Article By: Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker ‡ Edited By: Leanne Ridgeway
In January, PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS unleashed their sophomore album, ‘Choosing Mental Illness As A Virtue’, via Anselmo’s Housecore Records.
Now Phil & Co. have just dropped a new official video for the track “Choosing Mental Illness“, one inspired by the classic 1975 film One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. The video was directed by Katherine Richardson-Anselmo with Director of Photography Mike Holderbeast, and it stars Michael St. Michaels (The Greasy Strangler) in the role of Nurse Ratched.
Phil shared the following about the video and song, saying:
“This video is based on one of my favorite films about the harshness of mental illness. Being up close and personal with the struggle, I often feel like R.P. McMurphy, who I play in the clip. I’ve had a lot of questions about the LP title, Choosing Mental Illness As A Virtue and song title, ‘Choosing Mental Illness’, but make no mistake, I take mental illness very seriously, especially because it often goes untreated. We’ve taken some extra steps at the end of the video with information that you, or someone close to you might need.“
He continues: “On a lighter note, it’s always a blast to do creative things like the video with my band, crew, and family. Bringing Michael St. Michaels into the fold was like having your favorite wacky uncle over for the holidays! He did a great job as our version of Nurse Ratched and he’s an absolutely lovable and talented guy. Go see The Greasy Strangler” (referring to the 2016 horror/comedy that St. Michaels starred in).
On a related note, PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS will embark upon a U.S. tour with KING PARROT in September. You can find those dates listed below the video.
Tour Dates:
Sept. 06 — New Orleans, LA. @ Santos
Sept. 07 — San Antonio, TX. @ Rock Box
Sept. 08 — Dallas, TX. @ Trees
Sept. 09 — Houston, TX. @ Scout Bar
Sept. 11 — Knoxville, TN. @ The Concourse
Sept. 12 — Greenville S.C. @ The Firmament
Sept. 14 — Harrisburg, PA. @ The Capitol Room
Sept. 15 — Providence, R.I. @ Fete Music Hall
Sept. 16 — Wantagh, N.Y. @ Mulcahy’s
Sept. 18 — Brooklyn, N.Y. @ Saint Vitus Bar
Sept. 20 — Rochester, N.Y. @ Montage Music Hall
Sept. 21 — Ft. Wayne, IN. @ Piere’s
Sept. 22 — Harrison, OH. @ The Blue Note
Sept. 23 — Louisville, KY. @ Diamond’s Pub Concert Hall
Sept. 25 — Green Bay, WI. @ Green Bay Distillery
Sept. 27 — Joliet, IL. @ The Forge
Sept. 28 — Pontiac, Mich. @ The Crofoot – BERSERKER Fest V [Info]
Sept. 29 — Sauget, IL. @ Pop’s
Sept. 30 — Fayetteville, AR. @ George’s Majestic
