A member of Triumph and Bon Jovi who has recorded on Alice Cooper, Tommy Lee Avril Lavigne, Rob Zombie, Kelly Clarkson, Orianthi, Stewart Copeland, Daughtrey, Chris Cornell his own bands Powder and the Drills, etc Dude is a HALL OF FAMER of Rock and Roll and deserves much respect! He is one of my current favorite guitar players for his playing, his attitude, and for being A cool dude! ROCK ON PHIL!
Cool story. My dad was a pro who, one day, Charlie Barnett's big band came through Seattle and fired their bass player. He asked around for the best bass player in town, and that was my dad. He went with the big band and the rest is history. Literally. There are books about him and there are still stories around L.A. about him. His name was Red Kelly, quite the funny guy and party humorist. Also, one of the best musicians in Los Angeles. Maynard Ferguson grabbed him for his "Live at Peacock Lane" album when he was not touring. He toured with all of the big bands except for Glenn Miller, who was too white for my dad. He wanted serious jazz musicians to play with, not pop stars. And he had an amazing career, culminating with his own club in WA, with guys like Tony Bennett, John Byner, Med Flory and more sitting in, and a not-too-serious run at Governor as a bar gag that almost won. I even was in on it. At 3 years old! I was part of Stan Kenton's act. Would love to chat sometime. Cheers!
I too am 57 and went to LA at 29 with my bass. Smoked way too much Mexican tar to do anything. Back in Canada now, don't do drugs anymore and still make a few bucks on the weekends playing my bass. I didn't "make it" but I survived and i'm still havin' a good time.
cool story, Shane ! similar thing here - went to LA from Russia at 29 - the scene made me feel old) didnt make it then, i`m now 50 , but the dream lives on, who knows, miracles happen, i play the guitar better now than i did then haha!
So inspiring Phil! Had to turn 34 to quit my job at a hardware store, like a week ago. I just do acoustic gigs but that's fine for me as long as it's music. I remember my cousin showing me this guy on Fretted Americana soo many years ago. I was immediately like, this guy has so much energy. Wow! No wonder why you made it.
Phil X is who I want to be when I (don't) grow up. I love how down to earth and playful the guy is in spite of his immense skill and experience. A true treasure of a human being. I have seen him at guitar shows and events just totally nerding out over music and guitars like he really was still 18, that passion and childlike wonder is contagious and as if that weren't enough the guy has a huge heart on top of it all. It's very rare to see someone so seemingly unfussed that is actually smart and caring too. Such an inspiring guy and a true music legend, not just rock/metal but music in general. Thanks for making me smile Phil, you are a legend my dude.
Phil, your Fretted Americana episode with the TV Yellow Junior 'Vanhalen Time', convinced me to find a Junior-style guitar and that guitar quickly doubled my playing skills. I clip that video in guitar forums when players are asking about 'what guitar is the most versatile?' You've had an amazing journey and always seem like you are fantastic to work with (often as important as guitar skills).
Powder f'ing rocked. Also, an inspiring response. People often think successful musicians appear out of thin air. Rarely do they hear the years involved getting there.
Dude, I'm 57 too! Rock n Roll!! Hahahaha!!! '66 was a bitchen year. Star Trek and Batman debuted. Several Gemini missions and the Surveyor 1 moon probe happened. Houston Astrodome was built. MINISKIRTS! And much, much more.
Dude, you are the fucking real deal. Besides, your personality and humor is so off the cuff and engaging, long vids from you are easy to watch and listen to.
