Phish Thoughts (Continued)
Phish has spoiled me.
Lately when I go to a concert, like the Allman Brothers, I think ..
"they're really good ... but they're not Phish."
-Milt Melamed
Me and my friend Joe had first row tickets to Ames, 10-14-96, but got
caught in an ice storm and didn't make it. The plan was to drive to St.
Louis immediately after the show(10th row tickets) but we were forced to
spend all of our money on a motel(it was really cold) in Des Moines, and
had no gas. Thank you for listening.
Mike
I am writing in reference to a note sent by Kevin, which you can find by
scrolling down a little bit. You are right on man. Some folks are viewing
Phish from a perspective that is a bit too analytical. A healthy argument is
always good, but some of the points being made are just stupid and grossly
exagerated. Before any fan knocks Phish, he/she need to remember that we are
all very very lucky to have them. They are the best band in the world at this
moment in time, and Trey is the best guitarist (this belief of mine about Trey
was confirmed in Santana's proclamation of the same notion). Don't worry about
phony fans, or Phish's increasing commercial appeal. They, and we, are all
about music. I admit that Billy Breathes lies at the bottom of the list as far
as their albums are concerned, but it's still better than anything you'll hear
on the radio. It's just chilled out. Besides, any educated fan listens to
tapes way more than the c.d.s. I was especially taken aback by
a comment sent to Andy's page, that Phish just aren't doing it in concert
like they used to. Come on. While Amy's Farm and several other old school
shows are some of my favorites, they are not losing an edge. They have gained
one. They are so tight these days that it's almost uncanny, especially the way
they play. I could go on for days, but I don't have the time. I'm not
impressed (and I'm sure many of you will echo this sentiment) by those who
justify their critical eye by listing obscure songs and talking about the "good
old days." That time has not come yet. These ARE the days man. So before you
take cheap shots merely for that sake of argument, sit down and really really
listen to your favorite Phish tune, and just be happy with it. Because no
other band can tap the range of emotion that Phish does. -Tom
- I like PHISH as much as anyone else and after 20 shows they still take me
to new places. BUT one of the reasons the band is not playing as much this
summer is because many venues don't want Phish playing there. Actually, the
venue's don't want the phans at there site. Adults are scared of hippies.
In our conservative times, nugs are the end of all civilization. I am 35
and don't smoke anymore, but love my shrooms. Personally I don't care one
way or another if people get high but your parents do. Anyway, if there
were not as many freeloaders on tour, and I do mean freeloaders, venues
would not have problem with Phish. You people I'm talking about, SELL
SOMETHING to pay for your tour and quit mooching your way across the
country. There is nothing I hate more than running the GAUNTLET of "spare a
spill" kids on tour. GET A JOB AND BUY YOUR OWN FUCKING BEER. I happen to
have many hippie friends and all of them WORK. If you can't afford the
tour, STAY HOME. YOURE ruining it for the rest of us.
venting some steam. "MO MAN"
Well, after reading the rest of the thoughts on the page, I'd feel almost
guilty to let a bad word about Phish escape my lips. BUT, I have to say, they
are really getting dank. I got Billy Breathes and in the cover of it there was
the Phish dry goods catalogue. I wanted to return the album. No matter how
wicked their music may be (don't get me wrong-I am a phan of theirs) they are
getting out of the Phishy groove and into the new age subpop bullshit. Yeah,
I'm going to wear a Phish hat, a Phish T-shirt, and put Phish stickers on my
car so everyone knows that I am a PhishPhace. What the hell?!!??! I think
they should shed that poser attitude of theirs, then maybe they won't attract
so many poser phans. Can somebody please tell me why it's en vogue to flaunt
yourself around?
-Erin
HELLO EVERYONE. This is my first time visiting this page. My birthday was
today(3/27/97). I am now 17 years old. Iguess it is about 20 minutes past the
big B-day because it is now 12:20. I live in Cicero, Indiana which is only
about 4 miles away from the infamous DEER CREEK. I hate to say this but last
year at this time I hadn't even listened to Phish very much at all and now they
are easily my favorite band. I've told this to other fans of the band and they
just said, "better late than never".
Anyway the main point Iwanted to come to is this. Cicero was home to Ryan
White. He was the boy with A.I.D.S. When he died alot of stars came to our
area(Michael Jackson, Phil Donahue, Donald Trump, Elton John, and Judith
Light). Because of this it was no big deal when Phish came to stay at the
WATERFRONT hotel and resatraunt where I worked. I now know that every single
time they come to Deer Creek they stay at the same place. I am very mad at
myself for never even saying hello as Mike checked them in. I was so stupid I
did not even know who Mike Gordon was. Anyway, I just wanted to say that anyone
who comes to Deer Creek for the 8&10 and 8&11 shows are welcome to come by my
house if you got the munchies or just need a place to chill. I am only a block
away from the Waterfront and I think it would be cool to meet some new people.
If you need my home address or Just had any comments, E-Mail me at
bonita@netusa1.net
It might not be working for a few days but keep trying. Thanks alot to you all
and especially to Andy for letting me take up this much room.
-Adam Langolf
My religeos beliefs are quite eclectic. I respect and have faith in
eastern dogmas, Christian imagery, and my power to harness my own Chi
energy. But over the past month I have realized that Phish sums up all of
this. Their music takes me on an undoubtably religeos journey,
simultaniously acquainting me with both solemn humility and shining glory.
MOre importantly, it makes me happy.
When asked what my faith is my answer will be
simple. I will respond, "Phish."
Sorry, my spelling & grammer has gotten really bad because I've been in
Germany for the past 9 months. Would you please correct any mistakes?
sven@soon.com
Hello Phriends. I love Phish. They don't know me, but they could have.
This past year at Hershey, they wanted to eat pasta at one of my friend's
friend's house after meeting her backstage(she works there). However, her
Mom said that it was too short notice. I would have been invited to sit at
the table with Phish and eat pasta....I think I'm going to cry.
Also, some people are becoming too jaded, Maybe too much analysis and not
enough emotion. Just surrender yourself.
One more thing, there is this awesome band that some people know about from
Philadelphia but, I think I'm going to let it go...I like seeing them in
bars, not big state sized stadiums.
-Kevin Sturtz
Last summer, Deer Creek, first show, first set. Chalkdust. How psyched is
everyone when they rip that? I had hopped up into the very back row of the
pavilion and was (as I noted) psyched when Trey ripped into the very familiar
first couple of chords. So, I danced like a fiend for a while and they were
really jammin after all the lyrics. I turned around to see what was happenin,
and I saw, like every other show, just a sea of writhing, wiggling, dancing
fiends--with smiles plastered to their faces. Is there anything like a Phish
show? Comparisons can be made, but ultimately, no.
-Tom
Dear Andrew,
I saw the boys at the Flynn on the 18th and it happened to be my 60th
show, also my last. I read your post on RMP and Mike's response and my
sentiments were exactly yours. The band that I remember existing does not
anymore. The shows that I remember are 12-29-92, 12-30-93, 7-1-94,
6-26-95, and of course 12-29-95. The past shows that I have attended do not
come anywhere near the level of intensity and tightness acheived at these
previuosly listed preformances. What exactly is the direction that the band
is going in? What is Billy Breathes? Why do they play love songs now? Who
wrote Waste? What I am getting at is that I have contemplated leaving the
scene for a long time, but my thoughts were cemented at the Flynn. They just
rocked Europe to the ground, at least the last few shows, so my thoughts were
that the Flynn would be the bomb. How wrong I was! Did they open with
Cities, or Camel Walk, no it was a Neil Young cover song. Did they play
Dinner, Weigh, Daniel, Dog Log, Magilla, or anything near that calibur? The
answer is no. They had the opportunity of a lifetime to give to the friends
and family what they wanted to see, what did they do, they played all of
Billy Breathes. They did not even sing My Old Hometown, they sang Ragtime
Gal for the 1056th show in a row. What happened to fogging an entire arena
out? Where are the strobe lights? Where is the peak in Hood? The music is
just not as intense as it used to be. That is what Phish was always about
for me.
I think that Trey and Page are behind this whole problem, considering
that they are married and have kids, well at least Trey does. Does anyone
think that Fish and Mike are happy with where the band is headed, I think
not. At the Flynn, Fishman looked so disinterested, it was scary. He hates
playing all of the new crap that is being written, and Gordo is so cool that
he does not even care, hell there both rich. Both of them need to stand up
to Trey and Page and tell them to kiss their asses. We want to rock. Page
and Trey have all their little gimmicks and toys (Theremin and Drum Kit), yet
Fish and Mike don't have any of that shit, they just want to rock and jam and
write intense, deep music, not this beautiful, manilowish, slow stuff. I do
not think that day will come though because Trey is such an egomaniac that he
would never give in to the other 50% of the band. It is his way or no way,
and I think just from watching them interact onstage that Trey and Page have
the tightest bond of any members in the band.
Well, I have said my peace and I know where some people are at,
confused about their future as well as the bands. My advice is to get out
while you can, the true fans were there in the early days and saw this band
evolve into what they are today. The people that are just finding out now,
more power to you, but I have one question for you, where have you been?
Phish is not a fad or a trend, these guys changed my life so much, it is
painful to watch what is happening to the band and to the scene. I hope that
someday they can return to playing the smaller venues and bring back the
strobe lights. Popularity weighs on people no matter who they are, even our
beloved Phish.
What the hell are they saying in the chorus of "Character Zero?"
