Phish lyricist in studio with Anastasio, hints at Phish return

[4 June 2008]

By Robert Costa

PopMatters.com

Trey Anastasio (left) and Tom Marshall (right) perform together

Trey Anastasio (left) and Tom Marshall (right) perform together

CAMDEN, NJ—Phish lyricist Tom Marshall, Trey Anastasio’s longtime friend and writing partner, said in an exclusive interview Tuesday that “Trey wants Phish to come back.”

Marshall announced that he has been writing and recording with Anastasio at the Phish frontman’s personal Rubber Jungle studios in Saratoga Springs, New York “for the past four months.”

“I think Phish is his baby,” said Marshall, speaking backstage after Dave Matthews Band’s Tuesday concert at Camden’s Susquehanna Bank Center. “It’s not like there are people preventing it from coming back, it’s just that the landscape has to be right for it to come back.”

“I’ve always been hopeful in expecting a Phish,” continued Marshall. “I think if the stars align and everything works out there will be. I don’t think they will ever be a huge touring band.”

All members of Phish—Anastasio, drummer Jon Fishman, bassist Mike Gordon and keyboardist Page McConnell—appeared together at the Jammy Awards in New York on May 7 to accept a lifetime achievement award. Although Phish did not perform, Anastasio made a cameo appearance on-stage, performing a cover of The Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” with a group of various artists.

On May 21, Anastasio received a reduced sentence of three years’ probation for a 2007 drug conviction after completing a counseling and treatment program in Washington County, New York. Anastasio faced class D felony charges after he was arrested in Whitehall, New York in December 2006 with prescription medications prescribed to another person, including hydrocodone, Percocet and Xanax.

“As one of his close friends, I’ll say he’s extremely happy,” said Marshall of Anastasio following last week’s ruling. “He’s come out the other side of this in the best way that someone can come out.” Marshall believes that Anastasio has “learned a lot” from his recent legal and personal issues. “It’s immeasurable what he’s learned,” said Marshall.

Anastasio is slated to perform his first major public concert since his 2006 arrest on July 4th weekend at the inaugural Rothbury festival in Rothbury, Mich. Two other Phish members, drummer Jon Fishman and bassist Mike Gordon are also set to make appearances, albeit with separate acts.

Marshall was elated about his recent work in the studio with Anastasio. “We’re on our fourteenth, fifteenth song in like two months,” said Marshall. “We’re extremely productive and got the drive again. I have the old Trey back, which is incredible.”

When pressed about where these new songs will end up, Marshall said they “could take a left turn into the Trey Anastasio Band or a straight turn to Phish.”

“(Trey) is just excited and happy to be done with his legal problems,” said Marshall. “It’s almost like we’re in 8th grade again.” Marshall, who began writing with Anastasio during adolescence while attending New Jersey’s Princeton Day School together, has penned over ninety original songs for Phish.

During their recent sessions, Marshall said he sometimes plays drums and Anastasio, widely considered one of rock’s best guitarists, will even play the bass guitar at times during the writing and recording process. Marshall said that he and Anastasio “have a new energy, a spark.”

“It’s spilling out of us. We’re both look wide-eyed when something meshes up because it’s meshing up a lot better these days then it did when we were under the fog, under the haze,” said Marshall. “We’re not in the haze. We’re just moving forward, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.”

Marshall said that he and Anastasio have not brought other Phish members into the studio, yet. “We haven’t done that in the past and we work best when there are no distractions. When we write, we write together. What happens with songs after that is up to Trey, really.”

“Reforming something like (Phish) has so many pieces, it’s a very complex, three-dimensional, four-dimensional, jigsaw puzzle,” said Marshall, adding “No one wants Phish back more than Trey.”

Robert Costa is a reporter in Bucks County, Pa.

 
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Comments

Best news I have heard all day!!!

Mini Tour?

Comment by Tom from Vermont — June 4, 2008 @ 8:45 am

Best news i’ve heard all YEAR!

Comment by Joe — June 4, 2008 @ 10:42 am

hope its true

Comment by biddy from atlanta — June 4, 2008 @ 10:55 am

I’ve always been bummed that the last time I actually got to see Phish perform was in 1999. I’d be overjoyed to have them back making music together again.

Comment by Chris Conaton from Houston — June 4, 2008 @ 3:18 pm

Hell yea!!! BRING BACK THE PHISH

Comment by Ryan — June 4, 2008 @ 4:33 pm

When and Where
Nyc new years? garden

Best news ever.

