Philip Joseph Sgrosso (born September 16, 1985) is an American heavy metal musician, best known as former guitarist of the metalcore band As I Lay Dying, the rhythm guitarist of the band Wovenwar, former touring guitarist for Nails, and the current lead guitarist for Saosin.
Phil Sgrosso | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Sgrosso in 2023 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Philip Joseph Sgrosso[1] |
| Born | September 16, 1985 Mission Viejo, California, U.S. |
| Origin | San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Guitarist |
| Years active | 2003–present |
Career
editBefore joining the band that jumpstarted his musical career, Sgrosso was a part of a local act known as Tomra, a melodic metalcore band from San Diego, which disbanded in 2003. Joining As I Lay Dying at the age of 17, Sgrosso had honed his creative talents[2] as one of the songwriters on 2005's Shadows Are Security. His work with the band extends from solely instrumentation, with producing credits on the bands latter releases.
Throughout his tenure with As I Lay Dying, the band was named "Artist of the Year" at the San Diego Music Awards in 2005, 2007, and 2008, and was nominated for a Grammy Award for the song "Nothing Left" in 2008. Sgrosso received the "Ultimate Metal God"[3] award from MTV2 in 2007. Through six studio albums and one split release, As I Lay Dying sold more than 1,000,000 albums worldwide, with their DVD, This Is Who We Are,[4] being Certified Gold within one month of its release. As I Lay Dying's sixth album, Awakened, was released on September 25, 2012, to high critical acclaim.[5]
Following the incarceration of As I Lay Dying vocalist Tim Lambesis in 2013, the remaining members of the band formed Wovenwar with Oh, Sleeper guitarist Shane Blay. They released their debut album, Wovenwar, in 2014 via Metal Blade Records. As I Lay Dying reunited in June 2018.[6]
While touring on the Mayhem Festival in 2012, Sgrosso pulled double-duty performing with As I Lay Dying and Slipknot, filling in for Jim Root on the first leg of the run.[7] Beginning in 2016, he became a permanent fixture to Saosin's touring lineup, taking over after Justin Shekoski's departure.[8] Sgrosso is also a touring guitar player for American powerviolence band Nails.[9] Sgrosso also has a band called Poison Headache with him playing guitars, bass, and vocals, Andy Kutka (formerly of Internal Affairs) on vocals and guitar and Kyle Rosa (formerly of Thieves and Liars) on drums and they are signed to Metal Blade Records.[10]
On October 30, 2024, Sgrosso announced his departure from As I Lay Dying, following the departures of three other bandmates. He was the last remaining longterm member of the band.[11]
Discography
edit
As I Lay Dying
- Shadows Are Security (2005)
- A Long March: The First Recordings (compilation, 2006)
- An Ocean Between Us (2007)
- The Powerless Rise (2010)
- Decas (compilation, 2011)
- Awakened (2012)
- Shaped by Fire (2019)
- Through Storms Ahead (2024)
Wovenwar
- Wovenwar (2014)
- Honor Is Dead (2016)
Poison Headache
- Poison Headache (2016)
Author & Punisher
References
edit- ^ "A GREATER FOUNDATION". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
- ^ "Charvel® Artists: Phil Sgrosso". Charvel® Guitars. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
- ^ "There Are None Higher, Ultimate Metal God: As I Lay Dying". MTV. December 22, 2007. Archived from the original on July 25, 2009. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
- ^ "As I Lay Dying: This Is Who We Are DVD details revealed". Blabbermouth.net. February 26, 2009. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
- ^ "EVH® Artists: Phil Sgrosso / As I Lay Dying". EVH® Brand Guitars, Amplifiers, and Musical Instruments. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
- ^ "AS I LAY DYING Confirm Classic Lineup Reunion but Their Silence is Deafening". June 8, 2018.
- ^ "Jamming out with Slipknot on Mayhem". Facebook. Phil Sgrosso. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
- ^ "Saosin on Instagram". Saosin on Instagram. Saosin. Archived from the original on December 25, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
- ^ "Fun first show last night with Nails". Facebook. Phil Sgrosso. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
- ^ Sanford, Jay Allen (September 21, 2016). "Poison Headache's feel-good Phil". San Diego Reader. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
- ^ "TIM LAMBESIS Admits 'Unhealthy Environment' Within AS I LAY DYING Led To Split With His Bandmates". Blabbermouth.net. November 4, 2024. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
- ^ Singer, Quentin. "Author & Punisher's 'Krüller' Is Metal From A Not-So-Far Future". Forbes. Retrieved March 11, 2022.