Pete Briquette facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pete Briquette
|
|
|---|---|
Briquette in 2014
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Patrick Cusack |
| Born | 2 July 1954 Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan, Ireland |
| Genres | New wave, punk rock |
| Occupation(s) | Bassist, record producer, composer |
| Instruments | Bass guitar, keyboard |
| Associated acts | Boomtown Rats, Bob Geldof |
Patrick Martin Cusack (born 2 July 1954), known as Pete Briquette, is an Irish musician. He plays the bass guitar, produces music, and writes songs. He is a member of the famous band The Boomtown Rats. He has also played in Bob Geldof's solo band.
Contents
Who is Pete Briquette?
Pete Briquette was born in Ballyjamesduff, a town in County Cavan, Ireland. His father worked as a lawyer in the town. Pete's stage name, "Briquette," comes from his childhood. In Ireland, people often burned peat briquettes for heat instead of coal. This name reminds him of his Irish roots.
Pete Briquette's Role in The Boomtown Rats
Pete Briquette is the bass guitarist for The Boomtown Rats. He also sings backing vocals and sometimes plays the keyboard. He helped write some of their songs too. The Boomtown Rats became very popular around the world in the late 1970s.
His bass playing is a key part of many Boomtown Rats songs. You can hear his unique bass lines on hits like "Rat Trap" and "Banana Republic". He also played on "Like Clockwork". Pete co-wrote "Banana Republic" and "Like Clockwork" with the band's lead singer, Bob Geldof.
Working with Bob Geldof
Pete Briquette was the only member of The Boomtown Rats who often worked with Bob Geldof on his solo music. He played on some of Geldof's biggest solo songs. These include "Great Song of Indifference" and "Love or Something."
Pete Briquette as a Music Producer
Besides playing music, Pete Briquette also works as a record producer. This means he helps other musicians record their songs and albums. He helps them make their music sound great.
In 2009, he produced an album for the French singer Renaud. The album was called Molly Malone – Balade Irlandaise. It featured traditional Irish ballads. Other famous musicians, like Terry Woods from The Pogues and Barney McKenna from The Dubliners, played on the album. Even Glen Hansard contributed to it.
Although some people had comments about Renaud's singing on the album, it was very successful. It reached number one on the music charts in France.
Pete Briquette's Family Connections
Pete Briquette has a close family connection within The Boomtown Rats. He is a first cousin of Johnnie Fingers. Johnnie Fingers was the main keyboard player for the band. Their mothers, Margaret "Peggy" (Bowles) Cusack and Cecilia "Sheila" (Bowles) Moylett, were sisters.
They are also nephews of a well-known Irish conductor and composer named Michael Bowles. Pete is the younger brother of Annette Andrews. Annette is married to David Andrews, who used to be a government minister in Ireland. Pete Briquette currently lives in Acton, London, England.
