PHILLIP MICHAEL VASILIADES
Australian singer songwriter Phillip Michael Vasiliades, awakens from the suburban cocoon and cuts loose his creative juices for 2012 with the release of his new album Crashed Dreamed Boomed.
His new release of rocking, melodic original songs follows up his 2009 album Cat O’Lane.
Crashed Dreamed Boomed explores classic rock, blues, electro funk and jazz genres. Throw in a couple of mega ballads and you’re in the picture.
(quotes from CRASHED DREAMED BOOMED 2012 music review)
ALLUVIAL PLAIN
He begins with the riff-filled, grinding “Alluvial Plain,” adding sweeping strings and then a barking vocal. Guitarist Ric Wong is the early star here, playing with a feel that is by turns scalding and then atmospheric – an approach that recalls Neal Schon’s best work Journey nearly four decades ago. Vasiliades’ bass work provides a deep foundation from which to launch cascading solo after solo. The tune then opens up into a hooky vista, as Vasiliades modulates his vocal into a pleasing croon. Soon, Wong hits another smart flourish, though, and Vasiliades’ group is off and running again.(Nick DeRiso – SomethingElseReivews.com). May 2012.
TOO MANY TIMES
“Too Many Times,” meanwhile, kicks into a stamping, steel-toed groove and never lets up. Vasiliades plays it straight here, singing with vengeful force.(Nick DeRiso – SomethingElseReivews.com). May 2012.
Uniquely original crafted lyrics, a journey in rhyme from fantasy to reality. “Ice flows and carpet rides”, universal themes of the heart, to tongue in cheek locations, it’s all in the words. Phillip indulges his love of bass guitar, adds presence with his keyboard and guitar work and of course his voice. With the many years of live work right there, front and centre the focal point of Crashed Dreamed Boomed.
“Australian Phillip Michael Vasiliades shows a stirring command of the power and joy of 1970’s pop and rock on Crashed Dreamed Boomed, and he does it without ever sounding derivative.” (Nick DeRiso – SomethingElseReivews.com). May 2012.
Phillip draws his influences from many styles including funk, soul, rock, blues, jazz and Eastern European melodies. He wrote his first song in 1978, this coincided with his first public performance in his High School band, Nightride.
The early ‘80’s saw him travel the world. He wrote many songs wandering with his guitar.
In 1984, he joined the Greek cruise ship, Atalante, as a singing bass player for the Summer cruise boat season.
In 1985, he returned to Melbourne, Australia and teamed up with piano player, John Hudson. Together they performed as Hudson and Michael for a couple of years around the Melbourne piano bar circuit. During this period he honed his songwriting craft and in 1987 released his first solo record Tricks Of The Trade.
In 1989 his song Ozone Blues had an honorable mention in the ASA awards and at that time he successfully completed music studies at Footscray City Secondary College and Preston TAFE.
The early ‘90’s as songwriter, lead vocalist and bassist he released two original albums Radical Karma I and Radical Karma II and performed on the Indie original circuit in Melbourne, the music capital of the world.
In 1996, he joined function band Remix which he continues to perform with, 17 years and 900 gigs later.
This century he has continued his solo songwriting career and released My Particles (2003), Slow Influence (2006), When EP (2007), Live Acoustic recorded DVD/EP Razing Sth Morang (2007).
In 2009 he released Cat O’Lane, two songs from this album were short listed in consecutive years in the Australian Song Writing Association Song Of The Year category. 2011 he released When and Here which is a compilation of his previous works put together for his entry into the world of iTunes.
Phillip’s original music touches on many of the major issues confronting society in the 21st Century. His lyric content often reflects his social conscience and how he views the world. Rivers Of Gold is one such song and is currently being promoted by the International River Foundation as a song to help change our attitudes to the use and abuse of our environment.
Phillip Michael’s YouTube channel carries his music in video, from his 1986 original composition Your One And Only Lover, performed on Red Faces; to his 2007,When EP, Dirty Window; his live recorded DVD/EP Razing Sth Morang, for Plenty Valley FM 88.6, Rock For Radio, 2007. Lucky Man from his Cat O’Lane album has had over 6500 views. From his current album Crashed Dreamed Boomed the unplugged, Live My Life with over 5000 views as well as unique video presentations of Too Many Times, Bangalow and All Around The World.
Phillip continues to perform live around many venues in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with confirmed bookings throughout 2013 including performances at The Grand, Wantirna and Mac’s Irish Pub, Kilmore.