I deeply respect your words, Phil. I'm 22 years old and was fortunate to grow up with FrettedAmericana. That shaped my understanding of guitar as an instrument, and then i would practice many of the licks you'd play. And that expanded my ability and creativity so much. But, i still haven't figured out that star power you got. That's all you man! You're a jet engine bro
Hey Phil, great video with some terrific humour to boot! I became a professional musician at age 43. I'd had day jobs since age 17, and actually didn't even get my first guitar until the year I turned 18. My backward-looking conservative parents did everything in their power to prevent me from ever discovering popular music. My world, as a teenager in the 1960s, centered around my little 9V transistor radio. It kept me sane. But I sure made up for lost time in 1972 when I got my first guitar! Within six months I'd improved so much that I was playing (primitive) lead guitar in some church based bands. I wasn't naturally gifted, but I had an unquenchable desire to succeed at being a top flight guitarist. When I got married in 1979 music had to take a back seat to earning a living and so I worked all the overtime my employers wanted to give me. I played Blues at home to keep my chops up as best I could under the circumstances. So I was driving trucks during the days, and many evenings on time-and-a-half, while doing other things on weekends. I became a Powerlifter, thanks to another lifelong obsession, lifting weights. My training partner got himself a drum kit and when he got good enough to actually play, he and I formed a band. That was 1987, after ten years of not playing in public, apart from winning the talent night at the resort on my honeymoon. I suppose we gigged maybe ten times in a year for a few years until the band folded. I was drafted into the biggest Christian Rock band in our state and went from ten gigs a year to six to eight a month with them. When I got sick of the egos in that band . . the younger the guy, the bigger the ego! . . I contacted my old drummer and we got ourselves an amazing bass player and I was back to gigging maybe once a month again, but loving every minute of it. We used to really pack 'em in at some of our venues too. In 1997 I got made redundant from my truck driving job, I got injured at my next job, and my band folded . . all within one six-week space of time! Everybody who knew me was practically screaming at me to go full-time into music, and after some counselling from my Pastor, I did just that. If that injury hadn't happened I would probably have still driven trucks and maybe gigged a dozen times a year for the rest of my working life. Now, contrary to your experiences, in Australia the "tall poppy syndrome" is probably more prevalent here than in any other country in the world. They love an underdog, but the minute you make something of yourself they hate your guts for breaking through. The number of times I out-shone the main act, only to have them turn on me like I'd set fire to their homes, I couldn't count. Every booking agent turned on me as well, which caused so much stress within my marriage that she kicked me out in 2007. They wanted uniform banality in the industry, which meant they didn't want anyone who stood out from the pack. That way, if an act called in sick they could replace him with someone of the same deplorable ability who in all likelihood played the same songs from the same beginners' song book. But every time they banned me, I kept coming back a bit bigger and a bit better than before. But eventually, after having to look further afield for pubs that would book directly with the acts, after each time they got together and pushed me out, I was touring every weekend, often driving over 500 miles in three days, Friday through Sunday, just going to gigs, all in country pubs. I had to do all my own bookings since 2004, when I came back from having been completely shut down in August of 2003. Session work? Completely out of the question. The music industry in Australia is so tiny compared to America that the few lucky ones who are session players will work 24 hours a day doing it, rather than asking any other guitarists for help in lightening the load a bit. The big fear is that the studios will call their helpers rather than them. Then eventually, with our economy flat-lining thanks to our government's policies, I was down from well over 120 gigs a year, or mainly three gigs a week, to just five or six a month by 2020. Then came the COVID lockdown, which lasted longer for musicians than everyone else, again thanks to government policy. With seven months of inactivity my lower back lost its muscle tone completely. Then when we were able to get back into it again, my back hurt worse and worse after each gig until I had to give it away in January 2021. I still did a few Biker gigs, but then my hands stopped working. Turns out all that bouncing up and down on the seat while driving trucks, then having to do exactly the same bouncing around in the seat of my car on the very bumpy country roads going to my gigs in out of the way places, caused bone spurs to grow on my neck vertebrae which eventually pinched the radial and ulna nerves to my hands, thus preventing me from even playing guitar at all. I'm still a member of a biker band which is getting back together in June to work on songs for the Freedom Concert, a one-day festival to raise money for the Bush Fire Brigade and a couple of country hospitals. I'll only be able to play slide guitar, and that with a thumb pick because I can't hang onto the plectrum any more! I've had a good long run at it, and my career petered out as I reached the retiring age anyway. But I would've loved to still be able to play my collection of guitars and thus enjoy retirement, and of course go out to play once in a while with the guys. Oh well. . . .
Phil is absolutely correct, you have to find a way to stand out. The best way to do this is to find your own voice whether it is your vocals or how you play your instrument. Take guitarist for example. You can identify the greats after hearing just a few notes. Yea its really cool to be able to play like Ed, Jimmy, or Jeff but you have to have your own sound/style. Over the past 30 plus years in the audio production industry I've had the pleasure of working with musicians in every imaginable genre. After a minute or two of listening to a musician even at sound check you can whether a musician has "it" or they don't. Sadly, I didn't have "it" as a musician but was able to find my voice as an engineer.
Bless you man... You're 57 and keep going...a beast...You give me strength...i love gigging playing the guitar and singing but i have a morning job to get by...36 years old and ill keep doing it till i can't.
This is required watching for anyone wanting to 'make it' in any industry. Phil X is the genuine article and is dialed in. So fun to discover him and know has no pretense. Met him at NAMM and he was so cool! Love him and all he does for communities and his fans! The Drills rule and he brings effort and energy to everything he touches! God bless you Phil!
