Mike Gordon
Mike Gordon on stage at the Gorge on July 13, 2003.
Background information
Also known as	Cactus
Born	June 3, 1965 (1965-06-03) (age 43)
Origin	Sudbury, Massachusetts
Genre(s)	Rock, bluegrass, folk
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instrument(s)	Bass guitar, acoustic guitar, banjo, piano
Years active	1982–present
Label(s)	Rounder Records
Associated acts	Phish, Rhythm Devils, Benevento-Russo Duo, Ramble Dove, Leo Kottke, Grappa Boom, SerialPod, Joey Arkenstat, Tombstone Blues Band
Website	Official website
Notable instrument(s)
bass guitar, banjo, piano, guitar

Mike Gordon (born June 3, 1965 in Sudbury, Massachusetts) is a bass player and vocalist most noted for his work with the rock band Phish. Gordon is also an accomplished banjo player, and is proficient at piano, guitar, harmonica and percussion. He is also an award-winning filmmaker.-1... Year 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. ... Sudbury is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article is about the genre. ... Bluegrass music is a form of American roots music. ... Folk can refer to a number of different things: It can be short for folk music, or, for folksong, or, for folklore; it may be a word for a specific people, tribe, or nation, especially one of the Germanic peoples; it might even be a calque on the related German... A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified for the purpose of making music. ... A sunburst-colored Fender Precision Bass The electric bass guitar (or electric bass[1][2]; pronounced , as in base) is a bass stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers (either by plucking, slapping, popping, or tapping) or using a pick. ... Acoustic guitar can refer to the following musical instruments: Nylon and gut stringed guitars: Renaissance guitar Baroque guitar Romantic guitar Classical guitar, the modern version of the original guitar, with nylon strings Flamenco guitar Steel stringed guitars: Steel-string acoustic guitar, also known as western, folk or country guitar Twelve... For other uses, see Banjo (disambiguation) The banjo is a stringed instrument developed by enslaved Africans in the United States, adapted from several African instruments. ... Pianoforte redirects here. ... In the music industry, a record label can be a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. ... This article is about the band. ... The Rhythm Devils is a super group comprised of Grateful Dead drummers Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart, former Phish bassist Mike Gordon and former The Other Ones, Heart of Gold Band, current band Zero and Steve Kimock Band member, Steve Kimock. ... Benevento-Russo Duo were the 5th Annual Jammys winner of New Groove of the Year. ... Leo Kottke (born on 11 September 1945 in Athens, Georgia, USA, North America) is an acoustic guitarist. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... A sunburst-colored Fender Precision Bass The electric bass guitar (or electric bass[1][2]; pronounced , as in base) is a bass stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers (either by plucking, slapping, popping, or tapping) or using a pick. ... For other uses, see Banjo (disambiguation) The banjo is a stringed instrument developed by enslaved Africans in the United States, adapted from several African instruments. ... Pianoforte redirects here. ... For other uses, see Guitar (disambiguation). ... -1... Year 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. ... Sudbury is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... This article is about the band. ... For other uses, see Banjo (disambiguation) The banjo is a stringed instrument developed by enslaved Africans in the United States, adapted from several African instruments. ... Pianoforte redirects here. ... For other uses, see Guitar (disambiguation). ... A harmonica is a free reed wind instrument. ... Percussion instruments are played by being struck, shaken, rubbed or scraped. ... The film director, on the right, gives last minute direction to the cast and crew, whilst filming a costume drama on location in London. ...

Biography

Gordon met Trey Anastasio, Jon Fishman, and Jeff Holdsworth at the University of Vermont, where Phish began in 1983. Trey Anastasio (born Ernest Joseph Anastasio III on September 30th, 1964)[1][2][3] is an American guitarist, composer, and vocalist most noted for his work with the rock band Phish. ... Jon Fishman is a drummer, best known for his work with the American jam band Phish. ... Jeff Holdsworth in December 2003 onstage with Phish for the first time in 17 years Jeff Holdsworth was a founding member of the legendary band Phish. ... UVM redirects here. ... See also: 1983 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 1983 Record labels established in 1983 // Michael Jacksons Thriller, the most successful album not only of 1983, but of all time, was released in 1982 and began its epic domination of the music charts the following year, 1983. ...

