Phish Asked To Become Sea Kittens

06/19/09 2:13pm

by Kate Harper (CHARTattack)

People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals (PETA) has asked jam band Phish to change their name to Sea Kittens.

Yes. Sea Kittens.

Why? Well, according to a press release/attempt to take advantage of the band for their own agenda and publicity, it's because "sea kittens" (read: fish) communicate with each other, show affection and can feel pain. PETA has launched a campaign to give fish a better name by referring to them as "sea kittens" so people think more compassionately about the delicious and nutritious lox that ended up in their bagel with cream cheese.

"If Phish became Sea Kittens and the band's legions of fans started calling fish 'sea kittens,' fewer of these gentle animals would be violently killed for food, painfully hooked for 'sport,' or cruelly confined to aquariums," Ashley Byrne, PETA's Sea Kittens campaign coordinator says. "Whether they are catfish or cats, bass or basset hounds, all animals deserve lives free from needless pain."

Here is PETA's full letter to Phish:

"Dear Trey, Jon, Mike, and Page (aka Phish),

"I am writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and our more than 2 million members and supporters worldwide–many of whom are Phish fans, of course. We have a new campaign in which we generate empathy for fish by rebranding them as 'sea kittens.' Would you contribute to our efforts and end your tour on a high note by temporarily renaming Phish 'Sea Kittens?'

"We launched our 'Sea Kittens' campaign because few people are aware that fish are actually smart animals with personalities. For example, they communicate and develop relationships with one another, feel pain when injured (their lips are particularly sensitive, and they use them like we use our fingers), show affection by gently rubbing against other fish, and even grieve when other fish they like die.

"However, billions of them are kidnapped (er, kitten-napped) from their watery homes each year. As they are dragged from the ocean depths, fish endure an excruciating decompression process (which often causes their internal organs to rupture) before suffocating on the ship's deck.

"Our campaign aims to convince people to choose tasty vegetarian meals instead of fish flesh and to pick harmless outdoor activities such as hiking instead of impaling fish with metal hooks for fun. Whether they are catfish or cats, bass or basset hounds, all animals deserve lives free from needless pain.

"Phish has a long history of promoting social justice. Renaming the band Sea Kittens would be a great way to help sea kittens rock on, free from fishing nets and hooks, even if just for a day. Please let me know what you decide, and best of luck with your future endeavors.

"Sincerely,
"Michelle Cho
"Special Projects Manager"

You can see Phish (not Sea Kittens) here:

June 19 Indianapolis, IN @ Verizon Wireless Music Center
June 20-21 East Troy, WI @ Alpine Valley Music Theater
July 30-Aug. 2 Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Aug. 5 Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre
Aug. 7-8 George, WA @ The Gorge Amphitheatre
Aug. 11 Chicago, IL @ Toyota Park
Aug. 13 Darien Center, NY @ Toyota Park
Aug. 14 Hartford, CT @ Comcast Theatre
Aug. 15 Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion
Aug. 16 Saratoga Springs, NY @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center