“PixLips was a reggae/ska band I started with four friends in Denmark. I played bass, as well as did backing vocals,” said Nielsen. “We achieved a lot of great things together. The fact that I got to travel and play shows outside of my own country while still in high school is something that I’m still quite proud of.”
Traveling to Germany, Sweden and several other countries throughout Europe, the band PixLips, which consisted of Philip Nielsen on bass, vocalist Morten Nygaard, guitarist Emil Stricker and drummer Bjorn Hardenberg, performed in front of crowds of thousands of fans.
PixLips’ EP entitled “Step Right Up” was ranked at number 2 on the Danish iTunes Reggae chart for several weeks in 2006. During that time the group performed with internationally acclaimed acts like Reel Big Fish, Slightly Stoopid and Streetlight Manifesto. Through his work with PixLips, Nielsen became known for his ability to play funky flowing bass lines that gave the band it’s ‘bounce’ and made audiences move their feet.
“Playing a lot of punk music early on has given me good chops and stamina combined with performance skills that are needed when playing long sets,” explained Neilsen. “The ska and reggae elements have given me a strong sense of rhythm, and most importantly an appreciation for the musicians I play with.”
For Neilsen the inclination towards a music driven life seems to runs in his bloodline as he was born to parents who are both talented musicians as well. While today Nielsen is renowned for his music stylings on bass, upright bass and synth keys, his musical journey began long ago at a time when most of his peers were still learning to walk and wrap their heads around the ins and outs of potty training.
“As a toddler I was always dancing to my dad’s old Motown records. Those records have great bass lines and I think that is where I found the inspiration to start playing bass,” said Nielsen. “I started playing the piano at a very young age, but convinced my parents I should start playing bass after I heard Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da by the Beatles.”
After finding great success with the band PixLips, Nielsen went on to form the band It Came From A Lab, a progressive punk trio with which he travelled all over Denmark and Sweden as well.
Philip Neilsen currently lives in Los Angeles, California where he plays with the bands Swarming Orchids and Grit. While his newest projects have more of a rock influence, Nielsen is still incredibly passionate about his love for the ska & punk genres.
“As a teenager I began listening to a lot of punk, reggae and ska, which are some of the music styles I hold dearest. Whether it’s a fast, high-energy punk song or a reggae tune with a heavy bass line, these styles always bring out my inner teenager, and put me in a good mood.”