The Phish Book

by Richard Gehr, Phish

Having played more than a thousand shows and recorded nine albums during their fifteen years together, Phish now brings us a different kind of performance--a written one. The first and only authorized book about the band, The Phish Book is an extraordinary verbal and visual chronicle of a year in the life of Phish, featuring extensive interviews with the four band members--Trey Anastasio, Jon Fishman, Mike Gordon, and Page McConnell--conducted by writer Richard Gehr, who also serves as guide to the history, mythology, musical context, and unique audience-band relationship in which the Vermont quartet flourishes.

While it contains many of the trappings of other lavish rock monuments--including more than two hundred pieces of previously unpublished art and photography from the band's private archive-- The Phish Book raises the form to a higher level by means of an innovative roundtable-style discussion format. Richard Gehr and Phish use the events of 1997 as a jumping-off point from which the band members free-associate about themselves, their music, and the dedicated and colorful community that springs up wherever they perform.

Beginning with the backstage scene at Boston's Fleet Center on New Year's Eve, 1996, The Phish Book explores the band's earliest days in Burlington, Vermont; their musical influences, which include James Brown, Frank Zappa, and the Grateful Dead; their legendary Halloween shows; the two European and two American tours the group undertook in 1997; the stories behind their 1996 studio album Billy Breathes and the following year's live Slip Stitch and Pass; life onstage and off; the sixty-thousand-fan Maine campout and art project known as the Great Went; and the experimental recording and performing techniques that informed the band's most recent studio album, The Story of the Ghost.

More than a journal of the group's evolution over the course of a single year, The Phish Book is a glorious snapshot of a band much bigger than its parts and at the height of its collective power.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography

188 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Chris Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a surprise for me. I began reading this book mostly interested in an easy biography from the perspective of the band but it was actually mostly about the music which was very refreshing. Richard Gehr, who actually authored the book and edited the interviews, went out on a limb here and added a lot of stuff that I think might be lost on the general phish public who don't know anything about the technicalities of music itself. They get into modals and chord theory and all sorts of cool stuff. It was an amazing read and it really gave me an even greater perspective of the music from a band who has, in my opinion, redefined popular rock jazz. (I just made that genre up out of my own head. Maybe it is a parody of all the genres that are created everyday on the whims of the bleak and dreary minds over at the Rolling Stone. Man that magazine sucks.)

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

So stupendous - a terrifically well put together piece and the ideal coffee table book. While not altogether coherent on a subject-to-subject basis it works well as a pick up and read whenever type deal. Getting insights from the band about how they feel, listen and play their own music is endlessly fascinating (especially with how it can go against certain popular fan opinions in specific areas), as well as random personal anecdotes from the dudes bound together by absolutely stellar photography is all this thing needed to be, plain and simple. Wish there were more of a market for this kind of thing to be made again today but to have it at all is still great.

Thanks Ryan

[Chase Wallin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read for any Phish enthusiast!

The disorganization of this book is really the only negative mark against it. I’m sure the author did his best to make all of the discussion flow into a cohesive piece, but it was confusing at points and fell a bit short there.

On the other hand it was extremely enlightening of my favorite band. Tracing just how, in the bands own words, the sounds, songs, live interplay, relationships and community got to where it is today (1998). Hearing the band nerd out on their music to this level is invaluable.

Also the wealth of personal photos from those time periods are unparalleled and so phun.

READ THE BOOK!!!

[Todd Janko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having been introduced to Phish in 1993 in college, this bad took me into a whole musical direction. Growing up in the Midwest during the 80's, my experiences with music ranged from Whitesnake to Metallica when it came to concerts. Phish changed all that. Next to Slayer, Phish is my favorite band of all time. Trey plays that guitar like he was born with a guitar in his hand, Mike Gordon has that goofy but perfected bass technique, Page plays the piano and sings Zeppelin like Robert Plant, and Fishman,well, he's Fishman. This is a must own/must read for any Phish fan. Phish is just not a band, it's a whole culture. I started "touring" around with them back in 1996 all over the country, and while they have had their low period (2000-2003) they are currently back; playing some of the best shows of their careers in the past two years. It also helps the fact that they are sober and their playing is impeccable. With that in mind, this book (filled with never seen before pictures) takes you on a journey through time in their humble beginnings to the first tour in Colorado right to that almighty day in December of 1996 at the Alldin theater that hooked me in as a Phish fan for life. It was uncertain that Phish would ever return together after they broke up. That "break up" was the wisest decision of their career as they have come back with quite the energy and vibe that their fans need. If you are a newbie to Phish, picking up this gem will give you a perspective of a band with a true, lustrous musical career.

[Rustam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mashup of a hundred+ really great interviews with the members of Phish, with a lot of amazing photographs sprinkled throughout. Just browsing through the book, you can tell that they laid out everything out very with great care and craftsmanship. I don't own enough of these kinds of books.

[Ben Peyton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, those were the days.

[Tom Stankiewicz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great perspective from one of the greatest live bands ever

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love Phish it's probably already on your shelf...ours is falling apart :)

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it. Always will. The band signed it.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read for Phans

[Kristine Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far, the most well written, informative book that exists to date about the greatest band touring today. A must have for any Phan. No where will you find better Phish photos.

[Dewey Decibel]

Signed by all members

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oldie but a goodie! Love this book. Is it still in print?

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty not bad. They're getting the band back together.