The Phoenix Trap
, hailing from Philadelphia, PA, is a Rock/Pop outfit that likes to blend in some toe-tapping and head bobbing energy to create a fun show experience for all ages.
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
After forming in 1998, The Phoenix Trap built on some early adversity to become a rising new force in the regional, original music scene. After three different line-ups, the band found the right mix with its current roster Teresa Kelly (vocals), Chad Gorn (guitar), Mark Gardner (bass) and Mark Robart (drums). With Kelly, the band developed a more definitive pop-rock sound. The change in sound was fueled by Kelly’s radio-friendly vocals and exciting stage presence.
Unofficially, The Phoenix Trap marked the start of the Kelly years with the release of the demo “Skywriting” in 2001. With the demo finished and a string of gigs under their belts, they ventured into Soundgun Studios in Philadelphia to record their first full-length album. The eponymous work was recorded in October of 2001 with acclaimed producer Edan Cohen (Burlap Palace, Brian Seymour and Songs: Ohia) and released in March 2002 at The Fire in Philadelphia. The Album includes 12 songs and guest appearances by Philadelphia notables Mike “Slo-Mo” Brenner, Elliot Levin, and Quiara Hudes.
With a solid studio recording to push, The Phoenix Trap has become a band to watch. Now in regular rotation on weekends at The Grape St. Pub in Philadelphia, the band has shared the stage with Virgin Recording Artist the Exies (named a Band to Watch in 2003 by Rolling Stone Magazine), Mark McAdam (of Sumac) and Shoe Suede Blues (featuring Peter Tork). They have also shared the stage with top regional artists like K-Floor (Treasure), IKE (Bisbee Roadkill), as well as unsigned artists Transistor Rodeo, Down Circle Back, Stargazer Lily, Amber DeLaurentis and Nancy Falkow to name a few.
The Phoenix Trap has performed in New York, Boston, Baltimore, New Jersey and throughout Eastern Pennsylvania. The band has also occasionally stripped down its electric set to play the area’s growing number of acoustic venues. They continue to garner radio airplay and make on-air appearances throughout the region.
The band is currently working on songs for a new album tentatively to be recorded in the fall of 2003.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
We mostly play live in and around the Philadelphia area, with occasional forays elsewhere in Pennsylvania and into New Jersey, Delaware, New York, Baltimore and Boston. Lately we've had a number of successful weekend shows at in the Manayunk section of Philly, and that's sort of become our "home base".
Your musical influences
Our influences are all over the map, but they tend to coalesce into a high-charged pop/rock sound. We've got a female singer, so we're sometimes compared to bands like The Corrs, Sixpence None The Richer, or Letters to Cleo.
What equipment do you use?
Your typical guitar/bass/drums/vocals arrangement.
