Violent Femmes and The Break bass player Brian Ritchie, Split Enz keyboard player Eddie Rayner and John Butler Trio drummer Michael Barker have been working on a new project.
Brian tells Undercover News that about 25 songs have been recorded so far but there are no plans for a release at this stage.The project began last year in New Zealand when Ritchie flew to Auckland to start work on the collaboration. Ritchie, formerly of Milwaukee band Violent Femmes, is now a resident of Australia and lives in Hobart with his wife. He is the founder and curator of the annual Mona Foma festival in Hobart.
This year, he also released his first new music from his instrumental band The Break, featuring himself and Rob Hirst, Jim Moginie and Martin Rotsey from Midnight Oil.
New Zealand born Barker did time as the drummer for John Butler Trio and in 2008 was the drummer for Split Enz on their reunion tour.
Eddie Rayner joined Split Enz in 1974 and remained with the band during its entire career. Rayner last performed with Split Enz at the Sound Relief benefit concert in Melbourne in 2009.
There are no plans currently to tour the Ritchie, Raynor, Barker trio. Ritchie does have plans for more shows for The Break later this year.