In the music, Gordon's influence is the most obvious in Phish's many different renditions of various bluegrass, calypso and even traditional Jewish songs (Gordon is Jewish). He also contributed by singing, usually adding to the lower end of the harmony spectrum, as well as writing off-beat lyrics to amusing but thought-provoking songs. Bluegrass music is a form of American roots music. ... Calypso is a style of Afro-Caribbean music which originated in Trinidad at about the start of the 20th century. ... The word Jew ( Hebrew: יהודי) is used in a wide number of ways, but generally refers to a follower of the Jewish faith, a child of a Jewish mother, or someone of Jewish descent with a connection to Jewish culture or ethnicity and often a combination of these attributes. ... The word Jew ( Hebrew: יהודי) is used in a wide number of ways, but generally refers to a follower of the Jewish faith, a child of a Jewish mother, or someone of Jewish descent with a connection to Jewish culture or ethnicity and often a combination of these attributes. ...

Gordon played many roles in Phish. Until the band became too big for self-management, he dealt with practically all public relations and fan communication, such as answering fan mail, managing funds, and booking gigs. Gordon wrote 17 Phish original songs and coauthored 22 Phish tracks. [1]

On August 11, 2003, Gordon was arrested for endangering the welfare of a minor after an alleged photo shoot involving a nine-year-old girl inside a deserted boathouse behind Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, New York, following a performance by The Dead. The girl's father was a leader of a Hell's Angels chapter. While being held before police arrived to arrest him, the Angels "were not gentle with the sensitive areas of the rock star's body." After his arrest, he told officers, "I may have shown bad judgment, but I am not a pedophile."^[1] A month later, Gordon was officially cleared of any wrongdoing.^[2] is the 223rd day of the year (224th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the state. ... The Dead is a rock band comprised of former members of the Grateful Dead. ...

Filmmaker

As Phish's de facto filmmaker, Gordon directed the band's only music video, 1994's "Down with Disease". During the making of Hoist, Mike shot film in the studio of performers, walls, tables, recording equipment, smoke, sounds and other gases of various compounds and released it as the short film Tracking. He produced Phish's 20th Anniversary Retrospective, which was aired in between sets at the band's December 2, 2003 concert. Mike is also a filmmaker, releasing his full-length feature film, Outside Out, in 2000. He also directed Rising Low, a documentary about Gov't Mule and their late bass player, Allen Woody. In 2006, Gordon's 7-minute short film Cabin Thing premiered at the DC Shorts Film Festival. See also: 1994 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 1994 Record labels established in 1994 // January 29 - The Supremes Mary Wilson is injured when her jeep hits a freeway median and flips over just outside of Los Angeles, California. ... Hoist is an album by Phish. ... Tracking (1994) is a documentary about the band Phish and recording of their 1994 album Hoist. ... Outside Out is the first full-length feature film from Phish bassist Mike Gordon, premiering in theaters in early 2001 and starring Jim Stout, Col. ... The year 2000 in film involved some significant events. ... Rising Low Rising Low is Mike Gordons second feature film - a documentary based around the life and death of Govt Mule bassist Allen Woody and the making of a double-disc tribute album featruing a host of legendary bass players. ... Govt Mule is a southern rock/jam band formed in 1994 as an Allman Brothers Band side project, but has taken on a life of its own. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Instruments

Like Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio, Gordon played custom-made basses built by Paul Languedoc. Mike played two Languedoc basses, including a "dragon" bass, but switched to a Modulus Quantum 5 bass (similar to the Quantam 6 played by Phil Lesh) in 1997 and has relied on it ever since. This instrument is known for deep tones and a "futuristic" sound, largely attributable to a unique construction including a neck that is made entirely of a lightweight, extremely robust carbon-graphite compound, not dissimilar to a material selected by NASA for use on the Space Shuttle. Image:PHISH FOH.jpg Paul Languedoc at soundcheck with Phish, 2004 Paul Languedoc was the soundman for legendary rock group Phish prior to the bands breakup in 2004; as the bands chief sound engineer and house mixer, he recorded their double-CD A Live One. ... Modulus Guitars is an American manufacturer of musical instruments, most notably bass guitars built with carbon fiber necks. ... Phillip Chapman Lesh (born March 15, 1940 in Berkeley, California) is a musician and founding member of the rock band, Grateful Dead; he played bass guitar in that group throughout their entire 30-year career. ... For other uses, see NASA (disambiguation). ...

