I think the most important tie between the two bands is that they are as big a fan of all different kinds of music as we are. They both get excited about that soulful note or that magic moment when everything clicks....Both bands are fond of cover tunes for exactly that reason. At heart, they are music lovers and fans themselves and they appreciate what they hear on a very high level just as we do..Thats what we connect with. The Dead and Phish have both given us all a community where we can share what we love with people who "get it" Thats why the fans are interchangeable...they relate on deep personal level to the divine inspiration that comes in that perfect moment of a song or jam. Phish gets this "ala Terrapin Station" they knew the effect this tip of the hat would have on the crowd, because it affected them in the same way. Both the Dead and Phish were "us" on stage...the hosts of a wonderful party where all of us friends could get together and appreciate life. If you took the community out of either scene the music would be great , but would pale in comparison. Neither band could've pulled off some of the wonderous miraculous music moments that we remember without the energy of the audience...each person in the audience is in their own way..part of whats happening on stage...it feeds off each other. Like a drum circle. It hits that tribal place in all of us where we just want to connect for a moment and be part and something living, breathing and unified. I love both bands and many others dearly. They have brought magic and endless possibility into my life. I don't really try to define God, but i know there's something good looking out for each of us because i can feel it and see it when Im at a show and im in that moment. Maybe I'm just crazy, but the more you try to compare and make one less than the other you participate in killing that spirit. Thanks for the sounding board...luv ya'll ...Peace