Phil Taylor (musician)
Encyclopedia
Phil Taylor, better known as "Philthy Animal" Taylor or "Philthy" Phil Taylor is a professional drummer
from Chesterfield, England. He is a former drummer
in the British
heavy metal
band
Motörhead from 1975–1984 and 1987-1992. The mark IV Motörhead line-up, consists of Lemmy, Philthy Animal Taylor and Fast Eddie Clarke
.
, Taylor replaced Motörhead's first drummer, Lucas Fox
, during the recording of the band's first recording On Parole
in 1975. Lemmy explains choosing him to play in Motörhead 'because he had a car and could give us a lift back down to the studio
, the drummer we had wasn't working out very well and Phil kept saying that he could play'. Taylor introduced the band to "Fast" Eddie Clarke
, having worked with him while painting a houseboat
. Taylor was unable to overdub the drumming on the 'Lost Johnny' track as he was arrested for being drunk and disorderly and the studio time had run out by the time he was released.
In 1978, Taylor, Lemmy and Clarke interrupted one of The Damned's Chiswick
album
sessions, turning it into a recorded 'jam session'. One track from this - Ballroom Blitz - appeared as the B-side of I Just Can't Be Happy Today. Shortly after recording the classic Ace of Spades
album in 1980, Taylor broke his neck after being lifted above the head of a friend in a test of strength, only to be dropped upon his head. Taylor continued to play in Motörhead with the aid of a neck brace, as is visible in the music video for Ace of Spades. As a result, Taylor now has a prominent lump located on the back of his neck (affectionately referred to as his "knob"), thought to be a calcium deposit caused by his previous spinal trauma. Tour-disrupting injuries were not unfamiliar to Taylor at the time, as he had previously broken his hand whilst punching a man outside of his flat in London. In typical uncompromising Motörhead style, Taylor continued to drum by using gaffer tape
to attach his drum stick into his hand until it had sufficiently healed.
After a 'final' appearance on The Young Ones
in 1984, Philthy left Motörhead. The following year, he made appearances with Waysted
, and joined another ex-Motörhead man, Brian Robertson
(from Thin Lizzy
), to form the band Operator
.
Taylor returned to Motörhead in 1987 and continued playing in the group until 1992. After having been warned three times in the previous two years "to get his act together", he was fired after recording I Ain't No Nice Guy, because of his poor performance.
From 2005 to 2008 Taylor played and recorded in a group called The Web of Spider with Whitey Kirst (Iggy Pop
) on guitar and Max Noce on bass. In 2007 Taylor briefly worked on a project called Capricorn with former Danzig
guitarist Todd Youth
, former Monster Magnet
guitarist/vocalist Phil Caivano and former Nashville Pussy
bassist Corey Parks. After playing in The Web of Spider, Taylor began work on a project with guitarist Chris Holmes
, formerly of the heavy metal rock group W.A.S.P.
, and in 2009, Taylor joined American thrash metal band Overkill
for a set at the Islington Academy. The set included a cover of the Motörhead song from which Overkill took their name.
He sporadically plays drums for Mick Farren
and The Deviants, featuring on Dr. Crow
(2002), Sheep in Wolves' Clothing (2008), and Portobello Shuffle (2009).
Taylor was incorrectly reported as having died as early as 2001, allegedly due to AIDS. This however, was proven untrue when he appeared on the 2005 documentary "Ace Of Spades: Classic Albums", alongside Lemmy Kilmister and former members of Motörhead, frequently joking about his supposed demise.
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
from Chesterfield, England. He is a former drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
in the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
Motörhead from 1975–1984 and 1987-1992. The mark IV Motörhead line-up, consists of Lemmy, Philthy Animal Taylor and Fast Eddie Clarke
Eddie Clarke
Edward Allan Clarke better known as "Fast" Eddie Clarke, is a guitarist who was a member of British heavy metal bands Fastway and Motörhead.-Early days:...
.
Biography
Born on 21 September 1954, in Hasland,Chesterfield, EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Taylor replaced Motörhead's first drummer, Lucas Fox
Lucas Fox
Lucas Fox is a drummer, who was a member of British heavy metal band Motörhead, and London punk rockers Warsaw Pakt.-Motörhead:In 1975 Fox was invited, along with Larry Wallis, to start Lemmy's band, Bastards. After taking advice, the band was renamed Motörhead. The band supported Greenslade at...
