He is the drummer, percussionist, keyboardist and co-founder of the rock bands Creed, Alter Bridge, and Projected.

Phillips is credited with playing drums and keyboards on Creed's 2001 album Weathered, along with 1997's My Own Prison and 1999's Human Clay.

Phillips cites the following drummers as his influences: Will Calhoun (Living Colour), Matt Cameron (Soundgarden/Pearl Jam), Lars Ulrich (Metallica), John Bonham (Led Zeppelin), Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), Morgan Rose (Sevendust), and Neil Peart (Rush).

His favorite bands are Living Colour, Tool, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and Rush.

His favorite albums are Time's Up (Living Colour), The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall (Pink Floyd), Led Zeppelin IV (Led Zeppelin), Master of Puppets (Metallica) and Superunknown (Soundgarden).