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Born on August 13th, I began studying music at a very young age. Between the ages of 6 and 7 my father approached me about learning an instrument. He played string bass in the orchestra. Like any young lad, I wanted
to be like him. But the bass was a little too big for a six year old. So, I picked the Cello and I really took to it. I studied up until the summer of the fifth grade. I then discovered the guitar and girls.
So I started guitar lessons, even though both my Father and Brother played bass. Initially, I asked for bass but my Father thought it would be better if I learned guitar and I'm glad he did.
 So I studied guitar and played my Fathers' electric bass. Next thing I knew, I was
playing bass with my music teacher in the sixth grade.
Also in the sixth grade, I joined a band called, "The Soul Explosions". I was so nervous at my first gig, that for the first song I stood behind my amp. My sister coaxed
me out from behind it and got me to loosen up for the second song. Well, at that moment, I was hooked! There I became a bass player. During Jr. High and High
school I did all the usual things, pit band in the school plays and joining every band I could. When I was a senior in H.S. I joined a working GB band. As far as I was
concerned , I had made it! We were going to Connecticut and working every weekend. What a life! When I got out of High school and went to work in auto body.
Soon after that I went to The Berklee College of Music.
Things got real serious then. I was in a cover band called "Flash" and studying with Wit Brown. I had to practice for hours every night. Between that, gigging and studying, I was busy to say the least.
Years went by and I continued to work on my playing and also on being a musician, I really loved it. Recording in the studio was the next step for me. Lots of projects were available to for me to be involved in locally. I continued working with Flash when I
was approached by an old school chum, Gary Cherone, about joining Extreme.
So as you can tell, I didn't take him up on his offer and they went on to be mega stars. That taught me a powerful lesson.
I changed bands a few times and eventually Nuno (Bettencourt) introduced me to Mike Mangini. See, Nuno was putting together a jam band. Michael and I hit it off right away. Soon after that meeting I was in the "Rick Berlin Band" with him. I continued to
hone my skills as a bassist and began working construction.
Mike and I entered, and won, a rhythm section competition in Massachusetts. Our friendship and respect for each other really grew here. The "Rick Berlin" band continued on but was never able to land a record deal. Eventually we all parted ways while
Michael and I stayed in touch looking for another opportunity to work together.
Next I joined the hip hop group "World Premier". This is where I really developed my playing of Keybass with all the synthbass in pop music. So, with this band I finally did some International travel. We went to Osaka, Japan for two months. I really had a
great desire to go on to the next level, i.e. recording and touring.
After that, I left "World Premier" and began working with "Charlie Farren" one of Boston's brightest stars. We made two records independently and played a number of big shows here. All the while I continued to mature as a musician and my desire
to record and tour continued to grow. Eventually, through all these experiences, I was fortunate enough to cross paths with my old friend Mike Mangini.
Michael went on with Extreme and eventually, on to Steve Vai. When he found out Steve was auditioning bass players Mike got me an audition and I got the GIG!
From there we toured the world and recorded G3. In 1999 we began The ULTRA ZONE world tour
Now, among other things, I work with Kevin Eubanks in a Jazz quartet called "Sunday School" and teach at the L.A. Music Academy, as I continue to reach for my dreams as a musician in the 21st century.
THE WORLD OF MUSIC IS CONSTANTLY CHANGING, IT'S UP TO US TO STAY AHEAD OF THAT CHANGE.
Philip
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