, during the recording of the band's first recording On Parole
On Parole
On Parole is the debut recording made by English heavy metal band Motörhead. While it was originally recorded in September 1975, United Artists was not convinced of the album's commercial potential and did not want to release it...
in 1975. Lemmy explains choosing him to play in Motörhead 'because he had a car and could give us a lift back down to the studio
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
, the drummer we had wasn't working out very well and Phil kept saying that he could play'. Taylor introduced the band to "Fast" Eddie Clarke
Eddie Clarke
Edward Allan Clarke better known as "Fast" Eddie Clarke, is a guitarist who was a member of British heavy metal bands Fastway and Motörhead.-Early days:...
, having worked with him while painting a houseboat
Houseboat
A houseboat is a boat that has been designed or modified to be used primarily as a human dwelling. Some houseboats are not motorized, because they are usually moored, kept stationary at a fixed point and often tethered to land to provide utilities...
. Taylor was unable to overdub the drumming on the 'Lost Johnny' track as he was arrested for being drunk and disorderly and the studio time had run out by the time he was released.
In 1978, Taylor, Lemmy and Clarke interrupted one of The Damned's Chiswick
Chiswick
Chiswick is a large suburb of west London, England and part of the London Borough of Hounslow. It is located on a meander of the River Thames, west of Charing Cross and is one of 35 major centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically an ancient parish in the county of Middlesex, with...
album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
sessions, turning it into a recorded 'jam session'. One track from this - Ballroom Blitz - appeared as the B-side of I Just Can't Be Happy Today. Shortly after recording the classic Ace of Spades
Ace of Spades (album)
Ace of Spades is the fourth album by the British band Motörhead. Released on 8 November 1980, it peaked at #4 on the UK album charts and reached Gold status by March 1981...
album in 1980, Taylor broke his neck after being lifted above the head of a friend in a test of strength, only to be dropped upon his head. Taylor continued to play in Motörhead with the aid of a neck brace, as is visible in the music video for Ace of Spades. As a result, Taylor now has a prominent lump located on the back of his neck (affectionately referred to as his "knob"), thought to be a calcium deposit caused by his previous spinal trauma. Tour-disrupting injuries were not unfamiliar to Taylor at the time, as he had previously broken his hand whilst punching a man outside of his flat in London. In typical uncompromising Motörhead style, Taylor continued to drum by using gaffer tape
Gaffer tape
Gaffer tape, gaffer's tape, gaff tape or gaffa tape is a strong, tough, cotton cloth pressure sensitive tape with strong adhesive properties. It is used in theater, film and television productions as well as during live performances and any other kind of stage work...
to attach his drum stick into his hand until it had sufficiently healed.
After a 'final' appearance on The Young Ones
The Young Ones (TV series)
The Young Ones is a British sitcom, first broadcast in 1982, which ran for two series on BBC2. Its anarchic, offbeat humour helped bring alternative comedy to television in the 1980s and made household names of its writers and performers...
in 1984, Philthy left Motörhead. The following year, he made appearances with Waysted
Waysted
Waysted are a heavy metal band formed by UFO bassist Pete Way and Scottish rocker Fin Muir in 1983. Recruiting Frank Noon , Ronnie Kayfield and Paul Raymond, Waysted signed to Chrysalis Records and released Vices in 1983....
, and joined another ex-Motörhead man, Brian Robertson
Brian Robertson
Brian "Robbo" David Robertson is a Scottish rock guitarist, best known for his work with Thin Lizzy and Motörhead.-Early life:...
(from Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy are an Irish hard rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Two of the founding members, drummer Brian Downey and bass guitarist/vocalist Phil Lynott met while still in school. Lynott assumed the role of frontman and led them throughout their recording career of thirteen studio albums...
), to form the band Operator
Operator (band)
Operator is an American post-grunge band from Los Angeles, California, United States. The name Operator was used for a solo project created by Johnny Strong, an Actor/Musician/Martial Artist, who has appeared in movies such as Black Hawk Down , The Fast and the Furious, "Get Carter", and "The...
