Phideaux Xavier
Encyclopedia
Phideaux Xavier is an American TV director and composer of modern technological music that he describes as "psychedelic progressive gothic rock", who grew up in New York City
but now lives in Los Angeles
.
in Hastings-on-Hudson, one of three children. He started composing music in high school and performed in several bands: Sally Dick & Jane, Neck Tie Party, The SunMachine, and Satyricon.
He released a number of recordings on cassettes for his friends, and then in 1992, produced a small number of copies of a CD
entitled "Friction
". Although it was not widely distributed, a few music reviewers were able to hear it.
Later, in 2002, Xavier started seriously mastering musical tracks. In 2003 he released his first CD with significant distribution, Fiendish
. The year 2004 saw his second album Ghost Story
, which was followed up quickly in 2005 by a third album, Chupacabras
, and then a fourth album, 313
, in March 2006. His fifth and sixth albums, The Great Leap
and Doomsday Afternoon
(2007) are the first two albums of a planned trilogy. In 2009, he issued his seventh album, Number Seven
. He had begun working on a related album called Seven and a 1/2, but this sequel was cancelled in favour of an all-new album entitled Snowtorch, set for release in late 2010. However, the release date of this album was postponed until March 21, 2011.
Ruttan-Moldawsky (bass) in a progressive rock band called Mirkwood,
which later morphed into a punk/pop band called Sally Dick & Jane when
they added vocalist/keyboardist Valerie Gracious. They played at
various legendary NYC clubs, including Max's Kansas City
and
CBGB
, during the early to mid 80s, but failed to record anything
of substance and were marginal to the scene.
After Sally Dick & Jane ended, Phideaux worked on music alone as a
one-man recording project. He attended school at New York University
for film and television production. After graduating from college,
Phideaux decided to return to the collaborative aspect of music and
formed an acoustic-themed band called The SunMachine with childhood
friend Ariel Farber (violin/vocals) and various other musicians. They
played a mostly acoustic progressive rock
style music with flutes,
violin, keyboards, percussion, 12-string guitar, and electric bass. It was during
this time that the first "official" (though now deleted) album, "Friction",
was recorded.
with other people, including the former members of Sally Dick & Jane.
There were several tracks which were solo Phideaux, and many tracks
included synthesizer
and midi music. This album, though little
distributed, was met with a yawn by the world and it has since been
deleted, remanded to status of "ambitious demo".
After a few aborted SunMachine recording sessions, the band ended in
1994 when Phideaux met former Live Skull drummer Rich Hutchins. They
began to rehearse music together and both played in a band called
"Satyricon" (not to be confused with the Norwegian black metal band of the same name
).
During that time, they started rehearsing the songs that
would become "Ghost Story", and developed a working relationship; however,
no suitable recordings of "Ghost Story" were made, and Phideaux
left NYC for work in Los Angeles.
husband, on a series of new demos. He got back together with Rich
Hutchins and recorded the album "Fiendish". In the producer chair was
Mark Kramer
, known to Phideaux for his work with Bongwater
, Brainville
(with Daevid Allen
, Pip Pyle
and Hugh Hopper
) and the Danielson Family. "Fiendish" was "progressive
space folk", according to Phideaux, and contained 11 mid-length songs.
The longest track, "Soundblast", took its lyrics from a leaflet dropped
over Japan shortly after the detonation of the Atomic bomb at
Hiroshima
. This album was released in 2003, despite the copyright
of 2004 on the artwork.
machinery in place to satisfactorily record his songs from the aborted
album "Ghost Story". He and Hutchins quickly reconvened to redo that
album with Gabriel Moffat producing and mixing. "Ghost Story" was
released in 2004 and saw Phideaux bring a harder rock edge to the
music. Standout track was "Beyond The Shadow of Doubt," which was the
longest song to date and very much in the progressive rock
style, featuring keyboard solo from Mark Sherkus, who joined the project
at that time. Bass player on the album was Sam Fenster, who had played
bass in The SunMachine.
While recording "Fiendish" in 2002, they had begun work on an epic song
called "Chupacabras". This song was not completed in time for
inclusion on "Fiendish", and instead, formed the basis for the 2005 release
"Chupacabras". This album was made up of tracks that had been begun for
the previous two albums but had never been finished. It took Phideaux
further into the progressive rock style with multi-part epics (Ruffian on the
Stairs and Chupacabras), and resurrected a song from Phideaux and Rich's
previous band, Satyricon, called "Titan".