-Matthew Grapengieser
Hey all you great people. I just first want to thank Andrew for all the time
he puts in to making this page. I really enjoy iy, and keep the Phish Quizes
coming! Anyway, I'm getting really psyched for summer tour, but I'm also
afraid of stuff getting out of hand. PLEASE keep the scene under control. I'm
starting to get worried about more incidents like Red Rocks. "We" have already
prevented Phish from returning to "the most incredible place" that Trey has
ever played music. DON"T show up to a show if you don't have tickets....anyone
with an extra is gonna hookj up someone they know ahead of time anyway, because
we all know that demand for tix is getting extremely high. A few summers ago I
thought it was great that people would mull around the lot and usually be able
to find a ticket. It was an adventure, it was a great game to show up and get
hooked up by a total stranger...(I have NEVER gone to a show without tickets,
all it takes is a little planning in advance to m!
ake sure you have a ticket) Anyway, I had plenty of friends that would go
always go to shows without tickets in 93 and 94 and almost always get in. But
now it's different. The band is the biggest touring band out there. (I can
still remember calling Ticketmaster weeks after tickets went on sale for the
11/3/94 UMASS show, and not only did they still have tickets availible, but the
Ticketmaster lady had never even heard of the band..."that's right lady, Phish
with a P-H"). Anyway, now ticketless fans are jeopardizing the future (and
even present) of Phish. The Dead scene got out of hand, but it was after
DECADES of touring. Phish has blown up so quickly that the scene is already
out of hand in just a few years! We have to be responsible. The future of
this band is in OUR hands. Why do you think there are less shows in the north
east now and less shows in the U.S.? The crowds are just to overwhelming. I
really want to give the band credit for holding the Clifford Ba!
ll and having it be run so perfectly and I'm sure the Great Went will be just
as wonderful, but I would not be surprised if TWICE as many people show up in
Maine. (thanks to Rolling Stone and MTV's coverage of Plattsburg).
I'm really not trying to sound to negative here. Phish is the absolute
greatest and most beautiful thing that has ever happen to me. The band and the
people around the band bring me so much happiness and can routinely bring me to
tears of joy. That is why I am really concerned about Police action as a
result of bad behavior and ticketless "fans". I was very happy to hear how
smooth everything went at the 3-18 show at the Flynn Theater. Thank you to
everyone for not showing up! But afterall this was Burlington where people
have enough respect for the band not to hurt them.
In an attempt not to bable on any longer, I will say I know that most
of you reading this are not the ones causing the problems or potential
problems. But lets "police" ourselves here. Let's make it real clear that
it's not cool to crash the gates. Lets not cheer for whoever jumped on stage
during Maze (forget what show it was, but the crowd went nuts and cheered the
dude on). And lets not have another asshole jump on stage at the Great Went.
Can you imagine life without Phish? Well, it's not hard to lately..I know
we'll all jonesin for tour to come, I just hope everyone is smart enough to
stay mellow and under control...if you don't get a ticket, I know it sucks, but
don't show up cause you aint gonna find one these days...the odds are against
you, big time.
I wanna bring my children to a Phish show someday....I hope its
possible.
Peace to all you good people I can't wait to see you in August.
- Jeff Waful J_Waful@Emerson.EDU
it seems like i spent most of on night at the 'ball laying on my back in a
beer garden throwing a frisbee up in the air to the top of the tent and
then catching it on the way down. i was laughing my face off and i kept
bonking people but it was a pretty small frisbee and everyone was having
fun. i enjoy the music but i'm going to maine again for the whole
experience. the band just brings it together for me.
...mr. sausage.......mr. sausage.....
dave
So I've already had the "Maybe I'll go out west again this summer and
: see Phish a couple of times and then tour back to the east coast with
: them. Shoreline, George, St. Louis, Chicago (maybe miss Alpine),
: Deercreek, (miss pitt and new york), then the GREAT WENT"
:
: I must, however, keep my mind grounded. Summer tour last year was
: fantastic. I had just travelled across the country from Michigan to
: Arizona, California, Oregon...now I was landing in Utah and touring back
: to reality with tbe best band in the country. I had to jump off the tour
: after the second night Deer Creek. The reason I did family party fun
: stuff, but deep down, I was kind of happy I didn't have to go see the
: last three shows. I kind of regret missing the ball, so here I am this
: year saying, "I really want to go to maine".
: So as I'm contemplating the ticket prices, the long driving.
: (Washington to St. Louis in 3 days. Come on, lets enjoy Colorado a
: little, please?!?!?!), the ticketless, and the general feel of the
: scene, debating in my mind during ever show the direction phish is
: going, and my life role in everything at the time.
I think the healthy thing to do is not plan my life around them
: right now. If I can go to shows, I will, but if something else is that
: important, I'll only catch 3 or 4 shows, and that could be healthier.
: True, the last 4 shows I saw, (New Year's Run), blew me away and hosed
: me down.
: But there's something about not hearing repeats. I remember the
: feeling I got at Alpine last year. It was an amazing show with a killer
: hood that was so unique. But they had just played hood 2 nights earlier,
: choreographed to the lightning of the thunderstorm which rained hard on
: Red Rocks overlooking Denver. There was something missing the cornfields
: of Wisconsin for me that night. Maybe it was because the stage is so
: damn big!
: But back to how amazing new year's was. It made me wants to never
: miss them. And now, in 97 with all of the Bust-Out's (CITIES!!!) in
: Europe and the Ben and Jerry's Carton I have in my living room. The itch
: to see a bunch of shows is back.
:
: So here's where I'm at. It's really just a side issue right now which
: won't actually appear in a daily sense until I'm on the tour (or not).
: So I've got some time to figure my shit out. I just thought like sharing
: a little.
:
: Peace,
: Andrew Gadiel
About a week ago, I stumbled upon the most amazing quote, in J.R.R.
Tolkein's "The Lord of the Rings".. This quote puts into words the
feeling of total euphoria that I felt at my first show, in Buffalo, on
10/19/96. (don't let the elf-reference here throw you off..)
"At first the beauty of the melodies and the interwoven words in the
Elven-tongue, even though he understood them little, held him in a
spell, as soon as he began to attend to them. Almost it seemed that the
words took shape, and visions of far lands and bright things that he had
never yet imagined opened out before him; and the firelit hall became
like a golden mist above seas of foam that sighed upon the margins of
the world. Then the enchantment became more and more dreamlike, until
he felt that an endless river of swelling gold and silver was flowing
over him, too multitudinous for its pattern to be comprehended; it
became part of the throbbing air about him, and it drenched and drowned
him. Swiftly he sank under its shining weight into a deep realm of
sleep."
- J.R.R. Tolkein
Kevin O'Neill
andrew.smith@fubar.gryn.org
At the 12-28-96 show at the Spectrum, I experienced a feeling I can only
descibe as "supremely high". It wasn't the shrooms, although that was part of
it. It wasn't the beers or the herb, though that was part of it too. It was
every thing. As the music coarsed through my body I was overcome with a sense
of complete and total joy. I mean everything in my life that makes me happy was
racing through my mind at a mile a minute... music, my friends, my mother,
everything. At the end of the first set I stared at my friend Gianni, unable to
fully explain the force that had just captured me
-Jon O'donnell
This girl I Know got to hang out with Phish when they came to Michigan.
If only I could be that lucky!!
-Paul Crispignani
All music is for sharing. The world would not be so uptight if
everyone was enjoying some kind of Groove.
-Mike R.
I guess that I should start by saying that I love Phish more than any other
band in the world. There are a dream come true; taking every good aspect of
all genres of music and combining them into one style: Phish. They are
perfect! When I first heard Phish, I didn't really care for them. It was
in my chemisrty class two years ago; a friend had played PON during lab
(thanx Ms. Lyons!). I head Llama, Cavern, Mango, and then Magilla. This is
when it hit me. I had been a serious fan of jazz for years; liking artists
such as Pat Metheny, Wes Montgomery, and A.C. Jobim. I heard this wonderful
song and immediately was interested. "Is this their own song, or is it a
cover?", I asked myself. Well, of course it was original. My friend (a so-
called "fan") had wanted to change the song, so I stopped him. I wanted to
hear this rock band play a jazz standard. It didn't hit me then, but I
liked them. It hit me this summer at Clifford Ball. I had all their CD's,
but never experienced them live. It was spectacular! The Ball was the most
fun I had ever in my entire eighteen years in this strange design Page
calls life. I started trading tapes thru a local store's club and went
to the MSG run last fall. Great show, but needed better encores. My family
says I'm obsessed with Phish. They are what I love the most. I also have
only experienced them sober. I guess I should get stoned and listen, maybe
next show. I hear phish in my head all the time and I can't get enough.
Some cover ideas:
Haloween Costumes:
Pat Metheny Group: Self Titled
Steely Dan: Gaucho, Aja, or Royal Scam
Songs:
Any James Taylor
Road Song: Wes Montgomery
San Lorenzo: Pat Metheny
This is not America: Pat Metheny and David Bowie (for Europe Tours)
Your Gold Teeth, II: Steely Dan
What do you guys think?
-Matt Goldstein
in the sixties Bill Graham said something to the effect of "They are not the
best at what they do, they are the onlyones that do what they do." Of course we
know of whom he spoke. I would now like to say that, "phish are not the only
ones that do what they do, but they are the best at what they do. cbrz slc ut.
-chip brzezinski
Phish=GREATEST BAND EVER!!!
-Steve
I'd rather be Phishin!
-Brooke
I think that they should use the word rust in a song. thank you
-Vinnie Vines
Somebody needs to shoot an independent film at the Cliff Ball 2!
-Henry Kurth
Many people think the only way to enjoy Phish is to get so high or tripped out
that all they can do is stare at the clouds, but what about the music? The
music will keep you going longer than any drug. It' like when you hear a
certain song for the first time live and ll you can do is dance.. Phish has
the power to overtake you body.
-Adam Drummer
I went to see Phish at the Mann Music Center, and during the concert a guy
started taking a leak on the back of my chair. It was pretty gross!
-Brett Erpel
My Favorite Phish Show!
I just got back from seeing phish at the flynn! One word to describe
that show is WOW! I saw one of the greatest shows with some of my
closest friends and it was the absolute best. I loved being there
listening to the greatest music with some of the best people in the
world!!!!
Thank you PHISH!!!!!
-alissa barger
That the first time that i saw Phish, Dec 95, Spectrum, I was amazed, they are
truly the best thing to ever happen to music. They are so smooth and Laid
beack, it is just crazy. Long live Gordonheads!!!
-Keith Haigh
For years, my life, my moods, my spirit, revolved around the music of
the almighty Grateful Dead. I would go to school in the morning, deal
with assholes, fakes, REALITY. Then during lunch break I would go to my
car and listen to Brown Eyed Women or Two Souls in Communion and life
would be complete for the rest of the day. It was almost as if the tone
of Garcia's guitar represented the sunshine. I'll never forget
anticipating March. That's when the Dead would come to my hometown,
Atlanta. It would be January, cloudy, cold, depressing. All I could
think of was the sound of birds, the heat of the sun, the smell of
veggie burritos, the feeling of total freedom and joy, and the sound of
a climactic Morning Dew.
But those days are memories.
