phish

Phish is an American rock band formed in 1983 at the University of Vermont in Burlington. The original members were guitarist and vocalist Trey Anastasio, bassist Mike Gordon, keyboardist Page McConnell, and drummer Jon Fishman. The group is known for a distinctive improvisational approach that blends rock with funk, jazz, bluegrass, and other genres. Their live performances, characterized by extended jams and a willingness to weave songs into long, evolving passages, helped establish a large and dedicated audience known as Phans.

Notable studio albums include Junta (1989), Lawn Boy (1990), A Picture of Nectar (1992), Rift (1993), The Story of the Ghost (1998), and Farmhouse (2000). The band is also known for extensive touring and numerous live releases that document improvisational performances.

The group embarked on an extended hiatus from late 2000 to 2002, returning to touring and recording afterward. They released Round Room (2003) and Undermind (2004), followed by later studio albums such as Joy (2009) and Fuego (2014).

Phish's live performances have had a significant influence on jam band culture, encouraging improvisation, devoted fan communities (often called Phans), and an ecosystem of official and unofficial live recordings. They are known for multi-night runs at venues and festivals, as well as special shows that celebrate a long-running live tradition.