It's much more than music for Phish heads August 7, 1996 - Rocky Mountain News By Michael O'Keeffe Followers of rock group hear a different drummer The thousands of Phish fans who have overrun the town believe they're part of a spiritual, political and cultural movement. Some traveled a thousand miles or more to attend the band's four concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheater this week and will trail the band as it tours throughout the United States this summer. But for many, the shows are less important than the tie-dyed, counterculture community. Phish heads, as they call themselves, reject American society, a culture they say is poisoned by prejudice, violence, consumerism, conformity and environmental degradation. Their community, they say, is built on freedom, environmental awareness and unconditional love. * Jarrod Wright, 18, of St. Petersburg, Fla., said being a Phish head is more satisfying than joining the rat race. ''A lot of people in Babylon (mainstream culture) just jump into jobs and buy houses, but they're not happy,'' said the college student. ''A lot of people look at us and see our dirty clothes, but we have a good time. And when it's all done, whoever is happiest is the winner.'' *''Irie,'' 18, a high school dropout from Binghamton, N.Y., said Phish heads are the latest wave of travelers and naturalists that trace their roots to the Gypsies, bards and witches of medieval Europe. That line includes Dead heads, followers of the Grateful Dead, the counterculture stalwarts who disbanded last year after the death of guitarist Jerry Garcia. Many Phish heads are veterans of Grateful Dead tours. * Eli Crawford, 18, of Cleveland, began following the Phish tour in Utah. He's bankrolling his travels with the settlement he received after being hit by a car. ''The music is amazing,'' he said. ''They have a beautiful message, all about unification and people coming together. ''I wanted to see the world and I had the money, so here I am, in the middle of . . . what's the name of this town again?'' * Casey Jones, 16, of Newbury, N.H., said going on tour with Phish gives her a chance to meet people and see places. ''This is like a little town,'' she said of the people who go on the road with Phish. ''These are people who understand you, who don't criticize the way you dress, who understand the way I think.'' © 1996 Denver Publishing Company