About Brian

Brian has been interested in music his entire life.  When Brian was in 3rd grade, his Mom took him to JC Penney's so he could buy his first album, Syncronicity by The Police.  He would always sift through and listen so his sister's cassette tapes and albums, listening to and singing alomng tp bands such as Queen, Pink Floyd, AC/DC, Duran Duran, The Doors and The Go-Go's.  It was not until 8th grade summer that he would pick up an actual instrument. 

One summer's day, after 8th grade graduation, he and a friend rode their skateboards around the neighborhood to have fun and shred some of the nearby, rad terrain. Upon returning to his friend's house, his friend's cousin's band had set up in the garage and were playing "Twist of Cain" by Danzig.  Brian grabbed the mic and sang a along for a bit, but realized the band was absent a bassist as well as a vocalist.  He had been interested in picking up the guitar; however, Brian used his summer earninngs to buy an electric bass and join the band.  

The band eventually became to be known as "Suspended 2nd" and they enjoyed playing cover songs from their favorited bands such as Primus, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, Dead Kennedys and Infectious Grooves.  Throughout high school, Suspended 2nd performed at parties and local clubs around town.  After graduating high school, Brian formed his own original band named Cactus Pie.  They released one album, Fine Baked Goods, toured a bit and enjoyed a moderate amount of sucess. 

Brian attended Lincoln Land Comminuty College, Eastern Illinois Univerity and the University of Illinois.  His studies pertained to many areas of music including education, theory, history, orchestration and conducting.   He performed with the Orchestra, jazz bands, latin groups, percussion ensemble and concert band.   Aside from the school ensembles, he continued working with Cactus Pie and joined a few bands that played around campus.  One, The Astronauts, a hi-fi, spcae age band from the 1950's and two, The Middle Men, an original ska band featuring  a horn line of 5 guys.  He graduated  summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education with an emphasis on orchestral strings.   After university, he began teaching grade school orchestra and band in the public schools around Illinois.  Beginning in Urbana, then Chicago and finally, just outside of St. Louis.  During this time, he joined an instrumental band named Low Phat that consited of 3 bassists and percussion.  They too enjoyed a moderate amount of success, playing shows around central parts of Illinois.  After 5 years in the public school system, Brian eventually moved out of the cold and into Austin. 

Once arriving in Austin, Brian immediately started playing as many gigs as possible and building his private string studio.  After living in the city for 20 years, Brian has built and maintained a studio of over 40 private students and has played with 100's of bands and musicians.  During this time, he worked to become proficiant on the violin, viola, cello, mandolin and guitar while establishing the string bass and electrics bass his instruments of performance.  By doing so, it has secured his role as a private string teacher and bassist in the city.  Everyday, he teaches, performs and/or records, is extremely passiate about all aspects of music and is more and more excited to explore the new life's journies that music continues to provide.