Comment by Meridith Hall — June 4, 2008 @ 5:41 pm

Trey’s interest in playing YEM 5x/night til death notwithstanding, I’d expect a one-off surprise appearance, maybe followed by a few shows. I don’t expect to know about them with enough warning to get show (or plane) tickets, so I’m looking forward to SHNs, and hoping for a tour of some sort in summer 2009 (which i think is what I predicted when this second hiatus started 4 years ago). :)

Comment by Ellis from It varies, y'know... — June 4, 2008 @ 9:26 pm

15 new songs!!!! holy schnikes!!!!
its only a matter of time now!!!

let the celebration begin!!!
HELLS YEAH!!!!

Comment by excited in florida from gamehendge, fl — June 4, 2008 @ 10:00 pm

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Ha! I knew it, I read an interview with Guitar Player years ago when he ended Phish and he said that he would NEVER reunite Phish. Mainly becuase he hates it when bands do that for money ie. Jane’s Addiction, Eagles, Stones. I knew after his Solo albums failed to ignite commercially that he would reunite them….Knew it years ago!!
I will go see tham anyway of course!

Comment by matt from NYC — June 5, 2008 @ 9:31 am

Ah, but I read an interview with Trey a couple of years ago where he talked about actually going to see The Rolling Stones play on their last tour and being blown away by how good they still were. He said that got him thinking again that maybe Phish really could come back and keep up the level of quality in their playing.

Not continuing to get arrested for possessing various types of drugs would probably be a good start to regaining that quality, though.

Comment by Chris Conaton from Houston, TX — June 5, 2008 @ 10:38 am

Dear Phish2008,
Please don’t suck.
Sincerely,
AV

Comment by Art Vandelay from NYC — June 5, 2008 @ 12:17 pm

Matt from NYC you are so smart. Really cant believe you went out on limb and predicted they would get back together.  Do you know what tomm. lottery number will be in NJ…Give yourself a pat on the back or something coolguy.  Guess I should expect that from a NY resident. why are new yorkers so self serving-dont get it not a stereo-type…just a fact

You too Art Vandelay from NY-...just shut up and keep your fingers crossed…stop trying to be funny…Mr Original w/ artvandelay…dorks…man…cant believe I just wasted 2 mins of my life writing this.

Comment by Sheehan from Phila-South NJ — June 5, 2008 @ 9:53 pm

YES, PHREAKING AWESOME. Trey for PRESIDENT!

Comment by Pizza T from Washington State — June 6, 2008 @ 12:17 am

Hey Sheehan,
You must really be an Einstein, you missed the whole point of my post! It had nothing to do with predictions, but the nature of people in general. No matter how cool a band or art form (Phish)there is always the human ego involved. When Trey, by his own admission put out “Shine”, he was looking for a commercial audience. Have you ever heard the album?
It did not find it’s audience and he was disappointed. There began the seeds of discontent and probably the idea of working with the guys again. Hooray! There will always be in human nature a deep seeded grounding in doing what you are most successful at; hence a hopeful Phish reunion. In other words, go screw yourself!

Comment by Matt from NYC — June 6, 2008 @ 4:14 am

Hey Matt, you might be right on. I think lots of us thought that same thing. Like playing with Dave Mathews…. Trey is not a stud muffin, he is a compositional genius. Maybe he was going commercial and failed, but sometimes you gotta fall to get stronger. I guess I agree, I just wish Trey would not read this garbabge and then in spit of our logial opinions then decide to not re group Phish. OK Im crazy!

Comment by Pizza T from Washington State — June 6, 2008 @ 11:17 am

Matt,
What are you talking about?
I think you just like to hear yourself talk (write).  Knock it off with the philosphical bull. You think too much…Just keep your fingers crossed that they get back together. Do yourself a favor… dont think and you wont get hurt.  Been a fan since my first show in 92…enjoy the music thats all.  You all think too much- go enjoy the day and keep your fingers crossed that the band gets back together so we can all have a little extra happiness in our lives.
Dont try to be smart-
Ok well here is my prediction Matt… you are sitting in a coffee shop drinking some sort of Latte and you are pondering life or talking to someone trying to sound smart about politics and how the gov’t is screwing us.  Life is too short go have some fun, find a girl, fall in love (ha I am funny)...Finally, Rockstar, will you please get the Damn band back together,  Cause here I am writing comments like an idiot instead of planning for a tour or even a couple of shows.
Pretty Please.

Comment by sheehan from Phila-South NJ — June 6, 2008 @ 11:58 am

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Matt seriously I did not miss the point of your original post.  Clearly states not once but twice…how smart you are cause “ha you knew it” you knew it alright, and what you wrote back to saying that i missed the whole point…What! how would anyone take what you just wrote from your original post.  I am no genius but- What da?

