Feature: Pete Friesen

January 2003

Canadian born Pete Friesen was playing guitar with British band "The Almighty" when they supported Iron Maiden's "Real live tour 1993". After he left The Almighty he started doing session jobs including playing on tour with Alice Cooper. He plays a bit of guitar on Sack Trick's "Music from the Mystery Rabbits" CD and on the upcoming "Sheep in Kiss Make-up".

He also plays in a pub rock band called The Shakers in which the drummer is none other than Les Binks who played with Judas Priest in the late 70s!

Here's a link to Live pics of Pete with The Shakers

Here follows the Pete Friesen Q & A:

Name and instrument:
Pete Friesen; Guitar
What had you been doing before you started working with Bruce?
Before Bruce, I had played for Alice Cooper and The Almighty.
How did you come to work with Bruce?
I've been friends with Alex, Chris and Robin for years, so when Bruce put the band together for the summer dates, the guys recommended me.
Do you remember your first meeting with him?
I first met Bruce while The Almighty supported Maiden in 1993.
What was the reason for you parting company with him?
The band was just put together for the summer dates to have some fun. Bruce is busy with Maiden again.
What have you been up to since?
I've been touring the U.S. and Europe with Alice Cooper.
Do you have any fun Bruce anecdotes to share with us?
??? (sorry, nothing out of the ordinary happened).
Are you in contact with Bruce nowadays?
No, he's a busy guy, our paths don't really cross.
What do you think of his latest albums?
His solo albums are great, I like the fact he has tried different things from album to album; favourite songs? The Tower and Tears of the Dragon.
Pete's own question to himself:
What was your favourite moment onstage with Bruce?
My favourite moment on stage was when we played Sweden Rocks Festival (our first show), when we started Powerslave I looked out into the crowd and the whole place was going crazy. I saw Maiden on the Powerslave tour in Toronto when I was 19 years old. So, for me this was like getting to go back in time and play with one of my favourite bands while I was growing up.

Pete Friesen Discography:

The Almighty:
Soul Destruction
Powertrippin'

...More to come...