Brought to you by: Marsworth
The heavy metal band from Solingen, Germany, Accept, is well known to many and takes on the stage like no other, but it was about time we sat down with one of the newest members to understand how the U.S. tour has been and what it’ll become. Riding their Too Mean to Die record, released in January 2021, the band has seen thousands, nay, millions of diehard fans that are ready to break down walls for Accept’s next big album. I’d like you to meet Nashville’s own, Philip Shouse.
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MARSWORTH: You just joined forces with Accept, what can we expect as far as future projects with them?
PHILIP SHOUSE: What can you expect from Accept, that’s a tongue twister! This year touring is finished after tonight and then we’re off until January in which we go on the European tour. This is the third attempt because it’s been postponed 2 years now, so this is the third time. So, we’re gonna be touring again all next year, and work on our new album has begun. It’s open for me to write too, but I don’t really make that sound. Here’s this kind of Cheap Trick sound-like song I got, this won’t work. New record probably beginning recording next year, and probably out, I’m assuming, ‘24. Then it’s like an album-touring cycle, “Lather, rinse, repeat”, that’s the cycle. So, yeah, at least one more record!
M: So, how do you feel that the long-time fans have received your new place in the band?
P: I think it’s received very well! The main question people have is, “Why 3 guitars?”. I don’t know who set the rule for guitars, that you can not have more than 2 in a band, but that’s been the main thing. I think people have liked it, they like the energy, and I’m kind of like a younger Wolf a little bit. I try to keep it “classic band”, I try to look like that, I keep my stage moves kind of the same, so I kind of come in and want to honor what’s come before me.
M: Right, like you’re not gonna come out here with your Ace Frehley moves!
P: “I’m here! I’m doin’ whatever I want!” No, I come in and I fit the gig and make it work. It’s been a good reception so far.
M: How would you describe your sound, of Accept, to someone who’s never heard of you before?
P: I always say it’s kind of the band that’s the bridge between Judas Priest and AC/DC. That’s what I’ve always kind of thought about with that even with the older stuff, and newer stuff! They’ve kind of kept that rock ‘n roll element that was very popular with metal bands of the era because you’re in the ‘70’s.They had this kind of rock ‘n roll swagger that got lost along the way with a lot of groups, but Accept still has that . They still have plenty of good riff-rock because they pretty much invented speed-metal with “Fast As A Shark” and “Breaker”, but they still had this like swagger that I thought was really important.
M: With this question being said, if sound and taste were mixed up, what food would Accept taste like?
P: German Wienerschnitzel! Completely!
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M: What’s your dream tour lineup? No matter if they’re not together anymore.
P: I thought that Iron Maiden and Judas Priest would be a great tour together. Priest opening and Maiden headlining. It’d be even cooler if Accept was on the bill too. If I did have to go back in time, and see anything it would be The Beatles. I can’t decide if it would be the Cavern Club Beatles or Hamburg Beatles because I don’t really wanna see Shea Stadium. I would wanna go either to the Cavern and see one of those shows or Hamburg. At that point it wouldn’t even matter who else is playing.
M: What would you do differently if you were to start over from day one? Like a music career, day one.
P: If I’m gonna be zen and philosophical about it, I’d say nothing because everything led to this point, and I really like where I’m at. But if I was gonna give you an actual answer, I would have to say just to take it more seriously. I was taking it seriously, but in my defense I didn’t really know what to do nor did I know anybody that had a real music career or anything. My friends and I were just kind of like flailing along and I was a disaster half the time. We were just worried about getting fucked up and all that. Probably focus less on that and actually try.
M: With the day one kind of stuff, did you grow up in an artistic or musical household?
P: Yes! My older brother, Kevin, I only have one brother. It was him and his record collection. He’s 13 years older than me and it’s just me and him so it’s a rather big gap. I was born in the mid ‘70’s and he was a high school kid, so he had a great collection. So, that my introduction into not only rock ‘n roll but music period. Then I got the bug, you know some kids get the sports bug and I got that. That was it.
M: The best bug!
P: It was for me! Definitely! Now, there’s so much for kids to do, and for me in school it was pretty much you were a jock or you were in band and I was in the school band playing saxophone. I had to be a part of it in some way. My brother was a drummer, so I played his drums first, then saxophone in the school band, and then guitar when I was 12.
M: So, when did bass come along in there?
P: Bass came along actually really recently because it was needed to play. I think my first bass gig was with Derek St. Holmes on the KISS Kruise. The bass thing had come along because with Gene [Simmons] we had 3 guitar players and Gene played bass, obviously. We were gonna do a tour of Australia where it was Ace [Frehley] and Gene, we were gonna back him, and I counted 4 guitar players including Ace. I volunteered, “I’ll do it. I’ll switch to bass. I don’t mind at all.” I’m glad I did. I had a really good time playing it, it turned into a couple other opportunities. So, bass and guitar are similar, bass and rhythm guitar are very similar, so put a rhythm guitar part and put it in bass. It definitely influences your guitar playing as well. Any time you learn a new instrument, your other instruments you know get affected.
