Phantasm

Artist Information

Biography

Phantasm is a rock/new progressive trio from Philadelphia.

Musically, Phantasm is used to doing exactly what they want, as lyrically stated on their first EP from 2005. “From now on we’re doing things our own way.” They have stuck to this mantra for the past six years, but now they are opening up and trying new things.

“We have always made music for ourselves and never thought about what the audience might want, until now.” says drummer Jay Yachetta.

Not that the band has hasn’t done well for themselves thus far. Being completely self-managed, self-produced, and self-booked they have built a pretty killer resume, sharing the stage with the following acts:

Living Colour (East Coast tour)
Mos Def
Halestorm
Terrible Things (Fred Mascherino from Taking Back Sunday)
The Sleeping
As Tall As Lions
The Memorials (Thomas Pridgen from The Mars Volta)
Closure in Moscow
Just Like Vinyl (Thomas Erak from Fall of Troy)
Andrew WK
The Locust

Graph The Pulse [Phantasm’s 2010 release] was recorded live in a basement in Brooklyn. The songs sound heavy, raw and minimalistic. “We were listening to a lot of Dillinger Escape Plan, Refused, and Drive Like Jehu at the time." explains drummer Jay Yachetta. "We wanted to make a big nasty record.”

They did.

The band is in the process of recording a new album set for release in the fall. Singer/guitarist Steven Rosplock reflects on the writing process:

"I think we wanted to write the best songs possible, instead of make the loudest, most intense stuff we could. I think the latter comes more naturally to us, so trying to write a great memorable song turned out to be a little harder."

As far as recording goes the band is thinking "Less garage rock. More stadiums." in order to make that happen they blocked out a few days at Barbershop Studios, most well known for producing Breaking Benjamin's platinum 2006 album "Phobia". Steven, Aaron, and Jay chose to track with engineer, Earl Cohen who is no stranger to commercial recordings. Cohen has worked with Lady Gaga, Pink, Will Smith (the list goes on).

"These songs are for everyone. Not just me. I want these songs to be mirrors you can see yourself in. Or panties, depending on how the night is going.
We've already done a concept album. Now were doing a album to drive fast, have sex, and do drugs to. Sounds good right?" - Steven Rosplock

All aboard the Phantasm Express next stop: wherever they want to go.

Instrumentation

Aaron White - Bass, Vocal, Live Looping
Steven Rosplock - Vocals, Guitar, keys, Kaossilator
Jay Yachetta - Drums

Discography

Impossible Machines (2012)
Approx. 28 mins.

1.What Makes You Tick
2.All I Need To Lose
3.Are You In Or Out
4.Get What You Want
5.Sho Nuff
6.Something Real
7.Think Twice
8.Told You So

Change The Channel: Live Concert DVD (2011)
Approx. 40 mins.

1.Introduction
2.Better Off Worse
3.Dance
4.Found Nothing
5.Show Your Claws
6.Life On Repeat
7.Change The Channel
8.Instrumental
9.Graph The Pulse
10.Revenge

Graph The Pulse (2010)
1. Graph The Pulse
2. Change The Channel
3. Better Off Worse
4. Found Nothing
5. Show Your Claws
6. Revenge

Vinyl Single (2007)
1. Irukandji

Clever Cunning Actor (2006)
1. C'est La Vie
2. Disasteroid
3. Cellar Door
4. Venus di Milo
5. Two Left Feet
6. Cheshire Effector
7. Sleepwalker
8. Hey Star
9. Divide. Conquer. Repeat.
10. A Saboteur Revealed
11. Cessura
12. Polyethylene Death Dream

Enter The Phantasm (2005)
1. S.C.R.A.T.C.H.E.S.
2. Comatose Sheep Parade
3. Rave Mid-alpha 4
4. Eye of The Storm
5. Shakedown

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Twitter
• Last.fm
• YouTube

Audio

• What Makes You Tick
  Listen  
• All I Need To Lose
  Listen  
• Are You In Or Out
  Listen  
• Get What You Want
  Listen  
• Sho Nuff
  Listen  
• Something Real
  Listen  
• Think Twice
  Listen  
• Told You So
  Listen  
• Change the Channel
  Listen  
• Graph the Pulse
  Listen  

Video

Phantasm Live Highlights

Change The Channel

Photo Gallery

Press

• "...blown away with their stage performance...making a three piece sound more like five." [+ Show ]
  

  "A trio you surely won’t forget, Phantasm. Coming straight out of Philadelphia, Jersadelphia but ori..."A trio you surely won’t forget, Phantasm. Coming straight out of Philadelphia, Jersadelphia but originating out of Jamestown NY. Phantasm brings a sound that is not only very powerful but unique. Members Aaron White(bass), Steven Rosplock(Vocals/Guitar) and Jay Yachetta (Drums) NOT ONLY put on a great show, but it is clear that they love doing it. The first time I saw Phantasm I wasn’t only impressed by the skill of these musicians, but blown away with their stage performance. Phantasm is known and respected for making a three piece sound more like five. We at Jersadelphia are proud to call Phantasm our first Featured Artist."