Phil. My 30 years and your 30 years look totally different. I just watched your interview session with Neiman. Your discussion on confidence totally inspired me. When I first played in front of people, I was drunk. I was drunk every time I played a show. When I say show, I mean like, 5 bands for $5 with a tiny crowd of players and girlfriends. Because I was drunk, I went from, "I'm not fit to be in this room" to "these motherfuckers aren't fit to be in this room with me!". It was drunken confidence. AND I sucked bad. You could smell my shit from Fresno. But people came up to me and told me that I had something, or tell me a few things to do that would make me kill it. Now, 10+ years clean, I can't play in front of my mom and brother without misfretting every 3rd note and forgetting 3/4 of what I know. Until I watched that video, I didn't realize I could manifest the same attitude sober. Never occurred to me. Thanks man!!!
Phil is such a great talent one of the greatest guitar players ever… I-had the pleasure of meeting him early with my Friend Rob and his uncle Pat. His jam sessions at his dads was insane.. got to see some of the greatest players ever. Phil was always the most humble person ever, super kind… 2 mins in his presence you could appreciate the love I have for Phil. ORLANDO
Dude, your FA videos made me excited about music, particularly guitar again. Was laid up for a bit and discovered FA and it got me through, got me playing again starting a whole new chapter. You’re as real the deal a rockstar can be and your story is fantastic! You’re the flame keeper of all that rocks! Any success has been well earned and deserved! Bravo
I was the SXSW stage manager at Headhunters in Austin Texas in 2013? 2014? Its a bit blurry! Kenny Aronoff was sitting in with you and the Drills and he rented my drumset. In the craziness of SXSW yall left without paying me. When I emailed you I never expected a response but to my surprise you wrote back telling me you were getting on jet to go play with Bon Jovi and said you would be in Austin for a Bon Jovi show in a week or so. We met up, you paid me and we spent that money drinking on 6th street where you sat in with a local band and played an old Joe Walsh song. You are a true pro and a man of your word and I tell this story every time your name comes up! Thanks for the great memory!
Dude i missed this live but I gotta say that man, your one of my biggest modern influences. I'm 49 and still rocking my ass off on guitar in a power trio. Your playing inspires me to learn everyday. I now have a Yoda figurine in my neck pickup! Thanks for being awesome! Rawking J
Awesome Story!! I remember going to a Bar in Woodbridge Ontario on a Sunday called Main Street Station?? Shit, I can’t remember, You had the wammy bar that stuck straight out. Long Time Ago!!
Cheers and great day to you Phil! I trust your world is splendid! Thank you for touching on the importance of including the emotional well being of the fans and how important that is to generating an empowering community. Great to visit pages and see how you are incorporating this message. SOUL. important! Blessings
Many of you are probably like me, you love music, but never thought you could take the risk of having a career in music. I chose to keep focusing on a more secure career, Something I was good at, that inspired me, and benefited others, but Music has always been my hobby and my “second passion”, besides my career in education. So I’ve recorded some educational music that has been successful, I had an original band. BC (before children) and we took it as far as we could while not quitting our day jobs, I wrote original music, played bar gigs, and at this point, I’m just working on having a band that can maybe play out once a month for fun. So, watching people like Phil X, Rick Beato, Rhett Shull , Jens Larsen, Tomo, and many others, keeps me engaged and connected. I’m so grateful for Phil and those like him take the risk and inspire us all.
Actually Phil, your career started way before those bands Triumph, Frozen Ghost etc…In 1973 or ‘74 at John D Parker junior school. the entire school was summoned to the gymnasium and you treated Us by playing with a sparkling blue guitar (make unknown) and you sang and played to a Blue Swede Shoes backing track. You rocked an Elvis tune. That’s a memory I have…And Im sure a few lucky kids who are now 58ish have also! ❤
Having confidence in your abilities is a HUGE part of the equation. In 95, a Toronto magazine editor, whose mag gave my 2nd album a RAVE review that resulted in label interest, called me to say: "Dude! You HAVE to move to T.O.!" Because my drummer, the only one I'd played with for 7 years, was too useless and didn't wanna, I never made the 17 hour drive. Couldawouldashoulda is a _serious_ bitch.
Rock on Phil !!!!! You are amazing human been and definitely one. Of the best guitar players on earth !!!! Much respect. !!! Always a pleasure to heard you. !!!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
The only thing that keeps my humble channel going are the amazing messages I get from people. It makes me feel that I left a small mark in this short life. Thanks for sharing man your thoughts. Keep up the good work and hope to see you in South America sometime! 🤘
Great video Phil. I'm a few years younger than you, but I saw frozen ghost in Barrie when I was a kid. Good times. I also remember thinking you were going to be the guy who saved Triumph. Congrats on a great career, and more to come!👍🇨🇦
We need more of this. You are so hyper, I love it. That first Aldo Nova album is a top album for me. I didn't know you played with him (I assume on tour only). Greetings from New Brunswick Canada.
