Happy Birthday Mike Gordon: Phish Isolated Bass Tracks

The first is from the game Rock Band, which featured Phish performing “Llama” from 1991. It’s easy to see why Cactus is a fitting nickname for Gordon because his slap bass absolutely bristles on this track.

The next 3 isolated tracks come from a Phish “Live Track Pack” gamers could purchase for Guitar Hero World Tour. On the “Chalk Dust Torture” from November 16, 1994 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Mike really shows off how he walks the tight rope between holding down a conventional bassline but also adding some choice melodic flourishes, not two mention two-note and even chords, that one might not notice with the full band playing.

If “Chalk Dust Torture” shows off Gordon’s more melodic side, then the isolated track of Sample In A Jar” from December 1, 1994 in Salem, Oregon is Mike holding down the deep end plain and simple. But to add some flair, his bass does have an edgy bite to it.

Perhaps one of Mike’s most recognizable basslines is his intro to “Down With Disease.” It’s often an easy song to see coming because you can hear Cactus kick on his flanger and envelope filter. Mike’s line on “DWD” — the one above from December 1, 1995 in Hershey, Pennsylvania — also has a bit of everything: some nasty slapping, some bubbly melodic runs and some good old-fashioned bass thumping.