Home Music Trey Anastasio Debuts 8 Foot Fluorescent Tubes In 1998

Trey Anastasio Debuts 8 Foot Fluorescent Tubes In 1998

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This week Trey Anastasio announced the formation of Ghosts Of The Forest, the latest solo project from the Phish guitarist. Anastasio’s solo endeavors – Oysterhead, 70 Volt Parade, SerialPod, G.R.A.B. and the Trey Anastasio Band – have become integral parts of the 54-year-old’s versatile career.

Little is known about Ghosts Of The Forest beyond who is joining Anastasio for a short run of shows next April: Phish drummer Jon Fishman, Trey Anastasio Band bassist Tony Markellis, keyboardist Ray Paczkowski and vocalist Jennifer Hartswick along with vocalist Cherisse Henderson. The new project will make its debut just a few days shy of the 21st anniversary of the only concert staged by the band that planted the seeds for what became the Trey Anastasio Band – the April 17, 1998 8 Foot Fluorescent Tubes show at the Higher Ground in Winooski, Vermont.

Anastasio performed that night with Markellis and at-the-time-soon-to-be TAB drummer Russ Lawton, saxophonist Dave Grippo, trombonist James Harvey and vocalists Heloise Williams and Tom Lawson (Fishman was among the guests in the second set). Phish.net describes the scene at that night at Higher Ground like this: “This performance included costumed dancers, theatrics that included people being hoisted by cables, artists displaying various props (including Mike Gordon placing cactus props on stage), and innovative lighting that featured large fluorescent tubes.” Future TAB staples “Sand,” “Mozambique,” “Last Tube” and the appropriately titled show opener “First Tube” made their debuts during the performance.

Here’s officially shared video footage of 8 Foot Fluorescent Tubes kicking off their lone live performance with “First Tube” (with since abandoned vocals) back in April 1998: