Bike

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History

There is only one band member Phish fans want to see take his bike out.

“Bike” is the only Phish cover song written by Syd Barrett that was originally performed by Pink Floyd. Making its Phish debut at Hunt’s on 11/19/87, other notable early performances include 11/20/91 (with Fish on fretless guitar instead of vacuum) and 3/16/93 (a “Bike” -> “Lengthwise” -> “Bike” sandwich). 

Pink Floyd, “Bike” – The Piper At the Gates of Dawn

While it was never really common, Phish performances since 1994 have been extremely scarce. After a 129 show absence, Fish delighted crowds with a rendition on 8/3/98 Deer Creek. “Bike” was a Fishman export on 7/30/99 at the Fuji Rock Fest in Japan, with the next appearance also in Japan a year later on 6/15/00, erupting unexpectedly out of an impromptu vacuum solo. Check out the 9/12/00 Great Woods version for some amusing comments by Fish about the extent of his repertoire. 

After being ignored for all of Phish 2.0, “Bike” made its glorious return to the stage during the encore of the 6/18/09 Burgettstown, PA show. After a less than perfect “Grind,” Trey announced that they were going to try another a cappella song, but, if they screwed up a second time, that Fish would sing “Bike.” They did – on an aborted “Hello My Baby” – and Trey remained true to his word, much to the delight of those in attendance. Taking a spin through Charlotte on 6/17/11 and Deer Creek on 6/28/12, a three-year, 132-show gap would pass before “Bike” was united with Dick’s on 9/4/15.

Phish, “Bike” – 9/4/15, Commerce City, CO. Video by LazyLightning55a.

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