Mike's unique sound is also attributable to a bevy of signal processing equipment including an ADA MB-1 pre-amp, a Lexicon reverb unit, an Ibanez flanger (used at the beginning of "Down with Disease"), a Lovetone Meatball (also used at the beginning of "Down with Disease") and a Boss SYB-1 Bass Synthesizer.

Mike has used a variety of amplifier and speaker combinations including the SWR SM-900 amp/Goliath 4x10" enclosure but has been seen most recently using David Eden amps and cabinets. He has played banjo since 1994, performing the instrument in concert with Phish and Phil Lesh (albeit an electric banjo) and in the studio on the 2007 Bernie Worrell album Improvisczario. Phillip Chapman Lesh (born March 15, 1940 in Berkeley, California) is a musician and founding member of the rock band, Grateful Dead; he played bass guitar in that group throughout their entire 30-year career. ... Bernie Worrell Bernie Worrell (born April 19, 1944) is originally from Long Beach, New Jersey but grew up in Plainfield, New Jersey. ...

Other musical projects

Mike Gordon playing with Ramble Dove at the Paradise Rock Club- Boston, MA

Gordon has played in several side-projects apart from Phish, including Grappa Boom with Jamie Masefield of the Jazz Mandolin Project, The Chieftains with Rosanne Cash, and Doug Perkins of Smokin' Grass. The Jazz Mandolin Project, is a jazz jam band from Burlington, Vermont, led by mandolinist Jamie Masefield. ... The Chieftains are a Grammy-winning Irish musical group founded in 1963, known for performing and popularizing Irish traditional music. ... Rosanne Cash (born May 24, 1955) is an American singer and songwriter. ...

In 2002, Gordon recorded the critically acclaimed Clone album with acoustic guitar master Leo Kottke. The duo reunited in 2005 for Sixty Six Steps. Clone is the first studio album from Leo Kottke and Mike Gordon. ... Leo Kottke (born on 11 September 1945 in Athens, Georgia, USA, North America) is an acoustic guitarist. ... Sixty Six Steps is the second studio album from Leo Kottke and Mike Gordon. ...

Gordon formed his own solo band featuring Josh Roseman, Scott Murawski, Julee Avallone, James Harvey, Gordon Stone, Jeannie Hill, and Doug Belote in 2003 and released Inside In based loosely on Outside Out. Inside In is Mike Gordons first solo album and was released August 19, 2003. ...

In the summer of 2004 Gordon produced musician Joey Arkenstat's debut album, Bane. Gordon is also credited with providing vocals and shofar accompaniment. A shofar made from the horn of a kudu, in the Yemenite Jewish style. ...

In 2004, Gordon performed with The Benevento-Russo Duo for several shows benefiting Headcount, a voter registration organization. The trio played a number of dates throughout late 2004 and 2005 including the Bonnaroo Music Festival in June 2005 and a New Year's Eve series of shows in Florida and the northeast. Benevento-Russo Duo were the 5th Annual Jammys winner of New Groove of the Year. ... The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is a four-day annual music festival, created and produced by Superfly Productions and AC Entertainment, first held in 2002. ... For other articles with similar names, see New Year (disambiguation). ... This article is about the U.S. State of Florida. ... Map of the US northeast. ...

