PHOTOPHILE- Mothership rocks: Phish gets intricate in rebirth

Popular jam-band Phish reunited for three nights at the Hampton Coliseum this past weekend for the first shows since a muddy Vermont farewell in August 2004.

Photographer Tom Daly reports that the band opened the first show with "Fluffhead," a song they hadn't played since September 2000 despite incessant requests by fans. One of their longtime fan favorites, the intricate musical composition was widely seen as too difficult for possibly impaired band members–- including lead singer/guitarist , who was arrested three years ago for possession of heroin and prescription drugs.

"The fact that they were nailing these composed parts was a big statement," says Daly, "they are back!"

If the band is sober, not everyone in the crowd could say the same. Police arrested 194 concertgoers, confiscated $1.2 million worth of illegal drugs, and seized more than $68,000 in cash over the three nights, according to the Daily Press.

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