Left to right: Paul Phillips, Wade Carpenter, Johnny Strong, Ricky Lixx.

Back in 2001 Paul Phillips and his band Puddle Of Mudd took the Rock Music World by storm with their debut album "Come Clean" which went platinum and swept the Billboard music awards in the Rock Category. In 2005 Paul left Puddle Of Mudd and shortly afterward he joined the newly formed Operator, who's lead single "Soulcrusher" from their debut album of the same name that will be released in July has already been featured in a trailer for the movie "The Condemned". While Paul has been on tour and preparing for the release of Operator's debut CD, he took time out to talk to us in the following interview.


What's up with Paul Phillips these days?

Just out touring with the new band Operator. Just finished up the door to dorm tour with Hinder and Papa Roach.


Paul on stage with singer Johnny Strong

Most people who know who you are know you from the
platinum selling band Puddle of Mudd but you left the band in 2005 due to the oft cited "musical differneces". For those of us that don't know what happened, would you care to elaborate on why you made the decision to leave?

Well, Puddle was a band that I was in and I am quite proud of what we accomplished. When that band started, it had a certain energy that really fit who I was. However, as time went on, it kinda morphed into a monster that I couldn´t stand behind. It wasn´t me and it was driving me crazy. I was faking it for a while. Then a few of the relationships went south and Greg left for 3 Doors Down. I decided that it was my time a few months later.

You were originally notified of an opening with the band by Fred Durst, who made them one of the first band he signed to Flawless Records. How did that happen?

I had known Fred from Jacksonville and he and his partner Danny Wimmer believed in me enough to give me the call.

Is Happy Hour still around? (Editor's note: This is the band Paul was playing with in Jacksonville, FL when he got the call from Fred Durst to work with Puddle Of Mudd)

No. Although they did continue 4 a bit after I left with a new singer. Impressive research on your part.

Have you kept in contact with any of the Puddle of Mudd guys since you left?

Just Greg

What about Fred Durst?

Nope

Paul (2nd right) with his old band Puddle Of Mudd

Ok Man, let's talk about your new band Operator.

Where did the name "Operator" come from?

Johnny played a delta operator in the movie Black Hawk Down. We look at all challenges as going to war, so the title is very fitting.

The lead single "Soulcrusher" is much heavier than what fans of your music are used to. Did you want to be involved with a band like this or did things just fall into place for you?

Click the logo to check out the "Soulcrusher" video.

Well, I´ve always been into the heavier shit. I grew up on Metallica, Slayer, and Pantera. It was the perfect band 4 me after becoming frustrated with the direction of Puddle. I was the guy always pushing for Puddle to go heavier.

The subject matter and themes of the songs are much
different as well, yes?

Much different. This record is all about power, strength, and believing in yourself. It is a very positive record. You can do anything and be anything if you work at it hard enough. There is also a message of being yourself and taking no shit.

Talk about the musical influences on this album.

I like to think of it as a modern sounding record influenced by classic rock. We wanted to take all our influences and make a rock record without sounding retro and gimmicky. However, it is definitely coming from a retro place. We all love the greats like Zeppelin, Guns N Roses, Skynyrd and Pantera.

When is the album going to be released?

July 10th

Talk about your signer for a moment. Johnny Strong is a martial arts champion, an actor and a musician among other things. What was your first impression of him upon meeting him?

I just thought that he was a talented singer that I could write songs with. I try to not to have preconceived notions of people because they are almost always wrong.

Were you concerned that his other pursuits might interfere with the band's success?

No, the acting thing was just something he fell into in order to pay the bills. He seemed to be done with that and concentrated on music when I met him. As far as the fighting, it's just a hobby and we all have those.

You guys have been opening for Hinder thus far, how has that been going?

It was great, the crowds were quite receptive. It is sometimes hard to be the opening band without a record out, but that wasn't the case for us. We seemed to be accepted everywhere and we did our thing. Hinder likes to drink as well. That's always a plus!!!

I understand you're going out in support of Black Stone Cherry after this and you'll be doing the summer radio festival circuit. Which kind of show do you prefer to do and why?

Summer radio festivals are cool when you are headlining at night, but it is hard to rock in the afternoon. Of course, you gotta do it though for all the crazies out in the heat. My favorite shows have always been indoors at large clubs and theatres. That is just the right size. I enjoy those more than arenas. Much more intimate and energetic.

Paul Phillips with Dimebag

Got any crazy stories from the road or "Spinal Tap moments" to share with the readers?

We like to drink way too much, so there are many. Nothing too crazy, just falling down and shit. We love the Pantera
home movies, so there alot of drunk hijincks going on.

A lot of musicians can be superstitious or just have certain things they need to have or do before they can perform, whether it's a certain item of clothing or pre-show ritual, what about you?

