Phish Festival 8 Halloween Cover Album Teaser

Learn about PHISH 3D: The Movie shot at Festival 8.

99 8 Albums But They'll Play Just One

Click album titles for a free, legal stream.

Introduction: The Phish Halloween Album Teaser (September 28th, 2009)

Today the Festival 8 site on Phish.com was updated with yet another teaser animation, only this time instead of teags sayg the location, they're teasing the Halloween cover album.

The new site features a haunted gallery of 99 albums, each a possibility for the musical costume, and each a possible victim of an unfortunate demise.

A handful of albums have already been killed off, and there should be a lot more killing over the next few weeks as the welcome card promises Phish will “play the last record left alive.”

Gotta admit I was pleased to see both of my top choices — Appetite for Destruction and Exile on Main Street — made the list. Figure Appetite is a long-shot but Exile could have a chance.

Though I doubt this will be quite as uproar-inducing as the Halloween map, it's sure to keep the Festival 8 buzz going strong. Plus it'll also give you a chance to study up on the remaining possibilities (rumor has it there will be 8 albums left when the fest begins) and get familiar with the material, whatever it may be.

Update: The Grateful Living (September 29th @ 12:11 am)

I'm sure this means nothing, but one eagle-eyed fan has noticed that the Grateful Dead are listed as the “Grateful Living” in the xml config file that's driving the gallery. Hmmm… certainly wouldn't mind if American Beauty is “the last record left alive.”

Update: The Grateful Living Part 2 (September 29th @ 2:41 am)

There's a comment below about the Grateful Dead thing pointing out that the word “living” is used in the xml file to denote albums that are still in the mix. I realized that, but in this case it's not just the <stateofbeing> node that says living, but the <title> node as well.

That said, the reader's comment opened my mind up to a much more likely theory. Someone did a search and replace on that xml file, replacing all occurrences of “dead” with “living” — only they didn't select match case — and so the “Grateful Dead” became the “Grateful living.” Note also the lowercase “l” which I incorrectly noted as an uppercase “L” above.

So in effect, I'm still sure it means nothing… other than that speculating on Phish teaser animations is a great way to waste time.

Update: The Grateful Living Part 3 (September 29th @ 1:36 pm)

The Grateful Dead are now listed correctly in the .xml file. Case closed.

Update: Phish-themed Album Covers (October 6th @ 10:36 pm)

Strange things are afoot in the haunted gallery, as a number of album covers have started to get a Phish-themed makeover.

• Phish are in the sardine can on Hello Nasty
• The hot dog vendor on Pretzel Logic is sporting a viking hat
• The Boss is playing a Languedoc
• Trey and Page are moving a keyboard on Moving Pictures
• T-Rex is now T-rey
• Tom Petty is wearing a Phish shirt
• Mike Gordon has joined the Ramones (added 10/7)
• Rage Against the Machine is now Page Against the Machine (added 10/9)
• Fishman is on the cover of Exile on Main Street (added 10/10)
• Ghost in the Machine is now Story of the Ghost in the Machine (added 10/15)
• AC/DC Back in Black is now AC/DC Bag (added 10/15)
• Page is in the rearview mirror on the Minutemen album (added 10/16)
• Fishman's head has been added to one of the Electric Ladyland ladies (added 10/16)

Just as it was starting to feel really repetitive, this is a great twist to keep things interesting.

Update: Phish-themed Album Covers (October 6th @ 11:36 pm)

A commenter below just inquired if anyone noticed that a “new album” had been added to the gallery

Well it's a new album cover, but not a new album. That's the original cover image from Blind Faith's self-titled debut. Rumor has it the naked young girl is Ginger Baker's daughter, but whoever it is she didn't make the cut. The cover was banned in the USA where it was sold with the “bland, but shopper-friendly, band photo.”

Update: Album YouTube Links (October 7th @ 3:23 pm)

Well this is interesting. Some of the albums in the xml config file have been updated to include YouTube links.