I was in high school then. I first became a curious soon to be Deadhead
in 1989, at age 14 after seeing the summer solstice payperview special.
I then saw 22 Dead shows between 1992 and 1995. Some were mind blowing.
Some sucked. I saw the final ever version Of Dark Star, at my 13th show!
(eerie), smacked in between a 30 minute Scarlet Fire and a sick Playin.
I saw my first Dead show on March 1, 1992.
Four weeks later, I went to a little playhouse in an alternative section
of town....to see....Phish.
We arrived at the show, and I could not understand for the life of me
why there were a bunch of Deadheads jonesin for a ticket. Who are these
guys? Why haven't I heard of them? How come it's sold out and why am I
spending $40 to see this Dead ripoff band?
Well, as soon as I arrived inside, I saw Gordon wearing a green leisure
suit, and the other guys noodling to a song I now identify as "Stash".
I saw thirty minutes of the first set. I remember a wacky jam (Bowie),
and I distimctly remember jumping up and down to the end of "Cavern" to
close the set, feeling like a poser because I didn't even know who these
guys were. The second set was cancelled due to a small flood in the
theater, but they came out and did an a capella set in the water. I was
definitely impressed, but my experience with Phish ended there.
Then Phish got popular. I really resented them. Mailorder, two sets,
different setlists, tapers section, space jams, no talking...where'd you
get that idea boys..heh? Who gives a shit about a PHISH setlist? It's
almost as though they are TRYING to be the next Dead.
But then it happened. Remember the FIRST time? The first time you
experienced the right moment? My college roommate and I were SERIOUS
Deadheads. He was also into Phish. I not only wasn't into them, I hated
them. Why are all these Deadheads selling out Phish shows?
I had heard all of their studio material. When you first hear it, it's
TOO much. But if you are a tad familiar with it, then you can ponder and
explore it with a little bit of knowledge.
I was driving to Kentucky through the Great Smoky Mountains to see the
gorgeous redhead who was then the love of my life. I was alone...with a
large joint and a copy of "Junta" that my roommate had forced on me for
the ride. The sun was out. The birds were singing. I got totally baked.
I then told myself that I was going to try to have a "Phish" experience.
It was March 1995. The Dead were getting rusty. Jerry was sick and
dying. I felt vulnerable. Could my life be saved in the next few
seconds?
I popped in side one. For the next hour I almost wrecked twice, and I
think I might have actually shit in my pants. I really don't need to get
into specific song details...y'all know what I mean. But I slowly came
to the consensus that Phish said to themselves, "Let's form the PERFECT
band. Let's get our degrees, lock ourselves in a room for years, and
come out with the most spiritually uplifting, tightly scripted, most
COMPLETE sound in history. During "Golgi", I thought the energy in the
chorus was a joke, but I then realized that they ARE in fact that
energetic. And then I said it.."These guys blow the Dead off the
planet."
It was almost as if that experience was fate. Five months before Jerry's
death.
In the summer of 1995, I lived in Washington, DC. On Saturday Phish was
playing at the Nissan Pavilivon in nearby Gainesville, VA. The next
weekend, Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead were playing at RFK stadium. It
would be my first Phish show as a born again Phishtian, and my final
fare well to the guys who stood by me from a boy to a man.
I arrived at Gainesville. The parking lot was Deadlike..at first. After
a few minutes I began to realize that the scene and every thing about
this concert was the Dead suped up 100 mph on crack. The girls are
sexier, the drugs are better, the band is MUCH better, the show is
LONGER, the jams are MORE FUCKED UP, ...wow, this is crazy! They opened
with a song that was there for me on that trip to Kentucky.."Divided
Sky". My first reaction was.."They open the set with a concert Monster?
The FIRST set? The guy next to me goes..,"Dude, they play long songs in
the first set."
I of course was speechless.
The next weekend was a very emotional time, as I predicted it would be
my last Dead show because Jerry was SO fucked up. Every song he chose
was a funeral dirge. The last song I ever saw live was "Brokedown
Palace". I cried. The final verse Jerry ever sang to me was, "Fare you
well, I love you more than words can tell." He waved and it was over. My
friends thought I was too harsh...he was dead in six weeks.
Phish saved my life JUST at the right time.
But since then Phish has grown into more than just a hobby, but a giant
monster that continues to swallow me whole. I've seen the Fox Theatre
runs, Halloween '96, the Clifford Ball, etc. And I get emotional every
time I see ol' Gordon croon a bluegrass tune with his passive, insecure
expressions. How bout Trey grinning so wide he almost bursts. Or
Fishman, trying real hard not to lose the beat..concentrating with his
tongue barely out. And Page, aka "Dracula" lurking over the piano like a
mad scientist.
Phish is the greatest band of all time.
They WILL be around longer than the Dead.
They WILL be bigger than the Dead (eventually).
Let the world know.
I'm 22 now, and I'll be graduating in December. I want to take my
children to Phish one day..an experience that I always wished I could
have done with the Dead.
I always felt like a kid at Dead shows, like I missed out. Beacause I
never saw the REAL Dead..in their prime.
But we are smack dab in the middle of an incredible Phish period..and I
couldn't be happier.
Long live the gods of music
Kevin Cassels
Western Carolina Univerity
Well today I was pulled over for speeding and the only excuse I have is
12-31-96 Axilla I.
Totally random, see everyone in Maine.
Rob
the first concert of theirs that i went to
Hersey Park, PA summer of 96
It was the best concert ever...everyone was so layed back and just
hanging out..i met so many great people and their attitudes were very
enlighting
compared to what we are faced to deal with everyday. Phish jammed for hours...
I'll never forget my experiences there!
-lauren berutich
So i wrote a letter to my girlfriend,who by the way lives in Germany, and told
her since she was going to the phish show in berlin, to say hi to Trey and
the rest of da boyz from me. Apparently the show in Berlin, Germany was
only attended by about 400 loyal Phans, and my girlfriend did approach Mike and
Trey during the setbreak and had a little chat with 'em!!
They remarked that they wished they had more Euro-heads and they
very much appreciated german heads like her. I was so close to
spending my last money on a plane ticket over there, now I wished i had.
phooey! See you all this summer at the shows.Peace be wit ya bruthaz and sistaz
Beej
First I'd like to say that Phish is one of the most incredible and innovat-
ive modern bands around. It's wonderful to have such a non-offensive group
of minstrels to let you know just how powerful and beautiful music can be.
After all, music is the most creative and unquestionably the most fun med-
ium for the expression of human emotion (and who better to remind you of
that than our friends Phish). It also makes me very happy to know that there
are sites like this one to unify people with similar interests in a very
positive way. In conclusion I'd like to say keep music within your heart and
know that somewhere along the line there's always a Phriend around the
corner.
- Roy "Skillz" Martinez
P.S. "Whatever you do, take care of your shoes!"
Many people think the only way to enjoy Phish is to get so high or tripped out t
hat all they can do is stare at the clouds, but what about the music? The music
will keep you going longer than any drug. It' like when you hear a certain son
g for the first time live and ll you can do is dance.. Phish has the power to o
vertake you body.
-Adam Drummer
Duing this past summer tour I was in Wisconsin for the Alpine Valley show.
I was seated in the pavillion area to my good fortune, and I was enjoying
the first set when a disturbing sound was brought forth. It was the sound
of some guy behind me actually trying to sing the bass-line to Bathtub Gin.
I usually sing along to the lyrics in my head, but never at such a volume
as to disturb the other people around me. When the set ended I turned
around to talk with this gentleman. He explained to me that this was
his first Phish show, but he had been listening to their studio work for
a little over a year. I decided that I would try and do my part to keep
the guy from getting harrassed by some snob. I calmly explained to him that
band really enjoys playing to a captive audience, and that singing the way
he was, was simply rude and incosiderate to those around him. He was so
glad that I talked to him, he didn't make a peep the whole second set.
Much to the delight of our whole section. The moral of this story is:
The next time you are at a show and someone is being a tad too vocal
during the music, don't get angry and curse him/her out, be calm and
try to explain the idea of captive listening to the individual. If that
doesn't work, smoke him/her out till they pass out and shut up! Peace.
-Matt Imperato
I have not only one big thought, but several small ones.
-I don't think the rest of the world is quite ready or Phish.
-I don't think the rest of the world deserves Phish.
-If Phish stopped putting out albums, I don't know if I'd be
disappointed or not.
-Phish might try putting out an album with like no words, just
jamming,
like stuff like Antelope and YEM.
-I think I hear a possible "Oh Kee Pa"-->"Mango." It's a stretch, but
it works.
-Albums for possible Halloween Costumes:
Zappa - Joe's Garage (not an original thought, but I'd like it)
Violent Femmes - Blind Leading the Naked
Led Zeppelin - ZOSO
Neil Young - Decade (I had a dream about this one.)
C,S,N&Y - So Far (I just want to her them play "Ohio")
Santana - Abraxas
-Jorge Zanahoria (not my real name)
aaaaaaahhhhhhhh! bob dole did better than me on the phish quiz :)
-gabriella amabile
I am so excited that Phish is playing in Burlington. The Flynn only
holds a little over 1400, but it took 7 hours to sell out because the
Flynn's box office is so slow. I got on line at 10:45am and didn't get
out of the box office until 5pm. But the 6 hours and 15 minutes on line
is going to be worth it, that's for sure! Ben and Jerry's was handing out
pints of Phish Food in 20 degree weather and the ice cream melted all over
my backpack. I hope to see a FEW of you at the show.
-Josh
-Joshua Entin
My friend Jen from home goes to SUNY Geneseo in Rochester, NY and last
year (96) the Lake Placid show fell on her birthday. I don't see her that often
because I go to school in Rhode Island (RW give it up) and neither of us live at home
during the summer anymore.
Anyhow, I thought that this would be an awesome time to get together so I mail
ordered and my boyfriend and I embarded on the 6+ hour journey to LP the day before the show.
We had classes that day, but we decided that it would be ok to miss a couple
days as long as we drove back after the show for our tests the next day.
It was a beautiful drive and before we knew it we were there. We pretty much just passed
out early that night so we could get up early and go hang out. We left at about 10:30 the next
morning and found a great parking spot. Lake Placid was such a phat preshow scene.
There were TV cameras and lots of old people all gawking at the "phreaks" it was
cool though everyone was very polite. We met a lot of fun people (somebody gave me
a mobile friendly service O that I still have THANKS) and ate the BEST pizza I have ever had.
