Four Strings and the Truth

Brian Ritchie is our first guest whose primary instrument - the one that helped make his band Violent Femmes a household name - is an acoustic bass. Today we hear how all that came to be, the band’s path from busking on the streets of Milwaukee to rocking stadiums, and why their approach really hasn’t changed all that much. Along the way he tells some funny stories about early gigs, opens up about a new acoustic bass he’s gotten his hands on and even shares what Flea told him about working with producer Michael Beinhorn.

Also - and this will make sense after you listen - here are two updates to things I say in this episode:

1. My amazing engineer/mixer Matt Noble pointed me to lutefish.com, a hardware-software set-up that does enable near real-time jamming over distances less than 500 miles. I haven’t tried it out, because it requires being hardwired to my modem and that’s too far away from my basses.

2. Parquet Courts’ (fantastic) bassist Sean Yeaton doesn’t play a stock short scale bass - it’s a frankenbass made up of the body and pickups of an ‘84 Fender Bullet bass (short scale) and the neck of a ’50s P-Bass reissue (standard scale). It also has a weird hole in it.

Violent Femmes (https://open.spotify.com/artist/0rpMdBzQXf7aYRnu5fDBJy?si=XfFHPeSkTUyqNHhdWKdAgQ)

Brian Ritchie’s solo stuff (https://open.spotify.com/artist/5VlujeJlkf1SEspNUbdhq8?si=pREJiCIQQJKztGtRFon1Og)

Big Johnson Basses (https://bigjohnsonbass.com/) - Brian Ritchie’s next new favorite bass? And here’s a video demo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KeWe0KUznk) by its creator.

Guitars For Vets (https://guitars4vets.org) - a very cool charity, check it out

This episode is brought to you by "The Bastard Instrument: A Cultural History of the Electric Bass," the essential new book that illuminates the origins and impact of our beloved instrument in all its glory. An amazing read. Buy it at Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Bastard-Instrument-Cultural-Electric-Tracking/dp/0472056816/) or your favorite book slinger. And check out author Brian F. Wright's website (https://www.brianfwright.com/) for unreleased content from the book and more of his writing.

Dead Kennedys - the scabrous, Northern Cali-based band that taught the world how to stage dive - created some of the most indelible anthems in hardcore, naming and shaming those in charge and challenging its audience to face hard truths. The band’s gone through a few line-up changes in its 40+ years, but one constant has been the instrumental interplay of bassist Klaus Flouride with guitarist and co-founding member East Bay Ray, along with the hyperspeed precision of drummer D.H. Peligro (who passed in 2022). Live, they’ve worked with vocalist Skip (the Wynona Riders) for longer than original singer Jello Biafra was in the band, and they’re gearing up for more shows. Klaus joins the pod to talk about the band’s history and musical gestalt, his own idiosyncratic solo output (coming soon to a digital music service near you!), and how they may have to update some of their classics for our present day insanity.

Dead Kennedys (http://deadkennedys.com/)

Recording “Nazi Punks Fuck Off” in the studio (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzHLPnGuVSQ)

Klaus Flouride’s solo material on discogs (https://www.discogs.com/artist/259342-Klaus-Flouride)

Carrion Kids (https://carrionkids.bandcamp.com/)

Oranger with Matt Harris (https://open.spotify.com/artist/3euxXTX6KdKGg5ljc592yw?si=HDwUCOSOQ4KFXPWHLBxXAw)

This episode is brought to you by "The Bastard Instrument: A Cultural History of the Electric Bass," the essential new book that illuminates the origins and impact of our beloved instrument in all its glory. An amazing read. Buy it at Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Bastard-Instrument-Cultural-Electric-Tracking/dp/0472056816/) or your favorite book slinger. And check out author Brian F. Wright's website (https://www.brianfwright.com/) for unreleased content from the book and more of his writing.

We have a short interview snip with Brian - listen in for a chance to win your OWN copy of the book, too - but you have to answer a trivia question to enter.

He first caught our ears with the propulsive lines that drove Austin weirdos Scratch Acid; and then David Wm. Sims - and SA vocalist David Yow - decided to set it all on fire, joining forces with guitarist Duane Denison and drummer Mac McNeilly to form noise rock progenitors Jesus Lizard. Now, 26 years after their last studio album, the quartet has returned with a barn burner of a new album, “Rack” (Ipecac), coming out September 13th, and a slew of tour dates. Tune in to find out what makes David, and the band, click, what made them return, and, perhaps, the secret to his much-coveted bass sound and style.

