Phil Shoenfelt

01.03.2026

Various Artists
"CBGB: A New York City Soundtrack 1975 - 1986"
(4-CDs; Cherry Red)

Phil is featured on the 4-CD box set with tracks by Khmer Rouge ("Hinterland") and Disturbed Furniture ("Information") and 99 other bands, including Ramones, Patti Smith, Talking Heads, Blondie and Television.

Review by The Guardian

04.02.2026

Two releases this week ....

Phil Shoenfelt & Southern Cross "Live At The Kino"

OUT: 03.02.2026 / CD (Tiny Global Productions)

"Anyone in the US or UK who's heard of Ebensee, Austria, likely knows it for KINO EBENSEE, an old movie theatre in a tiny mountain town run by Konrad Wallinger, which invariably becomes the favourite European venue of any act lucky enough to play there. It’s a remarkable venue that - for whatever magical reason - always brings out the best in bands. Phil Shoenfelt & Southern Cross first played at the Kino in 1999 and have played there each year since.

Sound engineer Roland Promberger produced a sterling recording of the band’s gig at the Kino earlier this year and we couldn’t pass on it. It’s that good! Their sound is rooted in something of rock tradition but they manage to transcend the genre. They’re a rare example of rare late-rock experimentation and vision.

We’re offering this release as a CD plus a massive essay (Shoenfelt is a great writer) for the booklet accompanying the package. He has a long, strange history on the margins, journeying from his birthplace in Bradford UK to rough 'n' tumble early-‘80s NYC where he dallied with The Clash, Alan Vega, Nico and Carl Perkins. He then returned to the UK to get cleaned up and mingled with Nick Cave, Barry Adamson and Mark E. Smith. We can’t wait to read about it.

The cover painting is by Claus Castenskiold, known for his work with the Fall, The Gun Club and Kid Congo. He offered use of this brilliant piece to accompany this release." (Tiny Global Productions)

Order from Bandcamp (Phil Shoenfelt's store)
Order from Bandcamp (Tiny Global Productions' store)

Nikki Sudden & Phil Shoenfelt "Empty Grave"

OUT: 06.02.2026 / Digital (Fuego)

fuego.lnk.to/emptygrave

The latest online-only release from Phil's recently exhumed archives. Obscure and alternative versions from the vault.

Nikki Sudden and Phil Shoenfelt first met at the Rock On record stall in London’s Soho Market in January 1978. Almost twenty years later, they reconnected in Prague and began writing songs together.

The first result of their collaboration is now being released as a digital EP called Empty Grave. The recording precedes both Phil’s spell as lead guitarist on two legs of Nikki’s European tour (the Rock and Roll Tour of November 1997 and Jan/Feb1998), and the recording of the album Golden Vanity at Interzone Studio in Berlin (finally released by UK label Easy Action in 2009).

In February 1997, Nikki had booked a studio in the back room of a pub on top of a Moravian mountain. He invited Phil to join him and his Brno-based backing band, the Golden Angels, in a “live in the studio” recording session that was recorded directly onto DAT. In one afternoon they recorded “Independent Girl” (originally by London band The Boys), the previously unreleased “Empty Grave”, “Broken Glove”, an early version of “Angel Wings”, and an acoustic version of “Teenage Sheets”.

The recording session, which was mixed Sam Phillips-style by adjusting the position of the microphones, is gutsy and raunchy. It showcases the raw power of these two individual singer-songwriters and values rock and roll authenticity over sonic cosmetics. The tape, which was believed to be lost, was recently rediscovered and has been digitally restored. Now it is being released by Fuego.

As a bonus, the first live performance of the then-untitled song “Empty Grave” rounds off this unique EP (recorded at Klub Roxy, Prague, 27th August 1996).

The artwork is a unique painting of Nikki and Phil by renowned Greek visual artist and author Giorgos Voutsis.

25.01.2026

Phil is featured on the forthcoming LP/CD Na Obzoru by Czech superstar Michal Pavlíček. Phil has written lyrics to two songs: "Foreign Lights" and "Burning Up" and sings lead vocals on the first-mentioned song and backing vocals on the second.

Phil has also been invited by Michal to be a special guest at his two concerts at O2 Universum in Prague on January 28th and January 29th.

