John Phillips

1990 - present

John Phillips: Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Programming and Sampling.

I write and record drawing on diverse influences. There is no fixed line up and it is not specifically a live unit. Essentially I work solo and bring in other guest musicians and ideas wherever appropriate to the piece being written and recorded. It is an outlet for my vision, preoccupations, ideas and interests in the urban, post-industrial, media based landscape.

Financed, completed and released first album "Made in a Frame" with one music video for the single "Hi-Rise". A second incomplete video for "New Frontier" was shot at Broken Hill . Formed my own production label, Hi-Rise Productions.

In 1994 I embraced the Internet and started Australia's first commercial online music promotion and distribution service called Inter-Music Australia for artists, band's and musicians with another partner. Interviewed by JJJ, The Age and The Australian and presentations were made at symposiums at Melbourne University and The ABC Goosen's Hall Sydney. Write and record music for video and film whenever possible. Established a small home based studio for writing and recording songs and music. Running a Mac based system running Motu’s Digital Performer, a Motu firewire based 828 unit , Microtech Gefell M930 condenser mike, ASR10 keyboard sampler and Yamaha NS10 monitors.

1993 "Made in Frame" CD album (Hi-Rise Productions label)

1994 "Put The Past Behind You / All I Want is You / New Frontier"

1999 "Bairitz"

2002 "Soundtracks Demo CD"

2002-2004 "Heavy Mega Traffic" / "Every Moment"

"HiRise" Music Video

"CMJ Promo" Promo video for CMJ Music Trade Fair, New York.

"New Frontier" Music Video (Incomplete)

Robert Greenberg: Harmonica, Vocals

Chris Haddon: Lead Vocals, Guitar

Peter Moore: Drums, Vocals

John Phillips: Bass, Vocals

Keith Welsh: Guitar, Vocals

Bassist and vocalist in this comic and theatrical 4 piece combo playing Soul, Funk, Country and R&B covers in cafes, hotels, bistros, clubs and private functions in Melbourne and Adelaide. Original songs were part of the repertoire.

Used improvised comedy as part of the performance. Completed one short tour to Adelaide to perform in the 1991 Adelaide Arts Festival.

Recorded live album at Greg Ham's (Men at Work) Curtain Street Studios, Carlton.

Discography and Recordings

1992 Live at Curtain Street Studios

URBAN PRINCIPLE

John Phillips: Lead Vocals, Guitar, Guitar Synthesizer

Rex Delaney: Lead Vocals, Guitar Synthesizer

Mark Bernsons: Keyboards, Vocals

Paul O'Leary: Bass, Guitar, Vocals

Mark O'Leary: Guitar, Vocals

David Rogerson (Drums, percussion)

Previous members

Philip Rienhardt (Bass )

Nick Kharitou (Keyboards, Synthesizers )

Sai Ferran-Lucas (Vocals, Guitar Synthesizer)

Steve Carter (Bass)

Patrick Quinn (Bass)

Steve Henderson (Drums)

Michael Rumpf (Drums)

Tony Italia (Drums)

UP evolved from The Pipelines. Borne from a desire to write and perform songs and music about the human condition and spirit from the perspective of an environment under urbanization, the march of technology, the media-scape and industrialization. The band went through many line up changes before settling on a definitive line up. Produced many recordings, videos, films, photographs and live shows.

Composed soundtracks for Swinburne films.

Disbanded as a live band and permanent line up in May 1990.

Discography and Recordings

1987 Something Inside: 12 inch EP (Cleopatra / Musicland label)

1987 Something Inside: 7 inch Single (Virgin / Cleopatra / Musicland labels)

1988 Birth of a Nation: EP (Independent cassette release)

1988 The Palace (Live in St Kilda): (to be mixed and released)

1989 Facts and Fiction: EP (Independent cassette release)

1989 For The Centuries Ahead: Album (Independent cassette release. / Remastered for CD)

Extensive recording of original material and rehearsals. (Audio cassette)

Films and Video

1984 "Wasted Youth" (Music Video)

1986 "Something Inside" (Music Video)

1989 "For The Centuries Ahead" (Doco / Promo Video to Aust. & O.S record labels)

Many live shows and unreleased documentary footage shot on video, 16mm and Super 8mm formats

Geelong and Melbourne

1981 - 1983

John Phillips: lead vocals, guitar

Ross Harrison: drums

Greg Marchant: bass

Philip Rienhardt: bass

Formed this band to set a challenge for myself by taking the position of lead vocalist and guitarist from what I learned in Kikx and Goanna. Wrote and experimented with my own original songs in the format of a classic 60's and 70's power-pop trio. Songs were sparse and used the idea of "less is more". Very influenced by XTC and The Police. Musicians were pushed to use their skills in creating a full sound. Worked with photography, graphics, video, film and advertising media. Songs were quirky and covered coastal and industrial themes. Fused influences of punk, new wave, jazz and electronica. Extensive recording of rehearsals and live performces playing local and coastal shows. Played supports to INXS, Men at Work, Hunters and Collectors, The Divinyls, Mental as Anything, The Machinations, Paul Kelly, Michael Thomas and The Never Never Band, Goanna, Sherbert, AEIOU and The Little Heroes.