Phideaux and mates returned to the studio to record the first two parts
of a projected "Trilogy" of albums dealing with "Big Brother"
authoritarianism
and ecological crisis
. Part One, "The Great
Leap", was released in September 2006, and Part Two ("Doomsday
Afternoon") was released on 2007. Part One
features shorter songs and is somewhat more of a return to the simpler
song structures of "Ghost Story", whereas Part Two, more akin to "Chupacabras" in its breadth, resembles symphonic prog to a greater degree. Its over-arching ecological theme of man's refusal to face up to global warming along with its recurring musical themes lend the album a symphonic prog style structure and scale. Phideaux Xavier and many fans alike consider Doomsday Afternoon to be his masterpiece. The album's regular musicians are supplemented by members of the Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra. Listeners will hear musical passages which remind them, amongst others, of Pink Floyd and Camel. In 2007 Phideaux's band played in the USA and at the Festival Crescendo in St Palais-sur-Mer, France.
. Although Number Seven is technically the follow-up to Doomsday Afternoon, it is not part three of the "Trilogy." Number Seven is a continuation of the longer song structures as compared to Doomsday Afternoon
and Chupacabras
. Phideaux planned to release "Seven and 1/2" later in 2010, which the band states is an appendix to Number Seven. Phideaux has announced that he would like to release "Seven and 1/2", remaster "Doomsday Afternoon" and create a live performance DVD before working on "Infernal", the finale of his trilogy.
". It is formed by:
This big band doesn't tour often and rarely plays live (ie Summer's end festival in the UK).
(1993) (Not considered as such by them.)
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
but now lives in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
.
Life and work
Xavier was born and raised outside of New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in Hastings-on-Hudson, one of three children. He started composing music in high school and performed in several bands: Sally Dick & Jane, Neck Tie Party, The SunMachine, and Satyricon.
He released a number of recordings on cassettes for his friends, and then in 1992, produced a small number of copies of a CD
entitled "Friction
Friction (Phideaux Xavier album)
Friction is the debut album by psychedelic progressive gothic rock composer Phideaux Xavier. It was released in 1993. It is not, however, considered as an official album by them -Tracks:#"Arise" #"Love of a Million Doves"...
". Although it was not widely distributed, a few music reviewers were able to hear it.
Later, in 2002, Xavier started seriously mastering musical tracks. In 2003 he released his first CD with significant distribution, Fiendish
Fiendish
Fiendish is the first album released by composer Phideaux Xavier.In 2002, Phideaux began to work with Gabriel Moffat, on a series of new demos. He got back together with drummer Rich Hutchins and recorded songs for what would become the album Fiendish...
. The year 2004 saw his second album Ghost Story
Ghost Story (Phideaux Xavier album)
Ghost Story is the second album released by composer Phideaux Xavier.After completing Fiendish, Xavier was convinced he now had the machinery in place to satisfactorily record his songs from the aborted album Ghost Story. He and drummer Rich Hutchins quickly reconvened to redo that album with...
, which was followed up quickly in 2005 by a third album, Chupacabras
Chupacabras (album)
Chupacabras is the third album released by composer Phideaux Xavier.While recording "Fiendish" in 2002, Xavier had begun work on an epic song called "Chupacabras". This song was not completed in time for inclusion on Fiendish, and instead, formed the basis for what would become the album Chupacabras...
, and then a fourth album, 313
313 (album)
313 is the fourth album released by composer Phideaux Xavier.Xavier and his band of musicians had done three well rehearsed, well conceived albums, and decided to make an "album in a day"....
, in March 2006. His fifth and sixth albums, The Great Leap
The Great Leap
The Great Leap is the fifth album released by composer Phideaux Xavier.In August 2005, while putting the finishing touches on 313, Xavier returned to the studio to record the first two parts of a projected "Trilogy" of albums dealing with "Big Brother" authoritarianism and ecological crisis...
and Doomsday Afternoon
Doomsday Afternoon
Doomsday Afternoon is the sixth studio album by American musician Phideaux Xavier, and the second part of his projected "Trilogy" of albums dealing with "Big Brother" authoritarianism and ecological crisis, after Part One, "The Great Leap"...
(2007) are the first two albums of a planned trilogy. In 2009, he issued his seventh album, Number Seven
Number Seven (album)
Number Seven is the seventh studio album by American musician Phideaux Xavier. It is a concept album based on their main character; a dormouse. Inside, it features 20 pages of artwork where we can see the dormouse and the other characters....
. He had begun working on a related album called Seven and a 1/2, but this sequel was cancelled in favour of an all-new album entitled Snowtorch, set for release in late 2010. However, the release date of this album was postponed until March 21, 2011.
