Phish-Dick’s

At a time of rising anxiety, people desire meaning in their lives. This episode explores how Phish has provided its fans a space where they can make meaning through music.

At times it may appear cultish; yet perhaps its devotion can be justified by their music’s transcendent jazz-influenced improvisational jams offering an escape from our daily lives filled with algorithms, corporations and isolation.

Music

Phish is one of the few bands who truly make each concert an immersive experience; their shows don’t just showcase music – they create memories. Phish built its fan base through tireless touring across America – sometimes their shows would reach such intense proportions that fans would fly cross-country for one show after another! Their constant touring allowed them to expand their audience and secure an album contract with Elektra Records.

Phish’s music has never been limited to one genre; rather they draw their influence from bluegrass, reggae, rock and pop as well as more contemporary styles like reggae. Their improvisational style transforms any tune into an 18-minute composition complete with guitar solos, quiet builds that call and respond from audience (“wooo! “), or full instrumental jams before returning triumphantly back to its original melody.

Trey Anastasio, guitarist for The Anastasio Band and one of its songwriters, is an unparalleled stylist. His ability to play chunky blues, jazz and even beautiful aria-like solos has drawn comparisons with Jerry Garcia of Grateful Dead fame, David Gilmour of Pink Floyd fame and Frank Zappa of Velvet Underground fame – but still maintain his own distinctive sound by using spacey delays and echos to add depth that few other guitarists can replicate.

This band is well-known for their innovative stage productions. On New Year’s Eve 2022, for instance, they turned Madison Square Garden into an underwater spectacle complete with flying dolphins! Furthermore, they have become beloved annual Halloween shows where they wear elaborate costumes and perform covers of classic albums such as Michael Jackson’s Thriller or Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours albums in an improvised performance.

History

Phish, founded by four over-50 musicians from Vermont who first formed them to play local venues, have since become one of the biggest jam band acts, selling out shows throughout America. Additionally, they’re well known for their charitable endeavors with proceeds from Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food sold through Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food going towards various causes.

Phish was unique among bands of their time in that it encouraged fans to record shows for personal use; this created an elaborate fan economy centered on swapping tapes and later torrenting music files. Furthermore, they came of age during college-rock era; thus their playful mash-up of genres (bluegrass, jazz, funk) likely has more to do with Gen X slacker mischief than hippie idealism.

Early on, their music was heavily influenced by jam bands and classic rock. Over time however, they developed their own distinctive style: progressive rock with an emphasis on improvisation.

Live performances reflected this passion, with audiences applauding them for playing long improvised pieces even when not part of their setlist. In particular, Neil Young-themed explorations led them to breaking new ground.

Phish began organizing annual summer festivals known as Clifford Balls that were significantly larger than regular concerts in the early ’90s. Sometimes consulting an 1,100-page book on designing communities resulted in temporary towns complete with post offices, art installations, carnival rides and secluded campsites.

Phish’s shows stand out with their vast variety of musical genres that they incorporate, with bluegrass, r&b/soul, jazz and rock being among those used, but you will also often hear country, gospel and ska being interspersed throughout – giving the group its signature sound and appeal.

Tours

Phish fandom has often been described as a life-altering experience by those who have participated, and that description holds true: the full immersive, experiential event immerses thousands of fans into an ongoing musical improvisation and makes each note take on an independent life, building toward alien-like effects and emphatic improvised peaks. Lighting director Chris Kuroda knows every inch of Phish’s music and complements every new musical movement with an extraordinary light show that transforms itself into its own living organism.

Phish has performed at thousands of shows and festivals over their career, yet every performance remains unforgettable. Phish never plays the same songs twice and often creates unique versions of songs each night for an incredible musical journey that cannot be replicated.

On Saturday, July 20, Phish debuted an entirely new version of “Human Nature,” previously only performed during Mike Gordon’s solo tour stop in mid-June and as an encore at Xfinity Center earlier in the summer. While still showing its roots as an Evolve composition in its methodical, explorative riffing and textural patience, its new form also demonstrated potential as a funk-infused jam vehicle for concerts to come.

Phish’s older tunes can also be reinterpreted for each performance, giving each show its own distinct identity. The band can alter tempo or spin off into quiet build that prompts audience participation (“Woo!”), or even create entirely new themes on the spot that may never recur again, creating gigs that feel tailor-made to each crowd and venue.

Phish Dicks

Phish has made an annual pilgrimage to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado since 2002 for Labor Day concerts, delighting audiences by spelling out “Fuck Your Face” in setlists (2019), or entertaining with plague-infected prairie dogs during vocal improvisation (“We Love Dick’s”); ever since its first show there ten years ago it has left memorable experiences at this 20,000-capacity venue.

Phish’s opening show of their 2023 run featured fan favorites, extended jams, and tributes to Colorado. After two-hours of weather delays, Phish began its performance with an electric rendition of “Carini,” before dedicating half their set to Tim “Frenchie” Gazaille who passed away just days before starting this run.

Wingsuit had just been released a week prior, creating an incredible amount of anticipation leading up to this show – and indeed it proved itself by becoming the highlight of 2017. Many have been calling this performance one of the best shows of 2018 or possibly ever of 3.0’s 3.0 era!

From the pulsing arena rock jams of “Cavern” and “Runaway Jim,” to the weightless bliss of second set’s 35-minute “Wingsuit,” this show had it all. One of Phish’s most complete recordings ever and an important milestone in their current era – to truly experience this show is by attending it live at this incredible venue – don’t miss your opportunity – get tickets today!

Albums

Phish’s busy touring schedule and various side projects has prevented them from creating studio albums in recent years; instead they have built up a passionate fan base through year-round concerts and their innovative live shows, such as their legendary Odyssean live shows. However, that does not negate Phish having an impressive discography; previous albums like Junta and A Picture of Nectar provide a combination of jazz-fusion and 1970s prog rock with powerful songwriting and arrangements.

Phish’s earlier records may not have captured the spontaneity and energy that fans of their music so eagerly anticipate, leading to frequent criticism that the band could not translate its live energy to recording studio. With Evolve however, Phish have succeeded in replicating its live sound in studio recordings.

Producer Vance Powell had worked with Phish on previous live albums and captured them quickly off-the-floor at its farmhouse studio in Chittenden County, Vermont. This resulted in a recording full of energy thanks to drummer Jon Fishman and bassist Mike Gordon’s dynamic yet steady playing, as well as Anastasio’s guitar solo on COVID-19 era “Hey Stranger”, where his skill is showcased with restraint yet sophistication against an infectious hook.

Anastasio and longtime songwriting partner Tom Marshall offer up a lighthearted AOR radio-friendly tune on “Wilson”, sure to draw crowds at any summer festival. But even “Wilson”, with its upbeat groove and memorable chorus hook, stands out. Overall, Phish’s album Wilson stands as an exceptional studio release that serves as an accessible introduction for new listeners as well.