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Affectionately known as 'Beats',
he started his drumming career with Strontium, Cambridge's answer to
Iron Maiden, Phil has since gone on to perform for many of the areas top
acts including In Flight, Metrodog and long running Cambridge Legends
The Frigidaires. He also recorded under producer Sean Lynch (Tipton,
Entwistle, Powell) on an album for Owen Edwards (now with Medicine
Hat).
His hard work and dedication to
drumming has led him to become a true professional and one of the
tightest and most dependable drummers around. Phil dedicates a large
part of this attitude and ability to his early drum teacher Peter
'Tubby' Rhodes who sadly passed away in 2011.
"The
first band i heard that really influenced my drumming was the
Sweet, well known for being a singles band, their albums were
much heavier. The album Sweet Fanny Adams opening track
"Set me free" . Mick Tucker drumming, is still a
favourite of mine. AC/DC were a huge influence, Tracks from
the live album "if you want blood" were the first
songs my band Strontium worked out. The drumming of Clive Burr
on the first 3 Iron maiden albums influenced the technical
side to my drumming. Hearing John Bonham for the first time on
Led Zeppelin's first album made me aware of the dynamics that
drums could bring to a song. The track "Babe i'm
gonna leave you" being a great example. Hearing Yes
for the first time opened my mind to progressive music, the
live album Yessongs and the track Heart of the sunrise, either
with Bill Bruford or Alan White drumming, was an
education. I have also been influenced by any Rush album
featuring Neil Peart who is technically the best drummer i
have heard.
Bands
that have meant a lot to me over the years are Kings X
(Gretchen goes to nebraska) , Pearl Jam (Ten), Alice in
Chains(Dirt), Queensryche(Operation mindcrime),
Pantera(Cowboys from hell), Machine Head(Burn my eyes), Dream
Theater(Images and words), Rush(Farewell to kings),
Mastodon(Crack the skye), Flower kings(Stardust we are),
anything with Buddy Rich.
Great
concerts i have attendedclude AC/DC Hammersmith odeon december
1979 with Bon Scott. Queensryche at the Kentish town and country
club on the beginning of the operation mindcrime tour. Faith
no more London Astoria on their first tour, they started with
From out of nowhere and the place went mental. Pearl jam
university of london on the their first tour supporting the
Ten album, Machine head at the london astoria on the
burn my eyes tour, My first experience of a mosh pit!
Metallica the Astoria 2, a fan club gig prior to playing
Donington, the hottest and the best gig i have seen them play.
Yes at wembley arena on the union tour, 8 piece band including
Bruford and White drumming,just amazing. Any Rush concert ."
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Phil uses a Ludwig Vistalite Drum
Kit, Iron Cobra Pedals, Sabian Cymbals and Evans Hydraulic Heads. |