I'll give you one guess how many albums got the special treatment…

1. AC/DC, Hells Bells from Back in Black
2. Aerosmith, Sweet Emotion from Toys In The Attic (by Gordon/Kottke)
3. Arcade Fire, Wake Up from Funeral
4. David Bowie, Oh You Pretty Things from Hunky Dory
5. David Bowie, Ziggy Stardust from Five Years Live
6. Led Zeppelin, Going to California from Zeppelin IV
7. The Band, Up On Cripple Creek from The Band
8. Clash, Clampdown from London Calling

I sure hope these aren't the finalist because they seem to have forgotten GNR :)

Update: Festival 8 Numerology (October 7th @ 7:17 pm)

Just came across some interesting numerology observations from PTer Sixtwenty294.

• Moving Pictures is Rush's 8th album
• Escape is Journey's 8th album
• Kiss Alive II is Kiss's 8th album
• Tonight's the Night is Neil Young's 8th album
• Goodbye yellow brick road is Elton John's 8th album (including a live album)
• Hot Rats is Frank Zappa's 8th album (including comilations) Thx Jeff G.

Plus, they changed 8 album covers — Blind Faith, T.Rex, Springsteen, Beastie Boys, Ramones, Steely Dan, Rush, and Tom Petty. And as noted above, 8 albums have videos.

That's a whole lot of eights. Nice work Sixtwenty294.

Update: Albums with 8 Songs (October 8th @ 12:11 am)

Got some more 8's thanks to a comment from Bryan Lasky — the albums with 8 songs…

Update: YouTube Links Part 2 & 8 Letter Names (October 8th @ 4:55 pm)

A few things to note here. 

First, the mis-linked Arcade Fire and Clash videos from yesterday were updated in the xml. Plus, a bunch of additional video links were added some time today. These include…

1. Frank Zappa, Cosmik Debris from Apostrophe
2. Led Zeppelin, Misty Mountain Hop from Zeppelin IV
3. Metallica, Master of Puppets from Master of Puppets
4. Minutemen, Jesus And Tequila from Double Nickels On The Dime
5. Nirvana, Lithium from Nevermind
6. Pink Floyd, Comfortably Numb from The Wall
7. Radiohead, Everything In Its Right Place from Kid A
8. Rush, YYZ from Moving Pictures
9. Violent Femmes, Blister In The Sun from Violent Femmes
10. Yes, I've Seen All Good People from The Yes Album

Next, if you've been enjoying the numbers game and were miffed that there were 10 new videos and not 8, there's a comment from Lorenzo below that I think you'll like — it's the artists on the list with 8 letter names…

Update: Electric Ladyland Album Cover (October 8th @ 8:13 pm)

Here's an update for the dudes in the front row, and this one actually is riveting.

The official Electric Landyland album cover (left) has been replaced with the original UK cover (center) featuring a harem of late sixties babes. Once again, banned in the USA and elsewhere.

Notably, Hendrix didn't want this cover or the blurry red and yellow mugshot. Instead he'd requested they use a Linda Eastman photo (right) of the Experience sitting with some kids on the Alice in Wonderland statue in Central Park. Given a vote, I'd have chosen the babes.

Update: Links to Album Streams (October 9th @ 12:52 pm)

For your listening pleasure, I've stated linking up some of the albums below to free, legal streams on Grooveshark. Unfortunately most of their playlists are incomplete or have tons of duplicates, so you basically need to create each one by hand which is time consuming.

That said, if anyone's feeling ambitious and wants to take on an album or two it'd be greatly appreciated. Just shoot me an email or post a comment with the playlist link.

Update: Fall Tour Dates Announced (October 9th @ 10:32 am)

Nothing to do with albums or 8's, but Fall Tour Dates have been announced.

Update: Video Links Part 3 (October 9th @ 1:30 pm)

Got another handful of additional video links that were added some time today. These include…

1. Blind Faith, Can't Find My Way Home from Blind Faith
2. Genesis, In the Cage from Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
3. Jimi Hendrix, Are You Experienced from Are You Experienced
4. King Crimson, Talking Drum from Larks' Tongues In Aspic
5. Van Morrison, Cyprus Avenue from Astral Weeks

Update: Albums with Horns (October 13th @ 12:31 am)

The rumor mill is rapidly churning with the notion that there will be horns at Festival 8, presumably for the musical costume. Here's a list of albums you might be hearing if that rumor pans out…

Meanwhile, I'm generally averse to Hitler but the video above cracks me up every time so I'm just embedding to avoid having to go to YouTube — and for the 3 people who still haven't seen it.