In December 2005, Gordon formed SerialPod with Anastasio and Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann. The group debuted at the 17th annual Warren Haynes Christmas Jam in Asheville, North Carolina. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article is about the band. ... Bill Kreutzmann (born May 7, 1946 in Palo Alto, California) was the drummer for legendary rock band the Grateful Dead for their entire 30-year career. ... Not to be confused with Ashville. ... Official language(s) English Demonym North Carolinian Capital Raleigh Largest city Charlotte Largest metro area Charlotte metro area Area  Ranked 28th in the US  - Total 53,865 sq mi (139,509 km²)  - Width 150 miles (340 km)  - Length 560[1] miles (900 km)  - % water 9. ...

In early 2006, Gordon teamed up with his mother, artist Marjorie Minkin, to present Another Side of In — a visual and audio art show featuring interactive sculptures created by Minkin and set to the music of Inside In.

Later in the year, Gordon formed Ramble Dove. The band came into fruition after Gordon's long-time stint as bass player in a honky tonk band led by Brett Hughes that performed each Tuesday night at the Burlington, Vermont club, Radio Bean. The group performs a number of classic country songs and a few Gordon originals, such as "Ramble Dove," "Loosening Up The Rules," and the rare Phish song "Weekly Time." Honky tonk was originally the name of a type of bar common throughout the southern United States, also Honkatonk or Honkey-tonk. ... For other uses, see Country (disambiguation). ...

That summer, Gordon, along with Phish bandmate Trey Anastasio, again joined the Benevento-Russo Duo for a co-headlining tour with Phil Lesh and Friends before finishing the final leg of the tour on their own. The group performed various songs from each members' catalog, as well as a handful of brand new originals. The quartet parted ways after the tour ended in July. Phil Lesh & Friends is an American rock band formed and led by Phil Lesh, bassist of the Grateful Dead. ...

In August, Gordon joined the Rhythm Devils - a group featuring Kreutzmann, Dead drummer Mickey Hart, guitarist Steve Kimock and a host of backup players. The Rhythm Devils is a super group comprised of Grateful Dead drummers Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart, former Phish bassist Mike Gordon and former The Other Ones, Heart of Gold Band, current band Zero and Steve Kimock Band member, Steve Kimock. ... Mickey Hart (born September 11, 1943) is a percussionist and musicologist. ... Steve Kimock (born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) is an American rock musician and guitarist. ...

On January 2, 2007, Gordon appeared with a group billed as The House Band containing many former members of The Grateful Dead playing at a party in honor of the new leadership of the United States House of Representatives hosted by Nancy Pelosi. The group included Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Bob Weir, Bruce Hornsby, and Warren Haynes. is the 2nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Jerry Garcia later in life The Grateful Dead was an American rock band, which was formed in 1965 in San Francisco from the remnants of another band, Mother McCrees Uptown Jug Champions. ... Type Bicameral Speaker of the House of Representatives House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi, (D) since January 4, 2007 Steny Hoyer, (D) since January 4, 2007 House Minority Leader John Boehner, (R) since January 4, 2007 Members 435 plus 4 Delegates and 1 Resident Commissioner Political groups Democratic Party Republican Party... Nancy Patricia DAlesandro Pelosi (born March 26, 1940) is currently the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. ... Mickey Hart (born September 11, 1943) is a percussionist and musicologist. ... Bill Kreutzmann (born May 7, 1946 in Palo Alto, California) was the drummer for legendary rock band the Grateful Dead for their entire 30-year career. ... Robert Hall Weir (October 16, 1947–) is an American guitar player, most recognized as a founding member of the Grateful Dead. ... Bruce Randall Hornsby (born November 23, 1954 in Williamsburg, Virginia) is an American singer, pianist, accordion player, and songwriter. ... Warren Haynes (born April 6, 1960) is an American rock and blues guitarist, vocalist and songwriter and long time member of The Allman Brothers Band. ...

Gordon performed at a concert in Hawaii on September 21st with Kimock and Kreutzmann, and on November 2nd, appeared during the second set of a Ratdog concert at the Memorial Auditorium in Burlington Vermont, joining the band on the songs "Stuff," "Bird Song," and "Cassidy." On January 5th, Gordon again teamed with Kreutzmann and Scott Murawski in Jaco, Costa Rica for a gig at Docelunas, playing a range of covers and originals including "Keep On Growing," "Estimated Prophet," "Twist" and "Intensified." This article is about the U.S. State. ... Ratdog, also known as Bob Weir and Ratdog, is an American rock band. ...

