Phish – Biography, Songs, Albums, Discography & Facts

Phish Biography

Phish is an American rock band founded in 1983 in Burlington, Vermont. Musical improvisation, long jams, genre merging, and a devoted fan base are all hallmarks of the band. Trey Anastasio, bassist Mike Gordon, drummer Jon Fishman, and pianist Page McConnell are all the band’s members, with Anastasio serving as the primary lead vocalist.

Anastasio, Gordon, Fishman, and guitarist Jeff Holdsworth established the band, which was later joined by McConnell in 1985. The lineup has remained steady since Holdsworth left the band in 1986. Phish first performed outside of New England in the late 1980s, and their fame skyrocketed in the mid-1990s. The band went on a two-year break in October 2000, which ended in December 2002, but they reformed in August 2004. Phish reformed in October 2008 for a series of reunion shows in March 2009, and have since started regular performances. All four members followed individual careers or participated in side projects, which have lasted even after the band reformed.

Trey, Mike, Jon, Jeff, Marc Daubert, Tom Marshall, and Page created and demoed their first studio album, The White Tape, between 1984 and 1985. “Alumni Blues” and “Dog Gone Dog,” as well as performance classics “AC/DC Bag” and “Slave to the Traffic Light,” feature the four modern-day Phish members.

Trey’s final thesis resulted in the article “The Man Who Stepped into Yesterday,” a fantasy story about a realm named Gamehenge, which inspired a number of the group’s songs. Trey will sometimes tell some of the stories while the band plays. They began to gain a following with their live performances in 1990, and in 1991, they signed with Elektra Records.

From 1990 to 1994, Phish toured extensively before taking annual pauses. The band declared its breakup in 2004, and played its “last” gig that year at a weekend-long event in Coventry, Vermont, only to reform in 2009. They’ve resumed touring and are working on new studio albums under their own label, JEMP Records.

Phish is a jam band, although it’s tough to categorize them because their song choices span various musical genres. Fishman plays a vacuum to the tune of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” followed by a bluegrass improvisation called “Rocky Top.” One song might contain reggae rhythms, like “Ya Mar,” and the next, an acapella version of Lynryd Skynryd’s “Freebird.”

The length of their tracks, in addition to their varied diversity, is impressive, with some jams lasting up to 20 minutes and songs weaving in and out of each other. They’ve published fourteen studio albums, but they barely scratch the surface of their creative abilities. Phish’s live gigs are the only way to truly experience them.

The band uses props and Chris Kuroda’s amazing light shows to engage the audience, and during songs like “Harry Hood,” a glow stick war frequently breaks out.

Because their live shows are so engaging and energetic, it’s no surprise that the Phish fan base has grown to resemble that of the Grateful Dead, with many fans traveling from city to city to see the band on all of their tour dates. The shows at a traveling circus are frequently one huge dance party, with the band providing a groovy vibe to keep everyone free and having a good time.

Since their initial performance at Madison Square Garden in 1994, Phish has played 64 shows there. The band has played the arena the third most times of any musical act, after only Billy Joel and Elton John. Phish was the 33rd highest-grossing concert touring act of the 2010s, according to Billboard.

Phish Discography

Round RoomSpotifyAppleYouTube
FarmhouseSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
The Siket DiscSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
The Story of the GhostSpotifyAppleYouTube
Billy BreathesSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
HoistSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
RiftSpotifyAppleYouTube
A Picture of NectarSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Lawn BoySpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
JuntaSpotifyAppleYouTube

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is Phish So Popular?

Phish is one of the most popular live bands in America, and has been for over two decades. The band’s unique improvisational style, combined with their devoted fan base, has made them a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. While some fans may not be able to pinpoint why they enjoy Phish so much, there are definitely some key elements that make the band so special.

What Genre Music Is Phish?

Phish is a jam band that was founded in 1983 in Burlington, Vermont. The band is known for their improvisational style and their eclectic mix of genres, which includes elements of rock, jazz, blues, funk, and country.

How Many Members Of The Phish?

There are four members of Phish: Trey Anastasio (guitar, vocals), Jon Fishman (drums, percussion, vocals), Mike Gordon (bass, vocals) and Page McConnell (keyboards, vocals). Phish is known for their unique and often improvisational musical style, which draws on a wide variety of influences. They are also known for their extensive live performances, which often feature extended jam sessions.

What Is The Most Played Phish Song?

The most played Phish song is “Run Like an Antelope.” It has been performed live over 500 times by the band.

What Was Phish’S First Song?

Phish’s first song was “You Enjoy Myself.” It was written by Trey Anastasio and debuted on May 8, 1988 at Nectar’s in Burlington, Vermont.

Most Searched For Phish Songs

FarmhouseSpotifyAppleYouTube
WasteSpotifyAppleAmazon
Sample in a JarSpotifyAppleAmazon
StashSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Bouncing Around The RoomSpotifyAppleAmazon
Heavy ThingsSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
ContactSpotifyYouTubeAmazon
Back On The TrainSpotifyAppleYouTube
FreeSpotifyApple
If I CouldSpotifyAppleAmazon