After decades backing up a who's who of country, rock and roll, and heavy metal, Philip Shouse steps into the spotlight with his debut EP "Side 1," released on Wild Kingdom Records.
On this five-track record, he takes on all lead vocals, most backing vocals, and all guitars and bass, confidently trading the sideman role for that of frontman.
"Side 1" kicks off with "Run Away From You" and "The Naked Empress," a one-two punch that blends loose, Stones-like swagger with instantly memorable power-pop hooks. "It Gets Better" channels Shouse's love of the Beatles, infusing melodic pop sensibility with a subtle country-rock lilt. On "Won't Let Go Again" and the closing track "Time Bomb," he weaves together acoustic and electric textures that nod to the light-and-shade dynamics of classic Zeppelin and Heart, while still sounding distinctly his own.
Beyond the EP, Shouse brings the pedigree of a seasoned pro. Since 2019, he has been a member of the legendary German heavy metal band Accept, appearing on multiple albums and extensive international tours. His résumé also includes work with Kiss icons Gene Simmons and Ace Frehley, country hitmaker Rodney Atkins, and former Mötley Crüe frontman John Corabi; he spent four years in Frehley's touring band and two years in Simmons' solo band, backing each Rock and Roll Hall of Famer night after night, and appears on Frehley's 2020 album "Origins, Vol. 2." For more than two decades, the Alabama native has been based in Nashville, where he cohosted Thee Rock N Roll Residency, a renowned jam night that has featured guests such as Alice Cooper, Cheap Trick's Robin Zander, Halestorm's Lzzy Hale, and Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover. Offstage, he is co-founder and co-owner of Swedish non-alcoholic beer company Rock N Röll, reflecting the same blend of creativity, work ethic, and rock'n'roll spirit that drives his music.