Phish still supreme among Vt. music scene

Author: Molly Holmes

On March 6, the Vermont-based jam band Phish reunited in Hampton, Va. for what would be the beginning of a new phase in the band's musical career. Critics deemed the festival a success for the band, and their recently announced summer tour is already sold out. But as the most famous band to come out of Vermont revives its presence in the national arena, the band's influence is still seen in Vermont's thriving music scene.

It is estimated that 75,000 "phans" and "phriends" made the trek to Virginia in hopes of seeing the hugely popular band play together after their five-year hiatus. Lynne Noble '11.5 was one of many students from Middlebury and other New England colleges to make the 12-hour drive to see the three sets.

"[The shows] were absolutely incredible, by far the best Phish shows I have ever heard," she said.

Phish has deep roots in Vermont. The members were students at the University of Vermont when they began playing in dorm basements in 1986. They rose to fame in the early '90s, becoming the most successful jam band since the Grateful Dead.

Despite their popularity, the band has managed to maintain a presence in Vermont. They practiced for their reunion in lead singer Trey Anastasio's barn outside of Burlington. They also continue to record at their JEMP Records studio in downtown Burlington. Aaron Krivitzky '09.5, a self-proclaimed "Phish-head" who attended the festival, weighed in on Phish's connection to Vermont.

"Phish is definitely influenced by the people and nature of Vermont," he said. "Vermont's music scene is an interesting microcosm because if you want to get serious, or if you get famous, you have to leave," he said.

None of Phish's announced reunion summer tour locations are in Vermont. Most of the venues booked for the summer accommodate upwards of 20,000 people. Higher Ground, the largest music venue in Burlington, has a capacity of about 600 people.

When Phish announced their breakup in 2004, they played their final show at an outdoor venue in Coventry, Vt. This event was a "musical and logistical failure," according to Krivitzky. The venue could not hold the 65,000 fans that showed up, and when the parking lots filled up, people parked along the highway for almost 20 miles.

Almost five years after their farewell, Phish has returned to embark on what many are calling "Phase II" of their musical career. The response from Phish's fan base, which has a large Internet presence, has been overwhelmingly positive.

"They played the full spectrum of material from every era of their musical career, but with a new, mature sound," Noble said.

Phish's legacy has greatly influenced the Burlington music scene, affecting both jam bands and the Vermont music culture.

"UVM's hippy-heady scene that has built up around Phish and jam music attracts certain bands to the area," Krivitzky said.

High-profile jam bands, such as the Disco Biscuits and Lotus, always include a stop in Burlington on their tours to cater to a culture that has been molded by Phish's influence. The scene has also helped foster a number of local jam bands such as Tequila Mockingbird.

Most local "phans" believe that despite their recent return to the national arena, the members of Phish will retain their Vermont roots. Mike Gordon, the band's bassist, can be spotted at Higher Ground, supporting other local artists. He often takes the stage with other local musicians for a guest appearance. Despite the fact that Phish was logistically unable to hold their reunion concert in Vermont, local fans should not lose hope. An employee at Higher Ground hinted that they may have a show in their home state planned.

"Vermont is where jam originated," Noble said. "Vermont is very important to Phish's history and who they are. This is their home base."