Phish: The Biography

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Overview

Drawing upon nearly fifteen years of exclusive interviews with the members of Phish, veteran music journalist Parke Puterbaugh examines the colorful chemistry that inspired the wildly popular rock group to push their four-man experiment to the limit. An intimate and fascinating portrait, Phish: The Biography is the definitive story of these Vermont jam-band legends.

Editorial Reviews

Marc Tracy

Much like the band itself, Phish can be a little much. But knowing Phish's story will enrich anyone's understanding of the American scene over the past quarter-century.
—The New York Times

Publishers Weekly

In the wake of Phish's wildly successful summer reunion tour, journalist and Rolling Stone contributor Puterbaugh delivers a consistently lucid and revelatory look at the 26-year-long career of the legendary “jam band.” Puterbaugh's solid and intelligent take on how Phish blends both seriousness and whimsy into rock, jazz, funk, country and experimental music (sometimes in the same song) will satisfy newcomers as well as the band's obsessively knowledgeable fans. In the process, Puterbaugh definitely demolishes the media's “reflexively drawn” comparisons of Phish to the Grateful Dead just because both played long improvisational concerts for hardcore fans. Much of the book's success stems from Puterbaugh's experience as in-house PR writer for the band from 1995 until its 2004 breakup. His insider access allows him to get never-before-published comments and insights from the band, its management, archivists, crew and close friends. His solid reporting produces the best account so far of Phish's college-era birth and growth in Burlington, Vt. And his exclusive interview with Trey Anastasio provides a frank look at how the guitarist's drug addiction brought down the band, how his recovery led to their reunion and why “there's no reason that Phish couldn't go on for quite some time.” (Nov.)

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Kirkus Reviews

The first biography of the undisputed king of modern jambands. Founded in 1983 in Burlington, Vt., Phish spent years honing their chops and developing explosive live performances, which differed completely from night to night, before they entered the national radar in the early '90s. Former Rolling Stone contributor Puterbaugh (co-author: Rhino's Psychedelic Trip, 2000, etc.), who has covered Phish on and off since 1995, is quick to note the importance of the band to the live-music landscape of the past 25 years. "I firmly believe that they are one of the great American bands," he writes, "and not just jam bands." The author begins with a well-executed framing chapter that traces the band's legendary festivals, from Ian's Farm in 1987, to the forward-thinking Clifford Ball in 1996, to the disastrous mudfest at Coventry in 2004. In chronological fashion, Puterbaugh follows the band's progress from a high-energy bar band to a consistently entertaining arena band that drew more than 80,000 fans to the swamps of Florida for Big Cypress in 1999-2000. He also discusses the many changes in the band's playing over the years, focusing on how the group's dynamic jamming has evolved as they have ventured into larger arenas and outdoor amphitheaters. The author ably sketches each band member's distinct personality-from the alpha-dog exuberance of guitarist and de facto frontman Trey Anastasio to the quirky genius of bassist Mike Gordon-and digs up many intriguing stories behind the band's storied career. Puterbaugh doesn't shy from the negative events in the band's history-including Anastasio's arrest for narcotics in 2006-but his respect and admiration for his subjects is clear. The portrait thatemerges shows a uniquely gifted collection of omnivorous musicians who understand the necessity of group collaboration and the near-infinite possibilities of the stage. Also included is an illuminating 2009 interview with Anastasio, conducted amid the band's triumphant return, and a full list of Phish's studio recordings and official live releases. An even-keeled evaluation of an important American band-a must for Phishheads, even though they probably know most of the stories already. Agent: Sarah Lazin/Sarah Lazin Books

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780306814846
Publisher: Da Capo Press
Publication date: 11/24/2009
Pages: 352
Sales rank: 399,466
Product dimensions: 6.00 (w) x 9.10 (h) x 1.30 (d)

Meet the Author

Parke Puterbaugh has written numerous books and magazine articles on music, travel, and the environment. A former senior editor for Rolling Stone magazine, he lives in Greensboro, North Carolina.

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OwliciousMcGill

Posted April 30, 2010

Great Read!

Highly recommend this book to any Phish fan! Even recommend it those casual fans or to anyone interested in a true look into the real lives of the bands members! Great Job!!!!!!
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Anonymous

Posted October 10, 2009

Leave it to Barnes & Noble!

Fist, when I received the email from Barnes & Noble, I thought it might have something to do with my current purchase. Or possibly a correction to their latest foul up with my order, but was greatly amused. It was even better, & completely characteristic of their service. They wanted me to write a review of a book that hasn't been published yet. It seems as though they should be aware of this, seeing as since, they were asked to fill the PRE-ORDER. The more I deal with this organization, the more amusing it gets.
P.S. I have to laugh, to keep from crying.

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