Interview - Why Drummer Phil Gould left Level 42 

Even though Phil Gould hated the commercial direction of Level 42, his drumming on those commercial songs elevated them to another level. So so great. So there is a way to make creativity and commercialism work together beautifully.

Phil Gould is a world class drummer. Level 42 is always good but never as incredible without the Gould brothers.

There are two bands that I was gutted when a member left, and it was never the same for me again. When Derek Forbes left Simple Minds, and when Phil Gould left Level 42. When he was not on the back cover of Staring at the Sun, I was very, very upset. I still am!!!

What a massive influence this man has had on so many of us British drummers. Great musician as well, not only a great drummer.

anyone just getting in to this band, try and get hold of the live album 'A Physical Presence'. It's Level 42 at their best

Level 42 without Phil and boon Gould though still a great band were never the same without this amazing rythm section

Remember seeing L42 live in Glasgow in the late 80s. Phil’s drum solos were legendary and up there with Mark’s base solos. Fantastic musician!

L42 was never as good without both Gould brothers - they were both a big part of the cool factor, as well as the songwriting. RIP Boon.

First Pick Withers, now Phil Gould. Nobody else talks to the drummers that you do, but they really should. Bless ya for that.

Always loved the groove this guy laid down on the early Level 42 stuff, especially Leaving Me Now.

Such a great drummer, Phil will always be Level 42’s best drummer. ✌️😙

Phil reminded me so much of Toto drummer Jeff Porcaro. I started drumming in 1986 and remember being heavily influenced by Phil with Something about you, and Jeff with I'll Be Over You. Two of my very favorite drummers. When Jeff passed I though Phil or Vinnie Colaiuta would have been great fits too. But Simon was clearly brilliant with them.

One of the most brilliant groovy drummer

Besides being a cracking drummer with an understated and distinct style, Phil Gould clearly has unwavering artistic vision. So much of what made early Level 42 so special was him (and Boon) - that is evident in recent tracks of his like 'Truly Wise' - that track resonates with the tone, vibe and style from pre-World Machine music. I wish the music industry had more Phil Goulds - the radio would be a more interesting place.

I must say that, I’ve seen Level 42 many times over the years, I’m a huge fan - and love the current live band.....but......but......none of the subsequent drummers who have played with L42 play with the finesse and subtlety of Phil Gould - his work on the early Level 42 albums is just wonderful!

I learned of L42 from “Something About You”, which was one of the best pop songs I’d heard. I picked up their earlier LP’s, Self Titled, The Pursuit of Accidents, and Standing in the Light and was pleasantly surprised to hear all the fusion/funk. I much prefer the older music style.

I had pictures of Phil on my bedroom wall back in the early 80s. A massive influence on my playing. Many of my teenage drum mates in Sydney had no clue who he was. I often wondered did he make that much songwriting royalties from the songs to survive in the last 40 years??

Good for you Phill! Your absolutely right! I believe in you Phill! Rock on maan! Rx

His latest album and video are gorgeous works of art.

Great video and love Phil's stories!

Thanks for sharing. Level 42 without Phil and Boon was like a cake without the eggs and butter.

I'm a Pro Drummer and believe it or not I have 3 of Boon Gould's Flight Cases. I needed some Flight Cases for my Roland TD20 as I was going on the road touring all the UK Theatres, my touring lasted 15 years Home & Abroad. On many occasions Level 42 would be performing at the same Venue's as me and my band, either the day before or the day after we were there, it's like we were following each other around the circuit. Getting back to Boons Flight Cases I walked into my local Pro Drum Shop (Gigsounds in Streatham South London which is no longer there) and priced up brand new Flight Cases for my TD20, I was gobsmacked at the price, no way could I afford that so I asked the Boss if he had or knew of any 2nd hand cases, "Step this way he said". I was led down underneath the shop which was huge back in the day, and there in this dark dingy corner was the name BOON GOULD stenciled in white on 3 Flight Cases. The first housed Boon's 2 Mesa Boogie Back Line Amps, the 2nd took care of Boon's Pedal Boards etc & the 3rd was used to Rack Mount various Effects, Amps etc with 2 huge Cooling Fans built in, this case was the size of an American Fridge Freezer no joke. "How much for all 3" I asked, we both agreed on 150.00 Quid, JOB DONE. It's funny because around 20 years earlier I had tickets to go see Level 42 at the Glastonbury Festival, 2 maybe 3 days before the Festival I again was in that very same Drum Shop checking out a Yamaha 9000 Cherry Wood when who should walk in Bassist & Drummer Mr Mark King, I didn't twig at first, just carried on playing when suddenly I could hear Percussion being added to the groove I was playing, I turned around & looked up and there stood Mark King which was enough to stop me dead in my tracks, "Play on, Don't stop" he said so I began playing Phil's groove to "Heathrow". Afterwards we casually talked, I mentioned I'd be cheering the band on at Glastonbury. As I had really thick long red hair at the time I think Mark thought I was a HIPPY because he said to me "So your going to Glastonbury then, Your not one of these DRUG TAKING HIPPIES ARE YOU"? To which I replied "Why have you got any"? We both laughed.

