From: Scott Bernstein <bernstei@remus.rutgers.edu>
Subject: (none)
Reply-To: bernstei@remus.rutgers.edu
Organization: The Internet
Date: Sat, 26 Dec 1992 16:32:24 GMT

The following is something I wrote in an attempt to convince 2 e-friends
of mine who have never seen or heard Phish before to join me
in going to the Roseland shows in Feb.  I like to think I
did a good job in capturing their flavor....I am just posting
this so that all of you can critique it or use it on the
people you are trying to describe Phish to!  (Just make
sure you give me credit! :-) )


As you know, it is hard to describe any music without actually
hearing it; but I am going to give it a try.

Phish's music is very unique.  Some people have been trying to give
it a label as being "in the Grateful Dead tradition" -- but I do
not see the resemblance.  Take it from someone who knows (42 Dead
shows and counting) -- these guys do not sound like the Grateful
Dead at all.  The only direct link I can make to any other musician
is that their music is very eclectic and jazzy like Frank Zappa's -
- but without his pointed social and political commentary.

The cover songs they play range from Hendrix/Zeppelin tunes to Jazz
standards to traditional folk songs to acapella barbershop quartet
songs to Syd Barrett (the original leader of Pink Floyd who went
insane) songs to Pat Metheney songs to Neil Diamond (!) songs --
you name it -- they cover the whole spectrum.  In fact, they
actually used to play the Frank Zappa instrumental "Peaches en
Regalia".

Also, during their shows (but not necessarily at every one) the
guitarist often quotes other songs in their solos -- I personally
have seen or heard on tape or heard about them quoting:  some
Metallica song, Aerosmith's Walk This Way, (Some Say The Neon
Lights Are Bright) On Broadway, The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Eleanor
Rigby, and even the Spin Doctors' Jimmy Olsen's Blues!

To keep their shows interesting, the band utilizes many different
"gimmicks" from night to night (but not necessarily at every show). 
Their gimmicks range from trampolines which they bring out an jump
on in unison while they play to musical signals they play to tell
each other (and the crowd) to fall down; or to run and hide behind
their amps; or to yell out "Aww, fuck"; or for the guitarist and
bassist to march away from each other in unison.....Other
"gimmicks" they have are that the drummer John Fishman (the band's
namesake) wears a dress on stage (his nickname varies depending on
the dress he wears) and sometimes steps up from the drum kit to the
microphone and makes music with his Electrolux vacuum cleaner! 
Recently they started a new thing in which each member of the band
throws a beach ball from the stage, and that member only plays his
instrument when his corresponding beach ball is hit!  (To let the
audience play the band!)

One thing I must admit that is similar to the Grateful Dead is the
length of their shows.  They usually play 2 sets which differ from
night to night; and their shows are long -- usually close to 3
hours worth of music.

The only thing I have not yet discussed is their own song-writing. 
I have to say that they are excellent songwriters, and that their
own songs rival the excellence of the covers they play.
Newsgroups: rec.music.phish