Phish performed their first show at the Harris Mills Cafeteria, University of Vermont, on December 2, 1983. They wouldn’t release their first album until 1989, and would quickly gain comparisons to the Grateful Dead; the fact that they played some of their songs in Phish’s earlier years didn’t help them shake these comparisons either. Their sound includes jam band elements, but they ultimately create a different sound and a separate sonic environment at their shows that would be inspired by funk and fusion jazz instead of the Grateful Dead’s blues and traditional jazz-inspired jams. However, both bands would also be known for the abundance of covers on their setlists. Phish has covered Talking Heads, The Velvet Underground (Check out their show from October 31, 1998 at Thomas and Mack Center, Las Vegas, NV where they play Loaded in full), Pink Floyd, and Led Zeppelin, to name a few examples.

Phish comprises Trey Anastasio on guitar and vocals, Jon Fishman on drums, Mike Gordon on bass, and Page McConnell on keyboards. Giving them a smaller lineup than most jam bands, but they pack just as mighty a punch.

What sets Phish apart from the Grateful Dead other than their lighter and brighter sound, is their songwriting. When you compare Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia’s writing to that of Tom Marshall, who wrote most of Phish’s songs, you’ll see a huge difference. Phish has some good lyrics, but they tend to have some goofier lyrics, but I think that they can be fun sometimes. “Reba” is a great example of this, a good song that’s chorus is “bag it, tag it, sell it to the butcher in the store.” The studio version is about 12 minutes long, but when played live, it sits at about 15 minutes. Some good versions are July 16, 1998, at The Gorge Amphitheatre, George, WA, December 31, 1995, at Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY, or October 31, 1994, at Glens Falls Civic Center, Glens Falls, NY.

Phish is the best example of a modern jam band. Mostly in part because they are still touring. Phish also faced two hiatuses but ended up returning in the end. With all the advancements in music technology and concerts as a whole, Phish has navigated it all to put on elaborate shows, going as far as to play while bouncing on trampolines during songs like “You Enjoy Myself.” There’s a more theatrical element to their shows than any other, and it’s amplified by their songwriting as well. A lot of Phish’s songs are connected by being set in “Gamehendge”, a fictional world created by Anastasio. There are about 30 songs that take place within this world and are a rabbit hole of their own when it comes to the band. At the aforementioned New Year’s Eve 1995 show, some explanation would be given on the track listed as “Gamehendge Time Factory”. But most performances that include multiple Gamehendge songs get a narration and tell the story a bit differently depending on the night.

While Phish uses improvisation like all jam bands do, their sound is more consistent than most jam bands. That being said, if you like anything by Phish, they should be pretty easy to get into after you find something you like. They keep things more upbeat, funky, and fun. They help keep the genre alive and inspire new groups to form and continue further. In the age of modern concerts, Phish puts on better shows than most, both in terms of quality of production and length. Whether you’re on the floor or in the nose bleeds, they’ll put on some of the most fun-filled hours that you can experience. And if concerts aren’t your thing and you want to check out Phish, they have an extensive live collection available on most streaming services. I would recommend listening to The Gorge ’98, which got me hooked on Phish from the opening “The Squirming Coil.”

Phish, like the Grateful Dead, also have fan-made databases/forum sites that track songs, performances, and are a great way to dive into fan tapes. I’d highly recommend Phish.net as it is the most popular and offers so much data on everything from the last time certain songs were played to guests that have sat in with the band live.