The world we know has always been somewhat of a hectic place. My mother being somewhat of a historian has always reiterated the fact that history repeats itself and to be quite honest, history has some very grim moments. But in the middle of falling empires, plagues wiping out the masses, and incomprehensible economic plummets, we can find something peaceful. That something isn’t necessarily innocent, but harmless none the less and it has something charming that refuses to let any face go without a smile or a hip without a swing. In the 60’s and 70’s that thing was referred to as funk, but in more recent times, it’s more often referred to as Phil Gerus.

Gerus creates that classic, seductive, funky melody that’s guaranteed to either make you nostalgic to a time and place you haven’t once visited, or simply get you laid. Being from a jazz oriented musical background, Gerus has always had an affinity for music and has helped transform that timeless piano note into an electromagnetic groove generator for our listening pleasure. Judging by his album covers of beautiful 60’s and 70’s screen icons and his Shag-a-delic rhythm, it would be easy to say that he was clearly born in the wrong time, but after a closer look, it made more sense to come to another conclusion: History really does repeat itself. Luckily for all of us, I was able to capture a moment with Phil Gerus and dig a little deeper into his mind to get a better glimpse of the Trinity at hand.

Professor Lunchbag: Like most introductions, tell us a little bit about where you’re from. Is music something that you’ve been around for a long time?

Phil Gerus: I was born in Moscow and studied classical piano here. So actually music and I are sort of related to each other. The whole thing started when I was a kid listening to my father’s tape jazz records such as Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett.

PL: When I was a kid, or a tree ( which ever you prefer) I always wanted to be older, but now that I’m older, I kinda wanna be a kid, I just don’t wanna give up the sex, violence, and drugs. If you could be a kid again what would you do differently?

PG: I’m not really sure that I’d like to change anything in my childhood. I had so much fun back then and I’m happy it wasn’t wasted on trifles.

PL: Is there any advice that you wish you could give your former self? Is there any advice your former self could possibly have to offer you?

PG: I think I’d improve on my communication skills. Getting along with people, making friends easily has become a burning issue for me recently.

PL: How much travelling have you done? How much of it has been directly related to music?

PG: My farthest trip was to the military base where I did my service as a drummer for a year. So thank God it had something to do with music at least.

PL: The first track I heard from you was She Left Her Jewel and it blew my mind. For my own sake, what is the meaning behind that song? How did you come up with the concept?

PG: This track has its little background. I had a date with one girl, so when she left i found a little sort of “jewel” piercing (popped out from her belly) The actual name came up after i finished the track.

PL: Every cover on every piece of work I have from you has a picture of a beautiful woman from many places and many eras. What is the idea behind this? Do you think it will ever change?

PG: I’m a big fan of 60′s, 70′s movies and directors like Godard, Antonioni, Pazolini, Cavani, etc.. So these women are basically the main characters and sex legends.

PL: Heart-break is normally a great motivator for a lot of great projects. Is there anything that you’ve made strictly out of pain?

PG: I don’t think so. The main idea in my music is searching sex/swing grooves. So it’s actually quite hard to find it through pain.

PL: If you could be a dictator for 1 month, what kind of laws would you implement into your reign? Do you think the people would respect you?

PG: I think it’s a serious test and I have a bit different mind – I’m a romantic person.

PL: Besides making dope music, what could we catch Phil Gerus doing on a regular day?

PG: I’m practicing on piano, playing jazz standards with my friend on drums, reading books, riding my “Colnago” bike …

PL: As far as music is concerned, what can we expect from you in the near future? How could you possibly make your music even better?

PG: More juicy/sex funk tapes.

PL: In order from last to first, what are the top 25 most played tracks in your iTunes playlist? Does this say something about you as a person?

PG: As I said earlier, mostly I’m listening to jazz – to name just a few – Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Brad Mehldau and many, many others… Plus, I love to listen to some old boogie funk vinyl vibes from the 80′s, 90′s era.

PL: Any last words for us at rocbottom?

PG: Thank you guys for having me! Respect!!!

Phil is one of those artists we have truly always dreamed about interviewing and we’d like to thank him and everybody else for showing us love along the way. Make sure to follow more Phil on http://jewtinkle.tumblr.com/ and to check out http://soundcloud.com/philgerus for some more funky tunage. Until we meet again people, you stay classy. – Prof. Lunchbag