Phil Nerges grew up in New Jersey. His short fiction has appeared in Amoskeag-The Journal of Southern New Hampshire University and Foliate Oak Literary Magazine. His blogs have appeared on Lanterloon, a military blog, and is currently a free-lance contributor to the Asbury Park Press in New Jersey. He also provided the name of The Buzzard's Banquet.

The younger guy with the instruments is none other than Vic Ruggiero of The Slackers! 
Check out their musical collaboration under Phil & Vic.