Phil with the legendary Les Gray's Mud. Antwerp.....
The following taken from a recent interview...
Influences
Graham Jarvis, without doubt the first drummer I looked upon as a “working musician’s drummer.” Jeff Porcaro, Tony Thompson, Dave Mattacks, Ian Paice, Lee Kerslake. All fairly straight down the line solid players who play for the song. Plus the pure versatility of Simon Phillips cannot go unmentioned, neither can the pure flamboyance and bravery of Ronnie Tutt!
I could list a stack more who have, unbeknown to them, given me something, but the few above will always be first on the list.
Sounds Like
I like to think a mix of the above. I am a big fan of gaps! (Except when I need to pull out a Ronnie or two!)
I strum a few strange chords on guitar and have recently taken up playing the Irish frame drum, the Bodhran.
Hitting, Banging, Shaking Breaking!
"I got into playing percussion in 1987. I know the year, because I’d bought Gloria Estefan’s Album Let It Loose. I was listening with headphones and was just blown away by the percussion. It was so subtle throughout but, when needed, it shone like the brightest star and, in my humble opinion, made the album. I started collecting bits and bobs, timbales, wood blocks, bongos, Roto-toms, effect cymbals, I had the lot, started gigging it and taking up ALL the room!
I then started picking up more on percussion within all genre, rock, country, pop as well as the leader in the playing of these toys; Latin.
For percussion, as with my drumming, I have many leading inspirations for different reasons. Besides the works of Alex Acuña, Trilok Gurtu and Luis Conte, I simply have to mention the following: Ray Cooper just has to be the most entertaining percussionist that I have ever seen in a live situation, with both Elton John and Eric Clapton. Breathtaking! Jody Linscott, alongside Simon Phillips, on the Who’s 1989 25th Anniversary Tour was simply awesome. Another master of the fine art of subtleties is Scott Crago; besides many a varied situation, he is mostly known for his live work with the Eagles. I would say Scott defines what a percussionist should do. "Something brilliant is happening in this song, but I just can't work it out." Well placed percussion can make a song. Scott Crago is one of the very best at this.
For me, percussion world sat on an undeserved back seat for a while, as I took to sitting down most nights, but now it’s back and cooking." And I'm taking up less room!!"
The Office
Drummer Available
Experienced, solid & versatile drummer/percussionist taking bookings for 2009. UK & International. A Gretsch Player for 25 years. Zildjian Cymbals. Configurations vary according to requirements.
Phil started playing drums at school in Germany, first timpani and other percussion in the school orchestra, followed by snare drum in the marching band.
In the mid 70s and back in the UK, he started playing in “Pub bands” playing the rock and blues end of the spectrum, covering songs by groups including Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Bad Company, Thin Lizzy and Free. Function work soon became a staple diet and several summer seasons followed. Keeping his variety of styles open, his first fully professional seat was with a very well established British Country act touring Switzerland, Germany and extensively in the UK.
Still, and always keeping options open, Phil has played theatre shows including Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, Cabaret, Junior ShowTime and Panto. Travelling Europe, Scandinavia and the Middle East, Phil has worked with bands from the lightest country to heavy rock and venues as diverse as the local pub of 20 people to 18,000 seat arenas, including Wembley and the Sports Palace in Antwerp.
Mainly self taught, Phil has received tuition from one of the UK’s top Jazz drummer’s, clinician and teacher’s Lloyd Ryan. Phil also attended London’s music college Drumtech.
Artists who Phil has worked with include: Roger Humphries, Brian Poole, Screaming Lord Sutch, Brian Connolly (Sweet), The Dallas Boys, Les Gray’s MUD, Walk the Wire, Isla Grant and Allan Young, Edison Lighthouse, Chris Andrews and MUD II. Phil has also been called on to ‘dep’ with some of the UK’s best Elvis shows.
2009 already sees visits to Scotland, Germany and around the UK with MUD II, as well as, between gigs a newly scheduled “Starting on Drums” Program and school/college tour. 2009 also sees the build up to a major new Rock and Roll touring show. (Watch this space for more details as they arrive!)
Always keen to promote his favoured instrument to youngsters Phil, inspired by the clinics of Lloyd Ryan, developed “Starting on Drums.”This versatile program has been performed at schools, colleges, theatres and workshops in Kent and Essex, including a series in support of the BBC sponsored ‘Big Arts Week’.
Mainly solo clinics; Phil has doubled in the past with Lloyd Ryan and
Pick Withers (Dire Straits).
Phil’s teaching experience has included private and state school pupils and working for several years heading up the drum tuition at specialist music school in Sevenoaks.
Phil has taught contemporary drumming through syllabus programs with the Guild Hall School of Music & Drama, and individually tailored programs.
STOP PRESS Please support my Guinness World Record attempt with Don Powell and 598 other drummers next Monday 13th of July. Stick it To MS Website is http://www.stickittoms.com/index.html Or please click the box below to make a donation. Many thanks
Hey Phil! Everything allright?! It's very likely that I'll be coming to Bree this weekend so hopefully we'll have a chance for a little chinwag! C u there! x
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