Message from Phil Shoenfelt:

Dear friends.

Just to let you know what's been happening on the music front recently. Two online-only releases (not available via Bandcamp) are Fatal Shore - Live at the Rätsche, recorded in April 2001 in Geislingen, Germany, when the late Bruno Adams was at the height of his vocal powers (availabe as a download via Apple and Amazon: fuego.lnk.to/raetsche

And released 16th January is Phil Shoenfelt & Spirithouse - Live at Moles, a recording made at the legendary Moles nightclub in Bath, UK. Spirithouse was my early 90s London-based band, which lasted from 1990 to 1992. With Alan Sanford, the guitarist of Spirithouse, I supported Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds at three shows in the early 90s: Brixton Academy, Glasgow Pavilion and the Town & Country club, London. This is again avaliable as a download at Apple and Amazon and as a stream from Spotify and other outlets: fuego.lnk.to/moles

Soon coming is a Phil Shoenfelt & Southern Cross live CD "Live at the Kino", recorded at Ebensee Kino, Austria, in January last year, soon to be released through ultra-cool Spanish label Tiny Global Productions (release date February 3rd). If you like the sound of it, you can pre-order through Tiny Global Bandcamp page: philshoenfeltsoutherncross.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-the-kino
or you can simply wait till I have copies to sell here, which should be within the next week.

Finally, two of my previous bands - Khmer Rouge and Disturbed Furniture - have made it onto the forthcoming "CBGB - A New York City Soundtrack" 4-CD box set. It's a fantastic compilation released by Cherry Red, featuring 101 bands (including Patti Smith, Ramones and Television) that played CBGB between 1975 and 1986. I don't have copies for sale, but you can order at Rough Trade

Thank you all so much for your support. I appreciate it, believe me.

Best wishes from Prague,

Phil

16.01.2026

OUT NOW:

Phil Shoenfelt & Spirithouse "Live at Moles"

fuego.lnk.to/moles

After releasing his well-received album Backwoods Crucifixion in 1990, Phil Shoenfelt founded Spirithouse, with whom he supported acts such as Crime & The City Solution and Barkmarket.

Spirithouse performed in many well-known indie venues in London, such as the Camden Town Falcon, the Dome in Tufnell Park, the Zombie Club in Euston and the Islington Powerhaus. Away from London, they opened for Crime & The City Solution at the Boardwalk in Manchester, one of the premier clubs for independent music in the north of England.

On February 23, 1991, Spirithouse played at Moles nightclub in Bath, a legendary grassroots venue which hosted many acts before they became household names. Bands such as Oasis, The Killers, Radiohead, The Cure, Eurythmics and The Smiths cut their teeth there. Upstairs from the club was a recording studio, which allowed live albums to be created from the performances below.

Phil Shoenfelt & Spirithouse took advantage of these facilities to record their live performance. Now, the recently rediscovered cassette recording has been digitally restored and will be released as “Phil Shoenfelt & Spirithouse – Live at Moles”. In addition to classics like “Devil's Hole” and “Garden of Eden”, the live recording features a previously-unreleased song, “Life of Crime”.

Digital release: 16th January 2026 by Fuego

24.12.2025

	Phil Shoenfelt & Spirithouse "Live at Moles" OUT: 16.01.2026 / Digital (Fuego)
	After releasing his well-received album Backwoods Crucifixion in 1990, Phil Shoenfelt founded Spirithouse, with whom he supported acts such as Crime & The City Solution and Barkmarket. Spirithouse performed in many well-known indie venues in London, such as the Camden Town Falcon, the Dome in Tufnell Park, the Zombie Club in Euston and the Islington Powerhaus. Away from London, they opened for Crime & The City Solution at the Boardwalk in Manchester, one of the premier clubs for independent music in the north of England.
On February 23, 1991, Spirithouse played at Moles nightclub in Bath, a legendary grassroots venue which hosted many acts before they became household names. Bands such as Oasis, The Killers, Radiohead, The Cure, Eurythmics and The Smiths cut their teeth there. Upstairs from the club was a recording studio, which allowed live albums to be created from the performances below. Phil Shoenfelt & Spirithouse took advantage of these facilities to record their live performance. Now, the recently rediscovered cassette recording has been digitally restored and will be released as “Phil Shoenfelt & Spirithouse – Live at Moles”. In addition to classics like “Devil's Hole” and “Garden of Eden”, the live recording features a previously-unreleased song, “Life of Crime”. Digital release: 16th January 2026 by Fuego

