The band is known for musical improvisation, extended jams, blending of genres, and a rigorous touring schedule that draws a famously dedicated fan base. Their music blends elements of a wide variety of genres, including funk, progressive rock, psychedelic rock, folk, country, jazz, blues, bluegrass, and pop. Phish were part of a movement of improvisational rock groups, inspired by the Grateful Dead and colloquially known as "jam bands", which gained considerable popularity as touring concert acts in the 1990s.
After 15 years of performing together, Phish went on hiatus in 2000. They resumed touring in December 2002, but disbanded in 2004 after a farewell performance at their Coventry Festival in Vermont. They reunited in March 2009 for a series of three consecutive concerts played in the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Virginia, and have since resumed performing regularly.
Although the group received little radio play or MTV exposure, Phish developed a large following by word of mouth during the 1990s, particularly through fan-record tapes of their concerts, which circulated for free online with the band's permission. While often compared to the Grateful Dead, Phish finds their roots in styles such as jazz, funk and alternative rock as opposed to the Dead, who were more influenced by folk, country and blues.
Each Phish concert is different in terms of the songs included and the order in which they appeared, and (for many songs) in the way in which they were performed. Also unique to Phish are their large summer festivals which draw upwards of 70K people to remote areas in Maine and New York State as well as close to 100K for their epic Millennium Show in the Everglades of South Florida.
Along with Bob Dylan and The Beatles, Phish were one of the first bands to have an Internet newsgroup - rec.music.phish - launched in 1991.
In regards to Phish, Rolling Stone magazine proclaimed "Given their sense of community, their ambition and their challenging, generous performances, Phish have become the most important band of the Nineties."
The Inlaw Josie Wales
Phish Lyrics
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Miscellaneous
The Inlaw Josey Wales
Instrumental
The Inlaw Josie Wales is a unique instrumental track by Phish, and it has a deep meaning behind it. The song is named after the 1976 Clint Eastwood movie, The Outlaw Josey Wales, in which the character seeks revenge for the murder of his family by a group of Union soldiers. The song starts with a gentle acoustic guitar melody played by Trey Anastasio, which gives a sense of sadness and nostalgia. Soon, it builds up with the addition of Mike Gordon's bass and Jon Fishman's drums, creating a warm, comforting sound.
The song is about finding strength in difficult situations, even when all hope seems lost. It represents the ability to rise above adversity despite the odds against you. The lyrics are not spoken, but the melody and the sound of the instruments give a sense of resilience and determination. It's a powerful message that can be interpreted in multiple ways and can relate to anyone who has experienced hardship and come out stronger on the other side.
Contributed by Ryan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.