Thank you Fretted Americana and John Shanks for giving us Phil X, eternally. Those Fretted A videos were the best thing ever. 'On Fire' with the Epi Riviera still does it for me, every time. 🤩
Phil, you’re an INSANE MAN! I love it! I just came back to guitar after 38 years - I could never reach your skill level (“the law is a jealous mistress”), but man are you fun and inspiring to watch! Much love, brother.
Phil X is fabulous. His comments about musicians thinking you have something everyone wants is delusional is spot on. Cool story about Phil X, I once asked him to play guitar on a song I had written, which I thought was a good song, but we both agreed that the guitars needed work. Phil said, but what about the lyrics man, they need some work! I replied that I thought they were quite real. Phil said, look man, I'm not going to sugar coat it, they could be a lot better. He was of course right and as he says, it's a long way to the top if you want to rock n roll. Thanks Phil, I still like that song BTW and you were right about the lyrics. Happy days!😅
I love hearing you talk! Always makes me smile and laugh to hear you spew! More long videos please, lol! Btw, who played instead of you the night you didn’t make it on stage in Calgary? Was it prerecorded or someone else? Keep it up! Don’t ever stop rocking out and being you! You’re an amazing example of adversity and doing things your own way. The labels missed out by not signing you at 31, but you connected with fans in your own way and made a career and name for yourself - and that’s before the height of social media, mind you. 🤘🏻🎸
Phil... Hey !!! It's been awhile. Great to see that you're still hanging in there. Please keep uploading. Inpossibley few, Great players out there, Who actually kill it & drill it... LIVE !! Yes, I'm a Player first. & Damm, what a ride ! ( Same Age ) But a Fan also. So, Please keep posting, especially if you have some live jams to show. Thank you !
I was in L.A recently....as for a scene...it's all gone now unfortunately....the clubs are going on nostalgia. You're a talented guy Phil. I remember seeing your cover band in Ottawa Canada. You paid your dues in an awful business and did well... good on ya Phil 👏 👌
![Phil X On Playing With Attitude - Dan's Vlog: That Pedal Show [Interview]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/5-v4UFOh6-w/mqdefault.jpg)
![Phil X On Playing With Attitude – Dan's Vlog: That Pedal Show [Interview]](/img/tr.png)
Phil X is an ace guitar player and I could listen to him talk all day. He is a great storyteller - and yes, he IS a professional musician!!
Regardless how good or bad you are if you play and someone pays you then you are a professional musician.
A member of Triumph and Bon Jovi who has recorded on Alice Cooper, Tommy Lee Avril Lavigne, Rob Zombie, Kelly Clarkson, Orianthi, Stewart Copeland, Daughtrey, Chris Cornell his own bands Powder and the Drills, etc Dude is a HALL OF FAMER of Rock and Roll and deserves much respect! He is one of my current favorite guitar players for his playing, his attitude, and for being A cool dude! ROCK ON PHIL!
Agreed!
Cool story. My dad was a pro who, one day, Charlie Barnett's big band came through Seattle and fired their bass player. He asked around for the best bass player in town, and that was my dad. He went with the big band and the rest is history. Literally. There are books about him and there are still stories around L.A. about him. His name was Red Kelly, quite the funny guy and party humorist. Also, one of the best musicians in Los Angeles. Maynard Ferguson grabbed him for his "Live at Peacock Lane" album when he was not touring. He toured with all of the big bands except for Glenn Miller, who was too white for my dad. He wanted serious jazz musicians to play with, not pop stars. And he had an amazing career, culminating with his own club in WA, with guys like Tony Bennett, John Byner, Med Flory and more sitting in, and a not-too-serious run at Governor as a bar gag that almost won. I even was in on it. At 3 years old! I was part of Stan Kenton's act. Would love to chat sometime. Cheers!
That was a cool story in itself...my dad was a drummer...uncle a guitarist, and another uncle played bass...mom played piano...
I too am 57 and went to LA at 29 with my bass. Smoked way too much Mexican tar to do anything. Back in Canada now, don't do drugs anymore and still make a few bucks on the weekends playing my bass. I didn't "make it" but I survived and i'm still havin' a good time.
Amen
cool story, Shane ! similar thing here - went to LA from Russia at 29 - the scene made me feel old) didnt make it then, i`m now 50 , but the dream lives on, who knows, miracles happen, i play the guitar better now than i did then haha!
@@maskkottube Just reading that your dream's still alive gives randoms from Australia a unique, shared buzz.
@@thatthingthatisaid65 thank you, Teresa!
Phil’s passion for guitar and the way he shares his passion with the guitar community is unparalleled.
