The Vermont quartet is set to return to the area June 18 for another evening of noodle friendly funk and improvisational rock. Trey, Mike, Fish and Page have ruled the jam scene since Jerry Garica's death in 1994 when hordes of wandering hippies needed a new act to follow. Not to say there isn't any merit to the music of Phish, because there is. Tons in fact. Since the 1989 release of Junta, a double disc collection of some of the bands lasting anthems, Phish has steadily released studio albums, many better than others in my opinion.
Tracks from A Picture of Nectar, Story of the Ghost, Hoist and Billy Breathes pack the most punch and certainly get the most airplay live. The thing about Phish shows is this: how much you may like or dislike songs from their albums is irrelevant as each song can be completely tampered with for your enjoyment - or to your dismay. Many music know-it-alls cast aspersions at bands in this genre simply due to the fact the music tends to go on and on for much longer than they like, while many phans eat that up. Basically, you never know what you're gonna’ get.
After public embarrassment due to a 2006 DWI and a controlled substance charge against guitar god Trey Anastasio - and the realization that their shows were suffering because of such things - Phish threw in the towel. It is my opinion that the band returned to the stage and the scene in 2009 rejuvenated and dedicated to being the best they can be. Why throw away a career in which millions are made and you have thousands of people following you around the country to see you play?
Phish is performing at Walnut Creek Amphiteater Saturday June 18th.
