Driving bass lines and gyrating bodies filled the Maple Leaf last Saturday night for Phix, a Phish cover band. There was also no shortage of Рenter here any hippie clich̩. Most music fans probably believe they have their minds made up about the jam band scene, but they may leave a Phix concert with a new appreciation for the connection between the fans and the music.

“The goal of the band is to give many fans their dose of music that they care about so deeply,” said Chris Sheldon, the drummer for Phix. It also helps that Phish is no longer touring. It was the ultimate form of peer-to-peer sharing. The fans that make up the band have the ability to perform for their friends and fellow Phishheads, and so they share. The audience was only concerned with the music.

Phix began playing for fun around its hometown of Boulder, Colo., and never believed the band would capture its current popularity. This is its third performance in New Orleans, and the band said it was the best show of its tour.

Phix primarily plays at college towns from fall until spring. Sheldon said Mike Gordon of Phish is supportive of the band and has the most involvement with the fan scene.

From the concert experience, the dancing styles of Phix audience members can be boiled down to four main types.

First there’s the Groovers. These fans want all others to be aware how much they dig the music. They not only appreciate the sound; it has taken control over their bodies and will only release them after an exorcism through jazzy guitar riffs.

The next is the Leg Bongo Player. A bongo solo might bring an interesting twist to a Phish cover, but this fan believes bongos should be throughout all of the songs, and he is just the man to do it.

The third type of fan is the Mini-Headbanger. While metal music popularized the headbang, it has spread to other genres of music. Like the bongo player this fan wants everyone to know he can keep time with the song. He also wants the band to know he agrees with all of the decisions it is making on stage.

Last of dancing fans are categorized as the Zombie Stoner. Enough said. They’re there, but not really.

When the audience thought the show was over, Phix surprised the crowd by playing another hour-long set. The interaction between the audience and the group was unexpected. At many concerts, there are those who are there only because it is the popular thing to do. However, none of those attended the Phix show. Everyone knew all of the songs and was there to appreciate the music.

Ben Gordon can be reached at [email protected].