So inspiring Phil! Had to turn 34 to quit my job at a hardware store, like a week ago. I just do acoustic gigs but that's fine for me as long as it's music.
I remember my cousin showing me this guy on Fretted Americana soo many years ago. I was immediately like, this guy has so much energy. Wow! No wonder why you made it.
Phil X is who I want to be when I (don't) grow up. I love how down to earth and playful the guy is in spite of his immense skill and experience. A true treasure of a human being. I have seen him at guitar shows and events just totally nerding out over music and guitars like he really was still 18, that passion and childlike wonder is contagious and as if that weren't enough the guy has a huge heart on top of it all. It's very rare to see someone so seemingly unfussed that is actually smart and caring too. Such an inspiring guy and a true music legend, not just rock/metal but music in general.
Thanks for making me smile Phil, you are a legend my dude.
Nice to see you using this channel…you’ve been missed!.
Wise words!.
Phill, it's not even your skill on guitar I admire the most, it's your attitude when playing. Having fun and playing from the heart.
Phil, your Fretted Americana episode with the TV Yellow Junior 'Vanhalen Time', convinced me to find a Junior-style guitar and that guitar quickly doubled my playing skills. I clip that video in guitar forums when players are asking about 'what guitar is the most versatile?' You've had an amazing journey and always seem like you are fantastic to work with (often as important as guitar skills).
That video is WILD
Man, you don’t look 57 at all! Thanks for sharing your story! You rock!!!
The Powder days. We must've seen you guys play a dozen times on The Strip because you were really that good!
Without question.
Rock on!
Phil! Hello! Gabriel, the guy who drew the cover of We Bring The Rock n Roll! Great to see ya!
Dude ,you are about 5 notches ABOVE professional ANY DAY !!!❤❤❤❤❤🍻🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸
Powder f'ing rocked. Also, an inspiring response. People often think successful musicians appear out of thin air. Rarely do they hear the years involved getting there.
Phil is an amazing guitar player... He is awesome telling his story... Inspiring others to live their dream... Just keep rocking... 🤘❤️🔥🤘❤️🔥🤘
5 Stars! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Dude, I'm 57 too! Rock n Roll!! Hahahaha!!! '66 was a bitchen year. Star Trek and Batman debuted. Several Gemini missions and the Surveyor 1 moon probe happened. Houston Astrodome was built. MINISKIRTS! And much, much more.
Dude, you are the fucking real deal. Besides, your personality and humor is so off the cuff and engaging, long vids from you are easy to watch and listen to.
I deeply respect your words, Phil. I'm 22 years old and was fortunate to grow up with FrettedAmericana. That shaped my understanding of guitar as an instrument, and then i would practice many of the licks you'd play. And that expanded my ability and creativity so much. But, i still haven't figured out that star power you got. That's all you man! You're a jet engine bro
Hey Phil, great video with some terrific humour to boot! I became a professional musician at age 43. I'd had day jobs since age 17, and actually didn't even get my first guitar until the year I turned 18. My backward-looking conservative parents did everything in their power to prevent me from ever discovering popular music. My world, as a teenager in the 1960s, centered around my little 9V transistor radio. It kept me sane. But I sure made up for lost time in 1972 when I got my first guitar! Within six months I'd improved so much that I was playing (primitive) lead guitar in some church based bands. I wasn't naturally gifted, but I had an unquenchable desire to succeed at being a top flight guitarist. When I got married in 1979 music had to take a back seat to earning a living and so I worked all the overtime my employers wanted to give me. I played Blues at home to keep my chops up as best I could under the circumstances. So I was driving trucks during the days, and many evenings on time-and-a-half, while doing other things on weekends.
I became a Powerlifter, thanks to another lifelong obsession, lifting weights. My training partner got himself a drum kit and when he got good enough to actually play, he and I formed a band. That was 1987, after ten years of not playing in public, apart from winning the talent night at the resort on my honeymoon. I suppose we gigged maybe ten times in a year for a few years until the band folded. I was drafted into the biggest Christian Rock band in our state and went from ten gigs a year to six to eight a month with them.
When I got sick of the egos in that band . . the younger the guy, the bigger the ego! . . I contacted my old drummer and we got ourselves an amazing bass player and I was back to gigging maybe once a month again, but loving every minute of it. We used to really pack 'em in at some of our venues too.
In 1997 I got made redundant from my truck driving job, I got injured at my next job, and my band folded . . all within one six-week space of time! Everybody who knew me was practically screaming at me to go full-time into music, and after some counselling from my Pastor, I did just that. If that injury hadn't happened I would probably have still driven trucks and maybe gigged a dozen times a year for the rest of my working life.
