Photo Courtesy of The Strange DesignPhish cover band The Strange Design will be playing tonight at Scarlet and Grey Cafe. Phish recently announced they will be reuniting for a tour early next year.
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Legendary jam-band Phish played their last show Sept. 6 at the private wedding of their former road manager. That was supposedly the end.
However, on Oct. 1 the band released on their Web site that they would be returning to the stage for three concerts at the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Va., March 6 through 8, 2009. In early 2009 the band will also be releasing dates for a small tour.
The Strange Design, the only touring Phish cover band in the nation, is coming to Columbus for the first time 7 p.m. tonight at the Scarlet and Grey Cafe, with their “Give Phans What They Want” tour. Just like Dark Star for the Grateful Dead, The Strange Design recreates Phish shows in their entirety.
“Phish is only going to be doing so many shows, and we’re like a delivery service to the people that don’t get tickets and to the places they won’t come,” said Aaron Levy, keyboardist for the band.
The group from South Carolina also includes Adam Chase on drums, his brother Matt Chase on guitar and Ben Markowitz on bass. “We’ve all had our stint [touring] with Phish during the ’90s,” Levy said.
The location for tonight’s show has quickly become one of the best spots in Columbus for funk, rock, jazz and jam-bands. “It really is where it’s at, as far as size and location, plus they have a great PA and the staff is great,” said Curtis Manley, promoter for the band.
Phans, as The Strange Design like to spell it, can request their favorite Phish show at www.myspace.com/thestrangedesign. The band has not released which show they will play tonight.
“I saw my first show back in ’95 at the Palace in Auburn Hills on the anniversary of John Lennon’s death,” said Steve Hannigan, bartender at Scarlet and Grey. “I’d like to hear the Alpine Valley show of ’98 … I’m just hoping that whatever show they play, they play it justice. ”
Phish phans are known for being protective of Trey and Co. and some argue the necessity of a Phish cover band. “It’s one of those things, they’re usually critical,” Levy said.
Birkenstock wearers across campus can unite tonight in celebration of the Phish revival. Tonight’s show is $10, and the crowd is estimated to be around 200, said Michael Thomas, also a bartender at Scarlet and Grey.
Kimberly Snodgrass can be reached at [email protected]
