May

• Gentlemen:

  Is it true that you are coming out with a video? Please don't! Do you know how trendy that will make you? It's great for you, but it sucks for us. I hate trendy people! They don't know what music really is. If you put a video out music as I know it will no longer exist. You don't understand how much you mean to me. You're the first band I've ever really liked! I have all your CDs and I've memorized all your songs. I know I sound like a complaining little 13-year-old, but you are so important to me that I feel protective over you.

  Alison Aylward
  Dear Alison,:

  Don't worry: when I make a video, and if it is played, music as you know it will still exist. It's true that some new people may find themselves liking the band (and some hating it), but they can't ruin your deeper, special experience. - Mike G
• J, E, M, P:

  When and where do you believe you had your best performance? I would really like a true answer and I'm sure you might have disagreements amongst yourselves. I would not like a silly, but wonderfully creative answer from Mike.

  Wyatt Wirtels
  Dear Wyatt,:

  I have a specific answer, but it's not silly or creative. Our best performance was a Goddard College Cafeteria dance in November '85. I don't think the other guys would agree, but for me it was a peak experience unlike any other. So it was my favorite. It changed my life. It was the final indicator that I should make music a career. - Mike
• Phish:

  I just wanted to ask you what the hell "Doniac Schvice" means.

  Yours truly, Benj Wilson
  Dear Benj,:

  Doniac Schvice is the feeling you get when you're fidgeting with your keys to get in your house, and the phone rings, and then stops ringing. - Mike
• Phish:

  Me and my friends all listen to your music, and we probably think that your lyrics are something they're not, because we all sing something different for "You Enjoy Myself" off to Junta. So, if you could, would you tell us what the words are after, "Boy, Man-"? Please write back, it's killing us.

  Ingrid Errickson
  Dear Ingrid,:

  Good question- Those are tricky words. I mumble, "Wash your poop and cram it up-" Just kidding. They are "Washa Uffizi and drive me to Firenze". - Mike
• Trey:

  How the hell did Fishman get nicknamed Tubbs the Incredible Beast Boy? We all need to know.

  Dube
  Dear Dube-:

  The story of Fishman's "Beast-Boy" nickname goes back a few years-and has since been immortalized by Tom in our song "Buffalo Bill". We don't play it very often, so in case you haven't heard it, here it is. "Looking for owls?" the young man asked, hoping to lighten the tension. The scowl he received as his only reply made him smile as he relieved the mention. And the cowering fool walked on alone quite proud of the fear he instilled - and later they found him, tied to a log, bent over and Buffalo-Billed. - Trey
• Dear Phish:

  I hope you really sat down and thought about what you're doing with this video business -- I don't think you're selling out, but I just wanted to shed some light on my view about this: I lvoe you guys -- no matter what. But when I listen to one of your jams -- live or recorded -- I have this huge feeling inside of me that lifts me and makes me feel as if you are playing just for me. Sometimes I feel as if I'm having an orgasm, and when you put out a video it's like I lose you; I lose being as close to you, and everyone gets to criticize or love you and I don't want that.

  Tricia Guinle
  Tricia:

  no one can threaten your special connection.
  
  --Mike
• Dear Phish:

  When are you guys going to record and release your "Gamehendge-related" songs? I think a lot of people would enjoy such songs (e.g. "Famous Mockingbird") Also, is it really possible to smell colors?

  Brent Fraim
  Brent,:

  We plan to do an interactive CD of "The Man Who Stepped Into Yesterday" in the near future...As far as the colors are concerned, let me quote Jean-Paul Sartre from Existentialism and Human Emotions -- "No."
  
  -Trey "But I Believe in Gravity" Anastasio
• Phish:

  I have a question -- If you were to dig a hole to "China" or wherever...straight downward -- when you got halfway through the earth, would you still be going down even though you'd come out upside down, or would you be going up and the dir would fall in your face and if you let go of the sides you'd fall int he middle because the two forces of gravity would be pushing you toward the center?

  Ellen Meyi
  Dear Ellen:

  You'd be molten.
  
  -Page