Now, contrary to your experiences, in Australia the "tall poppy syndrome" is probably more prevalent here than in any other country in the world. They love an underdog, but the minute you make something of yourself they hate your guts for breaking through. The number of times I out-shone the main act, only to have them turn on me like I'd set fire to their homes, I couldn't count. Every booking agent turned on me as well, which caused so much stress within my marriage that she kicked me out in 2007. They wanted uniform banality in the industry, which meant they didn't want anyone who stood out from the pack. That way, if an act called in sick they could replace him with someone of the same deplorable ability who in all likelihood played the same songs from the same beginners' song book.
But every time they banned me, I kept coming back a bit bigger and a bit better than before. But eventually, after having to look further afield for pubs that would book directly with the acts, after each time they got together and pushed me out, I was touring every weekend, often driving over 500 miles in three days, Friday through Sunday, just going to gigs, all in country pubs. I had to do all my own bookings since 2004, when I came back from having been completely shut down in August of 2003.
Session work? Completely out of the question. The music industry in Australia is so tiny compared to America that the few lucky ones who are session players will work 24 hours a day doing it, rather than asking any other guitarists for help in lightening the load a bit. The big fear is that the studios will call their helpers rather than them.
Then eventually, with our economy flat-lining thanks to our government's policies, I was down from well over 120 gigs a year, or mainly three gigs a week, to just five or six a month by 2020. Then came the COVID lockdown, which lasted longer for musicians than everyone else, again thanks to government policy. With seven months of inactivity my lower back lost its muscle tone completely. Then when we were able to get back into it again, my back hurt worse and worse after each gig until I had to give it away in January 2021. I still did a few Biker gigs, but then my hands stopped working. Turns out all that bouncing up and down on the seat while driving trucks, then having to do exactly the same bouncing around in the seat of my car on the very bumpy country roads going to my gigs in out of the way places, caused bone spurs to grow on my neck vertebrae which eventually pinched the radial and ulna nerves to my hands, thus preventing me from even playing guitar at all. I'm still a member of a biker band which is getting back together in June to work on songs for the Freedom Concert, a one-day festival to raise money for the Bush Fire Brigade and a couple of country hospitals. I'll only be able to play slide guitar, and that with a thumb pick because I can't hang onto the plectrum any more!
I've had a good long run at it, and my career petered out as I reached the retiring age anyway. But I would've loved to still be able to play my collection of guitars and thus enjoy retirement, and of course go out to play once in a while with the guys. Oh well. . . .
Phil is absolutely correct, you have to find a way to stand out. The best way to do this is to find your own voice whether it is your vocals or how you play your instrument. Take guitarist for example. You can identify the greats after hearing just a few notes. Yea its really cool to be able to play like Ed, Jimmy, or Jeff but you have to have your own sound/style. Over the past 30 plus years in the audio production industry I've had the pleasure of working with musicians in every imaginable genre. After a minute or two of listening to a musician even at sound check you can whether a musician has "it" or they don't. Sadly, I didn't have "it" as a musician but was able to find my voice as an engineer.
It's about the fans man! -Phil X.
Love it
Bless you man... You're 57 and keep going...a beast...You give me strength...i love gigging playing the guitar and singing but i have a morning job to get by...36 years old and ill keep doing it till i can't.
This is required watching for anyone wanting to 'make it' in any industry. Phil X is the genuine article and is dialed in. So fun to discover him and know has no pretense. Met him at NAMM and he was so cool! Love him and all he does for communities and his fans! The Drills rule and he brings effort and energy to everything he touches! God bless you Phil!
Phil.
My 30 years and your 30 years look totally different. I just watched your interview session with Neiman. Your discussion on confidence totally inspired me. When I first played in front of people, I was drunk. I was drunk every time I played a show. When I say show, I mean like, 5 bands for $5 with a tiny crowd of players and girlfriends. Because I was drunk, I went from, "I'm not fit to be in this room" to "these motherfuckers aren't fit to be in this room with me!". It was drunken confidence. AND I sucked bad. You could smell my shit from Fresno. But people came up to me and told me that I had something, or tell me a few things to do that would make me kill it. Now, 10+ years clean, I can't play in front of my mom and brother without misfretting every 3rd note and forgetting 3/4 of what I know. Until I watched that video, I didn't realize I could manifest the same attitude sober. Never occurred to me. Thanks man!!!
Loving these videos!!! I could listen to your stories over and over.
This needs to be seen by so many more people. You’re such an inspiration.
Great video truth, right in our faces! Thanks Phil, keeping it real as always!