.
Taylor returned to Motörhead in 1987 and continued playing in the group until 1992. After having been warned three times in the previous two years "to get his act together", he was fired after recording I Ain't No Nice Guy, because of his poor performance.
From 2005 to 2008 Taylor played and recorded in a group called The Web of Spider with Whitey Kirst (Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though considered an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, metal, jazz and blues...
) on guitar and Max Noce on bass. In 2007 Taylor briefly worked on a project called Capricorn with former Danzig
Danzig (band)
Danzig is an American heavy metal band, formed in 1987 in Lodi, New Jersey. The band serves as a musical outlet for the singer/songwriter Glenn Danzig. Danzig can be seen as the third stage in Glenn Danzig's musical career, preceded by the horror punk bands The Misfits and Samhain...
guitarist Todd Youth
Todd Youth
-Biography:Youth grew up in New York and started playing as young as 12 years old in several New York City hardcore bands. He made his playing debut with Agnostic Front in 1983 but did not play on any recordings. Youth also appeared for New York City act Warzone until around 1986...
, former Monster Magnet
Monster Magnet
Monster Magnet is an American stoner rock band. Hailing from Red Bank, New Jersey, the group was founded by Dave Wyndorf , John McBain and Tim Cronin...
guitarist/vocalist Phil Caivano and former Nashville Pussy
Nashville Pussy
Nashville Pussy is an American hard rock band from Atlanta, Georgia. Their musical style mixes boogie rock, Southern metal and psychobilly. Much of the band's lyrical themes mostly revolve around sex, drugs, drinking, fighting, and rock 'n' roll...
bassist Corey Parks. After playing in The Web of Spider, Taylor began work on a project with guitarist Chris Holmes
Chris Holmes (musician)
Chris Holmes is a musician who was born June 23, 1958 in Glendale, California and grew up in La Canada, California...
, formerly of the heavy metal rock group W.A.S.P.
W.A.S.P.
W.A.S.P. is an American heavy metal band formed in 1982. They emerged from the same Los Angeles scene that spawned Mötley Crüe, Ratt, Quiet Riot and others. The band's popularity peaked in the 1980s, yet they continue to record and tour, making them one of the most enduring of the West Coast heavy...
, and in 2009, Taylor joined American thrash metal band Overkill
Overkill (band)
Overkill is an American thrash metal band, formed in 1980 in New Jersey. They have gone through many line-up changes, with singer Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth and bassist D.D. Verni remaining from the original lineup. Along with Anthrax , the band is one of the most successful East Coast thrash metal...
for a set at the Islington Academy. The set included a cover of the Motörhead song from which Overkill took their name.
He sporadically plays drums for Mick Farren
Mick Farren
Michael Anthony 'Mick' Farren is an English journalist, author and singer associated with counterculture and the UK Underground.-Music:...
and The Deviants, featuring on Dr. Crow
Dr. Crow
Dr. Crow is a studio album by Mick Farren and friends released in 2002 under the name The Deviants.The album was recorded with long time friends and collaborators Andy Colquhoun and Jack Lancaster and featured Wayne Kramer's backing band...
(2002), Sheep in Wolves' Clothing (2008), and Portobello Shuffle (2009).
Taylor was incorrectly reported as having died as early as 2001, allegedly due to AIDS. This however, was proven untrue when he appeared on the 2005 documentary "Ace Of Spades: Classic Albums", alongside Lemmy Kilmister and former members of Motörhead, frequently joking about his supposed demise.
Motörhead
- On ParoleOn ParoleOn Parole is the debut recording made by English heavy metal band Motörhead. While it was originally recorded in September 1975, United Artists was not convinced of the album's commercial potential and did not want to release it...
(1975/1979) - MotörheadMotörhead (album)Motörhead is the debut album by the British heavy metal band Motörhead, released in 1977.-History:On April 1, 1977, after nearly two years of toiling in obscurity hoping for a record deal, Motörhead decided to perform their last show at the Marquee Club in London. They asked Ted Carroll, head of...
