Phishing for Biscuits: An Introduction

On March 9^th, 2009 at the Hampton Coliseum in Virginia, ten thousand pairs of hands were raised in ecstasy as Phish returned to the stage for the first time in nearly five years. For those unfamiliar with the genre, Phish is a Vermont based improvisational rock band composed of lead vocalist/lead guitar player Trey Anastasio, drummer John Fishman, keyboardist Page McConnell, and bassist Mike Gordon. Formed while attending the University of Vermont in 1984, Phish patented a unique style of playing that combined elements of funk, jazz, psychedelic, bluegrass, and much more into the general framework of improvised rock and roll.

            While the group accumulated a massive fan base, national and international fame, and serious money during their decades of performances, it became apparent that the Phish phenomenon was not perfect when the group began a 26-month hiatus in October 2000. While they returned to the stage at the end of 2002, the vibrant energy of Phish seemed to be dwindling, and finally overtook the group when they announced they would be breaking up after a three day festival held during the summer of 2004. However, rather than a triumphant, balls-to-the-walls experience, the festival (dubbed “Coventry”) was instead an unbelievably sad experience for those in attendance, as Anastasio butchered song after song in a drug induced stupor.

            While the members of the group pursued individual side projects over the coming years, the Phish dynasty was further tarnished after Anastasio was arrested in late 2006 on DWI and prescription narcotic charges. While many assumed the arrest marked the tragic decline of another otherwise talented musician, Anastasio’s arrest instead reminded the group of what they were missing. After Anastasio successfully completed a rehabilitation program, increased interaction between members sparked rumors of a reunion before the official announcement was made in October 2008 that Phish would return for three performances in Hampton, Virginia. Since then, Phish has completed a sold out 27 show summer tour, announced the dates for their 8^th multi-day festival (entitled “Festival 8”) and tirelessly promoted their most recent studio album “Joy.”

            While Phish’s continuing development will provide plenty of fodder for critical analysis within this blog, I intend to foster more in depth analysis by not only analyzing Phish, but also another group shaping the character of the jam band industry, The Disco Biscuits. While the Disco Biscuits (composed of Marc Brownstein on bass, Jon Gutwillig on guitar, Aron Magner on keyboards/synths, and Allen Aucoin on drums) began their musical careers as a Phish cover band in the mid-90’s, their style has since evolved to incorporate elements of electronic dance music into the more general improv-rock format, spawning a style since dubbed “livetronica” (live electronica.) As the Disco Biscuits have perfected this unique style, they have acquired an equally rabid following, and seem to be ever ascending in popularity. This past summer alone, the Biscuits headlined three different music festivals in addition to 17 individual performances, and have since embarked on a monstrous fall tour to support their 5^th studio album, “The Planet Anthem.”

            The goal for this blog will thus be to cover the constant flow of news surrounding these groups, and to foil their actions against one another to better understand their unique contributions to the genre, while simultaneously providing insight into their musical roots and influences in the process. Jam on.