Bathtub Gin

BiographyBathtub Gin

Jim Swatko – Guitar and Vocals
Mark Mattson – Keyboards and Vocals 
Lee Shonik – Drums
Duncan Lindsay – Bass and Vocals

Bathtub Gin is a Phish Tribute band based out of Long Island heavily focused on Improvisation and performing the major composed works of the band Phish. They also throw in a few Grateful Dead songs for the people who appreciate both bands.

Bathtub Gin got its first spark of life when in 1993 Lee Shonik and Jim Swatko played together in a Grateful Dead cover band. Lee introduced Jim to the band Phish by adding Mike’s Song and Weekapaug Groove to a Grateful Dead filled set list for one of their performances at the Wetlands Preserve. Impressed by the quality of the music, Jim also became a fan of Phish.

The band first took shape in 1997 when Jim and Mark Matson (an extremely versatile keyboard player and brother of DSO guitarist Jeff Mattson) began the huge task of learning the vast array of Phish’s material. They worked with several drummers and bassists during this period. This incarnation of BTG lasted around five years with over 75 gigs all over the tri-state area and numerous Wetlands performances as well as playing Toads place in CT to a packed house

A highlight of the Wetlands performances was a show with The Dude of Life band where both bands remained setup and played with no breaks by jamming together during the crossovers between the 4 sets. This resulted in a song writing collaboration between the Dude and Jim and several guest appearances by the Dude with BtG.

Around 2003 when Phish took its second hiatus, Bathtub Gin did too and the band went off to pursue other musical interests.  

After a long break, Mark and Jim began playing Phish music informally in December of 2012.  

It was then when Lee first played with the group. Lee brought an insight into the rhythmic subtleties and nuances of the material that has taken BtG to a new level.  

In June of 2013, word got out that Bathtub Gin was back in business and Beau Carino invited the band to play a monthly slot at his Jam band friendly club Beau’s Bar in Greenlawn.  

After trying out several bass players, the newest member Duncan Lindsay came on board in November of 2013 to complete the picture by bringing strong vocal capabilities as well as a very creative improvisational feel to the bass.

Bathtub Gin has currently been working in Nassau, Suffolk, Brooklyn, NJ and NYC with Dates at KJ Farrell's, Brickhouse Brewery, Left Field, XO, Katie's, the Delancy, Lenora's, Beau’s, Still Partners, the Homestead, Amityville Music Hall and Don Pedro.  
DescriptionWe try to play songs that Phish fans want to hear. The big songs like Divided Sky, Stash, YEM, Run like an Antelope, but also older songs that Phish is not currently including in their shows. We focus on jamming and like to connect one song with another with improvised material. We like to include a few Grateful Dead songs for deadheads that are starting to also like Phish.