“Trey wants Phish to come back.� - Tom Marshall

[Basher]

Phish lyricist in studio with Anastasio, hints at Phish return

by Robert Costa

PopMatters.com

4 June 2008

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.â€

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.â€

“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.â€

“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.â€

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’ “When 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.â€

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.â€

“(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.â€

“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.â€

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.â€

“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.â€

Robert Costa is a reporter in Bucks County, Pa.

[jayr]

Bring it on

[Davey Boy 2.0]

“I think Phish is his baby,†.... “I’ve always been hopeful in expecting a Phish,†continued Marshall.

hhhmmmmm

Edited June 4, 2008 by Guest

[phishtaper]

“I think Phish is his baby,†.... “I’ve always been hopeful in expecting a Phish,†continued Marshall.

hhhmmmmm

indeed, but at least it answers that age old question ... Tom's the chick.

[Hux]

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

Why gloss over the truth?

HEROIN.

[M.O.B.E]

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

Why gloss over the truth?

HEROIN.

That's probably if the truth be told, it was HYDROCODONE, PERCOCET AND XANAX.

[ollie]

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.â€

Trey's not the only one.

[Hux]

That's probably if the truth be told, it was HYDROCODONE, PERCOCET AND XANAX.

huh? You're telling me he didn't have heroin? or is HYRDROCODENE h?

Edited June 4, 2008 by Guest

[FunkyBeats]

This is what I've been waiting to hear, I hope it's true.

FunkyBeats.

[afro poppa]

This is what I've been waiting to hear, I hope it's true.

FunkyBeats.

ditto

[captainsunshine]

This is what I've been waiting to hear' date=' I hope it's true.

FunkyBeats.[/quote']

ditto

ditto ditto!

[Jaimoe]

I really don't want to change my signature, although FunkyBeats should have saved up enough money by now for at least two shows.

[Davey Boy 2.0]

The day the first show is confirmed you should pass that signature on to FB, jaimoe.

there should also be some sort of ceremony but i have no idea what it would be

[Davey Boy 2.0]

perhaps a paddling

[AdamH]

Seriously, you people want Phish to come back?

[Jaimoe]

I could care less. Their time has come and gone. I loved when they were relevant. It's all nostalgia now; more of a middle-age one at that.

Edited June 4, 2008 by Guest

[bradm]

I could care less.

How much less?

Aloha,

Brad

[\/\/illy]

Seriously, you people want Phish to come back?

Not particularily, no.

[Jaimoe]

I'm actually hoping more for a return of Oysterhead.

[FunkyBeats]

Ya, now I just need to grow my hair...

FunkyBeats.

[Jay Funk Dawg]

I'd personally love to seem them again - nostalgia or not - Trey is still a innovator of the guitar and the group playing & repetoire of Phish is still relevent to me.

The Trey & Mike (aka Grab) show at the Hummingbird centre was hot - I can't think of many other shows I've seen in the past 4 years where I've been blown away buy sheer musicianship ( Scofield w/ Phil Lesh, Oliver Schorer, The Slip, MMW are others)...

[Jakis]

I forsure want them back, why wouldn't I want to see one of my favorite bands touring and releasing new material???

[afro poppa]

I forsure want them back, why wouldn't I want to see one of my favorite bands touring and releasing new material???

ditto

[FunkyBeats]

Phish has been criticized roundly ever since I started listening to them. I've said it before and I'll say it again: if you don't like them, don't buy tickets. That will leave more for those of us who appreciate the bands music. Also, with fifteen new songs written by Trey and Tom I doubt this would be a nostalgia act.

FunkyBeats.

[Jaimoe]

Skepticism aside, I'd love it if Phish put out another album as good as Farmhouse and toured behind it. Although, I doubt that will ever happen again.