The Phantoms includes former Melanies mainman Victor Penalosa (the Zeros), Xavier Anaya (the Trebles, the Hoods), Chris Iandolo (Dizzy), and Ed Masi (Ghosts of California, Sleeping Cranes).

Penalosa (also a drummer and bassist) projects have included the Burrito Brothers, Sidewalk Scene, Riot Act, Unruly Bangs, Baja Bugs, Got it Covered, and ADD/C, as well as stints with the Zeros and the Shambles. In 2013, he joined Bay Area–based favorites the Flamin’ Groovies, who first emerged during the late 1960s with a string of their mid-’70s tunes such as “Shake Some Action” and “Jumpin in the Night,” now considered garage-rock classics. Penalosa’s first tour with the Flamin’ Groovies, which began in April 2013, included a music festival in Australia as well as sold-out shows in Japan and San Francisco. He was asked to join full time following the tour.

Penalosa is backed in the Phantoms by Xavier Anaya (the Trebles, the Hoods), Chris Iandolo (Dizzy), and Ed Masi (Ghosts of California, Sleeping Cranes). The self-titled debut Phantoms album was released via Rum Bar Records in June 2016, with a video produced for “Stab Me (In My Broken Heart).”