Previous bands
Xavier first played with Molly Ruttan (drums) and LindaRuttan-Moldawsky (bass) in a progressive rock band called Mirkwood,
which later morphed into a punk/pop band called Sally Dick & Jane when
they added vocalist/keyboardist Valerie Gracious. They played at
various legendary NYC clubs, including Max's Kansas City
Max's Kansas City
Max's Kansas City was a nightclub and restaurant at 213 Park Avenue South, in New York City, which was a gathering spot for musicians, poets, artists and politicians in the 1960s and 1970s.-Origin of name:...
and
CBGB
CBGB
CBGB was a music club at 315 Bowery at Bleecker Street in the borough of Manhattan in New York City.Founded by Hilly Kristal in 1973, it was originally intended to feature its namesake musical styles, but became a forum for American punk and New Wave bands like Ramones, Misfits, Television, the...
, during the early to mid 80s, but failed to record anything
of substance and were marginal to the scene.
After Sally Dick & Jane ended, Phideaux worked on music alone as a
one-man recording project. He attended school at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
for film and television production. After graduating from college,
Phideaux decided to return to the collaborative aspect of music and
formed an acoustic-themed band called The SunMachine with childhood
friend Ariel Farber (violin/vocals) and various other musicians. They
played a mostly acoustic progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
style music with flutes,
violin, keyboards, percussion, 12-string guitar, and electric bass. It was during
this time that the first "official" (though now deleted) album, "Friction",
was recorded.
Friction
"Friction" involved The SunMachine, but also included collaborationswith other people, including the former members of Sally Dick & Jane.
There were several tracks which were solo Phideaux, and many tracks
included synthesizer
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
and midi music. This album, though little
distributed, was met with a yawn by the world and it has since been
deleted, remanded to status of "ambitious demo".
After a few aborted SunMachine recording sessions, the band ended in
1994 when Phideaux met former Live Skull drummer Rich Hutchins. They
began to rehearse music together and both played in a band called
"Satyricon" (not to be confused with the Norwegian black metal band of the same name
Satyricon (band)
Satyricon is a Norwegian black metal band, and the first one in the genre to join a multi-national record label .-Biography:Satyricon was formed in 1990 by Czral and Wargod. Ulver and Satyr soon joined them...
).
During that time, they started rehearsing the songs that
would become "Ghost Story", and developed a working relationship; however,
no suitable recordings of "Ghost Story" were made, and Phideaux
left NYC for work in Los Angeles.
Fiendish and Shimmy Disc Kramer
In 2002, Phideaux began to work with Gabriel Moffat, who is Molly Ruttan'shusband, on a series of new demos. He got back together with Rich
Hutchins and recorded the album "Fiendish". In the producer chair was
Mark Kramer
Mark Kramer
Mark Kramer , known professionally as Kramer, is a musician, composer, record producer and founder of the New York City record label Shimmy-Disc...
, known to Phideaux for his work with Bongwater
Bongwater (band)
Bongwater was a psych rock band formed in 1985 and dissolved in 1992. The group was founded by Ann Magnuson and Mark Kramer , who had worked together previously in Pulsallama. The group also featured drummer Dave Licht and guitarists [Dave Rick] and later Randolph A. Hudson III...
, Brainville
Brainville (band)
-External links:*...
(with Daevid Allen
Daevid Allen
Daevid Allen , sometimes credited as Divided Alien, an Australian poet, guitarist, singer, composer and performance artist is co-founder of psychedelic rock groups Soft Machine and Gong .-Biography:In 1960, inspired by the Beat Generation writers he had discovered...
, Pip Pyle
Pip Pyle
Phillip "Pip" Pyle was an English-born drummer from Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, who later resided in France...
and Hugh Hopper
Hugh Hopper
Hugh Colin Hopper was a progressive rock and jazz fusion bass guitarist. He was a prominent member of the Canterbury scene, as a member of Soft Machine and various other related bands.-Early career:...
) and the Danielson Family. "Fiendish" was "progressive
space folk", according to Phideaux, and contained 11 mid-length songs.
The longest track, "Soundblast", took its lyrics from a leaflet dropped
over Japan shortly after the detonation of the Atomic bomb at
Hiroshima
Hiroshima
is the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture, and the largest city in the Chūgoku region of western Honshu, the largest island of Japan. It became best known as the first city in history to be destroyed by a nuclear weapon when the United States Army Air Forces dropped an atomic bomb on it at 8:15 A.M...