For us it's Jack Daniels and Pantera. I put on the Pantera videos and we get in the right headspace. Mouth 4 War, 5 Minutes Alone, I'm Broken, etc. I gotta be pumped and drunk b4 hitting the stage.

Paul between Heavy Metal Legends Vinnie Paul (left) and Michael Anthony (right)

You guys are on a major label but since you came into the big time in 2001 to the present, primarily because of the internet the concept of "record deals" and such have changed. What are your thoughts on that and the state of the music business in general?

I think it is quite fucked!!! I have no problem with technology, but it just seems to move way faster than the music business can. A record that would've been at 4 or 5 million copies 5 years ago is now lucky to be at 1 or 2 million. These lower numbers hurt the record companies who in turn hurt the musicians more than they already have been. Labels are bitching about record advances, tour support, recording budgets, etc. It is hard 4 a new band to survive on the road without the labels support. Don't get me wrong, the internet is a great thing and it is helping a lot of artists out there, but the labels seem to be slower in finding how to make it work 4 them. I think that there is going to be a huge change soon. The record industry is going to be a whole new thing.

How do you occupy yourself when you're not working with Operator?

I just got a new dog (Harley), so I chill with him mainly. I used to surf and skate, but I don't really do that too much anymore.

PRS or Washburn?

I still play Washburn acoustics, but I have switched back to Les Pauls.

You were on "America's Most Wanted" last year! What was that all about?

Some crazy was going around saying he was me, getting free drinks and meeting chicks. That was annoying but harmless. However, he started getting crazier. He tried to kidnap one lady at knife point and then hopped in another's car and made her drive. Both got away unharmed, but I felt I needed to get involved to prevent any other incidents. People were vulnerable because some actually believed it was me and would let their guard down. They caught him about a week later.

Dude! That doesn't even look like you!

********Top 5 Lists**************

Top 5 musical influences?

Zeppelin, Skynyrd, Guns, Pantera, old Metallica.

Top 5 cities to play a gig?

They are all good as long as people are there and they are rocking.

Paul with the legendary Jimmy Page

Top 5 greatest career moments?

I'm not big on tooting my own horn, so let's say that everyday I wake up and get to make music for a living is a career highlight.

Top 5 most important things to Paul Phillips?

sex, drugs, rock, roll, booze.

What do you remember best about the following albums,
whether it's the songs, funny stuff that happened on tour or whatever?

Puddle Of Mudd - Come Clean

Sweeping the Billboard Awards rock category was pretty bad ass.

Puddle Of Mudd - Life On Display

I was introduced to Ketel One and Jager on this tour so I don't really remember too much of it. I do remember the recording process though. It was the most stressfull time of my life. I put a lot of pressure on myself and ending up driving myself crazy. I ended up having to go to a fucking shrink!!!

Operator - Soulcrusher

This story is still being written, but right now it is all about the comaraderie and friendships we share. We all have a lot more in common than the guys in Puddle did. I'll let you know more when it happens. July 10th will be the first major milestone.

Have you been watching any of the Rock n Roll reality TV shows?

I watched Supergroup. That was funny. Sebastian was classic. Savage Animal!!! It just rolls off your tongue.

If you had the chance to star in your own reality show, what kind of show would it be and who would you want to work with?

It would be something having to do with who can take on the most Vivid girls at once and it would star as many of them as I could handle. Sounds like good tv to me.

Paul with Dimebag and....I should know this...it's on the tip
of my tongue like a bottle of Crown Royal....oh fuck it!

Musically speaking, what kinds of music or artists are you into these days?

Not too much modern stuff. Buckcherry, Black Stone Cherry, and a few others are cool. I just still listen to all my old faves that I listened to as a kid. I think music is at it's worst since Hair Metal.

When The Recording Academy recognizes the musical genius that is Paul Phillips and awards you your well deserved Grammy, what's your acceptance speech going to sound like?

I demand a recount.

We also plan on interviewing some up and coming musicians as well as established musicians like yourself so do you have any advice for aspiring musicians trying to get into the business?

Do what you feel! Don't do what it is cool at the moment. Music is trendy and fickle. If it is the thing now, it will be gone by the time you get a record out. Oh, and do lots of squats. They are good for your ass and everyone loves a good ass!!!

Last but not least Paul, is there anything we forgot to ask you that you want to talk about? What about a parting shot?

Shots are good. I prefer jager bombs!!! C'mon. Let's go. It ain't no candy.

Paul Phillips ready to take the Music World by storm again

A huge thanks goes out from all of us at Metal-Blast to Paul Phillips and Operator for taking the time to do this interview with us. He gave us a great interview packed with humor and great insight that made for a very good read and a cool interview. Operator's debut CD is scheduled to drop on July 10th so mark that date on your calender. For more information on the band you can go to their official site www.operatormusic.com or their MySpace www.myspace.com/operatormusic and you can check out their YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=Operatorvideos