Phish
Phish is an American rock band noted for their extended jam sessions and musical improvisation. Phish was formed at The University of Vermont in 1983 by guitarists Trey Anastasio and Jeff Holdsworth, bassist Mike Gordon and drummer Jon Fishman.
For their first gig, at a Halloween dance in the basement of the ROTC dormitory, the band was billed as Blackwood Convention, a reference to a bidding convention in contract bridge.
Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983, the band's four members performed together for over 20 years until their breakup in August 2004. Their music blends elements of a wide variety of genres, including rock, jazz, bluegrass, and funk. Each of their concerts was original in terms of the songs performed, the order in which they appeared, and the way in which they were performed.
Although the group received little radio play or MTV exposure, Phish developed a large and dedicated following by word of mouth, via Phish.net (originally a mailing list, then a Usenet newsgroup, now a website), and the exchange of live recordings.
Rolling Stone hailed them as "the most important band of the 90s" and stated that the band helped to "... spaw[n] a new wave of bands oriented around group improvisation and superextended grooves."