If I had been the manager when Phil and Boon wanted to leave, I would've held an emergency band meeting and asked what the Gould brother issues were and changed things accordingly and if that means make the band's future albums less formulaic, less "Something About You" and more creative and artistic with higher standards, then so be it because as the manager I WILL NOT LOSE THE GOULD BROTHERS. I would go to battle for them at the record label to not be forced to sell out.

The drumming on the pursuit of accidents is fantastic

Just re-listened to the unpopular Fashion Fever, and his beat and drumming are really top notch!!!

love phil gould

Level 42 had a chemistry with the Gould brothers,King and Lindup, although Gary Husband and Alan Murphy were good , it just didn't feel like Level 42. I believe the drum and guitar lineup have changed since Alan Murphy died some years ago. R.I.P Rowland Gould.

Great job John! You're hitting a purple patch the past few weeks!

I think Phil was a much bigger part of the band (musically) than given credit for. His solo cd Watertight is amazing and one of my all time favorite albums to date. You can really hear the soul he put into Level 42 in the early day not just with percussion but in music. Level 42 DID change after Running in the Family. That being said, Mark the new boys did go on and also do some fantastic stuff afterward, but it was definitely different. Personally I corresponded with Phil quite a bit on Twitter and he is a fantastic guy, but also very over the top political so I wouldn't doubt politics also were more involved in their breakup. And yes - Phil is definitely the "arty one". But in a great way.

It's unfortunate, but no band is perfect. Record labels sometimes tend to break up bands. Best of luck Level 42.

Great drummer!

How can a record company differentiate between “A physical presence “ and physical presence ? That’s like A&M changing The Police’s “So lonely” to Lonely 😂😂 Ridiculous ...Phil was correct in fighting this point because that is a warning sign that the company’s not invested it’s what the band is trying to achieve.

Love level 42 seen them every 2 years since 82 now going to Reading again in October as I live in Devon

The album that Phil returned on called Forever Now is incredible from top to bottom. Such an underrated record. Like it far better than Staring At The Sun although it has its moments. Same with Guaranteed. Good record, but hit and miss a bit.

Huge influence on me...i eventually bought a Yamaha kit similair to Bob dalton, three rack and two floors , jazz sizes of course.

That album is one of the best in music, Its one of my faves and a physical presence is only 2nd to its not the same for us.

Looking back as a young drummer starting out in the mid 80s, there's musicians/drummers/bands that stick out as being major tugging points of influence. Liberty Devito with Billy Joel was what got me turned on to drums, then it was Phil Collins/Chester Thompson with Genesis. But also around that time I was transfixed with Level42 and Phil Gould's drumming. He was the first I saw play open handed, he was the first to introduce me to those funky type of drum and hihat fills, I adored his playing (I wasn't aware of his songwriting input at that time) but also, I just thought he was the coolest mofo on drums in pop music. I was gutted when he and his brother left the band. And sure every line up since has been fantastic (Gary Husband is a MONSTER) and the current one is killer, but a certain piece of the soul of that band was gone forever. Thanks for the inspiration Phil. Gutted about Boon too x

Always loved Phil’s drumming.. Standing In The Light, True Colours & World Machine were my faves.. tried to stay on board (Gary Husband’s terrific but something was lost.. I think that something was the Gould brothers)

I was in a band with school mates for a few years. It split acrimoniously and we never spoke again. Similar with L42 in that they grew up together as well. Tragic situation. Life's too short.

