AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Phish

Artist:Phish

Song:Sample in a Jar

Album:(hoist)

Phish is a jam band in the tradition of The Grateful Dead. They are known for extended jams and I guess that's what their fans expect at this point. Phish became popular in the 90s but they never had a hit single. And at this point they don't need one. Phish was formed in 1983 at the University of Vermont. Lead singer and guitarist Trey Anastasio and guitarist Jeff Holdsworth were friends. They overheard Jon Fishman playing drums in his dormitory room and they asked him if he wanted to jam. Bassist Mike Gordon was brought in after he responded to a want ad. Keyboardist Paige McConnell joined in 1985 and Holdsworth left in 1986. And that's been the band ever since. Anastasio writes the songs with Tom Marshall. He is not a member of Phish. Phish started out as a Grateful Dead cover band. Then Anastasio started writing and Phish started getting a following through live shows. They self released a couple of albums. Elektra Records saw that Phish was getting popular so they signed them in 1992. The 1994 album (hoist) was their breakthrough album. Sample in a Jar has been one of their most popular songs. Guests on the album include Alison Krauss, Bela Fleck, The Tower of Power Horns and The Rickey Grundy Chorale. Phish is one of several bands that turn everything into an extended jam. I don't know if their songs are worthy of that. I prefer Snarky Puppy because of the jazz elements. The original version of Sample in a Jar on (hoist) was five minutes. Their version on the video is fourteen minutes. It can get monotonous but their fans like it. (hoist) is available on CD. I think Phish has only released one comp. But they release plenty of live albums and DVDs. Most of these jam bands do that. It's too much. Phish split up in 2004 and reunited in 2008. They record for their own label, most recently in 2024. They don't tour as much as they used to. That's why they split up. They got tired of each other. They were recently nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Here's Phish performing Sample in a Jar at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, NY July 22, 2022.