Phil is such a great talent one of the greatest guitar players ever… I-had the pleasure of meeting him early with my Friend Rob and his uncle Pat. His jam sessions at his dads was insane.. got to see some of the greatest players ever. Phil was always the most humble person ever, super kind… 2 mins in his presence you could appreciate the love I have for Phil. ORLANDO
Phil was such an innovator for guitar gear I had my friend machine his bar for my bass he was always through talent and creativity beyond anyone
That's a GREAT answer!
Dude, your FA videos made me excited about music, particularly guitar again. Was laid up for a bit and discovered FA and it got me through, got me playing again starting a whole new chapter. You’re as real the deal a rockstar can be and your story is fantastic! You’re the flame keeper of all that rocks! Any success has been well earned and deserved! Bravo
That was excellent! Thank you!
You're a legend Phil! You make all of us Toronto/Mississauga players proud! :)
What a great video , i love this format, i could listen to this all day!
As a fan, I am have felt the regard. Thank you very much. Your old Fretted Americana video's are what drew me in.
The FANS! Yes!!
Telling it like it is . A story of hard work finally paying off . Great vid
So good . Thank you Phil . I been watching since the fretted Americana days . Love what you do man !
I was the SXSW stage manager at Headhunters in Austin Texas in 2013? 2014? Its a bit blurry! Kenny Aronoff was sitting in with you and the Drills and he rented my drumset. In the craziness of SXSW yall left without paying me. When I emailed you I never expected a response but to my surprise you wrote back telling me you were getting on jet to go play with Bon Jovi and said you would be in Austin for a Bon Jovi show in a week or so. We met up, you paid me and we spent that money drinking on 6th street where you sat in with a local band and played an old Joe Walsh song. You are a true pro and a man of your word and I tell this story every time your name comes up! Thanks for the great memory!
Awesome and compelling story. Keep them coming. We met at guitar camp earlier this year in Vegas. You’re a wonderful human being. Thank you
Could listen to these stories daily.Phil is the best.
Dude i missed this live but I gotta say that man, your one of my biggest modern influences. I'm 49 and still rocking my ass off on guitar in a power trio. Your playing inspires me to learn everyday. I now have a Yoda figurine in my neck pickup! Thanks for being awesome! Rawking J
Just WOW, Phil! Nuff said 🎸💥🔥
So inspiring. I could listen to you whole day. Phil X rocks.
Awesome Story!!
I remember going to a Bar in Woodbridge Ontario on a Sunday called Main Street Station?? Shit, I can’t remember, You had the wammy bar that stuck straight out.
Long Time Ago!!
Tks Phil what a life ❤
Man I could listen to Phil all day long! Great insight and great stories - awesome
Dude…. That was super rad, thank you sir. 🙏🙏
Great story! You look great for 57! I'm almost 55 and still playing guitar regularly!
Phil great stories and advice. Best of luck in the future.
How fucking cool is this dude? I was late to the party knowing about you Phil, but you rock as a human, and as a guitarist. 🤘😁🤘
Ace video Phil, cheers! I’m 40 this year and sometimes it’s a struggle to keep the dream going!
Glad to see another video on UA-cam. Please make more
Great question, awesome story.
Great information! An amazing talent!
music is powerful... great video Phil as always... from a fan.... :)
Thanks Phil X for sharing...you are so generous with your time and tell the best stories!!!😘
Thanks Phil.
Great answer, thanks for taking the time to chat.
Great story about the focus and passion!
Cheers and great day to you Phil! I trust your world is splendid! Thank you for touching on the importance of including the emotional well being of the fans and how important that is to generating an empowering community. Great to visit pages and see how you are incorporating this message. SOUL. important! Blessings
So much love for Phil. Totally justified.
Many of you are probably like me, you love music, but never thought you could take the risk of having a career in music. I chose to keep focusing on a more secure career, Something I was good at, that inspired me, and benefited others, but Music has always been my hobby and my “second passion”, besides my career in education. So I’ve recorded some educational music that has been successful, I had an original band. BC (before children) and we took it as far as we could while not quitting our day jobs, I wrote original music, played bar gigs, and at this point, I’m just working on having a band that can maybe play out once a month for fun. So, watching people like Phil X, Rick Beato, Rhett Shull , Jens Larsen, Tomo, and many others, keeps me engaged and connected. I’m so grateful for Phil and those like him take the risk and inspire us all.
Actually Phil, your career started way before those bands Triumph, Frozen Ghost etc…In 1973 or ‘74 at John D Parker junior school. the entire school was summoned to the gymnasium and you treated
Us by playing with a sparkling blue guitar (make unknown) and you sang and played to a Blue Swede Shoes backing track. You rocked an Elvis tune. That’s a memory I have…And Im sure a few lucky kids who are now 58ish have also! ❤
Thank you for the advice Phil you are the best 😊
First time I saw you was at G4 in Vegas. I appreciate the it's about the fans mentality. That alone helps set musicians apart and make the memorable.