Finally Jen and her friends showed up so we sort of hung in one of the back parking lots till
the show. Inside we ended up with great seats and phreaked our shit out all first set.
During intermission Jen, her friends and I went out next to greenpeace just to check
people out. We saw this one guy with these wierd '50's glasses on and I said "Those are weird glasses."
He looked over and smiled and felt like a stud then proceeded to stand on the stairs above us.
The Jen goes "I think he looks like a dick." and all her friends agreed. He was
so embarrassed that he took off immediately
I felt bad, but it was really funny because he did think he was Mr. Right
until then. OK second set and the encore, truely a great show in a moderately sized venue,
but now now the ever-closening departure time was almost upon us. I said goodbye to Jen,
and Chris and I took a short walk back to the car. We bondered the thought of just getting
a room for the night and leaving in the morning, but the fact was that we HAD to be back
for classes. I turning the car on and pulled slowly into traffic. We drove about 100' in
stop and go traffic when the car stalled. I tried to turn it on, but no good. I put in
neutral and rolled to the curb. I tried again and again to start it, but we were f.cked.
Now we were stranded 6hrs from school with a dead car little money and two tests awaiting us
in the morning. We both literally freaked out. It had been such a long day and we didn't need
this so we decided to try a little prayer. I got out of the drivers sear, afraid that I would flood the
engine if I tried again. Chris got in and the car started immediately. We practically peeled
out down this side street to avoid traffic so that we could get as close to home as possible
incase it happened again. We both had to pee, but we were araid to turn off the car
that we stopped at this gas station left it on while we ran behind this truck. Ok
so we drive, and drive, and drive and drive and finally we get home it is 5:00 in the morning
and I had class at 8:00. I went to sleep to try and catch some quick ZZZZ's and low and behold, woke up
at 12:30. Needless to say, I missed my test, but I gave myself an A for effort! Random huh?
PS
Our car was stolen
at the first night
Philly show, but thats
another story.
-Melissa Griffin
isn't it great that in this huge world we have computers to bring all of us
phish heads together?
anyone going to Denmark June 26-29 for the four day festival? If so, I hope
to see you there!!!
-Meredith Burket
phish is the epitome of musical and spiritual creaminess:):):):)
-becky
It was late one summer night at a huge concert, called the Clifford Ball,
when after cruising the scene for a few hours, my best friend and I headed
back to the van for some shut-eye. As we walked, we stopped and chatted,
and drank a few beers. At the van, we decided not to pass out just then,
and started talking to the heads walking by. Eventually I had to piss,
so I walked to a port-o-potty, and when i stepped out and headed back,
another one of my 70,000 best phriends asked me if I had just seen Mike
riding around in a golf cart. 'Naturally I missed him while taking a
leak,'I thought, wanting to kick myself in the ass.
I returned to the van, and my friend, and started talking to passer byers,
after telling him that we missed Mike riding around. Then, we met 2 guys
who were from Austin,Tx (we too are from Austin), and we chatted. From out
of nowhere came a man with poofy hair driving a golf cart, and my friend
was so convinced it was Mike, he started yelling, "Mike!!", and he pulled
over.
This was when I met Mike, and he allowed us to take photos with him.
It was absolutely amazing!
-Steve Bernitz
one day i was jiven to phish and i had an out of body experiance! i was swept
away to a land of happy moons and singin
cows. it was so groovy thanx guys!!
-phishphreak
Clifford Ball was the greatest times of our life. We still find
ourselves traveling there frequentley and wait for this summer for our
real return (s). We made great new discoveries. The chicken bong ( one
hour with this and you'll be making chicken noises for days). Sitting in
the sun for hours, the sweet sounds of the orchestra, seeing the sun
glisten against phish sound. The lights at night. The comfort of love
around you. That comfort found in 70, 000 sisters and brothers that are
bonded together by it all. see ya soon. stay safe and loved, heather -
jean and maggie may.
Last show I saw, Champaign, IL Nov. 8 (been a while unfortunately) was out of
control. If anyone is familiar with Assembly Hall at the UofI, you know it is
circular. So, as Phish came at us hard with a great Runaway Jim to open, I
happily trotted around the Hall a couple times, weaving in and out of phellow
phans who were equally as psyched. Just a nice memory, see you all soon, I
hope - Tom
Sometimes, when i think about phish i'll start to cry, it's all very
emotional.
-Barbara
first off i just want to say i love phish i love everything
about them. their outlook on life, their strange but awfull funny humor
their intenssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssse
jams! everything. well almost everything. now i'm really not the one to
talk since my first show was 94. but i see how things are and i can under-
stand how those people who first seen phish develope into this ultimate
rock band feel. now it was bound to happen. i guess thats what most push
for, to make it big. when you kick fucking ass in a major way, you do!
thats that. but when you get there and you've established yourself you
start to notice, see, feel, hear things. and it zaps the "energy" right
out of what your doing. thats what i see. i read stories of mike going
out after a show and handing out a big plate of food to his phans . or
mike gathering a group of phans and going out to a grave yard after a
show with his bass and jamming out to the wee hours of the morning. he
cant even ride his lowrider out in the parking lot without getting mugged
by little 16 and 17 yearold phish rats whose parents pay for there tickets
and give them their mercedes to go see a bunch of shows. just because its
cool. they can go drink smoke and party and go home and brag about how
many shows they've seen. what about the music! did you hear trey tease
that bowie and then kick into a maze right out of an intense jam to start
the second set. oh, you missed that. no, your favorite tune of the night
was good times bad times. see, you guys suck and we know who you are. stay
home. i dont mean that about everyone who is 16 and 17. sorry dudes. like
i said we know who you are. then you got those assholes who do their ticket
thing. you guys suck too. want to hear a story? 97, phish is home from
europe doing a show at the flynn. i hear about the show two days later.
tickets are obviously sold out i call a ticket agency. i've gone that
way before. i'm willing to pay more to see the best! anyway, i call,
he says yeah we got tix, we also got tix for a show in jersey the following
weekend. i'm fucking flipping out. i'll take three for each show! o.k. he
says . i go on the net to check out my shows, see whats up and shit.
it says no voucher no show. so i read into detail and come to the con-
clusion, how am i going to get into this show with his info on the voucher
then there is no god damn show in jersey either. this guys a fake (i'm a
regular sherlock holmes. more like sherlock dipshit!) so he was a fake
and i'm out 450 smackers. totally my stupidity! but you guys still suck!
so my question to phish is why did you go big? look at all the bullshit
that goes on. i'm sure you guys know, who the hell am i talking to, you
live it.but it sucks. well if we didnt make it big you probably wouldnt
have heard of us. true. i think i would have bumped into you guys anyway
even if i wouldnt have bumped into you guys, you true to heart phishheads
wouldnt have to go through with whats going on. you guys still manage to
electrify an arena! kudos! phishhead first deadhead second!
dave duarte
I don't have a clue where to begin... All I can say is that I really love
this band. I find it amazing to admit, but I realized recently that phish
has such an impact on so many aspects of my life. If I'm walking to class
I'm usually humming a phish tune. Most of my random thoughts...Phish. I
don't know...talent, humor, moving music, character, loyal fans,
industrious, an entire scene, it just all adds up somehow. I think I can
say Phish is my hobby, and my hobby would be Phish! It's a band that
someone can get so involved in. I collect tapes, read newsgroups,
suscribe to online digests, get phish related email, have a whole group
of friends I met solely on our common interest in phish, I spin tapes for
so many people at my school, I go to phish night at the bars, I read the
almanac, I read web pages, I've learned about a dozen songs, I mail order,
I tour, I anticipate the albums.............it really can get involving!!
-Matthew Stepansky, #phish: Mathias
Page, Mike, Trey, Jon
where do you go when the lights come on?
You come out to jam
for many an hour
and take us new places
be they sweet or sour
You make us believe
You make us transcend
You take us to Gamehenge
and back once again
We've taken a vow
to crush our mutual foe
We'll teach evil Wilson
to Surrender to the Flow
We'll save all the lizards
from a monotonous demise
Then Ben and Jerry will sing "Brother"
hmm.. what a nice surprise... :-)
-Chad Krueger
Last night, I was listening to disc two of A Live One and I noticed
something I never noticed before. After Page's magnificent solo that
ends The Squirming Coil, there is about 15-20 seconds of crowd noise
and pa music. Right before the disc ends, a faint, a capella, falsetto
rendition of the Golgi chorus can be heared. Did anybody else notice
this? It's wierd how you can buy a cd and not notice something cool
about it until a few years later.
Later,
Nick
What suprised me the most in Boston was the way my whole group saw the
Balloons but never guessed that there were that many. First night, only
maybe 10000 had been strategically placed around the roof of the fleet
center, the next night was too crazy in every way to notice such a thing.
Was this another MIT type prank? I was not a Rosemary subscriber at NYE
time, did anyone discuss this? Anyway, nothing will ever beat waking up on
NYE, looking out onto MIT central buildings lightly dusted with snow in the
midday sun. Took the shuttle to Harvard Square, talked to Budnick and
generally conversed with old, new aquaintances. Definite highlight of all
twenty shows so far.
-Jason Pierce
I was at both shows at Deer Creek for the most recent summer tour. The first
night some friends and I had the priveledge of sitting in box seats. This was
an exillerating experience that I'll never forget. That show as do many Phish
shows had an energy that I've not felt since the Dead finished touring! I will
always remember that show in particular because of the impression that the
whole karma had on me! Thanks to phish! You guys affect alot more people than
you'll ever know!
-Scott Brodhacker
I think it's time for the band to put out a 4 song, double
studio disc of epic status!! Brother->Guyute on one disc,
of at least 30 minutes per song...
New jam->Jam->more jam->vacuum solo->jam again->crazy ass
phat jam->lifeboy(?)
I don't like lifeboy, but the way the last 2 studio efforts
have turned out, this seems fitting to end the set.