Comment by sheehan from Phila-South NJ — June 6, 2008 @ 12:04 pm

Sheehan,
You amaze me in every sense of the word. My original post was not to play “Gotcha” with Trey or anything of the sort. It was simply that I knew that people (mainly musicians) will always go back to their bread and butter, in fact, the interviewer needled Trey a few times that he would go back on his word because people always seem to do. Trey acknowledged that and said that if he ever did he would call the band Phowl, because Phish is done creatively in his mind. I was in no way disrespecting or degrading Phish or it’s contributions to our culture.
  I am also not trying to be intellectually superior to anyone, I just happened to be at the top of my wit and raconteur while writing my last post. Sorry if that offends you sir. I loathe coffee shops and people that complain about politics especially those reading at a fourth grade level - even though they “acquired” a Bachelor’s Degrees at an accredited institution. You will more likely find me at an upscale eatery enjoying a Jameson on the rocks discussing the virtues of atheism. I also believe that the majority of responses to my first post are in agreement with me. Thnaks you - End of thread!

Comment by Matt from NYC — June 6, 2008 @ 1:01 pm

Look, I have had this itch and feeling that something big might be happening with the phab phour for about three months now, and I have been checking on it religously. Whoa to my surprise all the hub bub and hootanany in the past week. I also have been reading all these little blogs, with people bitching and moaning about this and that, and do it dont do it, my band is better than yours, blah blah blah. So I thought I’d finally put my two cents in. Heres where I stand :

-Fisrt off congrats to the boys on the lifetime achievement award, well deserved.
-Secondly no ones band is better than anybody elses. Thats why we all have options.

Now although I do love SCI, PG, STS9, BISCO’s, etc. I have seen all these bands 10-20 times, and seeing PHISH about 30 or more, they are each different in thier own right.

PHISH is in my opinion is by far THE GREATEST BAND EVER ASSEMBLED (that SHOULD go with out saying, but as I said to each there own).

That being said I personally hope the boys get things rolling again. Although, I am not eager to see them tommorow with a chance of a Coventry type performance. Let the boys take their time, lets all stop giving them shit on these stupid blogs. Allow them time to live their lives a bit, possibly record some new tunes, get Dionysian get their shit together, and allow us phans a little time to prepare.

Let us also hope that things are as they were musically in years such as 97/98’ where they were allowing themselves to grow musically (funky I might add). With a scene of lets say 03’ (shortly after hiatus 1) where you could still get down in a lot without it being overbearing. If you needed a ticket you could get one for face value or less.

Just putting my two cents in!!!!!

P.S. I will not go on record as saying WSP sucks, cause I’m sure they’re great musicians and everything, but uh…......THEY BLOW DONKEY FARTS.
(But thats just MY opinion, so don’t bother commenting back on how hipocritical I am, becasue frankly if you do you like WSP, and although I’m sure your a great person and all, but really, those guys are GD wannabees.

Merry Phishmas To All, and To All A Hoodnight!!!!!

Comment by STEAK from Kuwait,South Carolina,Tennessee — June 6, 2008 @ 1:13 pm

Hey fellas, something in a proofreader would be nice.  I don’t like to do interpretation when I read.  Holy crap try a little professionalism, huh?

Comment by George from NYC — June 6, 2008 @ 3:15 pm

What if Phish got back together and then they kick Trey out of the band and let Buckethead and Slash in the group.

Comment by Pizza T from Washington State — June 6, 2008 @ 11:45 pm

Yeah and why not get Ludacris and Blink 182 to tour with them, come on man. Get A hold of yourself!

Comment by STEAK from Kuwait/SC/TN — June 7, 2008 @ 4:13 pm

Dude, thats a great idea. We could call it Super Phishy.

Comment by Pizza T from Washington State — June 8, 2008 @ 10:15 am

Please stop the bickering and fighting amongst yourselves because it does nothing but make us ALL look bad. You ever see that Chappelle’s Show where Rick James punches Charlie Murphy in the forehead. What did Rick James’ ring say? UNITY!!! Remember a time when this commUNITY had something special. Before the scene was overrun by the nitrous mafia and the smackheads who came and did nothing but fight and cause trouble and could’ve cared 2 shits about the music? Remember the time before the lot became a giant drug market full of people just looking to get fucked up, like on NYE 2003 looking outof the arena and seeing a full parking lot of people who didn’t give a fuck about the music going on inside the venue?

Please stop fighting about who knows more, who’s cooler, and who is more of a fan than the next guy! IF I were Trey, which i’m not, and I saw half of the crap and bickering going on in all the blogs across the internet, I’d just want to stay home.

So lets try and bring back some of the unity and focus on the positive. Lets hope and prey that trey is successful in his recovery and that he stays clean and sober so he can focus on once again getting on stage with those three other very talented musicians. None of us can predict the future, but we can help make the present a little easier to deal with.