M: Which do you prefer? I guess it depends on the music.
P: It really does. With the Ace gig I’m really glad I picked bass because rhythm guitar was- I could sleep through it! I guess I could do it with bass too, but rhythm guitar, I could really sleep through it because Ace did all the solos. I’m really glad for bass because they’re really fun basslines. Gene is very underrated and very creative in his bass playing. If I’m doing Beatles stuff either guitar or bass, [Paul] McCartney’s stuff is just great. It’s just fantastic! Accept guitar is so much fun to play with Wolf and all those great parts. It just depends on the gig and the music.
“Then I got the bug, you know some kids get the sports bug and I got that. That was it.”
– Philip Shouse 2022
M: Has there been a real life experience that moved you to do something dramatic for your music career?
P: It was when I moved to Nashville in ‘04, and I got my first gig in ‘05. I got sober, I quit drinking then, and I’m on that kick again, almost at a year! That was vital, I really had to do that. I did it for 5 years, but that had to happen in order for me to get anywhere and for me to actually get a professional head on my shoulders. That’s probably the main one that sticks out.
M: Oh wow! I know Mick Mars, of Mötley Crüe, had said that the drinking had helped him play. He said that he liked that it was sloppier, but I know some bands, like Accept, are very nitpicky.
P: Yes, this is a “drink coffee and Redbull” gig. This is definitely not that kind of thing! I think with Mick it was mainly to help his pain. Because he’s always been in agony from his disease. I think with people it does help nerves a lot, but then it becomes a crutch. I really think that you need to be able to do it without any help. The shows lately, with me with a totally clear head, have been the best ever. Only on one occasion, on a pro gig, that I was over the limit. I was bad. One time! I’ve seen footage from that and I still wasn’t that bad. It was bad enough for me to go, “Okay dude, you shouldn’t have toured the brewery on a show day!”. Mistake. Won’t repeat. I’ve closed my tab.
M: If Accept were a jazz band, what would they be renamed?
P: Wow! I was just gonna say just change the spelling. E-X-C-E-P-T. That’s my tribute band when I leave the band. It’s gonna be Philip Shouse’s Except featuring Accept, no, just kidding!
M: Tell me about your favorite performance in your career. Let it be Gene, Ace, now, or before that.
P: We did a gig with Gene, it was in Minnesota and it was at a baseball stadium, it was a big charity show. Gene was on the bill and we also backed up Don Felder, of The Eagles, and then Cheap Trick was on the bill too. At this point we know some of the Trick guys and that was also the first time we had ever played with Ace. Ace played like 4 or 5 songs with the Gene band. So, that was like the first time we played with that and that was real special because out of everything that happened that day. Gene, Ace, Cheap Trick there, and it was just a wonderful day. This past summer was amazing just the European festival run that we did. Those were incredible! It was my first time playing Sweden Rock and that was a special one. I’ve wanted to play that one for a while. There’s been a lot. European festivals are just a different thing entirely. They’re set up so well, they’re run so well, they’re like little cities pretty much. They’re just amazing! The longer running ones like Sweden Rock and Barcelona Rock Fest, people are so passionate. They sell out before anybody is even announced because people just want to go. It’s like 60 or 70 thousand people watching you. Playing it with Accept, those songs are made for that big of crowd with all of the, “oh, oh, oh” songs. You’re sitting there and it’s like this ocean of people- It’s just really special.
M: Do you have any pre-show rituals that you do to calm nerves or anxiety?
P: I warm up, I have a little travel guitar that I play on to get my fingers warmed up. No, not really. I just do that. Always stretch! Because I’m in a lunge most of the show. I’m in like a yoga runner lunge most of the time! So, I gotta stretch out fully, but that’s pretty much it. Yeah. Nothing really.
M: You just take it on!
P: Yeah! Have a coffee or something, sit, stretch, and warm up.
M: Thank you so much for taking the time to sit down with us and answer questions that I’m sure you’ve heard a thousand times and that you’re tired of hearing.
P: There were several in there that were a first!
M: I truly appreciate it! I’m more than pumped to see your performance tonight in Columbus, Ohio at The King of Clubs. Do you want to add anything else for the readers of The Metal Pit?
P: Not at all. Stay metal, Metal Pit. Keep on metaling!
Click the image below, if you’d like to know anything more about Mr. Shouse or just to keep up with him on the regular. Catch him on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or even grab something good for you and your pup from his clothing line, Mutt Merch!
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