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M!: When did you become a musician?
Phil Nevile: I learned to play the piano when I was five years old, at my mother’s command. I didn’t appreciate it till I was around 16. My first gig was at my high school sock hop, in Manitoba. We were just kids, 16 years old, and we were paid $10 each. I’ve lost count as to how many bands I’ve been in since - there’s been hundreds! I’ve always been the singer in the group, but I’ve played the guitar, and for a while the keyboard. I’m currently learning the dobro, a slide guitar blues instrument.
M!: Tell us about your strangest gig.
PN: I was about 20, and we’d been booked for a blues gig. But when we showed up, the crowd expected country music. The promoter had screwed it up and booked the wrong band, so we still had to play and we had no idea what the crowd wanted. Another time we showed up and the stage was fenced off with chicken wire. That’s just what it was like. A gig was a gig. My best memories were being on the road. I got to see all over Canada, some of the States and I even spent one year in Ecuador, as well as travelling around Mexico. My highlight in Mazatlán was opening for Creedence Clearwater Revival with Rob, two years ago.
M!: What musicians have influenced you over the years?
PN: I’m a big fan of Mark Knopfler (lead singer of Dire Straits), Eric Clapton, the Beatles, the Monkees, Bob Dylan, Neil Young. I don’t like rap. It’s not music to me. I enjoy listening to classical music, too.
M!: Most people in Mazatlan know you through Canucks. It’s been a good run, hasn’t it?
PN: Yes! We got into Canucks back in May, 2003. My last day will be May 1, 2009. We put together around 50 ticketed shows and had more than 400 musicians come for Open Mic. We’ve had everything from bagpipes to accordions to didgeree doos! I’ll stick around for the transition, but then head back up north to Canada and continue on with my music. I might play the Calgary Stampede and take it from there. I’m a big believer in syncronicity. Things happen for a reason and so I like to always leave doors open. I have no definite plans, but I expect I’ll always sing and play music.
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