Update: Mike's Hotline Hint & more (October 13th @ 11:15 pm)

A few things to report, aside from the fact that CCR, ZZ Top, and the Ramones were killed off today.

First, Mike's hotline is offering a very Gordonesque “hint” at the Halloween album — singing a line from the chorus of the Go-Gos Out Lips Are Sealed. Personally I prefer the Hilary / Haley Duff version. Hear Mike for yourself at 212-330-9092. 

Added 10/14 @ 5:45 pm Lots of message board chatter that lips could be a thinly veiled Stones reference. 

Added 10/19 @ 8:23 pm “Our lips are sealed” is a lyric in the song Elevation by Television. Coincidence?

Second, I've started a gallery of Festival 8 posters that's already got great art by folks like AJ Masthay, Jamie Huntsman, and Not Pollock. 

Finally, I'm doing a Series II Page bobblehead giveaway. This one features Page as The Chairman of the Boards, my favorite of all the bobbles so far.

Update: Phish Festivalography on Sirius (October 14th @ 12:10 am)

Not sure if I'm late to the game on this but I just got wind of a cool sounding show on Sirius called “Phish Festivalography.” It's a four part series starting Thursday the 15th at 9:00 pm Eastern (with replay at 2 am).

Hosted by Jonathan Schwartz from “Gone Phishin',” the exclusive series will cover Phish's festival history in words and music. Sounds promising.

Festivalography Downloads

• Download Part 1: Ball & Went mp3 via dayman43 on PT
• Download Part 2: Lemonwheel & Oswego mp3 via @duanebase
• Download Part 3: Big Cypress & IT mp3
• Download Part 4: Coventry, Festival 8, & Beyond mp3

Update: Miner's Case for Ziggy Stardust (October 14th @ 3:00 pm)

Mr. Miner over at Phish thoughts has made the case for Ziggy Stardust:

For the elaborate theatrics and space-aged costumes alone, Ziggy Stardust would make a superb spectacle for the Halloween set. But beyond the glamorous show this album could provide, the music and lyrics of Bowie’s record fit perfectly with Phish’s place in time.

Read Miner's full post for more.

In other news, Zeppelin IV was just eliminated! Kinda figured that one would stick around for a while but alas, it's gone.

Update: The Album Elimination Set (October 14th @ 5:15 pm)

Got what I think might be a fun concept that revolves around the premise / rumor that there will be 8 albums left at Festival time.

Imagine you have just woken up from a dream. In that dream you were at Festival 8 and the band threw a major curve-ball 2nd set Friday, eliminating albums by playing 6 covers plus a cover encore — one from each of the 7 albums NOT being played.

So for example, in my dream it might look something like this:

1. Detroit Rock City (Kiss)
2. Communication Breakdown (Zeppelin)
3. Poem 58 (Chicago)
4. Counting Out Time (Genesis)
5. Every Little Thing She Does (Police)
6. Rip this Joint (Stones)
7. Encore: Paradise City (GNR)

Stream a compilation of this fake set

Notably, I mixed and matched what I'd want them to play with what I think they'd play, which I think makes a huge difference, and is probably how a real dream would unfold.

Also note that I believe it's highly unlikely that they'll eliminate the final albums this way*, but given this concept, what would they play in your dream? Post a comment below once you've given it some thought.

* My insane hypothesis here, in case you were wondering, is that they will have a real life version of the haunted gallery. This will be designed by the guy who did the installations at Hampton and Bonnaroo. Throughout the first two days of the fest actors will come in and kill these larger than life covers with real chainsaws, hatchets, spurting blood, etc. The final 3 or so will be killed on stage in a theatrical experience immediately preceding the costume set Saturday.

Update: The Dead are Dead (October 14th @ 8:50 pm)

Oh man, you step away for a few hours and they go and kill off the good ol' Grateful Dead. I didn't think for a second they were going to play this, but I wouldn't have complained. For those who were hoping for this one, the only solace I have to offer is this: Terrapin from Virginia Beach '98. Enjoy.

Update: Bands with 4 Members (October 15th @ 12:40 am)

Here's an interesting observation from Greg below: all the bands phish has covered have been 4 members (at one point or another). If that trend continues, here's who you might hear:

Greg goes on to jokingly note, “That's 16 bands left. 2 weeks left. 16 divided by 2 is 8!!!!!” Fascinating. Just added the Clash and there are now 17 bands in the list rendering Greg's joke humorless.