Jesus Lizard (https://thejesuslizard.bandcamp.com/)

Scratch Acid (https://scratchacid.bandcamp.com/)

unFact (https://unfact.bandcamp.com/album/bleached-valentine)

Jesus Lizard Tour Dates (https://www.ticketmaster.com/the-jesus-lizard-tickets/artist/1131990)

Jesus Lizard Book (https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Lizard-Book/dp/1617750808)

This episode is brought to you by "The Bastard Instrument: A Cultural History of the Electric Bass," the essential new book that illuminates the origins and impact of our beloved instrument in all its glory. An amazing read. Buy it at Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Bastard-Instrument-Cultural-Electric-Tracking/dp/0472056816/) or your favorite book slinger. And check out author Brian F. Wright's website (https://www.brianfwright.com/) for unreleased content from the book and more of his writing.

We have a short interview snip with Brian - listen in for a chance to win your OWN copy of the book, too - but you have to answer a trivia question to enter.

You didn’t think we were gonna get through this season without a dispatch from the man in the van with a bass in his hand, did you? Coming to us live and shirtless from his home base of San Pedro, CA, Mike opines on the 40th anniversary of post-punk magna carta “Double Nickels on the Dime,” how he learned new ways to collaborate in the wake of bandmate D. Boon’s untimely death, the ins and outs of his gear (including his signature Reverend bass) and who and what continue to inspire him today.

Minutemen (https://open.spotify.com/artist/0z6zRFzl5njXWLVAisXQBz?si=tZiLxjmWTByyEnhgEpureQ)

fIREHOSE (https://open.spotify.com/artist/6MIbrfpc9aH6gsEl2yep68?si=oNFImAltS_qfBOTWMB-S5Q)

dos (https://dossanpedro.bandcamp.com/album/justamente-tres)

Il Sogno Del Marinaio (https://www.facebook.com/IlSognoDelMarinaio/)

mssv (https://mainsteamstopvalve.com/)

Mike Bagetta / Jim Keltner / Mike Watt (https://mikebaggetta.bandcamp.com/album/everywhen-we-go) - my go-to dinner party music

Mike Watt’s hoot page (http://hootpage.com/) - everything he’s doing at any given moment

Reverend Guitars Mike Watt Wattplower Mark II Bass (https://reverendguitars.com/basses/mike-watt-wattplower-mark-ii/) - Reverend’s best-selling bass!

This episode is brought to you by "The Bastard Instrument: A Cultural History of the Electric Bass," the essential new book that illuminates the origins and impact of our beloved instrument in all its glory. An amazing read. Buy it at Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Bastard-Instrument-Cultural-Electric-Tracking/dp/0472056816/) or your favorite book slinger. And check out author Brian F. Wright's website (https://www.brianfwright.com/) for unreleased content from the book and more of his writing.

We have a short interview snip with Brian - listen in for a chance to win your OWN copy of the book, too - but you have to answer a trivia question to enter.

When a planned interview with Bruce Thomas fell through for…reasons, we dusted ourselves off and decided to consult with bassist/songwriter/singer Dave Derby (Gramercy Arms, The Dambuilders), no slouch on the four string himself (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFcGRQROIt0).

Dave and I volley our favorite BT performances - too many to name! - and reflect on Elvis Costello’s genius/occasionally wonky pitch, Bruce’s musical auto-bio “Rough Notes” and the importance and difficulty of shaping your own legacy.

Gramercy Arms’ amazing new album “The Making of The Making Of” (https://gramercyarms1.bandcamp.com/album/the-making-of-the-making-of)

The Dambuilders (https://open.spotify.com/artist/3b5zJp91jHNhz6AByOoURk?si=JwEgkbsvRheB22WCAFnaHA)

Elvis Costello and the Attractions (https://open.spotify.com/artist/4qmHkMxr6pTWh5Zo74odpH?si=IVDwwVhCS5ecS_Pew0fIEg)

Bruce’s book “Rough Notes” (https://www.brucethomas.co.uk/?page_id=84)

The (very reasonably priced) Bruce Thomas Profile bass (https://www.basscentre.com/left-handed/bruce-thomas-profile.html)

This episode was brought to you by "The Bastard Instrument: A Cultural History of the Electric Bass," the essential new book that illuminates the origins and impact of our beloved instrument in all its glory. An amazing read. Buy it at Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Bastard-Instrument-Cultural-Electric-Tracking/dp/0472056816/) or your favorite book slinger. And check out author Brian F. Wright's website (https://www.brianfwright.com/) for unreleased content from the book and more of his writing.