Just a thought,
jobe
-Gabe Masry
Leaving Sugarbush on 7/3/95 was quite an experience. Actually, only one
notable thing happened, but it was funny as hell!! We left Sugarbush on
89 heading back to NH. I was driving my friend's car. Gumbo had just
come on the boot we were listening to as someone from the back seat
asked me to close the sunroof. Traveling about 80MPH, I reached up to
pull it closed, I heard it click, and figuring that it meant that it was
shut, I let go. It wasn't shut, and wouldn't be for the rest of the
ride home!! It took off and flew right off of the car!!! Must have
been in the air for 10 minutes, spinning around headed for a Jeep behind
us. Everyone in the car turned to see what was going to happen
(including me, the driver, going 80MPH on the highway, looking behind me
for a flying sunroof.) It landed about 10 feet from the Jeep and
shattered into a million pieces all over the higway. We all turned back
around and everyone laughed for about an hour straight. I only had to
pay $50 to replace it....
gabe
What are they treating those people in Europe to?!? While I'm sitting
at home fiending for a show these people are getting new songs etc.
By the way GREAT page Andy
Peace brothers and sisters
Justin Miles
thoughts follow my vision and dance in the sun,
all my vasocontrictors they come slowly undone,
can't this wait till i'm old,
can't i live while i'm young!
--sounds like trippin to me!
see you at the next show!
-geoffrey "damn good" eddy
The first time I heard Phish was like three years ago. My friend Ben made
a mix tape for me with all kinds of great music, but one song stuck out.
The song I would play over and over and over was "Rift" and I went and bought
the CD, listened to it, and by the end of the month, I had all of the CD's,
except Hoist and Live One, because obviously they weren't out yet, but you
get it.
And my girlfriend dumped me because I talked about Phish too much.
-George Viebranz
Nothing will ever beat the excitement of Clifford BAll. It was well worth the
stuffy 8 hour car ride. Nothing aboiut that weekend had a bad vibe to it.
I Can barely wait to see what the band has in store for this summer.---c.
kennedy
-Coleen Kennedy
While practicing our chops in the basement early one Saturday morning,
my bandmates and I happened to stumble upon the progression for what I've
always called the "blue" section (later popularized by the Pharmers Almanac
as being the "chill part") of Reba. Suddenly, the thumping roll of the
distinctive bassline resonated from the stone floor, hooking up perfectly
with a quiet roll on the drums while the piano sought the thick chords. As
guitarist I was helpless, I looked down at my body and watched the jam
shape riffs and arpeggios out of my Strat that was far beyond my usual
prowess. I let the wall of sound grow in intensity to the point at which
only the most searing runs high on the neck could be pierce the thunderous
beat. After what seemed like hours we smiled star-struck at each other as
if to say "how the fuck are we doing this?" Soon, we danced around in the
dark laughing and screaming with the jam until we realized that it had
sunk to a whisper, almost silent, puncuated only with the residual energy
of a fat jam.
-Damien Mullison
The music of Phish fills the holes that sound leaves behind.
-Brian C. Jackson
There seems to be a tone of dissapointment concerning comments
over the quality of the shows recently, and I'd just like to include
my words of support and optimism for all those who feel this way.
My experiences during the summer and fall tour (DeerCreek, Auburn Hills)
gave no indication that the band was slipping, in any way, towards mediocrity.
This coupled with what I've seen from the Europe setlists (Cities, Camel Walk!,
new covers, new songs, YEM ENCORE!!) should help boost spirits for those who,
amazingly, seem to doubt the calibre of music that these four boys are
capable of creating. I'm afraid to think what one's opinion might be
if they went to see a different band, because I can't even imagine
anyone measuring up. Be happy, be excited - Summer Tour is coming!!
-John Trenholme
Bill attended the Clifford Ball and he sold hemp stuff in the parking
lot before the concert for his ticket!
Tara never heard of PHISH before she met Bill. Now she loves them!!!!!!
-Tara and Bill
I recently bought the Phish tracking video. I was very excited about it! So I
put it in the VCR and I discovered that, well, It sucked. It's a crapy home
video! Don't get me wrong, I love Phish! They're my favorite band!
-Jon C.
Phish is like a cornicopia of sounds and tones that are pleasing to the ear.
The world of music is like a "divided sky" with phish on one side and the rest
of
musicon the other.
-melissa
It was a hot sunny day in August of 1996. I was less than 24 hours from
turning 21 and I could not imagine a better way to celebrate my
birthday...surrounded by 70,000 of my closest friends and the music of the best
band that there ever was. My travelling partner, Sam had informed me that he
would be tripping with some of our buddies from home that we had met up with.
It was about noon and they were about to eat some shrooms. I opted to pass on
the fungus and head in to get a good spot close to the stage. This would mean
i probably wouldn't see my friends until late that night, and would be alone
(so to speak) at midnight when I became legal. My friends wished me a happy
birthday and I headed into the show. (My friends are the type that went to the
Clifford Ball to Party and see the scene with Phish as a convenient after
thought, I on the other hand went to study this amazing band as close up[ as
possible, and of course party as well). So I sat on the ground for hours !
to make sure I'd be up close to the boyz, all I had was a gallon of water,
paper and pen, glass, and nugs. Set I was amazing (obviously). Seeing Phish
this early in the day was weird. Gazing at Trey in bright sunshine with bright
blue sky behind him was very unique. Then the orchestra, mellow, good, chill.
Set II - insane. Intermission, I had made friends with most of the people
around me, all extremely friendly. We were all crammed in together in the
dirt/grass and had been there for 8 or 9 hours. Set III - insane as always.
Phish thanks the crowd and leaves the stage..I look at my watch: 11:55pm Aug
17. In 5 minutes I would be 21, a birthday that most spend getting completely
wasted at the bar and I was completely surrounded by screaming Phish heads. 3
minutes...would the band come back by midnight? What would they play for me?
I had the hugest grin on my face. I really believe in karma, and like so many
other people, I believe that I have this spiritual, pers!
onal relationship with the band, even though I've never actually met them. But
I grew up with this band, I learned values from the band and their extended
family, I learned how to play guitar and how to appreciate diverse types of
music. Phish has changed my life more than anything...1 minute, and these two
guys standing next to me offer a hit off their bowl, after taking a hit, one of
these guys remarked how beautiful all the lighters looked, being a bit shorter
then them and on a flat surface, I couldn't see back to see the lighters, so
one of the guys lifted me up and I saw a see of lighters all the way to the
horizon. I had chills down my spine and a tear in my I. It was so symbolic.
Here I was, seconds from this milestone of a birthday, and all these people
were forming this gigantic birthday "cake" imagery for me and my baked
imagination. I looked at my watch, 30 seconds. I told the guys how i had lost
my friends and was about to turn 21. What they said back was !
beautiful, "we're here for you man, Happy birthday!" And they each hugged me,
total strangers, but I couldn't have been happier....the crowd roared even
louder, 10 seconds.....WHAT WILL THEY PLAY FOR ME?! As you all know, there
were no "oom pa pas" so at first I didn't recognize this tune, but I swear it
was exactly 12:00 when they started Harpua (I've since checked a Dat that has
the time burned on it, and it really was midnight when they started playing!)
I felt so special..this band that I had invested so much time of my life to was
paying me back, it was my present...Looking up at Trey, I felt as if he knew
this was one of my all time favorites. I wish I could thank Phish for this
amazing moment in my life, but I do want to thank those two dudes for making my
night, you guys truly are brothers. And hey, I'll turn 22 the same way! I
can't wait.
-Jeff Waful
My first show was 6/29/95 and it was great. My friends had gotten the
tix and there is no way for me to ever repay them, because Phish has
meant that much to me. Phish is the pulse of life!
Dan H
Let me start by saying after reading everyone else's stories I can't help but
get swept away by my memories. Shows are incredible! You loose yourself and
you are just wrapped up by these notes and chords, and after it is all over you
are left longing for more. The first show is almost an enlightenment Well I
have been converted. Some of the people I have meet associated with Phish are
the most incredible human beings around.
Thanks for your time. E-mail me at Paul.Sheppard@fr.eyi.com
Pauly
I was at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 6.20.95. We rolled
in a bit late, missed Llama and Spock's Brain, just in time to catch Ginseng.
Great, fun first set including Fishman on Vacuum (I Didn't Know). Anyhow,
because we were a bit late, did not get a chance to mill around and
socialize, so during the setbreak I made my way up the lawn- and
just happened to see everyone I was looking for. When I got to the
top of the hill/lawn I saw my sister, who was supposed to be working and
had gotten off at the last minute. I was very happy, gave her a hug, smiled,
appreciated the great weather, and then....second set starts..........
Boop, boop, bop bop, boop boop, bop bop - Haley's Comet ..... Haley's
Comet....my first
Now, it's summer and this is like the best song to hear in the summer for
me because, it's this fun, light hearted happy song...... just a good old
time, Sofirst Haley's for me, and I start skipping down the hill, jumping up
and down, singing the words. I get to the sidewalk/concrete divider b/w
the pavillion and the lawn, and I realzie I am at the left of the venue
when entrance to the pavillion, where my tenth row seats were(!) was on
the right side, so I start skipping all the way across the length of the
concrete path, jamming.....what would i do......
As I come closer to the middle, I see this head bobbing up and down in the
crowd in front of me, it is coming closer, and before I know it, there is this
guy skipping from the other side, in tune with Haley's and we meet eye to ey
in this mass of people, we both have these summer-smiles on, and we
are both skipping. With no words we skip toward each other, embrace arms and s
start skipping in a circle, then we switch directions and skip the other way
and then
we are off to our respective desitinations.....the set to follow was truly
a great experience and the Haley's skip and the perfect understanding of
someone else, a complete random phan, of what the music was making
me feel at that exact moment, resonates in my mind as just a truly truly
perfect live show experience.
(* Note: The Haleys, Uncle Pen, Mike's > Space Jam > Contact >Week,
Cracklin, and Slave encore all within the second set were nice too)
-Franklin Malemud
My first two Phish shows: I went with this girl Sabrina, the first was totally
spontaneous. I called her like 5 minutes before I left and said
"wanna go see Phish?" she was so shocked, but we went. We were both sunburned
pretty bad, and the traffic was unbelievable, but it's
still one of my favorite shows to date (6.30.95). The second (12.28.95) was
okay, but it was funny in that she didn't really believe she was gonna
get baked just from all the smoke in the place. She did. Clifford Ball was
unbelievable, I went with Greg and Pat and I have so many stories! Probably
best
time of my life. CB 97 will be just as grand. NYE 96 was great, some stories
there, but none compared to Cliff Ball. Never knew one band could mean so much,
my
parents still don't understand but are starting to get used to it. They get
pretty excited for me when it's time to go to a show. That's what the greatest
thing is, they're finally
starting to appreciate that Phish isn't just a band to me, but more a theme, a
constant in my life and it's always gonna be there, and no matter how bad
things get, I can pop a tape and
just lay back and let the music carry me....I'm kinda bummed that they're
apparantly not doing the east coast as much, especially New England. I pray
that surprise east coast tour comes true,
even if I can't make the shows. I'll see y'all at Clifford Ball in Maine!!! And
thanx to all the fans. I've never met a group of people who can all agree on
something so great, and get along no matter what.