Discography and Recordings

1981 "Sunset Strip" Cassette Single Recorded at Sutton's Rehearsal Studios / Engineer: Alan Kelly

Video

1981-1982 "Sunset Strip"

 
KIKX

Monty Oswald (aka Monty Neo): Vocals, Guitar

Kerry Hunter: Vocals, Percussion

Lee Beckworth: Bass, Vocals

Karl Nosek: Electric Violin, Electronic Percussion, Programming

Chris Lawson: Drums, Electronic Percussion

John Phillips: Guitar, Vocals

Stylized as a Post Punk, New Wave band integrating influences from the visual arts, experimental media, electronics and technology as well as traditional rock and roll instruments. The performance was provocative, cutting edge, sharp, tight, sophisticated and influenced by European arts and Japanese Kabuki theatre. Combined mediums of recording, photography, graphics, design, presentation, fashion, image and style with their original music and selective covers of other songs. Kikx were entrenched amongst the electronic "art school" bands at the time such as Kraftwork, Ultravox and Devo and had been previously influenced by The New York Dolls, Andy Warhol and The Velvet Underground push. Extensive work and experimentation consistently recording, documenting and assessing their recorded work. Played many shows in Geelong and inner city Melbourne venues such as the legendary Crystal Ballroom, St Kilda and The Eureka Hotel.

The first single Nova Express / I Get My Kicks is released on Astor records and receives airplay and support from 3RRR and 3PBS radio. Major supports with Midnight Oil, INXS, The Models, The Angels, The Birthday Party, Mi-Sex, Cold Chisel and The Reels.

Shane Howard : Vocals, Acoustic guitar

Carl Smith : Bass

Rodney Hoe: Drums

Ian Morrison: Vocals, Guitar

John Phillips: Guitar

Rose Bygrave: Vocals, Keyboards

Asked to join Shane Howard's band playing lead guitar and performing in Geelong Hotels and live venues on the Victorian West Coast. Played guitar on the first studio demos of original Goanna songs recorded at Greg Bee's studios Geelong. Shane wrote original songs that were concerned about the Aboriginal experience, social justice, land and environmental issues with a distinct Australian style and identity. The songs were earthy and influenced by Country and Folk roots. Played supports at Eureka Hotel supporting national touring acts ie: Cold Chisel.

Geelong

1978 - 1979

Rick Griffiths: Vocals, Lead Guitar

Peter Griffiths: Vocals, Bass

Ross Harrison: Drums

John Phillips: Lead Guitar, Slide Guitar, Harmonica

Played lead and slide guitar for this outfit with members from the very first Goanna line up. Played original songs and covers drawing from rock, blues, country and jazz influences. Played residencies at The Argyle Hotel and Deakin University Geelong.

Discography and Recordings

1978: Live recordings from the Argyle Hotel (audio cassette format)

also known as STUBBY DELUXE AND THE WHIPS

also known as STREET CHOIR

Geelong

1977 - 1978

Andrew Priestley: Lead Vocals, Guitar

Geelong

1978

Alan Wright: Lead Vocals, Bass

Mark Gove: Guitar, Vocals

John Phillips: Guitar

Mick Evans: Drums and Percussion

Guest Musician

Max Zocco: Harmonica

Played lead and slide guitar with this four piece outfit. Ex-members from The Cigarettes and Pellenor transform into a slicker and sophisticated outfit fusing rock, jazz and blues influences. Along with the experimentation and sophistication of Pellenor it also combines elements of performance, humour and entertainment. The songwriting talents and pusuits of Mark Gove and Alan Wright are clearly emerging, inspired by what is possible.

The band combines influences drawn from a coastal environment now under pressure and becoming increasingly aware and exposed to Melbourne and Sydney's New Wave explosion and inner city push. Performed shows at Deakin University, The Eureka and Argyle Hotels.

Discography and Recordings

1978: Live recordings from the Argyle Hotel. (Audio Cassette)

RAW DEAL

Stephen Walker: Bass

John Phillips: Lead and slide guitar.

Wayne Jury: Vocals

Dale Boyd: Drums

This band formed from a natural transformation of Unk The Funk into a tighter and sharper unit that was fast, raw and hard. Played a mixture of hard driving rock ballads and blues songs with some original songs. The sound and presentation was slick, professional and provocative. One of my sociology lecturers at Deakin University School of Education suggested I "sort myself out" and decide whether I was a musician or a teacher after witnessing our controversial performance at the Deakin University review, Vines Road Campus. Played supports to AC/DC, The Dingoes, The Little River Band, Cold Chisel, Buffalo, Spectrum / Murtceps and Stylus. Again, Troy Music assisted us with getting these supports and regular shows at The Golf View Hotel and The Sundowner Hotel.