In South West England, in a town called Swindon, a group of disaffected youth would come together in the early 70s and create a body of songs over the next few decades whose indelible melodies and incisive lyrics would root themselves in your brain and never leave.

Today’s guest, Colin Moulding, shook off XTC’s early affection for dissonance and composed their first breakthrough hit, “Making Plans for Nigel” - instantly becoming a worthy creative foil for the band’s primary singer and songwriter, Andy Partridge. Colin’s bass lines alone - serpentine, song-friendly but always memorable - would qualify him for the four string pantheon, but the fact that he has also crafted and sang some of the band’s best-loved tunes makes him a unique triple threat. 

Speaking with us from his garden shed studio, Colin opines on everything from the band’s circuitous route from touring act to studio wizards, their adventures with some of rock’s best-known knob twiddlers, and his process for letting good musical ideas wash over him vs. forcing them out.

XTC (https://open.spotify.com/artist/2qT62DYO8Ajb276vUJmvhz?si=2i_RljmPT7GW7PNw-9Yb8w)

The Dukes of Stratosphear (https://open.spotify.com/artist/1ilhXoWIlGxz3fM4B24mNo?si=cujLrBZhQzmOeTy97OBJmw)

TC&I (https://burningshed.com/artists/tcandi)

Colin’s recent solo release “The Hardest Battle” (https://burningshed.com/colin-moulding_the-hardest-battle_cd)

XTC: This is Pop (2018) - Documentary trailer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjPenjuPZhM)

This episode was brought to you by "The Bastard Instrument: A Cultural History of the Electric Bass," the essential new book that illuminates the origins and impact of our beloved instrument in all its glory. An amazing read. Buy it at Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Bastard-Instrument-Cultural-Electric-Tracking/dp/0472056816/) or your favorite book slinger. And check out author Brian F. Wright's website (https://www.brianfwright.com/) for unreleased content from the book and more of his writing.

Generous with his time, expansive with his bass playing, and one of the funniest people I’ve ever spoken with, Jah Wobble sits down with a couple of his favorite basses to discuss the gestalt of his 45 plus years as a bass man and band leader. Musical instigator for the first (and best) couple of albums by John Lydon’s post-Sex Pistols combo Public Image Ltd, Jah has gone on to create a massive and impossible-to-classify body of work in the ensuing decades. He’s coming back to these shores for a few dates this summer to revisit PiL’s most lasting document, Metal Box, reinterpreting it for a new era with his long-time bandmates. If they’re coming anywhere near you, you’d be crazy not to go!

Jah Wobble (https://jahwobble.com/) / Buy Tickets (https://jahwobble.com/#scrolled) 

Public Image Ltd First Issue (https://open.spotify.com/album/6O4XkaHVCzN7Herx0Uz4mK?si=aSKvrqcQQfOE8SqlT5EbxQ)

Public Image Ltd Metal Box a/k/a Second Edition (https://open.spotify.com/album/5votrp9PY49suw8xnXqyrm?si=DwF9xuNfT0KQH9XV6X4K4Q)

Metal Box - Rebuilt in Dub (https://cleopatrarecords.bandcamp.com/album/metal-box-rebuilt-in-dub)

Red Mist (Jah Wobble and Tian Quiyi, his sons’ band) (https://jahwobble.bandcamp.com/album/red-mist) 

“A Very British History - Romany Gypsies”  (BBC Documentary) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMioHd3CcRg)

Pina Bausch Dance Company of Wuppertal (https://www.pina-bausch.de/en/person/6/pina-bausch)

This episode was brought to you by "The Bastard Instrument: A Cultural History of the Electric Bass," the essential new book that illuminates the origins and impact of our beloved instrument in all its glory. An amazing read. Buy it at Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Bastard-Instrument-Cultural-Electric-Tracking/dp/0472056816/) or your favorite book slinger. And check out author Brian F. Wright's website (https://www.brianfwright.com/) for unreleased content from the book and more of his writing.

Grab your bonus cups and strap on your ear goggles (kinda mixing band references here) to drink of the wisdom of one Karl Alvarez, the fleet-fingered fellow who anchors and propels power pop deities Descendents (as well as their alter-ego combo, All, who are no longer active).

As with many of our show’s guests, you could readily identify any of Karl's bands’ songs solely by hearing the isolated bass part. And for all the tumult, there’s a ton of melody. Over the years, Karl’s honed his songwriting (all of the members write), and is responsible for many of Descendents’ most popular tunes. We’ll hear about their evolution from community centers to 2024 festival stages, the far-flung band’s unique writing process and whether we should start anticipating a new Descendents album or not. 

