Phish members Trey Anastasio and Page McConnell sat down with Rolling Stone to discuss the band’s forthcoming album release, Fuego. The album, which is due out on June 24th, was the result of a full-band collaboration, with each member pushing the others towards creating new material. Speaking about the process, Page said, “to have four of us putting in equally, with emotional value, shows where we are now.”
The track “Wingsuit,” for example, is credited to all four members of the band. Anastasio said, “That was groundbreaking… we really challenged each other.” The song also includes an homage to the famous Pink Floyd song, “Comfortably Numb,” since the album’s producer, Bob Ezrin, worked on The Wall back in 1979.
Ezrin had never heard Phish perform live, but was on hand when Phish debuted the Fuego album on Halloween in Atlantic City. In fact, Ezrin says that most of the album’s title track was recorded at the Atlantic City soundcheck.
Commenting on the album as a whole, Anastasio jokingly says, “I hope it’s good – that would be great.” He admits that Phish is mostly known for their live performances, and is more anxious about the new songs being accepted into the band’s comprehensive repertoire. “I think you’re going to see a lot less covers, because everyone’s excited about the new material.”
Phish will be touring throughout July and August, including three dates over July 4th weekend at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. If you’re checking out those shows, be sure to stop by for the L4LM Pre-Phish July 4th BBQ, featuring FiKus, Z3, and the Jauntee. It’s just minutes away from the SPAC entry gates!
-David Melamed (@DMelamz)