I've met some incredible people through Phish, and that is something I'll
never take for granted.
~mike "mr" palmer
my first show was 11/26/94 at the Orpheum in Minneapolis,MN. Honestly, at
the time, i didn't know alot about what was going on. Listening to the tapes
now though, i can honestly say that this is THE best show,music wise, that i've
been to. Smokin' 'possum', incredibly tight "guyute", the "halley's>bowie" to
end all "Bowie's", and a *KILLER* "slave" taboot!!!!! if anyone knows what
that weird sounding thing mike was playing during the middle, quite part of
"bowie", please e-mail me...@ BENDEAD@AOL.com ....it's been baffling me for
3 years. i would *highly* suggest getting these tapes!!!! it's the *SHIT!*
ps- i just got st. louis tapes...great show, but popper needs to learn when
not to play......"sssssstink KIND"
-Ben Lafond
here goes. my name is mark and i don't know where to begin when it comes to how
phish have changed my life. it all started back in freshman year of high
school when by best bud nick( who lives across the strret from in london) got
rift. i heard it but didn't pay that much attention to it. if someone told me
then where i would be now in regards to this band i would have never believed
them.
i started to really listen to phish's music during my senior year (thanks to my
friend nick; oh, by the way, i am now a freshman in college)and i was really
getting into the music more an more. in july of '96 a bunch of us were lucky
enough to see phish at the empire in london. now this was my first show and i
wasn't the BIGGEST fan yet, so i couldn't believe how lucky i was to have been
there. we got to the venue at 1:00 and chilled out in the park and smoked,
drank some wine, you know the usual. we were literally the first people in
line. we got in and i was in the first fucking row, right in front of trey. i
could not believe it. this was my first show and i was lucky enough to be
right in front of the band. what an atmosphere. incredible setlist with
highlights of harry hood, scent of a mule(holy shit), yem(trampolines!) and
runaway jim. i won't even start on 2001 and stash. just to illustrate how
perfect this scene was: during the setbreak ("we'll be back in 15 mi!
nutes"; yeah right) there was this middle aged couple standing right behind us.
they had this little boy who couldn't have been more than 5 years old and they
were literally throwing him up in the air and then catching him. i mean this
fucker was going highhhhh. anyway, the crowd was loving it. i was in the best
mood i think i was ever in. anyway, as the show came to a close i realized
what was happening to me. i din't want this moment of my life to
change...ever. it is a feeling that it nearly impossible to describe, yet i
know that i am not alone here. this was my first show also. i knew that i had
hit something by being introduced to this band's wonderful music. thanx nick.
-riles (marreill@holycross.edu)
p.s. i would love to here any thougths that anybody has. please email me. i
have so many more experiences that i am going to write about. stay tuned
-mark reilly
They can do things that no one else can do. When they just go off and make
sounds for twenty minutes, all your worries in the world just dissapear.
Whenever I'm at a show, I take off my watch and leave all the stress in my life
at home.
-James Finley
I've discovered that I have but two addictions: Life and the way that music
makes that life energized.
-Kevin Sturtz
Personaly, I think Phish should touch their roots and come home to good old VT.
-Scooby Drew
Bela Fleck show at JMU on March 25 tix on sale at the Warner Theatre for
only five dollars order by credit card still only five dollars. The
number is 1-800-287-3925. It is being held at the Wilson Hall, which is
relativley small from what I have heard. Leftover Salmon show at the Bayou
in Georgetown was excellent, good band. Belizbaha, from Burlinton is
playing at Friar Tuck's tonight here at ODU three dollar cover. If anyone
read this write me a letter I am a veteran of 77 shows but lack a reliable
tape source here in Norfolk, Va. I deal mostly with dorks or Dave
Matthew's fans and the quality is very low. I just want a steady reliable
hook up. My address is 737 W.Princess Anne Rd. #1 Norfolk, VA. 23517.
Also my friend never got his money orders back from the New Year's shows.
He made his federal express money order out to Ferderal Express and not to
Phish so you figure he would not get tickets, right. Well his trace on one
money order came back and it was cashed, but he never got tickets. What
does anyone think he can do? Andy your page is awesome I like it better
than phish.com and phish.net I hope you get paid for this cause it seems
like you work your but off.
-Gregory M. Costanza
My first show was at the Bayou in Wachington DC during the '91 summer tour. My
brother turned me on to Phish and bought us tickets. The place was packed. I
remember looking at these normal looking guys (except Fishman!) and thinking
"These guys are INCREDIBLE!" Of course, 1 show was all it took to get me
hooked.
-Scott Brannan
I went to my first Phish show at the Spectrum back in Dec. of 95. I went with a
friend and friends of hers. Honestly, I had never listened to Phish before; I
think I only knew one song- everybody's favorite Bouncing Round the Room! On
the way to the concert I had mixed feelings. I didn't know if I would enjoy
myself or not considering I was surrounded by Phish fans. We got inside and
bought hemp jewelry and made our way to our seats. We had floor seats which
were pretty cool. Before the show started everyone was just hanging out and
doing their own thing. I ran into some people I knew from school and other
familiar faces. The lights went down and Phish came out. The crowd went crazy!
I had such a blast, even though I only knew one song. It didn't matter though.
I was dancing the whole time and just enjoying the music. Everyone was in such
a great mood at the show. I think that is what Phish is all about- having fun
and relaxing. No pressure. We left the show and I waw feeling!
pretty good. We bought shirts outside in the lot which I still wear to this
day. I know have 3 CDs and hopefully I can see Phish again in the summer when
they return from Europe. Phish rocks!!!!!!!!!!!
-Dana Hay
My first Phish show was at Evergreen State College in 1994. I thought I knew
what
I was getting involved in. They took me up showed me the vibration of life,
took me down
and froze me with them. I didn't know left from right or up from down when I
walked out there,
they just left me hanging upside down in a tree! Then I had to drive home back
to Canada, whoa!
-Pete Tessier
On my second show, so exhilarating. 12/6/96, such a great
set, opened with Wilson, had a spectacular HArry Hood,
ended with Harpua with Larry and Les from primus. Oh so
deluxe!!!
-shawn fausett
the first show i went to was in portland me in '95 i think and i remember
trey saying something about how he wanted to make a live album with 13 tracks
of the same song played differently each time. he got us so we'd be really
quiet
once and then we all had to scream and then another time we had to be quiet
again but then we had to boo. it was fun.
-dave stritch
My buddy Ben and I made the trek to N'awlins last spring and, after driving
most of the night from Charlottesville, VA, we arrived in New Orleans around 6
AM. We had become separated from our caravan due to a flat tire in Mississippi
and when we finally arrived, found a good breakfast spot and then found a tire
repair shop, we ventured over to the State Fairgrounds. They weren't letting
anyone into the lot just yet, so Ben and I struck up a little frisbee toss with
some other folks who were waiting in line. I guess we had been redirected
around to the far side of the fairgrounds because while we were throwing the
disc, I hear a Funky Bitch strike up. It sounded so clean and loud that I
figured someone must be firing up their stereo. There was a quaint little
residential area right in the middle of all this traffic (kind of like old
Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, if that helps) Well, it went on for awhile and
then I thought I'd take a break from the game and find whoever !
was playing such a great tune and see if they wanted to join us. Well, my
search led me to a wire fence where some security were walking around and I
asked one of them where the sound was coming from. One of the guys told me
that we were right behind the stage so it must be "some band" doing their
soundcheck. Well, needless to say, I was no longer interested in a mere
frisbee game so I called down the street to Ben and told him to come check it
out. A few other people had come over, having heard what was going on, and in
a moment that was so completely random and unexpected, about ten of us heard
that Funky Bitch finish up, a Poor Heart, some weird blues jam that never quite
formed enough to be called Dog Log, and (an omen, I suppose) a regular,
electric Wolfman's Brother. I've been to 20+ shows and heard a lot more, but
that was one of the greatest times I've ever had regarding Phish. New Orleans
wasn't the most psychadelic of shows, but everyone there and everyone l!
aying in the grass with their pipes tucked in their hands will tell you that
the atmosphere was unmatched. :)
On a side note, the old couple who stood behind me for most of the show and
wondered what the hell was going on during YEM was very complimentary after A
Day in the Life. I couldn't resist telling them that they should visit Trey
and the boys on a Halloween night 8-)
-Brett Stone
First thought, sorry you Easterners, but I think our phellows are begining to
enjoy our West coast more than the East now. Listen to your '96
(non-holiday)tapes......West song versions take the maccoroni!!!
Second, 1994 rules when it comes to live performances
Third, Why are the phour leaving us strnded for a year, can anybody inform me?
My last thought is more of a prediction..I see the rebirth of the Big Ball Jam
coming this summer, not like the game is all that great, but it's coming back
in style.
-Bernard
I think that if you like Harry Hood, you should listen to 11/16/96, Phish does
some amazing stuff during that tune!! That is my two cents woth!!
-Craig Robinson
I wish I were in Europe, There going off!
-Scott Gardiner
If Jerry was God, Trey is definately Jesus.
You ever get the feeling at a show where a jam is especially smokin' and the
guys are just taking you to places in music you never thougth POSSIBLY existed
and then all of a sudden you take a personal moment and you can't distinguish
whether or not you've peed your pants? {due to the extreme excitement}
I LOVE that!
-Sarah J. Van Cleve
Phish Concert
Deer Creek Music Center, Indiana
Monday August 12th
My friend and I had come from Cincinnati to see the show. It was the first
Phish show for both of us, so we didn't know what to expect. Upon arrival,
we were made to feel at total ease by all around us. We eventually met up
with a rather friendly couple from the Indianapolis area. They were of the
baby boom generation and immediately befriended us. They offerred to share
their blanket and their many stories in regards to previous Phish shows
that they had attended. They were simply a happy middle aged, middle class
couple who really enjoyed Phish concerts and Phish music in general. So we
hung out with them for most of the night. My friend and I were told tales of
days gone bye and what the future might hold. All and all, we had an
excellent time and were very grateful that we had met up with our older
Phish friends
-Ed Kuhlman
This funny run-in happened at the Sacramento Arco Arena show (11/30/96),
and in telling this story to people, they've encouraged me to post it.
