phish

Phish performing at Alpine Valley in East Troy, Wisconsin in July 2003. Left to right: Page McConnell, Trey Anastasio, Jon Fishman, Mike Gordon. Background information Origin Burlington, Vermont, USA Genre(s) Jam band, rock, jazz fusion, progressive rock Years active 1983 — 2000

2002 — 2004

2009 (planned reunion) Label(s) Elektra, JEMP Website http://www.phish.com/ Members Trey Anastasio

Mike Gordon

Jon Fishman

Page McConnell Former members Jeff Holdsworth

Marc Daubert

Phish is an American fusion band noted for their musical improvisation, extended jam sessions, exploration of music between genres, and their cult following.[1] Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983, the band's four members performed together for over 20 years until their hiatus in August 2004. The band has recently announced they would reunite for a tour in 2009 starting with three shows at the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Virginia.

Their music blends elements of a wide variety of genres,[2] including rock, jazz, bluegrass, and funk. Each of their concerts was original in terms of the songs performed, the order in which they appeared, and the way in which they were performed.

Although the group received little radio play or MTV exposure, Phish developed a large and dedicated following by word of mouth, via Phish.net (originally a mailing list, then a Usenet newsgroup, now a website), and the exchange of live recordings. Rolling Stone stated that the band helped to "...spawn a new wave of bands oriented around group improvisation and superextended grooves." [3] Contents [hide] 1 History 1.1 1983-1992 1.2 1993-1995 1.3 1996-2000 1.4 2002-2004 1.5 2004-2008 1.6 Reunion 2 Music 2.1 Discography 3 Concerts and fan culture 3.1 Tickets by Mail 3.2 Fifth member 3.3 Comparisons to the Grateful Dead 3.4 Fan activities 3.5 Live recording circulation 4 References 5 External links // History 1983-1992

Phish was formed at The University of Vermont in 1983 by guitarists Trey Anastasio and Jeff Holdsworth, bassist Mike Gordon and drummer Jon Fishman. For their first gig, at a Halloween dance in the basement of the ROTC dormitory, the band was billed as Blackwood Convention, a reference to a bidding convention in contract bridge. Their second gig — and their first billed as "Phish" — was November 3 in the basement of Slade Hall at UVM,[4] though another source gives the date as December 2.[5] The band was joined by percussionist Marc Daubert in the fall of 1984;[6] he left the band early in 1985,[7] and Page McConnell joined on keyboards in September. Holdsworth left the group after graduation in 1986, solidifying the band's lineup of "Trey, Page, Mike, and Fish" — the lineup that would remain for the rest of the band's lifespan.[7]

Following a prank at UVM with his friend and former bandmate Steve Pollak — also known as "The Dude of Life" — Anastasio decided to leave the college.