Phish

Guide Note

Phish was a Jam Band that became famous for their live shows and extended improvisations, often drawing comparisons to The Grateful Dead because of their extensive touring schedule and dedicated following.

Fast Facts

1. Origin: Burlington, Vermont
2. Years Active: 1983-2000, 2002-2004
3. Label: Elektra Records
4. Studio albums: 13
5. Live concert albums: 27
6. Inspired the Ben and Jerry's ice cream flavor Phish Food

• Trey Anastasio - Guitar/Vocals
• Mike Gordon - Bass/Vocals
• Page McConnell - Piano/Vocals
• Jon Fishman - Drums/Vocals

The members of Phish all met while students at the University of Vermont. After a few years of gigging around the Burlington area and two demo recordings, the band finished their first mass-release recording, Junta. After signing with Elektra Records in 1991, the band released their major label debut, A Picture of Nectar. While the band's studio albums weren't met with a great deal of commercial success, their abilities as live performers and their willingness to experiment on stage led to a growing word of mouth popularity.

The band toured extensively over the course of their 20+ year career. While musically different than The Grateful Dead, Phish drew comparisons to the band because of their use of extended improvisations and the fact that their setlists varied from night to night.

Each year's Halloween concert saw the band don a different "Musical Costume" by playing a full album from another band. In 1994 and 1995, fans were given the ability to vote for which one they'd like to hear.

• 1994: The White Album
• by The Beatles
• 1995: Quadrophenia
• by The Who
• 1996: Remain in Light
• by Talking Heads
• 1998: Loaded
• by Velvet Underground
• 1998: Surprise Costume: Dark Side of the Moon
• by Pink Floyd (2 days after Halloween show)