• "...most fun and inventive band I saw this weekend. [Millennium Music Conference]" [+ Show ]
  

  Fear the Fallen definitely set the bar high for the night, but when I saw the three skinny dudes fro...Fear the Fallen definitely set the bar high for the night, but when I saw the three skinny dudes from Phantasm setting up, I was a little skeptical.
  Holy crap was I wrong.
  A classic power trio hailing from Philidelphia, Phantasm absolutely crushed it. The influences these guys exhibit are far too numerous to name here, but they would best be described as prog rock. Aaron White's basslines were nothing short of infections, and incredibly inventive. Add to that the fact that his feet were often higher than his head during the set, and I think you can get the picture. Jay Yachetta's drumming is quite solid and never really straightforward, so his style fits the band perfectly. And then Steven Rosplock, the singer/guitarist, pulls out his supremely awesome Geddy Lee-esque wails, and I was floored. I even had the pleasure of meeting Steve, and he's as cool and off the walls as the music he plays, which is always a plus. If you check out only one band I mention here, make it this band. They were by far the most fun and inventive band I saw this weekend.
  

• "...new music can still be innovative, effective, and real.” [+ Show ]
  

  “Their style is a mix of rock/pop genres with dark and honest lyrics that reassure me that new music...“Their style is a mix of rock/pop genres with dark and honest lyrics that reassure me that new music can still be innovative, effective, and real.”
  

• "...easily one of the hardest working progressive rock bands in Philly right now." [+ Show ]
  

  "Phantasm is easily one of the hardest working progressive rock bands in Philly right now. These Ne..."Phantasm is easily one of the hardest working progressive rock bands in
  Philly right now. These New York transplants create loud and engaging
  experimental music that will have you pondering how so much sound can
  ...come from so few players. Come rock out with this larger-than-life trio..."

• "Philly's mad scientists of rock!!" [+ Show ]
  

  “I really think this band is breaking new ground in the Philadelphia music scene. If you're looking ...“I really think this band is breaking new ground in the Philadelphia music scene. If you're looking for something new, innovative, insanely clever and creative, then look no further than Phantasm. Philly's mad scientists of rock!!”

• “They meld prog and math-rock influences, often employing feedback and industrial sounds..." [+ Show ]
  

  “They meld prog and math-rock influences, often employing feedback and industrial sounds along with ...“They meld prog and math-rock influences, often employing feedback and industrial sounds along with unconventional song structures and Rosplock's high-register vocals. The intro to "Show Your Claws," for example, features White playing bass with a drill.”
  
  Dave Richards - Erie Times Showcase
  

• "...singer's intense performance and impressive range - reminds me a bit of Jeff Buckley, or the Mars Volta." [+ Show ]
  

  [Song: "Disasteroid"] "Melody: Good Music in Verses Good Music in Choruses *Effective contrast...[Song: "Disasteroid"]
  
  "Melody:
  Good Music in Verses
  Good Music in Choruses
  *Effective contrast between the melodies of the different sections.
  
  Structure:
  Well-written structure
  Good Sectional contrast
  *Good balance between repetition and new information
  
  Lyric:
  Good use of imagery
  Rhymes well
  Unique
  Vocal does help to sell song
  
  Lead vocal delivers a convincing performance with lots of attitude.
  Lyrically, could be a bit more clear.
  
  Title:
  Memorable and original
  
  Overall Comments:
  
  Phantasm sounds like a group of talented musicians that play with a super
  tight chemistry between them. This track has a great rocking energy and
  some really tasty playing. The standout element in my opinion is the
  singer's intense performance and impressive range - reminds me a bit of Jeff
  Buckley, or the Mars Volta. Also, the background vocals are very unique and
  add effective textures, that complement the lad vocal. As mentioned, in my
  opinion, it's a bit tricky to grasp the meaning of all of the lyrics, but of
  course, there are lots of examples of great music where the listener doesn't
  necessarily need to understand exactly what all the words are communicating
  literally. Overall, very cool band and rocking track.
  
