Phish throws one last bash at SPAC June 18, 2004 - The Saratogian By Tom DiMopoulos Three weeks ago, Phish frontman Trey Anastasio issued a statement that stunned the band's loyal fan base: After more than 20 years together, Phish will cease to exist. '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,' it read. ''We all love and respect Phish and the Phish audience far too much to stand by and allow it to drag on,' the statement continued. 'We're done.' When the band pulls into Saratoga Saturday, the countdown will be on, marking the number of shows remaining on the band's farewell tour. For the record, the two SPAC shows number 11 and 10 shows to go, respectively. Perhaps the larger question is What will become of millions of phanatical Phish phollowers? Albany-based music promoter Billy Leroux reckons the horde will hitch their hemp-covered wagons to a West Coast quartet he sees as apparent heir to the jam-band scene. 'I think it will be a San Francisco band called Tea Leaf Green,' says Leroux, who has got his hand in the area jam scene. 'They're young and they have everything it's going to take to fill in after Phish.' 'I think moe. is a possibility,' offers David Slucsarczyk of Saratoga Springs who, in addition to donning advertising executive duds from 9-to-5, has experienced Phish between 40 and 50 times, dating back to an appearance at Cornell in 1990. Slucsarczyk, a self-professed former Dead Head, originally discovered Phish as an alternative to The Dead. 'The (Grateful) Dead were getting old and Phish was something new and fresh,' says Slucsarczyk, who counts among some of his most memorable Phish memories a 1992 appearance at SPAC when the band played with Carlos Santana, and a spring, 1990 performance at Aiko's on Caroline Street -- a show he says that was 'jam-packed to the gills,' using a pfishy analogy. 'We were packed in like sardines.' What has sustained fans for dozens of appearances is the band's malleable personae, from a barber shop phase, to a funk phase, he says, 'they just keep changing.' Anticipating the group's last hurrah at SPAC this weekend, New York State Police issued a travel advisory Wednesday, warning of severe traffic delays this weekend due to the sold out weekend concerts. 'People who do not have to be in the Saratoga Springs area Saturday and Sunday afternoon/evening should avoid these areas,' it reads. The concerts Saturday and Sunday, both sold out, will attract 25,000 people -- and those are just the ticket-holders -- to each of the shows. Area hotel rooms are booked. For the many who will be flooding in from out of town there are a number of Phish-friendly activities scheduled through the weekend. Club Caroline -- the former Aiko's -- is celebrating with weekend appearances by Raisinhead and The Fuzz -- from Deep Banana Blackout. On Union Avenue, King's Tavern is hosting a post-Phish show party Saturday night with the band Granola Funk Express. The party starts at 11:45 p.m. Amfibian -- which features Phish lyricist Tom Marshall -- will be performing at E. O'Dwyer's Saturday night. Tickets for the intimate venue are sold out. Article Copyright © 2004 Burlington Free Press