When Phil X Came to Town

August 22, 2025 by MGRSTL

Phil X. Theofilos Xenidis.
BEAST. YouTube legend.
Triumph, Bon Jovi, Hired Gun

The dude seemed to be a well-kept secret for a couple of decades. Kicking around the California camps the Canadian born rocker did stints with Triumph and Randy Coven (Aldo Nova) before settling in to session work.

Then came YouTube and Fretted Americana – a guitar shop in Calabasas, CA. During off the wall demos he ‘sploded onto the YouTube scene with his personality and his insane guitar and vocal skills. A Canadian Greek bouzouki bred rocker of the old school… He’s infectious and funny – and man can he play. People couldn’t get enough.

On August 15, 2025 Phil X was on tour with his band The Drills – being on hiatus with his gig as a member of Bon Jovi no less…. (Since 2013).

Through one connection or another Joe Smith of Joe’s Records secured an in-store appearance and signing – with a performance! The Drills were going to play in South County Mall inside of Joe’s store!

Joe spoke with Music Go Round St. Louis owner Kevin Dierker, as they would need backline (gear) for the performance.

PA, drum kit, bass rig – and Marshalls! Kevin was gung-ho to make sure Phil had everything he needed. Armed with a Marshall 800 series, and securing some vintage 4×12’s and a Vintage 1970 Metal Panel “Plexi” 50-watt small box – and all the rest gear, Kevin became Phil X and The Drills’ soundman for a night.

And, what a night!

Attended by a throng of St Louisans and even visited by Richard Fortus of Guns N’ Roses – Phil tore the place up. Casual and hilarious commentary between songs, taking requests and even adjusting tunes on the spot made it like a living room style event with the highest caliber playing one can witness. Followed by signings, pictures etc.

Music Go Round St. Louis thanks Joe’s Records and the mighty and gracious Phil X and his bandmates for the opportunity to treat our local community with the ROCK – old school style.

Music Go Round St. Louis is ST. LOUIS – we love our community of musicians and music fans!

(Thanks to Rocky Nichols for the photos !)

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