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Update: Handicapping the Albums (October 16th @ 9:40 am)

I don't think anyone's actually keeping books, but Eric Wyman and Matt Dubno have been handicapping the remaining albums. Here are a few of their picks:

• Sticky Fingers | Matt @ 20:1, Eric @ 3:2
• Exile on Main Street | Matt @ 25:1, Eric @ 12:1
• Moving Pictures | Matt @ 25:1, Eric @ 25:1
• Hot Rats | Matt @ 12:1, Eric @ 75:1
• Electric Ladyland | Matt @ 8:1, Eric @ 3:1

See more handicapping action at 99 Halloweens.

Update: The Campground Albums (October 16th @ 11:50 am)

So this latest rumor has been circulating a bit but the din finally got loud enough that I've decided to post it. People are now saying that there will be 8 campgrounds at Festival 8, one for each of the finalist albums. Here's the rumored list…

1. David Bowie | Hunky Dory
2. Genesis | The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway | SBD
3. Jimi Hendrix | Electric Ladyland
4. King Crimson | Larks' Tongues In Aspic
5. MGMT | Oracular Spectacular
6. Prince | Purple Rain
7. Radiohead | Kid A
8. Rolling Stones | Exile on Main Street

I'd take it for what it is, a rumor, but that list pretty well thought out. As I'm sure is the case for most folks, there's a few of my favorites (Stones, Jimi, Genesis), a few I'm not so big on (Radiohead, MGMT), a few I could go either way on (Bowie, Prince), and one I've yet to hear (King Crimson).

Crowd favorite Ziggy Stardust is noticeably absent, leading some to speculate that they'll play a non-campground album. But I'm not so sure as that would mean they'd be playing an album that was previously eliminated, a concept that didn't go over so well with California on the teaser map.

Finally, I saw a great suggestion on another board — the band could go around the campsites late-night and serenade each with a performance of a few tunes from their respective albums. That's probably about the only thing that would make me question my hotel decision, but time will tell.

Update: Much on the Horizon at 8 (October 16th @ 4:40 pm)

The Festival 8 site has been updated with a slew of new festival info, summarized below. I didn't think it was possible to be more excited, but I was wrong.

• The Overlook

  Concert field overlook, Bloody Mary bar, movie / sports viewing, 100 foot Ferris Wheel, and an internet cafe (plus the entire area will have WiFi)

• The Coil

  Multiple art installations, interactive works galore, and fire artists after dark

• House of Live Phish

  Mix and re-mix your own custom LivePhish tracks, then share them online. Plus LivePhish sampler and immediately show releases on microSD cards

• Beers, Beers, Beers

  Over 50 different beers including a custom “FOAM” pulsner from Sierra Nevada

• Kuroda Light Installation

  Custom light installations around the festival site from everyone's favorite LD

• The Bunny

  Tons of music and up to the minute reports on 95.9 FM including 3 archive shows from Shapiro

• Horseshoe Tournament

  Apparently they do this at every festival, but I've never seen it

• Custom Donuts

  Sunday morning donuts will be commemoratively shaped in a figure eight

• Farmer's Market

  Locally produced fruits, veggies, honey, cheese, eggs, bread and more, plus an organic cafe

Update: The Killer Album Theory (October 16th @ 6:20 pm)

Okay. Here's a theory (not mine) that's either totally obvious or totally out-there, or perhaps a little bit of both.

The obvious part of the theory (or at least already been discussed here and there) is that the Halloween album is not actually on the list.

The out-there part is that the 100th album is actually the murderer — the one doing all the killing — and that album would be, pun intended, Let it Bleed… the Stones 8th album.

Look forward to your comments on this one.

Hat tip to Cassidy B. for the theory.

Update: Ryan Kerrigan's 8 Balls, David Welker Scratchboard (October 17th @ 5:49 pm)

Just added some great stuff to the Festival 8 poster gallery including a set of hand-painted 8 balls by Ryan Kerrigan and an incredible scratchboard piece by David Welker (who also did the Rift cover).

If this is any indication of the type of stuff people will be slinging at the Festival, I might just need an extra suitcase. 

