Life is one big jam session for Phish August 2, 1993 - St. Petersburg Times by Tony Green Listening to Phish's music is like digging through an attic owned by an eccentric friend. New, wonderful and interesting things fall out almost without warning; bluegrass riffs slam up against Pat Methenyish guitar motifs; country harmonies and ethereal rock vocals soar over jazz rhythms. "It's rock and jazz, it's funk, it's progressive, but mainly it's just songs," said drummer Jon Fishman. "I think of our music as songs that are strung together by musical sections." Even though all four members of Phish (guitarist Trey Anastasio, bassist Mike Gordon, pianist Page McConnell and Fishman) are formidable players, their musicality distinguishes them from a lot of technique-heavy outfits. The group has been churning out its idiosyncratic material for nearly a decade, beginning when Anastasio met Fishman and Gordon in Vermont. Gordon is responsible for the group's country and bluegrass shades, while Anastasio is heavily into lyrics and formal composition. They released their first disc, Junta, in 1989, followed by Lawnboy on Absolute A Go-Go records in 1990. That led to a gig with Elektra Records, which put out A Picture of Nectar in 1992, as well as their current release, Rift. Live, Phish is an experience, with extended jams, sets and oddball props like trampolines. They emphasize mental awareness and agility in performances; many of their songs are built off impromptu jamming. It's Ice, off Rift, grew out of an idea that surfaced at a sound check. Since Fishman says "all our albums are pretty much documents of what we do live," not only did the band have the stuff down pat, so did their fans; some of whom follow the band with a Grateful Deadhead-ish intensity. "Our next album will be different," said Fishman. "It's going to be stuff that nobody has heard." Phish at the Ritz Theater, 1503 E Seventh Ave, Ybor City. Showtime is 10 p.m., Tickets are $ 17. Available at Ticketmaster or at the Ritz.