So, here I go again:
Since the show was G.A., we got there early, and scored a nice spot,
around 2nd row center. Everyone around us was really cool, and we were
all talking and joking (I had met most of the folks before, at Red Rocks and
other shows). As showtime approached, the floor got more and more crowded,
and many people felt it was appropriate to stand in front of us (we were
seated), even though we had clearly waited patiently for the spot. We asked
them to leave, told them we had been there for a while, etc., and they
usually did just that.
As 7:30pm rolled around, though, the floor was REALLY crowded, and after
the first set, it was standing room only.
During the setbreak, we all sat down immediately, and the people left
standing were, by in large, the people that were there "illegitamately".
In particular, the group next to me was VERY obnoxious -- they basically
exemplified nightmare Phish fans: Loud, drunk, obnoxious, talking during
ALL the songs, pushing, frat-boy types with their sorority-type girlfriends.
I motioned for them to be quiet once or twice, and their response was
simply "SHHHHHHHHH yourself." (Nice guys, as you can tell).
At any rate, they were standing in the area big enough for maybe 2 people
(there were five of them), and all of their feet, shoes, knees, etc. were
pushing into my back. I asked them to please back up so I could sit
properly, and they said they had no where to go. I suggested that they
leave, since they weren't there in the first place. They blew me off,
and, while annoyed, I just sat there, figuring there wasn't much I could do.
The people around me, however, were not so complacent. The guy with the
PEACHES sign, as well as some other folks, started asking them to leave
so we could actually SIT properly, since WE had waited for these "seats".
They were again met with hostility (esp. by the girls in the group). It
led to a moral debate, to which the Frat possee basically stated "Why
should we give a shit about you? What are you going to do to make us move?
We have just as much right to this area as you do" (these are direct
quotes). Of course, we couldn't DO anything, but we tried to make them
understand that we were here FIRST, had waited for a LONG TIME for these
seats, and that there just wasn't enough room for all of them to be there.
Anyway, one girl started in on us, on how we thought we "owned Phish", and
that we should just be quiet and chill out.
The guy with the Peaches sign finally says to her, tauntingly, "Ok,
I'll make you a deal. If you can tell me what instrument Miles Davis
played, you can all stay."
The girl looks at him, wide-eyed with excitement. She can't WAIT to
answer, and she says, very obnoxiously (her voice was DRIPPING with
haughtiness), "OH, you mean MILES DAVIS, the SAXOPHONE PLAYER?"
She was SO sure she had dogged him! Her saxophone response was so on-cue
that it was absolutely hysterical.
At this, of course, we all burst out laughing hysterically, and the
Peaches guy just says, "Yeah, I thought so," and we chime in with
"Actually, I'm pretty sure Miles Davis played the TRUMPET, actually,"
with everyone laughing and shaking their heads.
Anyway, half of 'em ended up staying, while the other half went on a
beer-run. The miles davis girl stayed.
This was the funniest part: During TIMBER HO in the 2nd set, the
Saxophone player (a long haired white guy) came out and no one knew
who he was. Everyone was asking their neighbor who the guy was, and
everyone in the section simultaneously turned to the girl and shouted
"Oh my GOD!!! MILES DAVIS IS ON SAXOPHONE JAMMING WITH PHISH!!!!"
She had no commment.
(FWIW, one of the people in her group was the guy that ran across stage
during the encore, acting like a complete idiot before being dragged off
by security).
Anyway, I thought that was a funny story, and that some of you may be
interested.
Still smiling,
Darius
PS: I hope this doesn't lead some of you to believe that I dislike newbies,
or frat-boys or something. Nothing of the sort. I've brought TONS of
people to their first show. I have various friends that are in fraternities
(not here at Oberlin, but elsewhere). I just can't stand people that
aren't considerate, and this group was neither considerate of the people
around them nor of the musicians on-stage (as I said, one of the guys in
the group fucking ran on-stage during the encore, for crying out loud).
Our reaction to them may come across as mean, but believe me, they
practically BEGGED for it.
--
darius.zelkha@oberlin.edu
http://www.oberlin.edu/~dzelkha/
When I listen to Phish it reminds me of warm summer nights
hanging out with good friends and smoking weed. It seems like
I can really feel were these guys are coming from.
-Brett Mitchell
Hello out there!
I'm kind of a newbie...well, I've liked Phish for a couple of years, but
until I came to college, no one else could relate. If anyone has any
cool info or stories, mail me at john9682@uwwvax.uww.edu!
-Kelly Deneen Johnson
Last Thursday my son Galen and I left for Burlington(1 hour from where we live
in NY) at 11:00am and somehow got into the Fynn about 4:30pm to score 2 of the
last tickets for the Lake Champlain benefit!!!!!!! We are definitely psched!!
-Brad Peria
Once I met Jon Fishman walking down the street in Burlington, Vt. He's a
really short, really funny person. I love random thoughts - they're the best
kind.
-Andy Francke
I really am not a die hard Phish fan (yet). The first I ever heard about them
was near the Christmas holidays whaen I asked my son's prep school teacher
what he wanted for Christmas.(He wanted tickets to the Philly show). Anyhow,
at that point I felt ancient and wanted to find out more about them. Now,
even my three year old can sing the lyrics to Billy Breathes songs and insists
that I play them whenever she's in the car. What I have never read in any of
the articles about these guys is what they do with their families when they
are on the road. Do they all travel with a huge entourage? On a different
note regarding a Phish story... my five year old was baffled when he heard the
song, Taste. He asked me if a doctor was singing the song because the person
kept on repeating,"I can't see through your lice".
I'd appreciate it if you could answer the question about their what their
families do when they're on the road. THANKS.
-Audrey White
Check out my Clifford Ball photos on the phish.net at:
http://www.phish.net/current/clifford.html#photos
Amanda did!!!!!! :)
-DAVID CARD
The first night at the Spectrum(12-28) I had gotten these crazy mushrooms.
So me and a bunch of my friends ate them and went in. The show was so
intense and and so PHUCKIN' NUTS!!! Then they played "Billy Breathes"
right then I felt like I was in a dream. The song was so beatiful the
lights were so pretty. My body just got lifted away and sucked into the
music.
It was the best trip I have ever had.
Tony C.
did anyone else see the yellow/golden wind peeling off Trey during Reba at
the Target Center show in Mpls,MN this fall? or was it something i ate?
-Ben Lafond
i once went to a show in msg. it was crazy. i went by myself.
and i was chillin nest to some girl. and she was dancinging
then all of a sudden she was sitting pucking her brains out well
no body was helping her, so i decised that i should help her to the bathroonm
so i do and i took care of this girl ends up she goes to school in my home
town
town and that is were i was hedin gafter the show. so we
chillied out for the rest of the show she found the group eshe was
with but we still went back to gether
it was really. cool
-JEANNA PERROTTA
Last summer camping at Deer Creek was the best thing in my life. I met so many
interesting people and did such wackey shit that I never did before. Phish
brought me to the most peaceful place that I never visited before.-Thanx Trey,
Page, Mike, and Fish; you guys jamm.
-John Boone
This years NYE run 96' I flew up from philly to Boston the morning of the 30th
b/c i was seeing my parents and mo'd tix but did not get them. Anyway sat next
to a lady who pulled out a review from
the concert on the 29th. I asked if she went and she said yes, then i said if
she was going to the Boston shows. She was. Next I asked her how she got tix
and she eventually revealed to me that
she was the ass. manager. I was surrounded by about 5 people who were high
ranking phish employees anyway after chewing her ear off. I tried to get the
97 summer dates. I asked if the Mann in
Philly was possible, and she said most likely. It is my fav to see concerts.
-ryan rosenfeld
My friend Mel from Kelowna received a fax from her friend Maja
(who lives in Germany)....it seems that Mel tried explaining
the musical experience of Phish,including our recent Phish tour. Maja was
intrigued and responded that she
too had seen cars in Germany proudly displaying a "decal of a Fish", or
was it a "Phish". Was this some kind of religion Mel had gotten invloved
in? Was she following the leader of this religion around? She concluded
the fax by expressing her support for Mel's new found passion. Maja
understood...after all Maja exclaimed " Her mother had been involved
with the Jehovahs Witness group for awhile." Go figure ??!!
-Marni Macdonald
Phish is the band of gods. They came from above to tell us their music. Their
music is an inspiration to everyone. It provides us with an escape from our
problems in life and the complications of the world. If only the whole world,
every person could hear their music, it would be a better world. A world of
happiness and tranquility.
-Abbey Smith
I fought for phish March 18th tix in burlington yesterday like a mad man
and all I would like to say is Enjoy the show
everyone who got a ticket. I didn't but I 'll be outside trying to hear.
Oh and Flynn theater has the slowest ticket counter in the whole world.
-Stephen Scimone
PHISH is the absolute most awesomest band I have ever heard! I really
love their music, and I'm glad that there are so many PHISH PHANS out there!
I've never gotten to see PHISH live, but I know that someday I will!
To all you PHISH PHANS out there - don't ever take your Billy Breathes
CD to school, because somebody will steal it,just like they did to mine!
So, now I'm PHISH-less until I can buy another CD. I think that Billy
Breathes is an awesome CD, and FREE is the best song in the whole world!!
PHISH is from Vermont,which is where I live. Where they came from is about
2hours from where I live, and I think thats' pretty funky.
When I talk about PHISH in school or at my friends houses (none of my
friends listen to PHISH) people ask me " who the hell is PHISH?? Then they
ask what kind of music they play, and I just tell them that " PHISH IS
PHUNKY,GRUVEN MUSIC!!!!!" Well, I gotta go PHISHING, later!!
-Lynne Girard Feb.21,97
I want to know why a lot of people on tour do not shower and act poor when they
are driving brand new Pathfinders. I find this very strange. "Nothing comes
for free"J.Garcia--Stella Blue
-Jeff Kuntz
Next "Cliffor Ball" type concert deal is in Maine, MY STATE! That is going to
rock. Clifford Ball is one of those memories you never will and don't want to
forget and now I get another one, but I don't have to drive 7 hours to see it.