Nice work gents.

Update: Pictures at an Exhibition (October 18th @ 11:16 am)

A few followup thoughts to the 100th album theory have emerged in the comment thread below, including one comment from ben who suggests Alice Cooper's 1971 album Killer as the 100th album, noting also that Alice is playing in town on the 30th.

Second, and perhaps more intriguing, is this comment from stealingtime about ELP's 1971 album Pictures at an Exhibition. 

I doubt they'd play this, as the album has hardly any guitar (listen here) but man does that album cover bear striking resemblance to the Phish gallery or what?

Update: Vendor Map of Festival Grounds (October 19th @ 5:30 pm)

Update removed. Sorry.

Update: Upper Playground / Sonic Living “Day 1” (October 19th @ 10:15 pm)

Came across this link on PhishPosters.com tonight. I'm not familiar with either Upper Playground or Sonic Living, both of whom have logos on these, but someone on PhishPosters is guessing that these are Festival 8 laminate designs. 

These aren't quite as cool as past laminates if that's the case, though there's plenty of cool stuff in the UP news feed like this brilliant photo gallery of an urban narcolepsy epidemic.

Update: 10:38 pm Interesting. There's a poster gallery on the Sonic Living site that includes these images, sans text. The guitar gun is by Jeremy Fish, the cityscape by Marco Zamora, and the bike by Sam Flores.

Despite the update, I'm still not sure what the examples above are supposed to be . Post a comment if you have any ideas.

Update: Seeking photos from Phish fans (October 21st  @ 1:18 pm)

Local Indio paper The Desert Sun is looking for great photos from past Phish festivals. See here for details and an email address to send pics.

Update: Festival 8 to be Filmed in 3D (October 21st  @ 2:04 pm)

I heard this rumor from a pretty reliable source last week, but this recent PT post seems to confirm it: Festival 8 will be filmed in 3D! Pretty sure that doesn't mean a simulcast, but it could mean a sweet ass IMAX film down the road along the lines of U2 3D or my other favorite band, the Jonas Brothers.

Update: Burble & Borealis (October 22nd @ 5:22 pm)

Here are two of the amazing interactive sculptures that might be melting your face at Festival 8…

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Update: Behold the Plasma Cutter (October 23rd @ 5:00 pm)

Here's some more neat stuff the likes of which you just might see at Festival 8. It's two amazing metal sculptures from the portfolio of San Francisco based Dan Das Mann. As you can see, he's not only a genius with the plasma cutter, but also knows a thing or two about melting faces.

The One Tree

The Faces of the Man

Update: Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings @ F8? (October 24th @ 10:30 pm)

Here's a rumor that, if true, has been of the better kept secrets of this whole affair.

Update: Colossal Testaments in Steel and Stone (October 25th @ 3:00 pm)

Here's a trio of large-scale sculptures from Rosanna Scimeca, another artist you might be seeing at 8. According to her site, Rosanna likes to “explore how the observer may interface, interact, and identify with her installations.” Yeah, I can give her a preview: they're going bug out.

Cleavage in Space

The Sirens

Zephyrus' Disglomerate

Update: Pollock Halloween Mask + HeadCount Trivia Contest (October 26th @ 1:45 pm)

Today Jambands.com posted information about a Pollock Halloween mask to be available at the WaterWheel table gallery throughout Festival 8. Plus, HeadCount will be running a trivia contest and the grand prize winner will get an uncut sheet of masks with a  one-of-kind Pollock doodle.

Sample trivia question: “What town does Trey Anastasio, John Popper of Blues Traveler and Chris Barron of the Spin Doctors all hale from?”

There's also the recently surfaced image at right, which I believe to be a teaser for a Pollock Festival 8 poster, though I'm not 100% on that. 

Poster or not, can't wait to see the mask! In the mean time, here's a growing Festival 8 poster gallery.

Update: Stage Photo & Viewing Platform Sketch (October 26th @ 6:45 pm)

Today Twitter user @BathtubGym posted what I believe to be the first pic of the stage setup, as well as a sketch of the viewing platform for the Dan Das Mann installation.

Stage from Behind

Viewing Platform

I'm sure I'll say this ten times over the next 2 days, but I can't believe I just got MORE excited.

