Hello and welcome to my biography. My name is Philip Freeman and Mindstab Thrull is my solo project.I started out in music in elementry school, learning the string bass. I played the bass in the orchestra until my junior year of high school, at which time I traded art for engineering to take a programming class.

Soon after that, though, a friend introduced me to 'tracking' music on the PC. Tracking, as defined by Wikipedia, "is the generic term for a class of software music sequencers". I was hooked. I sequenced many electronica songs in my free time, but never really went anywhere outside of friends and family with them.

In 2005, I meet a talented singer/songwriter, Carly Gielarowski. Her writing and singing and my technical background was a great match, and allowed both of us to grow. We played our first paying gig at Synergy West Chicago opening for a friends band. Carly strummed and sang and I banged on the drums.

Carly picked up an electric soon after that and we started arranging some songs. We were joined in 2007 by a talented and experienced drummer, Junichiro Shimamura. His jazz/funk/fusion background inspired both of us and his rhythm and beats challeneged us to get to the next level.

Shortly after, Leo Back joined the group as lead guitarist. His classic rock inspired solos and rhythm rounded out the groups sound.

We were able to play one private party together, and it was rockin', but trouble was around the corner. Junichiro had to leave for Japan for personal reasons and right before we were to record. We were able to find someone to fill in for him, but the demo would be the last time I played for Carly. They are now playing around Chicago with a new bassist and drumer as Violet Vicious and the Vagabonds, and I can tell you from experience, it's a rockin' show!

Working with Carly over these past few years has brought out the singer and writer inside me. Her influence and encouragement has brought me far. Also, working with Junichi and Leo has exposed me to many more playing styles and techniques.

Mindstab Thrull is the old, the older and the new. A fusion of influence, hard and true.