  Overall rating:
  Music - 9 of 10
  Lyrics - 8 of 10
  Marketability - 7 of 10
  Arrangement - 9 of 10
  Production- 9 of 10
  Engineering - 9 of 10"

• "...unique blend of experimental progressive rock, and this album is surging with adrenaline." [+ Show ]
  

  "Phantasm is a unique blend of experimental progressive rock, and this album [Graph The Pulse] is su..."Phantasm is a unique blend of experimental progressive rock, and this album [Graph The Pulse] is surging with adrenaline. These are the sort of tunes that makes you want to see the band live just so that you can see and hear the energy the music has. Many of the tracks remind me of the eccentric rock feel that Incubus had in earlier albums like Fungus Amongus and S.C.I.E.N.C.E. From the instrumentation to the vocals this band has an incredibly memorable sound."

• “...tight and sonically interesting...turn-on-a-dime rock”
  

  “...tight and sonically interesting...turn-on-a-dime rock”

• "They've got a creative approach to their music that yields hints of Peter Gabriel, Tool, The Cure..." [+ Show ]
  

  "If you like innovative blends of sound that fuse together into some good solid rock then you'll lov..."If you like innovative blends of sound that fuse together into some good solid rock then you'll love Phantasm! This band is based in Jamestown, New York. They've got a creative approach to their music that yields hints of Peter Gabriel, Tool, The Cure, and some jazzy verve like that in the cult flick Pulp Fiction. Underneath it all, it's still rock with a dark twist and reminds me a little of Portishead from the 90's."

• "The crowd was captivated by Phantasm’s music and the sweat that poured from their faces." [+ Show ]
  

  "The energy from all of the fans, long deprived of a Phantasm show in the Jamestown area, encircled ..."The energy from all of the fans, long deprived of a Phantasm show in the Jamestown area, encircled the band in front as well as above on the upper level of the room...The crowd was captivated by Phantasm’s music and the sweat that poured from their faces. Bassist, Aaron White, kept audience members holding their breath wondering if his 360 jumps or bass brandishing antics would end up with him tangled in various cords or band mates."
  
  -Jen Bragan

• "...pushing the boundaries of what a rock band can do on stage..." [+ Show ]
  

  Steven, along with bandmates Aaron White, and Jay Yachetta have a reputation for putting on high ene...Steven, along with bandmates Aaron White, and Jay Yachetta have a reputation for putting on high energy live shows and pushing the boundaries of what a rock band can do on stage, including the use of unconventional instruments and power tools, live looping, improvisation, and moments of chaotic noise.

• "...one of the area's most successful acts..." [+ Show ]
  

  "A crisp recording that combines genres and highlights the talents of the tightness of musicianship ..."A crisp recording that combines genres and highlights the talents of the tightness of musicianship on 'Enter the Phantasm' cannot be denied"
  
  -Michael Salamone
  

• "Phantasm a Rising Musical Sensation" [+ Show ]
  

  "Phantasm a Rising Musical Sensation... [for] anyone who enjoys good music, good people, and a fanta..."Phantasm a Rising Musical Sensation... [for] anyone who enjoys good music, good people, and a fantastic show"
  
  -Meghan Sullivan

• "...musical magic..." [+ Show ]
  

  "Phantasm, which has performed as far west as Indiana, as far south as Tampa, Florida, and as far no..."Phantasm, which has performed as far west as Indiana, as far south as Tampa, Florida, and as far north as Boston, Massachusetts, also performs musical magic together on-stage such as the three-man bass solo. Yachetta also occasionally plays the spoons, which he said the audience seems to enjoy."

• "One word: amazing. The music really blew me away" [+ Show ]
  

  "[the director] went out and got some local talent to do the soundtrack for the film. One word: ama..."[the director] went out and got some local talent to do the soundtrack for the film. One word: amazing. The music really blew me away"
  
  (Phat Mac on Phantam's "Flashing Lights" which appeared in "Hunting Camp" an independent film by John Lyons)
  

• "Phantasm creates loud rock mayhem and tight rhythms with cleverly executed outbursts of controlled chaos." [+ Show ]
  

  Phantasm Stands the Test of Time By Steven M Opsanic "As bands seem to come and go in the blink ...Phantasm Stands the Test of Time
  By Steven M Opsanic
  
  "As bands seem to come and go in the blink of an eye, it is comforting to know that the good ones hold their popularity, continuing to make the magic we call music. Phantasm, a group originally from Erie Pa, returns home tonight to celebrate eight years of heart pump’n, show stop’n rock & roll.
  
