Mike Gordon may have been known as “Cactus” for Phish’s entire musical career, but that doesn’t mean he enjoys it. In a response to a tweet, Cact–Gordon explained the timeline of the nickname before adding he doesn’t “like it at all. Friends don’t call me it.” 

For what it’s worth, “Cactus” is a hell of a lot better than “Toidi Bowl.” 

From Gacht (Russian ancestry) > Gact > Cactoidler > Toidi > Toidi bowl > Cactus. Honestly, I don’t like it at all. Friends don’t call me it https://t.co/KoqQQPlc9x
— Mike Gordon (@mike_gordon) November 30, 2016

This isn’t the first time Gordon has alluded to his “Cactus” nickname bugging him. A tweet from 2015 mentions he does mind it, and that “it was made to sound demeaning.” Interesting. 

Ironically I do mind “Cactus” – weird because I aided in making it up. It was made to sound demeaning… https://t.co/N8RcdqIjgP
— Mike Gordon (@mike_gordon) May 20, 2015