars at celebrity filled establishments and even the end of season parties for many of Sydney’s NRL teams.
Using the reputation and fan base Kris had earned from his work in the covers industry, he once again jumped back into the original band circuit. In 2002 he formed and fronted ‘SYNIC’. Writing all the material for the band Kris went onto to record and release two albums over 2002 and 2003.
After SYNIC disbanded in 2004, Kris was asked to play guitar for a new artist being shaped by non other than legendary Australian Producer Harry Vander (AC/DC, The Easybeats). Named simply ‘KATERINA’ Kris was working out of Albert’s studios in Sydney and played on the album as well as all the live performances.
Without stopping his work in the covers scene, Kris took a brief hiatus from original music until joining MASONIA in 2006. Kris had previously worked with MASONIA manager John Martinovic on the ‘KATERINA’ project. He joined the band as lead guitarist after the shock success of the 2005 single SIMPLE (#41 on the ARIA charts). Recording and releasing a new single ‘Anywhere with you’ in 2006, Kris got his first taste of commercial success on the original music circuit. With sold out shows aplenty, MASONIA went onto record their next single ‘Dream’ in 2007 before renaming the band “BLIND VERDICT” and venturing to Studios 301 in Sydney to record the full record with producer Dane Charles. In January of 2008 Kris left BLIND VERDICT after a drastic change in the bands style. After a brief period with a new line up, Blind Verdict eventually disbanded late 2008. Front man Altiyan Childs went on to win the 1st season of X-factor in Australia in 2010.
Wasting no time, Kris immediately formed the rock band ‘the NEXT’ after identifying the need for a commercially viable hard-hitting Australian Rock Band. With his intuition paying off, ‘the NEXT’ signed a development deal with Sony Music Australia that same year. Kris returned to Albert’s studios in November of 2008 to record the NEXT’s debut E.P. Produced by Bob Daisley (Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Ozzy Osbourne, Gary Moore), the E.P. titled “LIGHT OF DAY” opened at number 5 on the Aria singles charts. The 2nd track “Bring It On” became a feature track for both Fox Sports and the NRL. “Bring it on” appeared frequently on the telecasts of a variety of different sporting events. Most notably was the Australian Open in 2009 and most of the major boxing events of the same year. ‘Bring it on’ was also featured as the Grand Final ‘full time’ song used for the 2009 and 2010 NRL Grand Final as well as the 2009 AFL Grand Final.
After the success of ‘LIGHT OF DAY” and a productive song writing trip to L.A. in 2009, Kris along with fellow SYNDICATE band mates signed a full recording deal with Sony Music Australia in 2010. Renaming the band to ‘SYNDICATE’, their self-titled album was recorded at Tranzformers Studios in Los Angeles with Grammy award-winning producers Brandon Friesen (Nickleback, Sum 41, Avril Lavigne), Jeff Blue (Linkin Park, Matchbox 20, Korn) and Scott Humphrey (Motley Crue, Metallica, Rob Zombie).
With recording of the album taking longer than originally anticipated, Kris was forced to give up his dream day job as the Publishing Manager for GUITARIST AUSTRALIA magazine. From this point on, Kris dedicated his whole being to the creation and sharing of his music.
With production of the ‘SYNDICATE’ album completed, the first single “Shout” was released in November 2010 and reached No.1 on the ARIA charts, with the second single “All My Life” released in June 2011.
Whilst touring extensively throughout Australia, Asia and Europe throughout 2011 and 2012, Kris’ profile as a player and songwriter continually raised. Kris earned invitations to play on countless records and write with, or for profile artists including Marcos Curiel (P.O.D.), Tori Darke, and Stephanie Jansen. He also wrote for and performed on countless projects for film & television.
As Kris’ career accelerated from strength to strength, he was honoured with an invitation to perform with SYNDICATE on the public stage at the grand opening of the Hard Rock Cafe Sydney in December 2011. If that wasn’t enough, Kris was also asked to partake in the official guitar smashing ceremony before joining Matt Sorumn (Guns n Roses, Velvet Revolver, the Cult) on the stage inside the venue to belt out a couple of Guns ‘n’ Roses tunes for the celebrity filled audience.