Update: Festival 8 to be Simulcast Live on Sirus (October 26th @ 9:54 pm)

This just in: all 8 sets of Festival 8 including the musical costume and acoustic set will be simulcast live on JamOn, channel 17 on SIRIUS!!!

Not a subscriber? Good news… you can sign up for a free trial and hear the simulcast without spending a dime. Huge thanks to whoever is responsible for arranging this. Jam On!

Update: They Have Created Fire (October 27th @ 1:56 am)

If you're anything like me, you're somehow riveted by fire — and you'll definitely be making it a point to see this six-pack fire artists rumored to be appearing at Festival 8:

  

Nate Smith

     
  

Vance Cearley

  

  

Orion Fredericks

         
  

Patrick Shearn

  

  

Sorry. You need to Flash to watch this movie.

     

  

Charlie Smith

     
 

Justin Gray

 

I think it was Beavis who said it best, “Yeah, fire is cool!”

Update: Leave the Galoshes at Home (October 27th @ 6:38 pm)

In case there's any confusion about how amazing the weather is in Indio…

Update: Glitches, XML fun, & Gordon's Hotline (October 28th @ 1:18 pm)

Looks like there was some sort of glitch in the album teaser on Phish.com for a bit when Apostrophe was killed — as the gallery was only showing living albums, and the Wall and Exile had gone missing. All seems back to normal now, though the Wall is indeed dead as seen at right.

Also appears that someone's having some fun with the xml file — with Michael Jackson changing to “Michael Jackson Is Alive“ and Yes changing to “Yes Yes Yes Yes.“ — but I'm not reading into either of those too much.

Speaking of having fun, Gordon's hotline (212-330-9092) has had two recent updates, the latest playing off the 100th album theories that are floating around.

And last but not least, I just checked into my flight for tomorrow. If anyone's on Southwest from Chicago at 12:35, hit me up for a free drink coupon. I'll be the dork carrying the poster tube.

Update: Jamtopia Meetup | Friday. Setbreak. Picnic Area. (October 28th @ 4:18 pm)

Okay, let's make this thing official.

After extensive reviews of the map and comments, I believe the best time and place to meet is setbreak on Friday at the picnic area. It's at the back of the concert field Page side.

That way if people want to hit the Honey Bucket or grab food or drinks or whatever it's all convenient.

Update: Get a FREE scoop of Ben & Jerry's (October 28th @ 5:24 pm)

I just got an email from Ben & Jerry's with some great news.

In addition to being huge fans of Jamtopia, Vermont's finest ice cream purveyors will be offering free scoops of Phish Food at Festival 8.

All you have to do is “particip8” in a social action with one of the charities at the WaterWheel booth (e.g. sign a petition, make a donation) to get your free delights.

Sweet.

Update: More Stage Photos (October 28th @ 6:25 pm)

Got some more stage pics, this time from Twitter user @briankarol:

I'm thinking they need more speakers!

Update: Festival 8 Wristband (October 29th @ 12:11 am)

I'm not sure if this is a staff wristband or just the standard issue, but either way it looks pretty sweet sauce. If the production values of this wristband are any indication this is really going to be one hell of a shindig.

Meanwhile, as I write this, Van Morrison and Zeppelin were killed off. Only 9 remain. Can't get there soon enough.

Update: Festival 8 Shout-out on Conan (October 29th @ 8:08 am)

Update: Finally on My Way (October 29th @ 10:00 am)

Well I'm just about to take off for the airport. This has been an amazing 30+ days tracking the album teaser and I'm almost sad to see it end. Thank you all for your awesome participation: coming up with crazy numerology, alerting me to updates, and just waxing philosophical in the comments.

As soon as I land I'll start up a new post with updates and recaps from the Festival. Hope to keep the great comments going there, so I'll be having a giveaway — a little something that's sure to light up any room. I think you'll like it.

Update 7pm: New Festival 8 Recap post is live.

Update: Phish to Play Exile on Main Street (October 31th @ 3:00 pm)

The Phishbill is out and it's been confirmed, Phish will be dressing up as the Rolling Stones and covering Exile on Main Street tonight.

More coverage on the way at the Festival 8 Recap post. Hope to see you there.

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Dead Phish Halloween Cover Albums (Chronological)