Eric Gaffney (born December 25, 1967, in Cambridge, Massachusetts) is an American songwriter and recording artist, and has been home recording on cassette since 1981. An active participant in the Western Mass hardcore scene, in 1983 he founded, wrote songs for, and drummed with Grey Matter, opening hall shows with Jerry's Kids, F.U.s, The Freeze, Big Boys, Raw Power, Adrenalin O.D., Siege, 7 Seconds, Outpatients, Pajama Slave Dancers, Da Stupids, and others.
Gaffney joined No Preservatives in 1984, as lead singer, including a U-Mass ‘Battle of the Bands.’ Editor of 'Withdrawal Fanzine,’ and contributed scene reports for Maximum Rock 'N' Roll. In 1986, co-founded 'Gracefully Aging Hippy Soloists' with the late Charlie Ondras. In 1988, did the artwork, tape duplication, and local distribution for the first Sebadoh release: 'The Freed Man' cassette. The tape was favorably reviewed by Gerard Cosloy and resulted in a 3-record deal with Homestead Records.
In 1989, a split-single w. Big Stick, was released in the UK, followed by Magic Ribbons Box Set, a split w. King Missile, red vinyl. ‘The Freed Man’ was released as a Vinyl LP. (Homestead) Gaffney co-founded and arranged for the first practice of the indie rock band Sebadoh, and booked the first few shows for Sebadoh. Sheehan’s, WMHC Hall Show in Chicopee, Katina’s, Hampshire College, Middle East Cafe. ‘The Freed Weed’ was issued on CD, followed by a 7” on Vertical Records. Gaffney created the cover art for 'Sebadoh III,' and the album collage art. The III U.S. tour followed Firehose from Ames, Iowa to Durango, Colorado. The band signed to both Sub Pop, 20/20 (Domino) and City Slang in 1992, followed by tours of the UK w. The Wedding Present, BBC Session, plus dates in Europe with Pavement and Sonic Youth. Gaffney contributed the title and collage art, and CD layout for 'Smash Your Head on the Punk Rock, The front cover photograph for 'Rockin' The Forest,' and titled 'Sebadoh Vs. Helmet.’ In 1993 'Bubble & Scrape.’ sold 10,000 copies in the first week, followed by two U.S. tours, and a tour of UK/Europe, including Glastonbury, Lollapalooza. Gaffney left the band in late 1993.
Post-Sebadoh, Gaffney booked solo shows in New York (Space at Chase, Bard College, Brownies, Maxwells) and released 'It Lights Up & Spins Around' on cassette in 1998, performing and recording with his own project Fields of Gaffney, opening shows with Royal Trux, Danielson Family, Buffalo Tom. Old Gold (Atlanta) released ‘Brilliant Concert Numbers’ on CD in 1999, and Sub Pop released a single-club 7” on blue vinyl. Gaffney relocated to San Francisco, re-formed the band with new members, and booked mini-tours for New York/Brooklyn, 2002, SXSW plus Southwest U.S., and Northwest U.S., 2003-2004.
In 2006, 'Uncharted Waters' was released on Old Gold (Atlanta) and Handmade Records (Oslo) Gaffney performed at Noise Pop Festival in San Francisco in 2002, 2003, and 2007, and at CMJ in 1990, 1998, 2006.
In 2007, Sebadoh reformed with the original line-up as "Classic Sebadoh," with a full U.S. Tour. Domino reissue of Sebadoh III, and The Freed Man. Bubble & Scrape was reissued on Domino/Sub Pop, Sebadoh toured Europe in 2008, including All Tomorrow's Parties, UK, Primavera Festival, Barcelona, and co-headlined Pitchfork Festival 2008 with Public Enemy and Mission of Burma.
Gaffney currently sells music via his Bandcamp page, and has twenty records digitally distributed worldwide. Land of Make Believe Limited Editon Vinyl LP released by Almost Halloween Time, Bari, Italy, 2016. Joyful Noise released a limited edition "Cassetterospective" box set of ten cassette records in 2015.