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Biography
"Phil Ayoub has an MBA degree. He also has some kind of ear for commercial pop-rock melodies and intelligent lyrics. Ayoub's first solo release, 'Schoolbus Window Paper Heart,' is filled with radio-friendly grooves and themes that range from the 9-11 nightmare to carefree romance…."
-The Sun Chronicle
We've all known that great musician friend from high school or college, that talented guitar player or singer who we just knew would be on American Bandstand, or American Top 40, or American Idol someday. But more often than not, that "can't-miss kid" did miss. They'd fail to make it in music and quit, probably to go back to school, get a graduate degree, and settle down to a more "normal" life working in insurance or maybe investments.
Well, some people do things a little bit backwards. Phil Ayoub failed at “normal” life…and quit. After earning an MBA from Boston College and finding his way to a prosperous job at a large investment company, Ayoub left it all behind to write songs. After earning B's in business school (well, B-minuses actually), Ayoub enrolled himself in the school of Bruce, Bono, and Bob…
While he was still working his day job, Phil made a local name for himself creating, fronting, and engineering the Boston band Riverside Train. With Riverside Train, Ayoub (pronounced A-yoob) amassed a solid, loyal fan base, performing at some of the top music venues in Boston and New England. The band also earned national recognition when Hall of Fame baseball journalist Peter Gammons wrote "If your tastes include The Black Crowes and/or Three Doors Down, get the debut disc of a great new band, Riverside Train. Try their web site. You will not be disappointed," in his ESPN.com column.
When he eventually brought Riverside Train to its final stop, Ayoub walked away from the band, and his job, armed with experience, new friends, a growing legion of fans, and over 40 acoustic demo songs ready for an album. He toyed with the idea of moving from his native New England (he splits his time between Boston and Rhode Island) to New York, Los Angeles, or Nashville, but it was at this crossroads that the hand of fate stepped in. Or more accurately, the mouse-click of fate.
Ayoub came across an online ad from a producer looking for new talent to work with. The location was Providence, Rhode Island and that producer turned out to be Tim Bradshaw. Bradshaw, currently is the keyboard player in John Mayer’s band, is the longtime keyboard and guitar player for David Gray and has been with him since the 1990's, including playing on Gray's breakthrough record White Ladder and worldwide hit "Babylon." Bradshaw had recently relocated to Providence, liked Ayoub's demos, and signed on to produce his solo record.
The result of this collaboration is Schoolbus Window Paper Heart, the debut disc from Phil Ayoub. Americana pop-rock at its best, the disc consists of 12 brand new songs written or co-written by Ayoub. The record also features the drumming of Ed Toth, formerly of Vertical Horizon ("Everything You Want," "You're A God") and currently with the Doobie Brothers. In addition to continuing to write, record, and perform in Gray's band, Bradshaw, formerly of Dog's Eye View ("Everything Falls Apart"), also appears on the most recent records by Liz Phair and Josh Ritter.
Inspired by Springsteen, U2, and Oasis, Phil has the energy of Bruce, the passion of Bono, and none of the attitude of Oasis' Gallagher brothers (well, not usually…). Hear his brand of "grad-school rock" on the startling new disc Schoolbus Window Paper Heart and hear it live…
Frequently Asked Questions
Have you really seen Neil Diamond in concert 13 times?
PA: Yes. And each time I have seen him, Mr.Diamond has performed without intermission. I even touched his hand as he was walking off stage one night. My right hand. That’s why since then I have been unable to strum the guitar in anything but the “Cherry Cherry” rhythm (“What I Like About You,” “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.,” “On the Dark Side…”), and as a result I have no choice but to write all of my songs using such a rhythm. Some call it a curse. I call it a blessing.
A two-part question: Who does your hair? And, um, are those highlights?
PA: Wisteria Salon in Franklin, MA. And yes, right now they are highlights. But they’re subtle, no?
In one of your songs you say, “I’m drinking Red Bull and rum.” But isn’t it true that your alcohol of choice to accompany Red Bull is vodka? More specifically, Grey Goose?
PA: See, this is something we songwriters like to call “poetic license.” Right, its not 100% true. I’ve never actually had rum with my Red Bull. But I’m sure someone out there has and, for the sake of the song, well, “rum” fit better. I’ve also never been on Family Feud, but it’s not been from lack of trying.
Don’t you play any cover songs?
PA: Next question.