Phish Calls It Quits May 28, 2004 - The Cincinnati Post By Staff Phish, the enormously popular jam band that experimented with myriad musical genres and whose legions of dedicated fans made them a younger version of The Grateful Dead, announced Tuesday that they are breaking up. The surprise announcement came as the band prepared to release a new album, "Undermind," on June 15. They will still embark on a summer tour June 17 at Coney Island in New York City. Band leader Trey Anastasio made the announcement on www.phish.com. The quartet, which includes Anastasio, Jon Fishman, Mike Gordon and Page McConnell, was formed in 1983. "Last Friday night, I got together with Mike, Page and Fish to talk openly about the strong feelings I've been having that Phish has run its course and that we should end it now while it's still on a high note," he wrote. "We all love and respect Phish and the Phish audience far too much to stand by and allow it to drag on beyond the point of vibrancy and health." The band drew thousands of fans to their concerts with marathon performances and long, experimental jams that melded every type of music, from bluegrass to electronica. Some shows drew up to 80,000 fans, and for many of them, the band became the center of their universe. Much like the fans of the Grateful Dead before them, fans -- known as Phish-heads -- would follow the band from show to show. Phish's encouragement of taping their concerts also endeared them to audiences. Phish will end their tour in Coventry, Vt., in a two-day festival Aug. 14-15 at Newport State Airport. Article Copyright © 2004 The Cincinnati Post