Eric “E-Panda” Hernandez was born in 1976 in Brooklyn, New York. He is the son of Brooklyn native “Pete Hernandez, who was the percussionist for Love & Money and Cecilio & Kapono.
Eric started drumming at the tender age of 4 and playing professionally at the age of 10 in Hawaii. He played 6 nights a week for 8 years with “The Lovenote Show” a Variety show paying tribute to the music of the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s. It was this unrelenting schedule that bred consistency in his playing and made him a master of all styles, be it soul, funk, reggae, rock, and anything else the music demands of him. Eric quickly gained notoriety for his talent on the drums and became one of Hawaii’s most sought-after drummers. In the summer of 1995, Eric took his talent to Hollywood California. He immediately joined the Alternative/ Pop band “Louie Says” who was signed to RCA records. He was their session/touring drummer.
Throughout the years he continued to play live and do session work for various artists such as Menudo, Travie McCoy, and the Platinum producing team called “The Smeezingtons.” Eric is currently the session and tour drummer for Grammy Award-winning recording artist Bruno Mars.