Thank you so much for your insoiring story! It shows that one should never stop dreaming and working on that dream ❤
That was cool, glad I clicked. 🤘
It's PHIL X!!!!! You have been my inspiration since i started my journey playing guitar about 15 years ago, cheers man hope all is well.
Having confidence in your abilities is a HUGE part of the equation.
In 95, a Toronto magazine editor, whose mag gave my 2nd album a RAVE review that resulted in label interest, called me to say: "Dude! You HAVE to move to T.O.!"
Because my drummer, the only one I'd played with for 7 years, was too useless and didn't wanna, I never made the 17 hour drive.
Couldawouldashoulda is a _serious_ bitch.
Rock on Phil !!!!! You are amazing human been and definitely one. Of the best guitar players on earth !!!! Much respect. !!! Always a pleasure to heard you. !!!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Great to see another video. Missed your stuff a lot. Miss your music too.
I keep checking and there's nothing new.
Thanx Man🎉
What a wonderful soul❤ Greetings from Greece.
The only thing that keeps my humble channel going are the amazing messages I get from people. It makes me feel that I left a small mark in this short life. Thanks for sharing man your thoughts. Keep up the good work and hope to see you in South America sometime! 🤘
Awesome story Phil! Thanks for sharing and cheers from Poland
Great video Phil. I'm a few years younger than you, but I saw frozen ghost in Barrie when I was a kid. Good times. I also remember thinking you were going to be the guy who saved Triumph. Congrats on a great career, and more to come!👍🇨🇦
We need more of this. You are so hyper, I love it. That first Aldo Nova album is a top album for me. I didn't know you played with him (I assume on tour only). Greetings from New Brunswick Canada.
Thank you Fretted Americana and John Shanks for giving us Phil X, eternally. Those Fretted A videos were the best thing ever. 'On Fire' with the Epi Riviera still does it for me, every time. 🤩
Thanks for sharing Phil. More power to you
Phil, you’re an INSANE MAN! I love it! I just came back to guitar after 38 years - I
could never reach your skill level (“the law is a jealous mistress”), but man are you fun and inspiring to watch! Much love, brother.
I can write so much, but the brief summary: You Sir are simply the best! THANK YOU so much for everything
Love it!
Thanks for the video. Loved your story.
Phil great story really enjoy hearing about your journey. keeping it real is cool
You Rock Phil.Toronto Misses you,
I love story time! Thank you Phil X. Say yes to any gig, even if you don’t know if you can and figure it out later…otherwise someone else will.
Phil X is fabulous. His comments about musicians thinking you have something everyone wants is delusional is spot on. Cool story about Phil X, I once asked him to play guitar on a song I had written, which I thought was a good song, but we both agreed that the guitars needed work. Phil said, but what about the lyrics man, they need some work! I replied that I thought they were quite real. Phil said, look man, I'm not going to sugar coat it, they could be a lot better. He was of course right and as he says, it's a long way to the top if you want to rock n roll. Thanks Phil, I still like that song BTW and you were right about the lyrics. Happy days!😅
Totally love this guy! And he’s a fellow Canuck.
I love hearing you talk! Always makes me smile and laugh to hear you spew! More long videos please, lol!
Btw, who played instead of you the night you didn’t make it on stage in Calgary? Was it prerecorded or someone else?
Keep it up! Don’t ever stop rocking out and being you! You’re an amazing example of adversity and doing things your own way. The labels missed out by not signing you at 31, but you connected with fans in your own way and made a career and name for yourself - and that’s before the height of social media, mind you. 🤘🏻🎸
I love Phil....such a multi talented musician and yes ace guitar player! He is one of a kind...crack on Phil!
You're the man phill, please share more stories! Love to hear them, escpially the Bon Jovi overnight trip!
Phil... Hey !!! It's been awhile. Great to see that you're still hanging in there. Please keep uploading. Inpossibley few, Great players out there, Who actually kill it & drill it... LIVE !! Yes, I'm a Player first. & Damm, what a ride ! ( Same Age ) But a Fan also. So, Please keep posting, especially if you have some live jams to show. Thank you !
I was in L.A recently....as for a scene...it's all gone now unfortunately....the clubs are going on nostalgia. You're a talented guy Phil. I remember seeing your cover band in Ottawa Canada. You paid your dues in an awful business and did well... good on ya Phil 👏 👌
Still rockin my PX-100, poontaco🤗
You weren't lying in your email about my questions & concerns. Love it!
Can't wait to see what you and Michael Anthony have cookin'! 🤘
Love Phil X!
Great story Phil!
Awesome story. X-Tales 🤘🏻