Descendents (https://descendents.bandcamp.com/album/9th-walnut)

All (https://open.spotify.com/artist/4UWlpzLFbNdlaRXuZeTPlH?autoplay=true)

Massacre Guys (https://open.spotify.com/artist/2xF6odoDOWP93qPOyBi0Os?si=KAbqQ3CBRLeJfJSqF0vtbQ)

Punk Rock & Paintbrushes (https://www.punkrockart.com/)

Special thanks to my childhood buddy and occasional bandmate Lindsey Anderson for the connect!

This episode was brought to you by "The Bastard Instrument: A Cultural History of the Electric Bass," the essential new book that illuminates the origins and impact of our beloved instrument in all its glory. An amazing read. Buy it at Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Bastard-Instrument-Cultural-Electric-Tracking/dp/0472056816/) or your favorite book slinger. And check out author Brian F. Wright's website (https://www.brianfwright.com/) for unreleased content from the book and more of his writing.

(Do I really need to write any show notes after coming up with that title?)

It’s time to pick it up with Horace Panter (nickname: Sir Horace Gentleman), the man whose elastic lines launched generations of skanking acolytes. From their shambolic/iconic “Saturday Night Live” performance in 1980 all the way through waves of reunion tours that ended after the untimely death of singer Terry Hall in 2022, the Specials created a sound and energy that continue to inspire Coachella headliners and rudeboys alike. Horace regales us with his life in music and offers up pearls of wisdom for aspiring players, too.

The Specials (https://open.spotify.com/artist/6xnvNmSzmeOE1bLKnYXKW3?si=RoeShhSMTFmTnmo6BhZRYw)

General Public (https://open.spotify.com/artist/6BZbe6PDrJgxiXZ3cIXA8o?si=AgmG7MDjTnCbnVkWKevWug)

The Dirt Road Band (https://dirtroadband.com/) - his latest combo

Horace’s auto-bio, Ska’d For Life (https://www.amazon.com/Skad-Life-Personal-Journey-Specials/dp/033044073X) - a great, quick read

Horace’s art (https://www.horacepanterart.com/) - check out the cassette series!

This episode was brought to you by "The Bastard Instrument: A Cultural History of the Electric Bass," the essential new book that illuminates the origins and impact of our beloved instrument in all its glory. An amazing read. Buy it at Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Bastard-Instrument-Cultural-Electric-Tracking/dp/0472056816/) or your favorite book slinger. And check out author Brian F. Wright's website (https://www.brianfwright.com/) for unreleased content from the book and more of his writing.

Sonic architect Graham Maby joins us to discuss his 50-something year career, which began with him fulfilling Joe Jackson’s vision for a bass-led pop combo, resulting in some of new wave’s most memorable songs. In addition to performing with a veritable Mount Rushmore of power pop auteurs - including Marshall Crenshaw and Freedy Johnston - the UK-to-Long Island transplant regales us with tales of doomed band auditions and fraught studio sessions, as well as meditations on a half a century of playing with Joe.

Joe Jackson (https://open.spotify.com/artist/6KOqPxwfNAmZPkiCnDE9yT?si=NkUzH_ejRLOj41dRRicOQQ)

Marshall Crenshaw (https://marshallcrenshaw.bandcamp.com/album/field-day-40th-anniversary-expanded-edition)

Freedy Johnston (https://open.spotify.com/artist/5aeoG3xBrai5JsTqVmmgj0?si=R9McYGyKQtaxXcTcsphIeA)

Natalie Merchant (https://open.spotify.com/artist/73JEBdDEFeVaOLg3y0HhBD?si=BDTXOp7kSlG8qz9Dz5FOFg)

They Might Be Giants (https://tmbg.bandcamp.com/)

The Health and Happiness Show (https://open.spotify.com/artist/7vFQW6uaEPhczx5FLeXzal?si=Ad8hA4hkTGO7Gx-LNDIm-g)

Joy Askew (https://open.spotify.com/artist/0TkEsz8hJX1KaXWlKJLLLq?si=RGtQlfIYSTuLrfhbjbbYmw)

This episode was brought to you by "The Bastard Instrument: A Cultural History of the Electric Bass," the essential new book that illuminates the origins and impact of our beloved instrument in all its glory. An amazing read. Buy it at Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Bastard-Instrument-Cultural-Electric-Tracking/dp/0472056816/) or your favorite book slinger. And check out author Brian F. Wright's website (https://www.brianfwright.com/) for unreleased content from the book and more of his writing.