. This album was released in 2003, despite the copyright
of 2004 on the artwork.
Ghost Story resurrected and Chupacabras unleashed
After completing "Fiendish", Xavier was convinced he now had themachinery in place to satisfactorily record his songs from the aborted
album "Ghost Story". He and Hutchins quickly reconvened to redo that
album with Gabriel Moffat producing and mixing. "Ghost Story" was
released in 2004 and saw Phideaux bring a harder rock edge to the
music. Standout track was "Beyond The Shadow of Doubt," which was the
longest song to date and very much in the progressive rock
style, featuring keyboard solo from Mark Sherkus, who joined the project
at that time. Bass player on the album was Sam Fenster, who had played
bass in The SunMachine.
While recording "Fiendish" in 2002, they had begun work on an epic song
called "Chupacabras". This song was not completed in time for
inclusion on "Fiendish", and instead, formed the basis for the 2005 release
"Chupacabras". This album was made up of tracks that had been begun for
the previous two albums but had never been finished. It took Phideaux
further into the progressive rock style with multi-part epics (Ruffian on the
Stairs and Chupacabras), and resurrected a song from Phideaux and Rich's
previous band, Satyricon, called "Titan".
March 13, 2004, or "313"
Phideaux decided to make an "album in a day". On March 13, 2004 (which was actually before they'd finished the Chupacabras album), Phideaux musicians converged in L.A. for an unrehearsed recording session. During that day, they composed and recorded 13 songs, but the sessions were shelved until after Chupacabras was released. In 2005, Phideaux and Gabriel Moffat polished up the recordings, and on March 13, 2006, released the album "313" (named for the date upon which it was recorded). The cover artwork for this album was by Margie Schnibbe, another childhood friend of Phideaux's.The Great Leap
In August 2005, while putting the finishing touches on "313",Phideaux and mates returned to the studio to record the first two parts
of a projected "Trilogy" of albums dealing with "Big Brother"
authoritarianism
Authoritarianism
Authoritarianism is a form of social organization characterized by submission to authority. It is usually opposed to individualism and democracy...
and ecological crisis
Ecological crisis
An ecological crisis occurs when the environment of a species or a population changes in a way that destabilizes its continued survival. There are many possible causes of such crises:...
. Part One, "The Great
Leap", was released in September 2006, and Part Two ("Doomsday
Afternoon") was released on 2007. Part One
features shorter songs and is somewhat more of a return to the simpler
song structures of "Ghost Story", whereas Part Two, more akin to "Chupacabras" in its breadth, resembles symphonic prog to a greater degree. Its over-arching ecological theme of man's refusal to face up to global warming along with its recurring musical themes lend the album a symphonic prog style structure and scale. Phideaux Xavier and many fans alike consider Doomsday Afternoon to be his masterpiece. The album's regular musicians are supplemented by members of the Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra. Listeners will hear musical passages which remind them, amongst others, of Pink Floyd and Camel. In 2007 Phideaux's band played in the USA and at the Festival Crescendo in St Palais-sur-Mer, France.
Number Seven and Snowtorch
After almost a two-year wait, Phideaux released Number SevenNumber Seven (album)
Number Seven is the seventh studio album by American musician Phideaux Xavier. It is a concept album based on their main character; a dormouse. Inside, it features 20 pages of artwork where we can see the dormouse and the other characters....
. Although Number Seven is technically the follow-up to Doomsday Afternoon, it is not part three of the "Trilogy." Number Seven is a continuation of the longer song structures as compared to Doomsday Afternoon
Doomsday Afternoon
Doomsday Afternoon is the sixth studio album by American musician Phideaux Xavier, and the second part of his projected "Trilogy" of albums dealing with "Big Brother" authoritarianism and ecological crisis, after Part One, "The Great Leap"...
and Chupacabras
Chupacabras (album)
Chupacabras is the third album released by composer Phideaux Xavier.While recording "Fiendish" in 2002, Xavier had begun work on an epic song called "Chupacabras". This song was not completed in time for inclusion on Fiendish, and instead, formed the basis for what would become the album Chupacabras...
. Phideaux planned to release "Seven and 1/2" later in 2010, which the band states is an appendix to Number Seven. Phideaux has announced that he would like to release "Seven and 1/2", remaster "Doomsday Afternoon" and create a live performance DVD before working on "Infernal", the finale of his trilogy.
Current Live Band
The performers who work with Phideaux Xavier are people that he grew up with. They have played with him in many albums although the first one in which them, and only them, played all the instruments was "Number SevenNumber Seven (album)
Number Seven is the seventh studio album by American musician Phideaux Xavier. It is a concept album based on their main character; a dormouse. Inside, it features 20 pages of artwork where we can see the dormouse and the other characters....
