Mike's Corner: Daunting Literary Snippets from Phish's Bassist

by Michael Gordon

Fifty-five off-the-wall short stories are offered from the subversive imagination of Mike Gordon, the bassist for one of America's favorite live rock bands, Phish. 64 illustrations, 60 in color.

Genres: Music

148 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 1997

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Judo Livingspree · Rating 5 out of 5]

You'll find several short gems in this collection of offbeat, weird, funny and definitely strange stories. The Day the Era Changed, Jonald and the Amrope, and of course the story for which the book is named, Mike's Corner, are among the best. Oddness spills forth on almost every page and Mr. Gordon has assembled a non-stop, off-center ride of peculiarity and strange imaginings. Some of the stories may seem off balance or abrupt to the unfamiliar reader, but remember that for a time Phish's modus operandi was to confound the uninitiated. This may or may not still apply to this collection, but it is an enjoyable read. It might be a touch plodding in places, but it's more often innocently weird, seemingly to get those synapses firing which we so often forget about in the hum drum of banality.

I loved it.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

i know it's not cool to like Phish. i still do. But, more than that, i like Mike Gordon, the bass player. In all things he's quirky, creative and gifted. He made a very odd movie that i saw at roseland ballroom once. i think it is callled outsidein or something along those lines. it stars Col. Bruce Hampton. Worth seeing as i remember it. The stories in this book are really out there and fun. I believe i remember that he has an aversion to metaphor and doesn't use it. Subjects are the strangest of things, slimy gross tales that are consistently funny. Always loved 'em.

[Mark Lester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carries on the great tradition of literary silliness in the vein of Lewis Carroll, Shel Silverstein and John Lennon. Who knew the guy from Phish could write? :-P

[Rustam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Someone gave this to me as a birthday present. It's one of the best presents I've ever gotten, but you kind of have to have been a phish-freak to appreciate it. Not just a phish-freak, but a phish-freak who read Doniac Schvice (umlaut on the "o"); the newsletters of which ironically littered the parking lot of many a concert by the band Phish, ye olde funky and for-the-most-part environmentally-friendly musicians.

[Matthew Fischer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Daunting indeed. Expect something like a novelization of a bizarre night's surreal dreams after an evening of spicy wings, tequila and magic mushrooms.

The value of this book lies in gifting it to others without explanation. If you're really daring, conduct a live reading of choice excerpts with intoxicated friends. Either way, refuse to answer any questions about why you've inflicted these bizarre stories on others, or what deeper significance they may hold.

[Steve Goulet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the stories were true gut-busters. Others were so intentionally incomprehensible that they left no impression (outside of this one).

[Andre · Rating 4 out of 5]

so bizarre!

[Little Jackie Paper · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little read. Takes you to a very odd place.

I found this book years ago in the “Odd Box” section of the used book store in my local Library. As a Phish fan I knew it belonged there and was delighted to find out it even existed.
The book is filled with as much strangeness as the author Mike Gordon, bassist for the band Phish. I love it; it’s bizarre and at times hard to follow but I might be biased as a huge fan of the band.

[Lanny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won't say this is really good or anything but it's cool that Mike Gordon took the time to write this stuff. I can appreciate it on that level. I mean, he had other things to do...like play bass...and he managed to write a book too. Pretty awesome!

[Dawn Moe · Rating 3 out of 5]

okay stuff

[Michael Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Total craziness in this little book of small stories, weird points of view and odd mumblings.

A must read for any PHISH fan.

A must avoid for anyone who lacks a bit of the weird in them!

:)