Brian Ritchie

Infobox Musical Artist
Name = Brian Ritchie


Img_capt = Performing in 2006
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Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
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Born = birth date and age|1960|11|21
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Instrument = Bass guitar, shakuhachi
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Associated_acts = Violent Femmes
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Brian Ritchie (born 21 November, 1960) is the bass guitarist for the folk/punk/rock band Violent Femmes. His distinct sound comes from using Ernie Ball acoustic bass guitars, which is very uncommon in rock music. He is also one of the more high-profile users of the relatively new Barker Bass.

In addition to his bass playing, Ritchie is also proficient at the shakuhachi, a Japanese bamboo flute. He acquired a Jun Shihan (shakuhachi teaching license) in March 2003 and his professional name is "Tairaku" ("big music" in Japanese). [http://www.bigappleshak.com/bas/bio-ritchie.shtml]

Since 1998, he has collaborated with American shakuhachi maker Ken LaCosse developing a wide bore style of shakuhachi called Taimu. [http://www.mujitsu.com/taimu.html] [http://cdbaby.com/cd/btritchie2]

In 2006 he and his wife Dr Varuni Kulasekara moved to Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, where he has guest played in a band called The Green Mist. [http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/aust/5093/]

In Aug. 2007, Ritchie sued Violent Femmes bandmate Gordon Gano, claiming he was deprived proper songwriting credits on Violent Femmes songs. [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070816/ap_en_ot/people_violent_femmes]

Discography

*1987 - "The Blend"
*1989 - "Sonic Temple & Court of Babylon"
*1989 - "Sun Ra - Man from Outer Space"
*1990 - "I See a Noise"
*2004 - "Shakuhachi Club NYC"