Geelong

1976-1977

Shane Howard: Vocals, Acoustic guitar

Mike Biscan: Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Vocals

John Phillips: Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Vocals

We met at Deakin University whilst studying music, primary teaching and jamming in Shane's kitchen and lounge around the table and formed this trio to play the local folk scene and university coffee lounges. We played a selection of covers and became a vehicle for Shane's first emerging songs. The music was an eclectic collection of west coast country, folk, rock, blues and something intangibly "indigenous". Shane had the idea to do something Australian but not traditional. Andrew Priestley, another student who was writing stories and cartoons for the Deakin student magazine, Planet, did a stand up comedy spot as part of the show and would join in on the music. Later this band evolved into an electric version as The Goanna band after Shane had seen the impact of Raw Deal at a Deakin University Concert Review and realised that a band lineup could do far more for a song.

Discography and Recordings

1977: Live performance at Warnambool campus. (Audio cassette / CD)

Geelong

1976 - 1977

Alan Wright: Lead Vocals / Bass

Mark Gove: Guitar / Vocals

John Phillips: Guitar

Mark Stanley: Drums and Percussion

The band plays a repertoire influenced by the New York sound and candor of Lou Reed and the sharpness of Elvis Costello. The band fused rock and roll, punk, new wave, reggae and jazz styles. As well as playing their own originals the band played songs by Bowie, Roxy Music, Lou Reed and the Beatles. Played Deakin University and Geelong hotels.

Recorded live performances at The Argyle Hotel and Ocean Grove RSL Hall.

1976 - 1977

Geelong

Peter McPhail: Bass

Mick Evans: Drums and Percussion

Frank Sorensen: Lead guitar

John Phillips: Lead guitar

Joined this Jazz Rock fusion band playing guitar. Explored many musical ideas and developed extensive guitar improvisation skills and writing two guitar parts, songs and instrumentals. The band drew upon post '60's influences, the Australian bush and coastal landscape, Hendrix, The Doors, Pink Floyd, Manfred Mann and Golden Earring. The band also experimented and made it a ritual to record performances in the open air country and unorthodox spaces. The band had a very cliquey, surfie, hippy following who were looking for an experience. Mick Evans and myself both attended Belmont High School.

Performed live at hotels, happenings and festivals.

Discography and Recordings

Extensive recording of original material and rehearsals. (Audio cassette)

Geelong

1974 - 1975

Stephen Walker: Bass

John Phillips: Lead and slide guitar.

Wayne Jury: Vocals

Trevor Moore: Drums

Formed my first band playing electric guitar, performing covers and began writing some original songs and instrumentals. Initially the line up played instrumentals only at its debut shows at the Argyle Hotel and at Thursday Rock: Centenary Hall, Corio. This was unique, audacious and a first for the band locally. These concerts were very successful and ran consistently showcasing young emerging Geelong talent. Later Wayne Jury joined as lead vocalist. Stylistically, 60's psychedelia, glam rock, heavy metal, fusion jazz and AC/DC songs were covered. Experimented a lot with large amplification, feedback, volume and noise. With the support of Troy Music the band played supports to Split Enz, Ted Mulry Gang, Taste and Hush at The Geelong Palais. Won 2nd position in a heat for 3XY’s Battle of the Bands, Melbourne in 1975. The band later performed at packed out residencies at the Lorne and Barwon Heads hotels on Saturday nights to raging surfie crowds.

Discography and Recordings

SALTY DOG

Geelong

1972 - 1974

Dave Steel: Vocals, Percussion

Andrew Bullen: Lead Guitar

Rob Stevens: Drums

John Phillips: Bass

Dave Steel (Weddings Parties Anything) had asked me to join this band after a recommendation from Rod Hoe (Goanna) who was playing with Robert Harwood in Gathering Child. Rod and I become friends when attending Belmont High School pursuing music while Dave and Robert all attended Geelong College. Rod and Robert's brother, Warrick Harwood, and myself were to join Goanna later on. Andrew Bullen was a young, astonishingly talented guitarist who had already carved out a unique style and identity as a player. He and David opened my head up to more music influences, particularly the UK scene, and quickly taught me about the fundamentals of contemporary music and improved my playing because of their strong musicianship. Influences were very broad and drawn from the post 60's US and British blues / pop explosion ie: Hendrix, Cream, Bob Dylan, The Doors and many other underground bands at the time ie: The Band, Humble Pie, Led Zepplin, Free, Jethro Tull, Deep Purple, James Taylor and Catmother and the all Night Newsboys etc.

Performed regularly at socials, parties, dances, surf clubs, school functions whilst we were attending secondary school at Geelong College and Belmont High School.

Discography and Recordings

Many recordings exist documenting this band. (1/4 inch mono reel to reel / archived to DAT & CD)
 

Ron Wynoven: Guitar, Vocals

John Tyzack: Drums

John Phillips: Bass

This was the first band I joined. John Tyzack and myself joined Ron after he had been performing live with Rodney Hoe and Alex Rose (bass) in another outfit. Rod had just left to join Gathering Child with Robert Harwood. We covered songs by Hendrix, Cream, The Animals, The Doors and Creedence Clearwater Revival and performed regularly at socials, parties, dances and school functions whilst we were all attending secondary school at Belmont High School, Geelong.