Phil is one of the most respected drummers. I usually use the word "best" but that's my opinion, (BUT also a fact !). I was sad to see Staring at the Sun was missing the Gould bros, but Gary Husband brought a different kind of fire to the band. Level 42 has always been a cult band and thanks to RU-vid they are even more popular than ever.

Awesome drummer

Sometimes wondered what would have happened if the Gould Brothers some how managed to have stayed in Level 42?

Great drummer and musician. sad the Gould brothers left.

Phill Gould! Totally understand what he did & moved on! Phill made level 42 happen! Rx

Listen to A Physical Presence. You'll never hear a tighter live band. Just awesome.

What video is he talking about being a short movie idea and going round at that time please ?

Ruth is a goddess!

One of the big problems that Phil had was that he was not a fan of the commercial pop direction the band was going in. The U.S. didn't get a taste of the band until around 1985 on MTV. We never got to see our hear any of the band's early stuff on commercial television. The only time I got to hear any of their early stuff was from bootleg satellite VHS tapes that were available for sale at guitar show vendors. RU-vid on video tape, before RU-vid.

Really good to see another interesting drummer, perhaps not as well known. Level 42 was a band who’s sound I just loved from their first album. Had the great pleasure to see them play twice, the first time with the original line-up. Continuing in this vein of lesser known (by some, anyway) drummers, could you get some time with the original 10cc’s, Kevin Godley?

Great interview. Check out a great new book about the whole Level catalogue - 'Level 42 Every Album, Every Song'.

No entendi nada......porque se fue de tremenda banda?????

As usual, big labels wanting the next big hit and not appreciating or considering the musicians input. As mentioned before L42 have never been the same since the Gould brothers left.

When Phil talks about trust issues I get sad.. We love Level 42, but forget the real world is just one layer under... We all loved Alan Murphy, Gary Husband, PRB, and so on, but the Fab 4 were Mark, Mike, Boon, and Phil.

Phil is a kick ass drummer...Loved the work on all the Level 42 album's...Forever Now and Love in a peaceful world is one of my favorites..and solo Watertight...Colour of my pain...Brilliant! 🥁👏🤙🤟🤘😎

TBH Phil you were right..there were a lot of Typos on the lyrics to your Albums and complete omissions..very sloppy

I can understand Phil’s reluctance to avoid this formulaic attitude that he seems to imply that Mike and Mark and to an extent their label wanted to impress upon him. That being said, their work was well written, beautifully arranged, composed and orchestrated. The lyrics were well crafted too so I’m amazed he would feel it was not worth pursing. There was enough drivel that was produced during that decade so why complain when you’re doing great work that’s actually financially successful by any standard in that industry ? Unless he wanted to be like Bruford and constantly produce radically challenging material and work in less of a commercial context …? It sounds like there’s some unspoken feelings about not being an equal partner creatively in the process perhaps that he was not explaining very clearly… There definitely was a creative cohesion when the Gould brothers were involved and they are excellent musicians but I don’t believe they were as remarkable as Gary Husband or Alan Holdsworth were at all.

The albums, Level 42 & The Early Tapes were by far their best. The rest was poppy pants, imho.

Other people tweaking your song titles erking you? I can definitely relate to the feeling brother.

Didn't Phil have a overwhelming cocaine addiction towards the end..quite normal

The Level 42 was never the same after the departure of the Gould brothers, it is still a very hot band, performance wise. This 2018 clip of 'Hot Water' with Pete Ray Biggin on the drums confirms that. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-vK691Ctnqjk.html

I saw them 4 times in the early 80's. Their first 4 albums are great. Not a fan of L42 after that for me.

Just heard some drum covers of 'Leaving Me Now' and none are anywhere near as cool or laid back as PG !

Never heard of Level 42 until recently, but glad I have. Mark King is an absolute bass god.

One of my favourite examples of Phil’s playing is ‘Last Chance’ from The Pursuit of Accidents....I always liked the way he enters the choruses 👍(PS - is Al Slavik one of the ‘beautiful people in Vienna?)