Guitarist Phil X on Reuniting with TRIUMPH & the Possibility of Future Performances: Video Interview

The Metal Voice's Jimmy Kay recently spoke to BON JOVI, TRIUMPH guitarist Phil X.

In the chat, Phil X dives into the details of the Triumph reunion that took place during the pre-game 2 show in Edmonton as part of the hockey playoffs. He also shares his favorite Bon Jovi songs, reflects on growing up Greek, talks about his new album PHIL X & THE DRILLS – Pow Right in the Kisser, released in March 2025, and much more.

Photos by Cheryl Godfrey

Watch Interview here

Above photo by Lyle Chausse

Triumph' three-song reunion performance, consisting of "Allied Forces", "Fight The Good Fight" and "Lay It On The Line" on Friday (June 6) at the Rogers Festival At The Final, a free outdoor concert in the ICE District ahead of Game 2 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

When asked about the Triumph Reunion show

'We rehearsed the day before. I wish we would have more time even though it was just three songs. We kept changing endings and arrangements and stuff like that, it would have been good to have two days to plow through everything and then jump on stage. But I'm still happy with how it came out. The next day it exploded, everything's on Youtube, Facebook and Instagram. When it was done I spoke with Gil (Moore) on Monday and I'm like "Man are you guys still buzzing like we are?" And he was like even more. I got to say what was really endearing to me after rehearsal Gil was like "Hey we're all going to have dinner at the restaurant at the hotel So join us. So we all walked in and out of 20 people family, friends and boyfriends and girlfriends and Gil and Rick (Emmett) were sitting together and just like little kids cracking up and stuff like that, it was really endearing to see that. Also their smiles man, the whole time we were on stage the smiles were unbelievable it was just It was really cool to be a part of that it really was.'

Photo by Cheryl Godfrey

When asked about how much advance notice they got prior to the performance,

'It all happened boom boom boom like that. I can let you in the little behind the scenes thing .

Gil (Moore) says hey we're going to play a song and then it's hey we're going to play three songs and I'm like I need to know if this is confirmed and it wasn't. On Monday, on the Monday preceding the Friday that we played he was like "It's not 100% yet but we're going to do three songs. (Gil Said) I want to do 'Allied Forces', 'Fight the Good Fight' and Lay it on the line and I'm like "Okay cool." So I call Brent (Fitz) and and Todd (Kerns) and I say "These are the three songs that we're doing and everybody can get into prep mode and we can prepare those three songs."

And then Gill said "Okay so I think you guys should just play 'Allied Forces' and 'Fight The Good Fight' and then me and Rick will jump on stage when we do 'Lay it on the Line' cuz it's the playoff song." And we're like "Okay we we can do that sure." So Brent, Todd and I can get it together where it's we feel like it's presentable to the O.G. guys as we wanted to blow their minds. Then somebody walks in and says "Uh oh by the way they're (Gil and Rik) are playing on all songs." Okay now we know arrangements are going to change that's why I wish we had two days so arrangements are gonna change okay I'm I'm ready for that.

Photo by Cheryl Godfrey

Then Gil walks in and he goes "Philly baby." He always calls me Philly baby there's never just a Phil or even Philly there's always a 'baby'. Philly baby and I give him a big hug and he goes "So hey when we go into Magic Power," I'm like "Wait what?" Nobody said anything about Magic Power he goes "Well the management wants us to do it instead of 'Fight the Good Fight' they think it's a better it's a bigger song." I'm like "We're not doing Magic Power." And and Todd and Brent are even more Canadian than me they want to make everybody happy and Todd's like "No we can." I'm like "Shut up no (laughs)." No we're not doing 'Magic Power' we are doing these three songs that's what we're doing and Gil goes "You're the boss let's go. And that's how it went down. It went like berserk on the internet the next day right it would have been nice to have Mike (Levine) too but he just couldn't back out of that (Doctor's) appointment that he had because of how it takes forever to get a second appointment. Just to appease everybody's curiosity there's all kinds of talk going on, so we'll see what happens. If he (Rik Emmett) doesn't have the bug after that I don't know what it would take.'

Photo by Cheryl Godfrey

When asked if he would do it again

'Obviously, schedule is of importance you know um cuz I have other stuff going on everybody has, Todd and Brent have other stuff going on. We're all busy musicians. But I would do it again for sure yeah it's a no-brainer. '

PHIL X & THE DRILLS are back and ready to blow minds with their electrifying new album 'POW! Right In The Kisser', released via Frontiers Music Srl on March 28th. Known for their unique fusion of punk, classic, and modern rock infused with guitar virtuosity, PHIL X & THE DRILLS have carved out a distinctive spot in the rock world—and they’re kicking it into high gear with this upcoming release.

PHIL X & THE DRILLS

PHIL X & THE DRILLS are back and ready to blow minds with their electrifying new album 'POW! Right In The Kisser', set for release via Frontiers Music Srl on March 28th. Known for their unique fusion of punk, classic, and modern rock infused with guitar virtuosity, PHIL X & THE DRILLS have carved out a distinctive spot in the rock world—and they’re kicking it into high gear with this upcoming release.

The journey of PHIL X & THE DRILLS is one of relentless passion and perseverance. From their early days stirring up the Hollywood rock scene in 2003, to their breakout EP 'Kick Your Ass in 17 Minutes' (2009), the band has always kept fans hooked with their high-energy sound and jaw-dropping performances. As PHIL X became a YouTube sensation through his work demoing vintage guitars for Fretted Americana, the band’s visibility skyrocketed, eventually evolving into the powerhouse known as PHIL X & THE DRILLS.

Over the years, the band has worked with an incredible roster of guest drummers, including Josh Freese ( Sting, Foo Fighters), Abe Laboriel Jr. (Paul McCartney), and Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), among others. Their most recent release, 'Stupid Good Lookings Vol. 1', showcased the band’s knack for pushing boundaries and delivering unforgettable rock tracks.

In 2024, PHIL X & THE DRILLS hit a new career milestone, opening for Mötley Crüe at Summerfest in Springfield, IL, where their performance left 10,000 fans and industry professionals in awe. Now, with 'POW! Right in the Kisser', they’re set to take the next big step in their musical journey.

'POW! Right In The Kisser' Track List:

1. Don't Wake Up Dead

2. Fake the Day Away

3. Heal

4. Find a Way

5. Moving to California

6. You Sunk My Battleship

7. Seemed Like a Good Idea

8. Broken Arrow

9. I Love You on Her Lips

10. Feel Better

11. Way Gone (Beam Me Up, Scotty)

Total time: 0.37.47

PHIL X & THE DRILLS:

Phil X - Lead Vocals & Guitars

Daniel Spree - Bass & Background Vocals

Brent Fitz - Drums & Background Vocals

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