and has appeared in her music video for the first single, "Rise Up with Fists!!". Phases Phases (originally called JJAMZ) is a band composed of James Valentine (Maroon 5), Jason Boesel (Rilo Kiley/Conor Oberst), Alex Greenwald (Phantom Planet), Michael Runion (solo), and Z Berg (The Like). The group was started at karaoke night at Guys in Hollywood. The band name was an acronym using the first letter of each member's name. The group was means of escape from each member's respective bands. "[Phases] started at an interesting time in all of our lives. We all needed some kind of escape from relationships or our other bands. It was a tumultuous time, and the lyrics just came out. It was like word vomit. I can't remember." said Z Berg, lead vocalist for the Like. The band played their first concert at the Echo Plex on January 27, 2009. They released their debut album Suicide Pact on July 10, 2012. Later, Valentine left the band due to work with Maroon 5 and the band changed their name to Phases. Discography Other albums, on which Valentine has played Jenny Lewis with The Watson Twins – Rabbit Fur Coat (2006) John Mayer – Continuum (2006) (guitar on "Stop This Train" and "In Repair") Rilo Kiley – Under the Blacklight (2007) Rachael Yamagata – Elephants...Teeth Sinking into Heart (2008) (guitar on "Pause the Tragic Ending") Operation Aloha – Operation Aloha (2009) Janek Gwizdala – The Space in Between (2010) (guitar on "Bethany") Transmissor – Nacional (2011) (guitar on "Traz O Sol Pro Meu Lado Da Rua") PJ Morton – Following On My Mind (EP) (2012) and New Orleans (2013) (guitar on "Heavy"; also featuring Adam Levine) JJAMZ – Suicide Pact (2012) The Yellow River Boys – Urinal St. Station (2013) (various guitar solos) Screaming Headless Torsos – Code Red (2014) (guitar on "Brooce Swayne") Mike Posner – At Night, Alone (2016) (guitar on "One Hell of a Song") KT Tunstall – Wax (2018) (backing vocals on "The River") Rihwa – Wild Inside (2018) (guitar on "Sun Comes Up") References External links Maroon 5's official website BYU Daily Universe interview with Valentine's parents 1978 births American rock guitarists American male guitarists Living people Maroon 5 members Berklee College of Music alumni Musicians from Lincoln, Nebraska University of Nebraska–Lincoln alumni Guitarists from Nebraska Phases (band) members