Your Guide to Phish Merchandise

Phish is a popular jam band with scores of faithful followers, who got their modest beginnings at the University of Vermont in 1983. The band's current lineup solidified in 1986, with Trey Anastasio on guitar, Mike Gordon on bass, Page McConnell on keyboards, and Jon Fishman on drums. All members share vocals. Their zealous and devoted fan following makes them one of the most successful touring acts in America, and their merchandise is highly popular and recognizable.


The Phish Experience
The music style of Phish is eclectic, combining rock, bluegrass, country, jazz, and even traditional Hebrew songs on occasion. Since their formation in 1983, they have never duplicated a live set, and have achieved success with very little mainstream radio play. They have often been compared to the Grateful Dead, however, most similarities lie with the admiration and devotion of the band's similar fanbases.

A Phish concert is a mecca for vendors selling everything from food to lot shirts (unofficial Phish T-shirt merchandise), and many "Phans" quit their jobs and go on tour, following the band from town to town, returning home when the tour has ended. While patchwork clothing is highly popular at shows, if there were a Phish uniform, it would be an official Phish T-shirt and jeans. Phish merchandise, including shirts and posters, are nearly as popular as the band itself.

Types of Memorabilia
The most popular types of Phish merchandise and memorabilia include records, as well as CDs and DVDs, clothing, and posters. While there may be other hard goods and accessories for sale, these three types remain the most popular. Because of Phish's expansive career, many of the memorabilia available is vintage. A purchaser will want to make sure that he or she is buying from a vendor or seller of authentic merchandise. Because of the popularity of "lot shirts" and other counterfeit items, the resale market for vintage items needs much scrutiny to ensure that items are authentic.

 All official Phish merchandise is available for purchase on an official Phish website entitled Phish Dry Goods. Other online and physical vendors will have official merchandise available, however. An item's authenticity is easily checked by looking at the label. Phish Dry Goods will have an unmistakable Phish tag in the back of the T-shirt. If a shirt does not have the tag, most likely it was not an official Phish release. Regarding posters, Jackson Pollock posters include numbers to ensure their authenticity. Unauthorized copies of Pollock posters are often for sale outside of Phish concerts.

Ticket Stubs and Live Shows
A Phish phan may appreciate the gift of an old ticket stub from a concert they had attended, or a live recording from one of their favorite shows. Old ticket stubs are commonly for sale via resale outlets, and can make a great gift. Getting a Phish fan a copy of a show may involve "Blanks and Postage," or something known to fans as a BnP. No money should exchange hands in acquiring the live show copy. The recipient sends blanks and provides postage to a person who will burn the CD, and the finished CD arrives via mail back to the recipient. A handful of shows are available from LivePhish via the Dry Goods site, but fans tape most shows with taping equipment.


How to Buy Phish Merchandise on eBay
Once you have determined the type of Phish merchandise you would like to buy, use the basic and advanced search functions on eBay to narrow your search results. Be careful when bidding and purchasing Phish items, as there is a lot of counterfeit merchandise. Do not be afraid to ask questions of a prospective seller, including asking for photographic evidence, such as the laundry tag. Do look for a seller with positive feedback. Keep in mind that a seller closer to you in proximity may be able to offer more convenient shipping terms and conditions.