  The band is made up of Aaron White on bass/samples, Steven Rosplock on guitar/vocals and Jay Yachetta on drums.
  
  Phantasm creates loud rock mayhem and tight rhythms with cleverly executed outbursts of controlled chaos. This turn-on-a-dime style of rock also contains traces of math and jazz. The sound is paired with powerful yet delicate vocals and dark sarcastic lyrics. The three members are making the music they want to hear, unafraid to go with or against the grain depending on the moment.
  
  Over the years the band has gone through some changes including some of its members “Steven, Aaron and I have been there since the beginning... we originally started as a 5 piece with a different Singer and Steven only playing guitar, we also had a turntable/percussion player who went by the name of Turnicus. We kicked the original Singer out and operated as a 4 piece for about 3 years. When Turnicus left, we asked Doug Melvin, a guitar player from Erie to join us for our upcoming tour. He left the band at the end of the tour and we have remained a 3-piece ever since. We have found the 3-piece fits us best,” said Jay Yachetta.
  
  When asked why the band’s popularity has remained and even grown stronger over the years, the band’s drummer, Jay Yachetta responded, “We are close like brothers and we all believe in the music we make.” He went on to say, “We have gotten better at playing to our strengths. Our songwriting is continuing to get better, focusing on the song as a whole instead of sticking a bunch of cool sounding sections or riffs together. Lately we have been putting a lot more emphasis on the vocals and using the instruments to support them, instead of thinking about the instruments first”.
  
  Over the course of their eight-year career Phantasm has had their music on the sound tracks of several films including Hunting Camp, directed by John Lyons, Lovecraft's Pillow, directed by Mark Steensland and Pisces, directed by Samantha Paradise. Jay Yachetta proudly mentioned, “While in Erie we are filming a scene in John Lyons upcoming film where we will be playing on stage at a club. The song will also be featured in the movie soundtrack.”
  
  Looking to the future Jay Yachetta says, “We have been writing and demoing new tracks for an upcoming release and In the mean time we will be releasing a Live concert DVD that we filmed in Erie in October.”
  

• "... a great modern rock band; they have a unique sound and style that's high energy," [+ Show ]
  

  "Phantasm is a great modern rock band; they have a unique sound and style that's high energy," J..."Phantasm is a great modern rock band; they have a unique sound and style that's high energy,"
  
  John Lyons - filmmaker
  

• "...a phenomenal EP!" [+ Show ]
  

  (1) Thanks for taking the time to talk with us! Can you introduce yourselves and tell us what your ...(1) Thanks for taking the time to talk with us! Can you introduce yourselves and tell us what your roll is in Phantasm?
  
  @Phantasm: Steve Rosplock - Guitar/Vocals
  Jay Yachetta - Drums
  Aaron White - Bass
  
  
  (2) You recently (a few months ago) released a new album "Graph The Pulse" which is a phenomenal EP! What was the recording process like for that record? Was it a lot different than when you recorded "Clever Cunning Actor"?
  
  @Phantasm: Clever Cunning Actor is a full length album that was recorded in Erie, PA at Diecaster Studios. The instruments were all tracked separately including turn tables. That was back in the day when we had a DJ. We spent extra time making the transitions between songs really neat and adding extra guitar harmonies and little instruments here and there.
  
  Graph the Pulse was recorded at Momek Studios in Brooklyn, New York. The idea was to get a stripped down raw, dirty, loud, live sounding studio EP that still could hang with the overproduced and ultra-mastered music of today. The EP was instrumentally recorded all simultaneously live in the studio. Minor guitar and bass edits and effects were played with after. The vocals were tracked last.
  
  
  (3) You guys are definitely a "Musician's band", meaning that you're music is really intelligent and well arranged and musicians tend to appreciate it. Do you guys feel like your music translates well with a non-musician fanbase as well?
  
  @Phantasm: It's true that musicians are definitely more inclined to appreciate the technicality of what we are performing. The music translates to the non-musician fan base in the high energy of it all. It especially translates for the non-musician fan base that is sick of hearing the same music played over and over again.
  
  
  (4) As someone who has played with/seen you play a few times, I can say you're also one of the best live shows around. What can people expect when they come to see Phantasm live?
  
