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The Grateful Dead did not pioneer group improvisation (jazz did), fan taping and trading of performances (bluegrass did), drug use, or other things that happen to be common to both groups.

The Dead were a rock band that started before rock and roll now known. Phish, by contrast, are a rock band first and foremost, born well after the birth (and, arguably, death) of rock and roll.

The Dead were heavily influenced by (and thus perhaps more closely associated with) Pigpen's blues and Garcia's bluegrass, later diversified to include Lesh's classical background and Mickey Hart's crosscultural interests in percussion.

Phish probably draw on more musical influences, if only because they started after more were recognized. But they also draw on different ones: their roots are instead from big band and neo-classical (Trey), bluegrass and country (Mike), heavy metal (Fishman), and 1980s "mall rock".

"Phish and the Grateful Dead are not the same band. It must be said they were and remain one of my favorite bands. In fact, the Dead are one of the most important American bands, if not the most important. To me, the Dead are a genuine link to traditional American music. They moved music history forward. Jerry Garcia was as important a figure in this country's music history as Bill Monroe or Elvis. Phish has learned a lot from them. They are an influence. But, that said, we are also very different. The most important lesson we learned from the Dead was how to be a live band."
-- Trey Anastasio, New York Post 1/1/99