08.11.2025

	Phil Shoenfelt & Southern Cross "Live At The Kino" OUT: 03.02.2026 / Limited Edition CD; Digital
	"Anyone in the US or UK who's heard of Ebensee, Austria, likely knows it for KINO EBENSEE, an old movie theatre in a tiny mountain town run by Konrad Wallinger, which invariably becomes the favourite European venue of any act lucky enough to play there. It’s a remarkable venue that - for whatever magical reason - always brings out the best in bands. Phil Shoenfelt & Southern Cross first played at the Kino in 1999 and have played there each year since. Sound engineer Roland Promberger produced a sterling recording of the band’s gig at the Kino earlier this year and we couldn’t pass on it. It’s that good! Their sound is rooted in something of rock tradition but they manage to transcend the genre. They’re a rare example of rare late-rock experimentation and vision.
We’re offering this release as a CD plus a massive essay (Shoenfelt is a great writer) for the booklet accompanying the package. He has a long, strange history on the margins, journeying from his birthplace in Bradford UK to rough 'n' tumble early-‘80s NYC where he dallied with The Clash, Alan Vega, Nico and Carl Perkins. He then returned to the UK to get cleaned up and mingled with Nick Cave, Barry Adamson and Mark E. Smith. We can’t wait to read about it. The cover painting is by Claus Castenskiold, known for his work with the Fall, The Gun Club and Kid Congo. He offered use of this brilliant piece to accompany this release." (Tiny Global Productions) Pre-order from Bandcamp

05.10.2025

Watch the new video "Shadows In The Light" by STARRY SHAMAN (Phil Shoenfelt / David Kabzan / Hank J. Manchini), directed by La Petite Sonja:

YouTube

02.10.2025

VÖ: 03.10.2025

FATAL SHORE - Live at the Rätsche (Digital Album / FUEGO)

Die Band FATAL SHORE wurde 1996 in Berlin gegründet – das Zusammentreffen zweier einzigartiger und sich dennoch ergänzender Singer/Songwriter, PHIL SHOENFELT (UK) und BRUNO ADAMS (AUS), die für die "People In Need"-Stiftung durch das kriegsverwüstete Bosnien-Herzegowina tourten.

Auf dem Weg nach Goražde gerieten sie unter Beschuss serbischer Scharfschützen und wurden in Delnice von mit Äxten bewaffneten Mudschaheddin angegriffen. Unter dem Motto „What doesn't kill you makes you stronger“ komplettierten sie die Band mit Drummer CHRIS HUGHES (AUS) und später dem Bassisten YOYO RÖHM (DE).

FATAL SHORE veröffentlichten insgesamt vier Alben – anfangs größtenteils Coversongs, später vermehrt eigene Werke –, tourten quer durch Europa, und lösten sich schließlich 2009 mit dem frühen Tod von Bruno Adams auf.

Der jetzt veröffentlichte Archivfund zeigt die geballte kombinierte Kraft, die FATAL SHORE so unverwechselbar machten. Eine Band, die aus so unterschiedlichen Charakteren bestand, die auf der Bühne sowohl ihre eigenen Songs als auch Interpretationen von Klassikern zu einem großen Ganzen verkörperten.

Die Aufnahme entstand in der legendären "Rätsche" im süddeutschen Geislingen, im Rahmen der 2001er Tour für das kurz bevorstehende Album "Free Fall", das FATAL SHORE auf Einladung eines amerikanischen Musikproduzenten in Kentucky einspielte.

13.06.2025

"Caroline Says ... And More" ist jetzt als 10" Vinyl - in einer limitiertem Auflage auch in goldenem Vinyl - in Phil's Bandcamp store erhältlich.

01.06.2025

Am Sonntag, den 8. Juni 2025, spielen Phil Shoenfelt & Southern Cross erneut auf dem Wave-Gotik-Treffen in Leipzig:

Sonntag, 08. Juni 2025 | Start: 18:45

Parkschloß – Ballsaal, Im Dölitzer Holz 20, 04279 Leipzig