  @Phantasm: We try to erase expectations by changing our songs around. We like to throw in things like power drills and live looping to make things less of just the music grind. We bring a lot of energy into the performance.
  
  
  (5) You've toured with Living Colour and this month you're doing dates with Kilimanjaro (ex As Tall As Lions) and The Memorials (Thomas Pridgen formerly of The Mars Volta). How did you guys end up getting on these dates? Do you actively pursue playing with artists that have been around a bit more or do they just fall into place for you?
  
  @Phantasm: We actually ended up getting a huge snow storm during the Kilimanjaro dates and they couldn't make the trip from Long Island to Upstate NY due to the weather conditions be so sever. We were definitely bummed about that. Living Colour asked us to tour with them after Doug Wimbish saw us perform at Sully's in Hartford, CT. However, the dates with the Memorials, Just Like Vinyl, and Kilimanjaro were all set up by us. The best advice is I can say is contact the bands you want to perform with and set up the show if you can swing it.
  
  
  (6) You guys have toured pretty extensively yourselves over the past couple of years. What are some of your favorite cities to play?
  
  @Phantasm: The cities that really resonate with us are:
  
  Jamestown, NY
  Erie, PA
  Fredonia, NY
  Philadelphia, PA
  Harrisburg, PA
  Bridgeport, CT
  Boston, MA
  Baltimore, MD
  
  
  (7) What other tour plans do you guys have coming up? Any new releases or videos people should know about?
  
  @Phantasm: We'll see how things work out, but our plan is to release a DVD of our full live performance in March and then release another EP in April. These plans are tentative based on what we can get done. As far as tours, we're always playing all the time
  
  
  (8) Can you tell us a little bit about your home music scene (Philadelphia). What's the vibe you get out of Philly? Is it more community or competition with artists?
  
  @Phantasm: We love the Philadelphia music scene. There is some competition based bands in the scene, but they are too high stress for us. We've been playing long enough to know that it is now more about the experience of a show as a whole. It's not about ego trips and how cool you look on stage. The mentality doesn't last. It's a big scene and there is plenty of bands and venues that get the vibe right out there.
  
  
  (9) Any under the radar artists people should know about?
  
  @Phantasm:
  Consider the Source - http://www.myspace.com/considerthemusic
  Earth Driver - http://www.earthdriver.org
  Protean Collective - http://www.myspace.com/proteancollective
  Grind City - http://www.myspace.com/joandgrindcity
  Super Volcano - http://www.myspace.com/superdupervolcano
  Jeklyn Hyde - http://www.myspace.com/jekylnhyde
  Emok - http://www.myspace.com/emok
  Christmas Lights - http://www.myspace.com/thechristmaslights
  Vinny Vegas - http://www.myspace.com/vinnyvegas
  
  
  (10) Thanks again for taking the time to answer these questions! Any last thoughts for our readers?
  
  @Phantasm: Stay classy four5six!

• "...brings on the rock, with a zippy tempo, blazing guitars, and some impressive falsetto vocals.” [+ Show ]
  

  "Ah, nothing beats a split 7". Phantasm's track brings on the rock, with a zippy tempo, blazing guit..."Ah, nothing beats a split 7". Phantasm's track brings on the rock, with a zippy tempo, blazing guitars, and some impressive falsetto vocals. It's a spirited, fiery slab of metal that doesn't reinvent the genre but showcases Phantasm's energetic fluency in the genre."
  

• “...experience the utter beautiful madness that is Phantasm... Rosplock's vocal range is to be envied.” [+ Show ]
  

  “...experience the utter beautiful madness that is Phantasm... Rosplock's vocal range is to be envie...“...experience the utter beautiful madness that is Phantasm... Rosplock's vocal range is to be envied.”
  
  

• '"We're Phantasm, and you must be Penn State,"...' [+ Show ]
  

  "We're Phantasm, and you must be Penn State," Steven Ross, lead guitarist and vocalist said to the a..."We're Phantasm, and you must be Penn State," Steven Ross, lead guitarist and vocalist said to the audience. "You all look beautiful."

• 
  

Setlist

Typically sets last about an hour, consisting of nine or ten of the following original songs:

Two Left Feet
Disasteroid
Change The Channel
Hey Star
Revenge
Graph The Pulse
Better Off Worse
Show Your Claws
Found Nothing
Told You So
Life On Repeat


Most songs last between 3 -5 minutes.

Basic Requirements

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