Vacuum machine-solos by the drummer, who also wears a dress. Synchronized trampoline jumps by the guitarist and bassist. A vibrant lighting rig that rivals comets and shooting stars. Sounds like the circus?Welcome to a Phish show.Phish is a four-person jam-band hailing from Burlington, Vt. They released their first album, “Junta,” in 1989. The band saw a massive growth in popularity throughout the next decade, with Rolling Stone later hailing them as “the most important band of the ’90s.”The band’s popularity didn’t reflect its album sales. The bizarre lyrics, complex progressive compositions and overall quirkiness of the music struggled to find a place on mainstream charts.Relentless touring across the country established Phish in America’s musical canon. Similar to the Grateful Dead’s following, fans record live shows with personal equipment and distribute tapes throughout the community. Often people will not just see the band once but follow the tour for multiple shows, as Phish has never played the same show twice.
Phish offers a live show like no other.
Unfortunately, we are in a day and age where dim-witted souls flock to talentless DJs who simply mash MacBook Pro buttons and twist knobs while fist pumping. Of course there are good bands out there, but they often struggle to replicate studio efforts on stage.However, Phish brings the heat nightly with the machine-gun shredding of Trey Anastastio, thumping bass by Mike Gordon, a plethora of effects by the chairman of the keyboards Page McConnell and thunderous drumming by Jon Fishman.
Often the intoxicating, thick-as-molasses grooves have the audience bouncing around like kangaroos in the outback. Phish’s playing encompasses many genres such as rock, funk, blues, psychedelia and more but always strive to make their music danceable.
Since returning last year after a five-year hiatus, the band has shortened the length of its improvised jam sessions, perhaps a reflection of its new sober lifestyle. Gone are the days of meandering 30-minute jams, which have been replaced by a tighter, more focused style of playing.
The band is full of musical junkies, boasting an astonishing catalog of more than 650 songs. This summer alone they have played an eclectic set of covers ranging from Tom Waits, Rage Against the Machine, Neutral Milk Hotel, Joni Mitchell and more. The diversity of the band’s setlists offers something for everyone and reflects the band’s vast influences.Although most will agree the band hit its peak during its funk-laden year of 1997, the fanbase is still alive and as rabid as ever as evidenced by high ticket sales.
Phish is one of the few bands that have successfully combated these economic times. In summer 2009, they led all artists across the board with 99.8 percent of seats filled for their concerts, according to USA Today.This summer has proven to be another successful tour for the band as all shows have sold out, with some shows in select venues such as Telluride, Colo., scoring scalpers’ sales as high as $3,000. The mere fact that people are willing to travel across the country and pay $3,000 to see a three-hour show says something. In the parking lot before each show many fingers are in the air searching for tickets.This leads to another interesting part of Phish  — the lot culture. Vendors and fans start packing the parking lots several hours before soundcheck even begins. The whole scene is similar to tailgating for LSU football games — minus chanting death threats at opposing visitors. The communal vibe is tangible as you high five other random “phans.” The lot is also home to the infamous “Shakedown Street,” where you can buy anything from Imodium to veggie burritos to illicit substances.I was fortunate enough to follow the band during its four-show southern run that wrapped up in Atlanta on July 4. I met great people from all across the country that had travelled to indulge in the unique party that is a Phish show.Constructing sonic psychedelic journeys from the earthly confines of amphitheaters all this summer, Phish offers hope as America’s last great rock ‘n’ roll band.–Contact Cory Cox at [email protected]