Phil Caivano (Monster Magnet) Released Solo Debut Album “CAIVANO”

Revered MONSTER MAGNET guitarist Phil Caivano recenntly released his debut solo album, “CAIVANO!” The self-titled, self-released record, under his moniker CAIVANO, builds upon his legendary space rock, exploring realms beyond with massive groove laden riffs, mind-bending solos and otherworldly propulsive rhythm. 

A driving force behind MONSTER MAGNET’s sound for 25 years, Caivano found himself with rare downtime during the pandemic that allowed him the creative space to develop songs he’d been working on over the years. Revisiting old influences, Caivano tapped into a wealth of new-found creativity and inspiration that eventually led to an album’s worth of material. MONSTER MAGNET drummer Bob Pantella stepped in to lend his percussion and studio, with Caivano performing guitar, bass and vocals, the two produced and mixed the record. Bill Skibbe (JACK WHITE, THE BLACK KEYS) at Third Man Mastering assumed mastering duties. Born from isolation, comes the unfiltered, raw rock & roll album, “CAIVANO.”

Commenting on the record, Caivano says: “This is a straight-forward, dirty rock-n-roll record. Tapping into my childhood influences that got me started in the first place and drove me to keep things simple and enjoy the process.
 
The downtime of 2020 made me appreciate everything I’ve done throughout the years. It also let me use music as an outlet for all the bad things that were going on in the world and around me. Music has always been my getaway. I turned off the news and turned up the amps.
 
It was really great working with Bob on the record. Not only is he a fantastic drummer, his musical sensibility was perfect for the project. It wasn’t work at all. Two guys getting together and this record happened.“

Producer, engineer, multi-instrumentalist and rhythm guitarist for acclaimed rock band Monster Magnet, Phil Caivano has been a groundbreaking visionary behind the scenes and soundboards for over 4 decades. Aside from his enduring axe work with Monster Magnet, his talents as a guitarist and musical architect have been utilized by the likes of Hatebreed, L7 and Agnostic Front to name a few.

Caivano made his intro as a teen in the late 70’s with the major label punk band Shrapnel, featuring future Monster Magnet bandmate Dave Wyndorf and Daniel Rey (producer – The Ramones/White Zombie/Misfits), who released a few 7” records and an EP before disbanding.

Caivano’s musical journey was only getting started though. In the late 80’s he helped found the thrash metal band Blitzspeer who released their sole full-length with a major label in 1991. From there, Caivano’s path led him to pick up the bass for storied NY hardcore band Murphy’s Law for a few years before turning his attention to production and engineering.

Through the years of close friendship with Monster Magnet vocalist/guitarist Dave Wyndorf, Caivano was asked to join in 1998. The same year they released their monumental, breakout album “Powertrip.” Since then, he’s been a pillar of the band’s signature sound, writing, recording and performing with the band on 6 of their last albums, including their most recent “A Better Dystopia” (2021).

With his debut solo record, Caivano’s story continues as he makes yet another exceptional mark on the rock scene with the same intensity and vitality as he did at his inception decades ago.