Eric Carlson (May 22, 1958 – December 29, 2024) was an American musician who was a founding member and lead guitarist of heavy metal band Mentors.
[1] Under the stage name Sickie Wifebeater, Carlson started the Mentors in Seattle in 1976 with bass guitarist Steve Broy (Dr. Heathen Scum) and singer/drummer Eldon Hoke (El Duce) who attended Roosevelt High School together.
[1] On December 30, 2024, the Mentors announced via their official Facebook page that Carlson died from cancer the night before.
[2][3] Carlson's playing style when soloing (with hand above and over the fretboard) was one of the things that gave the Mentors' guitars a unique sound.
His signature sound was fluid with alternating bottom-heavy crunch with fast-noted metal runs.