Phantom grew up listening to his parent's jazz records and by the age of ten took up the drums. “To be honest I think the drums chose me, I can’t remember ever wanting to do anything else.” remembers Phantom. Immersing himself in the art of drumming and the world of music, Phantom took lessons with Mousie Alexander (who played with Benny Goodman) which included the study of jazz and working through books by Jim Chapin and Ted Reed.
By the late 1970s he was playing in bands with his school friend and bassist Lee Rocker and they soon joined forces with guitarist Brian Setzer. During downtime from the Stray Cats, Phantom played in several groups, notably one with Rocker and guitarist Earl Slick, which produced two albums, and The Swing Cats. Phantom also played with Jerry Lee Lewis. He formed Col. Parker along with former Guns N' Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke, releasing the album Rock n Roll Music in 2001.
SJP drumming on a two-piece kit while standing. He often performed with the Stray Cats using only a bass drum, snare drum and a crash cymbal, rather than a full drum kit.
Most recently he has been involved with three main projects; his own roots-rock trio, Dead Men Walking with Kirk Brandon, Mike Peters and Captain Sensible and The Head Cat starring Lemmy and Danny B. Harvey.
He was married to the actress Britt Ekland from 1984 to 1992 and has a son, T. J. with her.