UNITY

Comment by UNITY (i'm rick james bitch) — June 8, 2008 @ 5:52 pm

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Well said Rick.

Comment by STEAK from Kuwait,South Carolina,Tennessee — June 9, 2008 @ 9:18 am

Im Rick James bitch, and I’ll be on phish tour for the music and “titties” biatch.

Comment by Rick James from bitch — June 9, 2008 @ 11:27 am

To Unity. WHO’s bickering? Its almost an ironic statement. I love everyone here and I wanna see you all at the Phish reunion.

Comment by Pizza T from Washington State — June 9, 2008 @ 12:23 pm

Hell yeah, I can’t burn anymore, but I’ll share a sammy smith’s with ya pizza, hope to see you all and enjoy the good times again.

Comment by STEAK from Kuwait,South Carolina,Tennessee — June 9, 2008 @ 12:32 pm

Yes. Steak and Pizza- and I assume those are your real names- I like the positive posts. I’ve dreamed about the day Phish reunites, and it seems like an inevitability now. Dreams coming true, stars aligning, I can’t wait until I’m dancing again in the warm summer night, devouring the celestial sounds that cascade through the air. Wandering the lot with a cold Sierra Nevada in hand… 1 for 3, 2 for 5!

Comment by John from St. Louis — June 9, 2008 @ 1:13 pm

Amen brother. I wish for exactly the same. Althogh with the economy the way things are I just hope its not Natural Lights 5 Bucks!

Comment by STEAK from Kuwait,South Carolina,Tennessee — June 9, 2008 @ 2:08 pm

Save the Drama, we have seen it ALL before.
However it is good to see that Trey seems to have his shit together.

Comment by Geoff from Flagstaff — June 11, 2008 @ 1:30 pm

Who is Phish, I’ve heard of this Tab band but what is Phish anyways?

Comment by joesph — June 16, 2008 @ 4:48 pm

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Phish is a cover band that started in the 80’s, I think they got big after covering the beatles white album during a halloween show in the 90’s.  They attempted a few originals later in their career with limited success that led to the breakup.

Comment by Jerimiah — June 16, 2008 @ 4:51 pm

Wow. I certaintly hope you both are joking.

Comment by STEAK from Kuwait,South Carolina,Tennessee — June 17, 2008 @ 8:40 am

Lol to the Jerimiah guy.

And yeah I only ever saw Phish once. I’m a younin’ and didn’t get into them until like 03…only saw them in 04.

Oh yeah, and it’s always about the music. Screw everyone else here who is fighting about nothing. All that matters is their is HOPE for one of the greatest bands that has ever graced us with their music.

Comment by rlanantelope from Lanc-Lanc son — June 19, 2008 @ 12:09 am

Phish Phish Phish. Someone got mad at me once for saying I hope they release an album called Junta part 2. Why not make a sequel? It worked for Rambo and Indiana Jones…

Comment by Pizza T from Olympia — June 19, 2008 @ 8:51 am

Lol Pizza. It worked for Ghostbusters and Bill Clinton, your right why not a Junta 2! Ha the code I need to enter down here is Fee98ling. I only read the “Fee” part at first, how ironic is that!

Comment by STEAK from Kuwait,South Carolina,Tennessee — June 19, 2008 @ 9:31 am

My husband and I have been seeing Phish since 1994, and long before that, we were seeing the Dead and other uplifting jam bands. As a result of being part of these great musical adventures, both of us grew into the people we are today. It has been four long years since all of us stood on the hill in Vermont, saying our farewells to a band who changed our lives for the better. And despite all the pointless complaints that some people voice and the negativity that some dwell on, seeing Phish, even on an “off” night, is far more valuable than never seeing them again. I bet that most of you who are sending out the bad vibes, and complaining about all the “horrible” aspects of Trey and Phish, tour will be among the first in line for your ticket, so you can claim your bragging rights for being in the crowd at the “Phish Reunion.” It’s a shame that for some of you, in all of this, the music has somehow gotten lost. I hope the rumors of a reunion are true, and while my husband and I will probably never be able to afford a tour again, we look forward to the day when we can sit back with phriends, at Alpine Valley or Deer Creek perhaps, and listen to that beautiful music weaving through the air!

Comment by Ericka Shay from Green Valley, AZ — June 26, 2008 @ 11:38 pm

Well said. Go to Phish.net. It looks enivitable. I for one cannot wait.

Grilled Cheese = $1.00
Sammy Smiths Cold One = $5.00
Headies = $50.00
Phatty Glass = $75.00
Ticket = $35.00

The smell of the parking lot at a Phish show, and the silence during a “Divided Sky”……

That my phriends is priceless.

Comment by STEAK from Kuwait,South Carolina,Tennessee — June 27, 2008 @ 8:59 am

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