(1977) - OverkillOverkill (album)Overkill is the second album released by Motörhead, in 1979, and their first for Bronze Records. It peaked at number 24 on the UK charts.It had a big impact in the British punk culture of that time, paving the way for UK82. Kerrang! magazine listed the album at No...
(1979) - BomberBomber (album)Bomber is the third studio album by the British heavy metal band Motörhead. It was recorded in 1979, the same year as Overkill. The album reached number 12 on the UK charts and brought some of Motörhead's most popular songs, like "Bomber", "Dead Men Tell No Tales" and "Stone Dead...
(1979) - Ace of SpadesAce of Spades (album)Ace of Spades is the fourth album by the British band Motörhead. Released on 8 November 1980, it peaked at #4 on the UK album charts and reached Gold status by March 1981...
(1980) - No Sleep 'til HammersmithNo Sleep 'til HammersmithNo Sleep ’til Hammersmith is the first live album by Motörhead. Released on 27 June 1981, it peaked at #1 on the UK album charts. It was followed by the release of the single "Motorhead" on 11 July, which peaked in the UK singles chart at #6.-History:With the exception of "Iron Horse / Born To...
(1981) - Iron FistIron Fist (album)Iron Fist is the fifth album by the British band Motörhead. Released on 17 April 1982, it peaked at #6 on the UK album charts. It was preceded by the release of the title track "Iron Fist" as a single on 3 April, which peaked in the UK singles chart at #29...
(1982) - Another Perfect DayAnother Perfect Day- Deluxe Edition :In 2006, the album was re-issued with a bonus CD, featuring a live performance, recorded in Manchester on June 10, 1983. The writing credits for the songs on the deluxe edition differed from those on the original, credited all the original songs to Robertson, Lemmy, and...
(1983) - Rock 'n' RollRock 'n' Roll (Motörhead album)Rock 'N' Roll is the eighth album by the British band Motörhead and the first appearance of their four-piece line up of Lemmy, Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor, Würzel and Philip Campbell, which lasted from 1987 until 1992...
(1987) - 19161916 (album)-Motörhead:* Lemmy – bass, vocals* Phil Campbell – guitar* Würzel – guitar* Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor – drums, except "1916", which featured a drum machine.-Additional Credits:...
(1991) - March ör DieMarch ör DieMarch ör Die is the tenth album by the British band Motörhead. It was recorded and released in 1992.-History:Recorded at Music Grinder Studios, Los Angeles, three drummers participated in the making of this album: Phil Taylor, who was fired after "I Ain't No Nice Guy" was recorded , Tommy Aldridge...
(1992)
Other recordings
- The Muggers (album) The Muggers Tapes Live recording from a brief spell of about 4 gigs Phil drummed with Fast Eddie Clarke on guitar, John 'Speedy' Keen, also on guitar, and Billy Wrath on bass. The album was released as a 'bonus' to a 'Best of Motorhead' release.
- Philthy Phil & Fast Eddie (album) Naughty Old Santa's Christmas Classics (1989)
- GMT One By One 12" single (1989)
- GMT War Games CD release of same tracks + one other (1991)
- The Deviants Have Left The Planet (album) drummed with Ladbroke Grove pals Mick Farren on vocals, Larry Wallis on guitar, etc. (1999)
- Sheep In Wolves' Clothing Motorheadbangers fan club tribute CD. The Deviants Mick FarrenMick FarrenMichael Anthony 'Mick' Farren is an English journalist, author and singer associated with counterculture and the UK Underground.-Music:...
vocals, Andy Colquhoun, guitar, David Ito, bass and Philthy, drums; re-recorded the Motorhead / Farren song 'Lost Johnny' for the CD - released 7 April 2008.
Other appearances
- Taylor appears, dressed in drag, part way through the GirlschoolGirlschoolGirlschool are a British heavy metal band originating out of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene in 1978 and frequently associated with contemporaries Motörhead. They are the longest running all-female rock band, still active after more than 30 years...
promotional video for their song "Yeah, Right". - Classic Albums - Ace Of Spades DVD. Taylor is in interview and playing drums on several of the Ace Of Spades albums classic tracks.
External links
- Phil Taylor at MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- The Web of Spider at MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....