Axilla (Part II)

• Performances
• History
• Lyrics
• Jam Chart
• Artist
  • Phish
  • Fish
  • Mike
  • Page
  • Trey
  • All

Originally Performed By	Phish
Appears On
Music/Lyrics	Anastasio/Marshall
Vocals	Trey (lead), Mike, Page (backing)
Phish Debut	1994-04-16
Last Played	2023-08-02
Current Gap	8
Historian	Craig DeLucia

History

"Axilla (Part II)" followed on the heels of the original “Axilla” and debuted on 4/16/94. It was the last of the Hoist songs to be played live (save “Riker’s Mailbox,” which still has not been performed and likely never will). New lyrics, same music, and same “axilla” cry at the end. Absent, though, is any specific axilla reference during the verses, except the narrator “[wishing] it was cool”– perhaps to avoid the stench referenced in the original.

“Axilla Part II” was played regularly throughout 1994 and 1995 and then, after New Year’s Eve 1995, went away in favor of the return of its older brother. The only main structural difference between the two songs was the addition of a slow, trippy, guitar lick-based ending to the younger sibling. In fact, when “Axilla (Part II)” was shelved in 1995, this ending was retained and tagged to the end of most future performances of the original “Axilla.” The music to this ending was heard as early as 1993 – listen to the little jam at the end of “It’s Ice” on 3/31/93.

Finally, don’t miss the version offered by Preston School of Industry on Mockingbird’s first CD, Sharin’ in the Groove.

Submit notes/corrections