The live show is the thing for this South Bend, Ind., band with a prediliction for improvisation and a progressive rock sound.

“The biggest misconception (of jam bands) is the idea of endless jamming and noodling,” percussionist Andy Farag told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel in a recent interview.

“Critics always describe it as boring and meandering, and in some cases, it is. That’s the nature of the beast of improv. When we’re improvising, we’re writing songs on the spot.”

The band kicks off a spring tour February 23 in Lincoln, Neb., and runs through some of Phish’s former outposts, including Fort Collins and Boulder, Colo.; Athens and Atlanta, Ga; Sunrise, Fla.; Chicago; Dallas; Houston; Austin, Texas; Indianapolis; Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio; Milwaukee, Wis.; New Orleans; and San Francisco.

Additional tour dates confirmed include a gig with Phil Lesh and Friends Mardi Gras Spectacular in San Francisco on February 12; another Bonnaroo performance, and a late night event at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.