". It is formed by:
- Ariel Farber: VocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, ViolinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello.... - Valerie Gracious: Vocals, PianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
- Rich Hutchins: Drums
- Mathew Kennedy: Bass GuitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Gabriel Moffat: Electric GuitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
- Molly Ruttan: Vocals, Percussion
- Linda Ruttan-Moldawsky: Vocals
- Mark Sherkus: KeyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
- Johnny Unicorn: Vocals, Keyboards
- Phideaux Xavier: Vocals, Piano, Various Guitars
This big band doesn't tour often and rarely plays live (ie Summer's end festival in the UK).
Discography
* FrictionFriction (Phideaux Xavier album)
Friction is the debut album by psychedelic progressive gothic rock composer Phideaux Xavier. It was released in 1993. It is not, however, considered as an official album by them -Tracks:#"Arise" #"Love of a Million Doves"...
(1993) (Not considered as such by them.)
- FiendishFiendishFiendish is the first album released by composer Phideaux Xavier.In 2002, Phideaux began to work with Gabriel Moffat, on a series of new demos. He got back together with drummer Rich Hutchins and recorded songs for what would become the album Fiendish...
(2003) - Ghost StoryGhost Story (Phideaux Xavier album)Ghost Story is the second album released by composer Phideaux Xavier.After completing Fiendish, Xavier was convinced he now had the machinery in place to satisfactorily record his songs from the aborted album Ghost Story. He and drummer Rich Hutchins quickly reconvened to redo that album with...
(2004) - ChupacabrasChupacabras (album)Chupacabras is the third album released by composer Phideaux Xavier.While recording "Fiendish" in 2002, Xavier had begun work on an epic song called "Chupacabras". This song was not completed in time for inclusion on Fiendish, and instead, formed the basis for what would become the album Chupacabras...
(2005) - 313313 (album)313 is the fourth album released by composer Phideaux Xavier.Xavier and his band of musicians had done three well rehearsed, well conceived albums, and decided to make an "album in a day"....
(2006) - The Great LeapThe Great LeapThe Great Leap is the fifth album released by composer Phideaux Xavier.In August 2005, while putting the finishing touches on 313, Xavier returned to the studio to record the first two parts of a projected "Trilogy" of albums dealing with "Big Brother" authoritarianism and ecological crisis...
(2006) - Doomsday AfternoonDoomsday AfternoonDoomsday Afternoon is the sixth studio album by American musician Phideaux Xavier, and the second part of his projected "Trilogy" of albums dealing with "Big Brother" authoritarianism and ecological crisis, after Part One, "The Great Leap"...
(2007) - Number SevenNumber Seven (album)Number Seven is the seventh studio album by American musician Phideaux Xavier. It is a concept album based on their main character; a dormouse. Inside, it features 20 pages of artwork where we can see the dormouse and the other characters....
(2009) - SnowtorchSnowtorch-Personnel:* Phideaux Xavier - Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Vocals* Ariel Farber - Vocals, Violin* Rich Hutchins - Drums* Mathew Kennedy - Bass Guitar* Gabriel Moffat - Electric Guitar* Molly Ruttan - Vocals, Metal Percussion* Linda Ruttan - Moldawsky - Vocals...
(2011) - 7½ (2011)
- InfernalInfernalInfernal may refer to:* pertaining to hell* Infernal , a Danish dance/club band* Infernal , a Swedish black metal band* Infernal , a 2005 novel by F...
(2012)
Directing credits
- Sunset BeachSunset Beach (TV series)Sunset Beach was an American television soap opera, first broadcast in the United States on NBC on January 6, 1997, and last airing on December 31, 1999. The show followed the loves and lives of the people living in a fictional coastal city named Sunset Beach, on the coast of California...
(1999) - PassionsPassionsPassions is an American television soap opera which aired on NBC from July 5, 1999 to September 7, 2007 and on The 101 Network from September 17, 2007 to August 7, 2008....
(2002–2008) - The Young And The RestlessThe Young and the RestlessThe Young and the Restless is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in a fictional Wisconsin town called Genoa City, which is unlike and unrelated to the real life village of the same name, Genoa City, Wisconsin...
(July 2007- May 30, 2008) - General HospitalGeneral HospitalGeneral Hospital is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running American soap opera currently in production and the third longest running drama in television in American history after Guiding Light and As the World Turns....
(July 2007–present)