I think Shanks is a better writer who is also a producer and Phil is just a live on tour maniac...

Just like the way they used Huge in the studio and Alec on tour... Let's face it, Huge is not the most exciting member in the band... He was just a session player until Jon had no choice but to fire Alec and bring on Huge... Huge wrote the bass line for KTF... Alec just played it... Same exact situation... Phil is more of a member and John is just helping out IMO...