Background: Also according to Elektra's release, "Some of the metaphysical groundwork for what turned out to be an exceptional musical event might have been laid the previous evening. Enjoying a night off, the members of Phish, along with their crew and friends, embarked on a raucous bout of partying that would have done Van Hagar proud. The festivities began at the hotel bar, where several rounds of a potent libation known as Dr. Joe's Knockout Punch were consumed. One overturned glass table and a mass eviction later, the party moved onto the tour bus, which became an impromptu mosh pit as tapes by Rage Against the Machine and other blared. 'There might have been 20,30 people on the bus,' says Gordon, 'opening the skylights and jumping out of them'. Next, they explored the subterranean clubs and discos of Hamburg, dancing to the latest electronica and house music into the wee hours."

Interestingly, there was an advance cassette of this disc around, but no advance CD sent to radio stations and stores weeks early, as happened with previous discs.

The liner notes are attributed to Steven Wright. Read carefully to get the joke: "Never before in my life in what is clearly an audio sequence although visual oriented in its roots has an album made the impact on me and probably thousands of others in the present and those squatting in the future waiting and experiencing simultaneously this wonderful music in a form unnerving in its pleasure to mankind as spectator of life as whole and in its separate parts in general. I highly recommend it. Also, I have not heard it. Thank you." (Thanks to Gary Davis , 10/8/97.) Also, note the nicknames, scribbled into the photos: MC Neon Cellgap for Page; Leroy Elroy for Mike; and Herr Necklace for Trey (who appears to have a necklace "made" of chest hair). Rob Jacques.

Cover art: Music Central informed that, "Cover art will be done by one of the artistes who works at the seminal graphic art house Hipgnosis, the firm that created groundbreaking album covers for the likes of Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin back in the dark ages of the '70s. Also, look for Phish's next studio album to be released in early 1998." The disc will reportedly sell for $16.98, cassette for $10.98, though many local stores sell at a discount the first days or weeks of sale, so get it early. (Thanks to Chris Berg , 8/6/97)

According to Billboard Magazine, 10.3.98, "Phish's last release, 'Slip Stitch And Pass,' peaked at No. 17 on The Billboard 200 and has sold 229,000 units."

See also, the official promo site and Slip, Stich & Pass discusison on JamTV.

See also, reviews and sound clips from Music Boulevard.

Thanks also to "Yoda" Jeremy Goodin , Brent Williams , Dan Hantman , and Brian Lipman .

"...the music exists in the universe, and if you're lucky enough, or strong enough, to let your ego out of the way, the music comes through you. The audience we have is open to that, and they understand that conventional transfer of energy. If you had an audience screaming for the hit song, it's never going to happen. You've got to have people who are there for that spontaneous moment where you rise above normal limits. The best shows, you really are not in control. I've been reading a lot of interviews of great musicians -- Marvin Gaye, Art Farmer, Sun Ra -- and they all agree on this philosophy." -- Trey Anastasio, to Steve Silberman for "Control for Smilers Can't Be Bought"