With SYNDICATE gaining momentum, Kris was faced with the daunting task of replacing the lead singer and front-man Greg Agar in July of 2012. Deciding to allow SYNDICATE to fold, Kris immediately embarked on his solo career. He wasted no time hitting the studio to begin demo tracking for his instrumental project “Deja Vu”.
The album features 13 tracks selected from Kris’ extensive and diverse library of material. Showcasing his multi-genre influences and profound capabilities on the guitar, Kris’ poured his heart and soul into each and every track.
“Making this record was very therapeutic for me. After I decided to let SYNDICATE go, I knew I needed to get back in the studio as quickly as possible and begin the next phase of my career.”
Kris engaged the musical talents of some of his close friends to bring his project to fruition. This included drummer virtuoso Chris Moore (Endangered Species) and bassist Bjorn Englen (Dio Disciples, Tony Mac Alpine). The listeners are taken on a sonic journey exploring all facets of Kris’ diverse musical tastes and phenomenal guitar skills. The first single “Answer to my Prayer” is due for release in 2015.
A glutton for punishment Kris also began work on his 2nd solo project where he takes up the reigns on lead vocals. Invited to play at the 2013 Stone Festival at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Kris deputed the project and gave his delighted fans a taste of what was to come. With the album now in the mixing stages, 2015 will be a big year for Kris’ releasing music.
While beginning work on DEJA VU, Kris also founded and began developmental work on THE LICK FACTORY. Burdened by the fact that he wasn’t able to take new students, Kris decided to put his unique and highly successful teaching method into an on-line format.
He designed the LICK FACTORY to teach students from the ground up. Separated into Sets of 6 to 8 lessons, the complete course takes the students from a beginner to a professional level player. Kris designed the course to replace the 1-on-1 teacher experience. He walks you through every aspect of playing from sight-reading to complex chords and scale approaches. Assisted by backing tracks and down-loadable lesson notes Kris went to great lengths to ensure that student received the same level of education as they would if he was in the room. The Lick Factory went live in its first version on 1st July 2013.
As part of the pre-promotional activity for ‘DEJA VU’, Kris was instrumental in putting together ‘The Demon Rock Off’. The Demon Rock Off is a guitar competition like none other. Kris retires his standard attire and takes the stage dressed as the devil himself and challenges contestants on stage. Putting players through their paces, Kris pulled together a backing band that can change genres, time signatures and grooves at the drop of a hat. With the first event held in Melbourne Australia in October of 2011, Kris ended up taking the competition to the USA in 2014.
The first U.S. Demon Rock Off was held at the RockBar Theater in San Jose, California on Halloween in 2014. The second event was on June 27th 2015. With celebrity judges that have so far included George Lynch (Lynch Mob), Craig Goldy (Dio), Jake E Lee (Ozzy Osbourne), Warren DiMartini (Ratt), Eddie Trunk (That Metal Show) and Craig Locicero (Spiral Arms), Kris has put close to 150 players through their paces in a challenging but fun event. The Demon Rock off will be held again in early 2016.
After the success of the Demon Rock Off, Kris was offered and accepted the role of Music Director at the RockBar Theater. Kris runs the recording studio on site putting his recording expertise to work while also performing with a multitude of bands. He also resumed his solo and duo’s acts on site for a new American audience. Kris also took over the running and training of all the stage crew and currently oversees all overall production activity of the venue. Due to his role, Kris has now worked with a multitude of world-renowned players including Kirk Hammett, John 5, Alien Ant Farm, Billy Idol and Eric Martin.
“Taking on the Music Director role at RockBar was a great thing for me! I’m able to concentrate on playing and recording and I get challenged musically everyday. I’ve performed with and been the musical director for THE DRIFTERS and even played Bass for Eric Martin from Mr. Big. I get to explore multiple genres from acoustic rhythmic stuff to jazz to metal. Its a great gig!”
With an extensive career that has been packed full of exciting experiences with name after name, Kris knows that he is far from done.
“What can I say…I love what I do! Music is in my blood. It’s not something I can simply just switch off. I’ve been playing for as long as I can remember and I’m sure I’ll still be doing it long after I’m gone.”
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