Phish reunites for 2009 tour - From the Chicago Tribune 10/01/2008

“… In a terse announcement Wednesday on the band’s Web site, the Vermont-based jam band announced that it is reuniting to play three concerts next year in Virginia, and plans to announce “additional touring” early next year.

The reunion was not unexpected, as singer-guitarist Anastasio had hinted earlier this year that the possibilities were being discussed. In September, the foursome of Anastasio, bassist Mike Gordon, keyboardist Page McConnell and drummer Jon Fishman performed together for the first time in more than four years at the New York wedding of former road manager Brad Sands. Now it looks like the band will be in need of Sands’ services once again…”

Phish is a group that has gained all its popularity from its fan base. Well can’t we say that about any band. No, not really. They have not received a lot of radio or MTV airtime. Instead Phish sold their records the old fashion way, they entertained their audiences so much that word of mouth sold their records. If you were around in the early nineties, you can remember all the Phish bumper stickers. The fans of this group have been ultra-loyal, and the band never disappoints. Rolling Stone called them the most important band of the 90s. They are one of the biggest live acts of all time.

Formed in 1983, Phish began as your typically university band. They played at any and all university events they could, and soon gained popularity on campus. They are a true American rock band. Their music is a blend of several styles including Blue Grass, Rock, Jazz and Folk, and they are one of the few bands who do not script their concerts. That means if you see them in Chicago one week, then go see them again in Indianapolis, you will not see the same concert twice. The band also prides itself on interacting with their audience. When you go to a Phish concert, you will have fun watching as well as participating in the concert. Sometimes the band even switches instruments with each other. When on tour in 1995, they played chess with their audiences.

The former University of Vermont students are Trey Anastasio, Jeff Holdsworth, Mike Gordon, and Jon Fishman. Their first studio recording was The White Tape. They later release the album The Man Who Stepped into Yesterday, which was Anastasio’s senior project. It was a 9 song concept album. In 1988 they became serious about spreading their music to a wider audience and released a double album call Junta. In 1991 they had their first major release titled A Picture of Nectar, which was immediately followed by H.O.R.D.E. They played at a lot of festivals and in 1992, went on their first tour of major amphitheaters. They even performed at Farm Aid.

During the 2000 Millennium Celebration, they contended with other superstars around the globe like Sting, Billy Joel, and Barbara Streisand. They knocked it out of the park playing to the largest audience of the night, a staggering 85,000. After the new year, they took a much needed two year break. They started back to work making music in 2002 with Round Room. In 2003 they brought in another staggering crowd at the Summer Festival in Maine with an audience of 60,000 fans. In April of 2004, they released Undermind and later that year announced that they were splitting up. From 2004 – 2008 the members of Phish have been doing solo projects. They have kept busy and are reuniting in 2009 for very tight touring schedule.