Can you tell me about your new project? I know that it features Phil from Skitzo, but I don’t know much more about your band.

After Phil Connor’s brother Rod sadly passed away in 2016 we decided that out of respect to Rod’s memory Skitzo will never play again. After all it was always Phil and Rod’s band from the very beginning with The Electros and then the change of the name to Skitzo.

This was very different to back in the day when Phil left Skitzo after their second album was released because he was unhappy with the direction the band was going in.

Sadly, at that time, others continued playing his songs under the name Skitzo.

Other than the covers that were done in Phil’s way and style, all of the songs were written by Phil Connor with contributions from Rod and our good friend (Mac) Tony McVey.

I remember when I was still at school and Skitzo had broken up after Terminal Damage, someone told me that Phil was forming a new band called the Gamma Rayz. So I guess, he finally got round to it?  

When Phil left Skitzo, he did form another band that was called The Gammer Rays, a similar name to now almost but completely different music/songs.So, now we have our new project called ‘The Gamma Rayz’

We are based in Ramsgate in Kent. We play all our own original songs, no covers.

We started with Phil Connor playing the guitar and singing and myself on the double bass. At first writing songs for fun as mates like we always have done. But, thanks to covid we managed to get lots of songs written and things were sounding quite good with loads of new ideas. So, we got to the point that we now needed a drummer.

Lucky for us, a local and very good friend of ours, Shaun Okeeffe, joined us. He’s very experienced and a fantastic drummer having played for the likes of The Keytones and The Stargazers and many other bands way too many to mention. But more importantly he’s a friend like family.

For myself as the bass player, I felt because of the songs that we were, and still are playing, and the way that we had written and arranged them, I felt after trying both instruments over and over, they needed the bass guitar rather than the double bass. It suits the songs much better complimenting Phil’s guitar and gives us the sound and style of the band we now have.

We decided to record a twelve track album together using a local studio in Ramsgate and we are very happy with the album indeed.

For me personally, having Phil Connor on the guitar live was very special because it was his songs played the way he recorded them as they should be, instead of someone else playing their version.

After a bit of time, we felt it would be better to start playing live as a band before just releasing an album by a band nobody knows yet or heard of.

So, Phil wanted to get a new guitarist in. Someone that could play what he had written so he can do what he does best and just sing.

For me, I was a bit unsure at first because I think he plays great. But he also has a great voice and has always been a great front man and that’s what he is known for.

This though has taken some time for us as we weren’t able to find someone local.

We tried a few but nothing was working. They weren’t able to play what Phil had laid down on the album.

So, I started to ask around trying to find the right person that would suit us as a band, And another friend of mine suggested maybe I try his friend Phil McDermott, so I did. And finally, after some hard graft in the kitchen, The Gamma Rayz are ready for gigging at last.

Perhaps a little confusing at first having two Phils in a band, but Phil M was worth the wait And now he is a part of the family.

What are your influences?

I know Phil Connor’s favourite is Gene Vincent, but when it comes to playing music and writing he has his very own style and ways.

And for myself, my biggest influence would probably be Phil and also Mac (Tony McVey) as I learnt music to play for fun with my friends jamming, I never thought of being in a band until later in life.

But if you were to ask me who my favourite band is I’d say Cock Sparrer without a second thought!

Psychobilly wise for me, growing up loving live music, anything Nigel Lewis and Mark Robertson were a part of, and I loved the Stingrays and The Vibes and good ole Torment.

What is your take on today’s Psychobilly scene?

It’s not as good as the 80s, but I think it’s actually quite healthy, Pineda and Bedlam, the Psychomania and The Earthquake Festivals are fantastic really well run. The Satanic Stomp was a great one also maybe that maybe will return one day.

One thing that hasn’t changed is that a lot of bands come and go and not many last more than 10 years and people often ask why is it always same old bands headlining the gigs? But the truth is that they have timeless songs that will last for ever and that’s the secret, the songs people remember and never get bored with. But the best thing about the scene for me has always been the people. They are all special and belong as a part of it.

Psychobilly seems to carry on though the years. The people have made it that way. It’s not just about bands, it’s the crowd too.

What gigs have you played so far? 

On Friday the 13th of June 2025 The Gamma Rayz got to play our very first gig!

We played support to Thee Scarecrows at the Anchor Inn in Wingham, Kent for Peter Hanscombe and Kevin Abbot.

It was a rather hot night followed by terrible weather and floods everywhere. But it was really great to play live again. The last time was in Germany ten years ago. I’ve missed gigging very much and can’t wait to play live again.

What gigs have you got planned for the future?

Our next gig is on the 15th November 2025 in Wingham at The Anchor Inn with The Witchdoktors. We also play on the 17th December again at The Anchor with The Surfin’ Wombatz and Demented are Go. And also at Psychostock 3, next April.

We are hoping to get more gigs booked A.S.A.P. For now though, these are to be confirmed.

Nick Kemp

The Gamma RayZ are 

Phil Connor – Vocals

Joel Spiers – Bass Guitar

Shaun Okeeffe – Drums

Phil McDermott – Guitar