HISTORY: Richard J. Hutchins, aka Rench Man (Ruin) or Bloody Rich, was born in Lafayette Indiana. He grew up in the West Mount Airy section of Philidelphia, Pennsilvania. Starting when he was 6 years old, he played violin in the school orchestra from first through 4th grade. During much of that time he studied violin and piano at Settlement Music School. It wasn't until he was 13 years old that he first picked up a set of drum sticks.
"I sat down at a drum kit for the first time. I asked my friends(playing guitars & bass) to play Jumpin Jack Flash. I came in with a roll and immediately was playing a beat. I don't know how I knew how to play or how that I knew I would be able to play but something told me I was a drummer."
Richard started playing drums in 1981 in Philidelphia. After playing for Ruin, he moved to New York City and was a member of Live Skull. He was also involved with Cabbages and Kings, Sugar Time, Phideaux Xavier, and Digitalis. Rich and Jeff met in 1985 -6 and jammed together a few times. He joined The Spirit Valentine after recently bumping into Jeff at a rehearsal studio in Manhattan.
"I ran into Jeff at Smash studios while jamming with some other people but something told me he is going to need a drummer(really!). So I gave him my email address. A few months later, I quit playing with those other guys and that same week Jeff called me."
Richard has toured in the US, Europe, and Canada with Live Skull. He recorded with them for the BBC in a John Peel Session in London. He also performed briefly for the Chinese Music Ensemble of New York. His musical styles include industrial, punk, metal, pop, rock, country, and folk. |
