Albert is the most recent addition to Phil 'n the Void and he fills the role of drummer and percussionist. As a former Somerset County and current Sussex county resident, Al has been hanging around right here in Phil's backyard all along!
Al started playing pots and pans at the age of 2, self taught with spoons because he could not afford drums just yet. He played drums in his Middle School band, learning how to play with other musicians. Al bought his first drum set with paper route money — back then he had to work his butt off, and it was worth the effort!
The first band Al played in was called Rapid Fire. They played music from bands such as Rush, Kiss, Iron Maiden, AC/DC and Judas Priest. His first experience playing-out came in 1984, playing in a battle of the bands competition — they took 2nd place.
By 1988, Al was ready to go on the road with his group, Jealousy. Singers were hard to come by at that time so they went with what they had. Small gigs here and there — the road may have been short, but they still thought we were the BEST rockers in the area.
In the early 90’s there was Troublemaker and Trox on the NYC / Tri-state tour circuit. Opening up for some head-liners, Al was thinking this was his big break in the music world and looking for the payoff. As they continued to try to make it, money was tight so Al looked to his next love of music — spinning records as a DJ. Al was already the DJ at the Crystal Roller Palace roller-rink in Manville, NJ, and he took that experience and developed and grew his very-own DJ entertainment company, A.T.R. Entertainment, which he continues to run today.
Though Al's DJ entertainment business was originally a means to finance his music career, it proved to be more successful than anticipated. All along he was hoping to get back with a successful band, though he found himself playing drums less and less. Time went by fast, and suddenly his drumming career was all forgotten. At one point Al had forgotten what it was like to play drums anymore.
A few years ago, Al went into a music store and looked into an electronic drum kit just to beat on a little in the privacy of his home. Shortly thereafter, a NJ-based band called him up to PHIL in for their drummer and the love of drumming quickly came back into his life. Al's drumming career picked-up right where he left off in the 90’s. Playing in bands Conflicted and Special Blend gave Al the confidence to do anything he wanted to do, and today he is happy to be playing in one of the top-ranked NJ party-bands around.
Al is taking Phil 'n the Void to the next level — it's going to be a great ride!
