October

• Phish:

  I have noticed that last summer and fall tours began and ended by the full moon. Is this a lunar coincidence or good planning?

  Rachel, California
  Rachel::

  We would never again start a tour, or end one, without a full moon. I guess we learned that lesson the hard way.
• Dear Phish:

  What was "Fish" like in college? Please give details.

  Kevin "Foz" Fosbenner, Rutledge, PA
  Foz::

  He was whimsical, doing anything on a whim. An adventurous guy, he would do anything for a thrill. One time that meant busting open the dorm candy machine with a hammer. A security guy walked up and Fish said, cautiously gripping the shopping bag of candy, "Aw, look at what someone did." Another time he hid from campus cops by lying with his bicycle in the bushes, even though he had done nothing wrong. Unfortunately, he got caught anyway by an officer who saw the bike sticking out. He was startled and said, "What candy machine?"
• Dear Mike:

  What do you guys have in your pockets during the shows?

  Nick Kunz, Denver, CO
  Kunz::

  I have my laminated pass. Without that, I'm not allowed to exit the stage. I also have a cell phone in my butt, and I know it's not a pocket, but I thought I'd mention it anyway since not too many guys do it. Trey has his watch, Page an earphone receiver, and Fish has a 10 year old candy bar from his collection.
• Dear Mike:

  Why did you and Trey switch instruments to play "Sabotage" at Lemonwheel?

  Yours, Chris Lane
  Chris:

  We each grabbed guitars tuned down a half step, to be true to the original.