Mike emerged from touring hibernation this year and performed with his own solo band for the first time since 2003 at The Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton, MA on June 30th, 2008. He joined Trey Anastasio at the first annual Rothbury Music Festival in July during his solo acoustic set. Trey (and former Phish bandmate Jon Fishman joined Mike for part of his set during the same day. Mike will release a new album entitled The Green Sparrow on Rounder Records on August 5th. Northampton, Massachusetts Main Street Northampton is a city located in Hampshire County, Massachusetts. ... Trey Anastasio (born Ernest Joseph Anastasio III on September 30th, 1964)[1][2][3] is an American guitarist, composer, and vocalist most noted for his work with the rock band Phish. ... This article is about the band. ... Jon Fishman is a drummer, best known for his work with the American jam band Phish. ...

Albums

• Clone (with Leo Kottke) (October 8, 2002)
• Inside In (August 19, 2003)
• Sixty Six Steps (with Leo Kottke) (August 23, 2005)
• Live From Bonnaroo 2005 (with the Benevento-Russo Duo) (July 18, 2006, recorded live in 2005)
• The Green Sparrow (to be released August 5, 2008)

Clone is the first studio album from Leo Kottke and Mike Gordon. ... Leo Kottke (born on 11 September 1945 in Athens, Georgia, USA, North America) is an acoustic guitarist. ... is the 281st day of the year (282nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... Inside In is Mike Gordons first solo album and was released August 19, 2003. ... is the 231st day of the year (232nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Sixty Six Steps is the second studio album from Leo Kottke and Mike Gordon. ... Leo Kottke (born on 11 September 1945 in Athens, Georgia, USA, North America) is an acoustic guitarist. ... {| style=float:right; |- | |- | |} is the 235th day of the year (236th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Live From Bonnaroo 2005 is a double disc live album from Mike Gordon and the Benevento-Russo Duo recorded live at the fourth annual Bonnaroo Music Festival in June 2005. ... Benevento-Russo Duo were the 5th Annual Jammys winner of New Groove of the Year. ... is the 199th day of the year (200th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Books

• Mike's Corner (May 1997)

Mikes Corner: Daunting Literary Snippets from Phishs Bassist Mikes Corner is a 148-page collection of short stories written by Phish bassist Mike Gordon, first published in 1997. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ...

Films

• Tracking (Phish, 1994)
• Outside Out (2000)
• Rising Low (2002)

Tracking (1994) is a documentary about the band Phish and recording of their 1994 album Hoist. ... This article is about the band. ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ... Outside Out is the first full-length feature film from Phish bassist Mike Gordon, premiering in theaters in early 2001 and starring Jim Stout, Col. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... Rising Low Rising Low is Mike Gordons second feature film - a documentary based around the life and death of Govt Mule bassist Allen Woody and the making of a double-disc tribute album featruing a host of legendary bass players. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ...

Awards

• Sixty Six Steps won album of the year at the 2006 Jammy Awards.

• Rising Low was the winner of the Joe Jarvis Audience Choice Award for Best Documentary at the 2002 Newport International Film Festival.

• Outside Out garnered the audience award at the South by Southwest festival.

A Jammy Award The Jammys (also known as the Jammy Awards) are an awards show for bands typically called jam bands and other artists associated with that genre. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... Downtown Austin, Texas, where SXSW is held each spring Bloc Party performing at Stubbs BBQ in 2007 Carrie Rodriguez, a SXSW 2007 performer Morrissey at SXSW 2006 South by Southwest (SXSW) is a set of interactive, film, and music festivals and conferences that have taken place every spring in...

References

External links

• Mike's official website
• Outside Out website
• The official website of Inside In
• Phish's official website
• Phish's 20th Video-Retrospective
• An experiential art show by Gordon and Marjorie Minkin
• "Kottke and Gordon: Calypso-Brushed Guitars" by David Dye, from NPR's World Cafe November 24, 2005