Tuesday Artist Spotlight: The Lizards (Phish Tribute)
When you think about Phish and the incredible following they’ve accumulated over the years, Vermont and the Northeast should come to mind as the legendary jam band’s established home base. But if you drive just 90 miles north from Burlington, the birthplace of Phish, you’ll hit Montreal, a thriving city center in Canada. Scoot over just a few provinces and you’re in Toronto. So if you really think about it, it’s no wonder Canada is filled with Phish heads, and in turn, it’s not wonder Toronto spawned the highly successful Canadian Phish tribute band called The Lizards.
A four-piece jam band complete with a traveling light and sound team, The Lizards have built a significant following across the great nation of Canada by playing hundreds of shows dedicated to the historic catalogue of Phish since their inception in 2013. Comprised of Benjamin Weigensberg (drums), Joel Visentin (keys), Phil Albert (bass), Rich Grossman (guitar), Toby Gottlieb (lights) and Kory Vanderiviere (sound), The Lizards are highly regarded as Canada’s premier Phish cover band, and are named after the timeless Phish song written by Trey, debuted in 1988, that refers to the linchpin of the infamous Gamehendge saga.
For a country that’s only seen ten total Phish concerts, the last one in Toronto back in 2013 during Phish’s summer tour, The Lizards have supplied Canadian Phish heads with a much needed continual sonic dose of live Phish. On Friday, June 9th, The Lizards are making their US debut in the heart of New York City at Manhattan’s American Beauty. Just before Phish touches down in New York to take the city by storm with their inaugural Baker’s Dozen extravaganza, The Lizards will perform a Phish tribute right next door to MSG with support from Project Grand Slam. Tickets for the band’s American debut can be purchased right here, and you can watch another performance by The Lizards below.