-Greg Dunbar
I'm sitting in my play production class today very bored. I start tappping my
feet and humming a song that came from somwhere in my sub-concious. At about
the same time me teacher who was lecturing on the do's and dont's of lighting a
stage, says the words "bouncing around the room" refering to the light on the
stage. I think to myself "cool, thats a phish song", then my mind was blown
when i realized that that was the song i was started humming and tapping to
myself about three seconds before he said the words. Very very crazy. I mean
how often do you even hear that phrase, and how cool is it that he said it just
while i was thinking it? I love when shit like that happens.
-Ryan Aulenta
Aaahhh. just sitting back and remembering the great halloween 96 show. and also
remembering the girl next to me who
puked on my shoes.
-Jeff Giddens
phish fucking rules the galaxy! well my galaxy.
-David Duarte
first experience with phish - first experience with trippy shit
bounced around the room until my head exploded then bonded with a slimy
green and red gummy worm which had a mind of its own, had an
experience steppin' in the freezer, and lost the gumbo
isn't there anything you'd like to try?
-Jennifer Tucciarone
My first Phish show was the '96 Clifford Ball at Plattsburg NY. Before
that, I was just starting to discover them and had bought Hoist. I had
a free ride there and free access to backstage. My sister played in the
Clifford Ball Orchestra, an assembly of local classical musicians. Even
though I was only able to attend the one day she was playing, I jumped
at the chance to go. Being so young (barely 16 at the time), and so
foreign to the Phish scene, being backstage really improved my outlook.
I walked back and forth from the croud to backstage, exploring the set
and talking to the people. One of the crew members let me go up in the
rafters. The music was intense as I looked down on the band. Of
course, not knowing any songs except those from Hoist, I had no idea
what they were playing...I just knew it was good. When I looked out at
the crowd, I experienced the most full feeling; seeing that sea of
people, all tripping, happy, and dancing. Then I lost it. I just
started dancing and I felt like I was in love with not just the events
and people around me, but everything in the world. Now I know that they
were playing "Reba" and when I had that feeling, Fish was just beginning
his solo. I have become a dedicated Phish "phan" and any opportunity I
get, I go to see them. Phish isn't about messages, MTV, publicity or
other junk. Just DAMN GOOD live music.
Emily Wolfe
phunkyphish@hotmail.com
as much as I hate to say it i think band should take significant time off.I
think they sorta lost and edge in 96 with a handful of exceptions.They werent
taking as many risk as they used to. Possibbly due to all of the new "fans" or
the size of venues,i dont know. But Europe 97 is defeniately a step in a
promising direction ,{ many new songs are being played and more segues}In the
past 2 years they have taken about 10 steps foward now its time to take some
back.Its litterally becoming a circus at shows outside espically but inside as
well.
-Hunter Neisler
it was septemer 19,1995 I was in school bored out of my mind when suddenly like
a godsend the light went out. The students were dismissed for the
for the remaining hours of the day, it was my birthday so I was cheerful. I
was invited to a friends house, when I was first introduced. I believe
the song tweezer was on! My friend and I were stoned out of our minds! enjoying
the tones we turned to amazement when the song began to slow down.
we were intrigued by the accuracy of the band. ever since then i've been a
phisherman.
I would just like to say that Phish is the raw gravy!!!
-Brandon Gaskin
who ever knew that a vacuum cleaner is a musical instrument???
-jerry d.
7/2/95. Sugarbush. Set 2 opens with Runaway... JAM!! I danced harder and longer
than I ever have before. That was fun.
-Zach Scheiner
I was at the Hershey show on 8/14/96 and on 3 really great fuckin' hits. They
started playing Fishman's intro and I started getting excited. Just waiting on
pins and needles to hear this rare treat. Fish broke into "Cracklin' Rosie." I
lost it. Seeing him up there with those cymbals, going nuts like that. It was
fucking great!
-Brian Murphy
Phish is by far the best band I have ever heard. The sheer melody and
rhythem of their music astounds me. I hope Phish provides many more years
of sounds and enjoyment for all the great Phish fans!
-Chris
I WAS AT A PHISH SHOW AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY FRIEND SAID THAT HER TEETH WERE
BLEEDING?!!!
ALL I KEPT DOING WAS DANCING!!!!!
I saw the first show at Dearcreek Music Center this summer, my sixth Phish show
and I must say it was incredible and loud. I loved every last bit of it. You
fellows made the walls and everything around melt into pure craziness. Thank
you for such a good show and areally great time. I am looking forward to the
next summer Phish tour. Who knows maybe I will catch them all this year. See
you there!!!!
Jennifer Arnold
I've been to MANY shows. I met the band and started getting into them when I
lived in Montreal, QuŽbec (then one day on a ship to QuŽbec...). I used
to visit Burlington alot. We met the guys at a local show there and they came
up to visit us for the Jazz festival and on other occasions. They are the most
down-to-earth, dedicated musicians and are truly brothers. Their energy,
creativity and commitment is inspiring, and their earthiness and genuine
personalities are 100% pure. They have taken all of the lessons of the Dead
and incorporated them into their own scene which is cleaner, friendlier, and
hopefully less troublesome. Musicially, they are most in tune with one
another. Funniest story told to me by Fishman- one day he was at someone's
house with the guys, and was in the bathroom giving himself a wheatgrass juice
enema when one of the other guys (Trey?) walked in on him. Needless to say,
Fish found it to be a slightly strange moment- why he shared this with me I!
don't know.
-David Robbins
I was just wondering if these guys ever have a bad setlist? I enjoy hearing
every new tape my phriends or myself ever get.
Every bootleg is wonderful and fun in it's own right.
- Todd Schmutz
Thoughts :
phish. i don't really know how to put anything that i feel about them into
words. ecstasy takes over my body when i am at a show.
nothing else in the world could even compare. they are the best drug in the
world.
i'm sure that there are any people out ther who are going through the same
withdrawl that i am right now. when is the next show? when will i be able to
lose myself in their magical music again. it will be well worth the wait. i was
satisfied with the new years run. second night at philly just blew me away,
they were tiring me out. i didn't know if i could make it through the second
set. tom marshall was a pleasant surprise. i think i read this, as a matter of
fact i know iread this and i have to agree. Page! he filled my ears with
beauty.
this is some random thought that i'm going to throw out here but, at the
clifford ball i was fortunate enough to share both days jamming with the same
group of people one of these beautiful people was a boy, i want ot say his name
was bret? but i can't be completely sure my mind was in an altered state those
days but anyway back to what i was saying, i was located at the left hand side
of the stage all the way up in the front near the big wooden walls that blocked
out backstage, right to the left of the stage, we had a bad view of the stage.
i was wearing a dress with a flower on it-both days so bret if you are out
there and remember me, we did have small talk and shared some water and also
enjoyed the fireworks together i would love to talk to you again you shared the
best time of my life with me.
i don't really have much else to say. andy, if you are listening you are doing
a good thing
love always
kimberly
AUGUSTA-The former Loring Air Force Base will get a jolt of new commercial
activity with a summer concert by Phish and the expansion of a company that
made the Boston Celtics' basketball court, Gov. Angus King announced Wednesday.
Great Northeast Productions said an agreement for the Phish concert will be
signed soon and the concert dates will be August 15-17.
The Hingham, Mass.-based Championship Sports Flooring plans to employ 30
people.
-From staff and news services.
PHISH FOOD: BEN & JERRY'S LATEST PHLAVOR (2/13/97)
Fans of Phish are probably going through a bit of withdrawal
these days, since the band is currently ensconced on a European
tour. But they'll soon be able to enjoy the group on a different level.
Ben & Jerry's is about to debut Phish Food, a new ice cream flavor
they've created in honor of the group. And it sounds like a good one
too: it's milk chocolate ice cream, caramel, marshmallow swirls, and
fish-shaped dark chocolate chips. The original idea was to call the
concoction Phish & Chips, which was rumored to involved chocolate
covered pretzels, but that idea was quickly nixed.
The new flavor comes as no surprise to fans of Ben & Jerry's ice
cream; the two entrepreneurs have been known for their love of music
since they honored the Grateful Dead with Cherry Garcia. Lately, the
two have been seen at a couple of Phish shows, most notably at last
year's Clifford Ball festival, where they joined the band onstage to
sing back-up on the unreleased song "Brother."
Proceeds of Cherry Garcia have always been sent to charity at the
request of Jerry Garcia, and it's expected that the same will be
true of Phish Food.
Note to Ben and Jerry: We'd like to suggest a couple other rock &
cream flavors -- Metallica Peanut Brittle Crunch, Marilyn Macadamia,
Bluesberries Traveler, Kenny G's Flavorless Vanilla....
- Paul Semel
When I had tickets to the Phish show at Rupp Arena, I thought I was going to
have to go by myself. Then, 3 of my craziest male friends decided to go too.
We had a blast dancing and shaking our bones!! Keep on rockin' me!!
-Tonya Lynn Smith
On 10/18/96, at the Pittsburgh show, me and my friends kept
experiencing problem after problem. First, after we got parked in a
parking lot...we were sitting there in our cars, jamming to some
Phish tunes. (We were sitting there for quite sometime)
Then my friend tried starting her car and to our surpise...it was
dead.
So me and my other friend had to
stand outside and ask everybody that was going by if they had any
jumper cabels. We finally found a pair, and tried to jump her car.
They ended up getting it started. So....everything was well
(for the time being.)
Then we all decided to eat our squares and head into show. The show was awesome.
They opened with a real phatty song, Runaway Jim.
It really got my trip started right.
So from there on out..the show was awesome.(Of course)and at the
end...I
was sad it was over. We went out to the parking lot, hung out , got
some massy grub--and after a while...headed out. As we were traveling
home, we got lost in downtown Pittsburgh somewhere. Then...the most
terrible thing happened..as we were stopped at a stop-light my
my friends car
died--again. Except this time it wouldn't work at all. We tried to
put the
flashers on, but they wouln't even work....so I had no idea what to
do.
I phlagged down phellow phans, but everybody was as clueless as I was.
There was this one guy that had just been to the show also, Hans,
that was a big help..after a towtruck appeared out of nowhere..he took
me and two other of my friends with him to this garage. As it turned
out,
the car finally got fixed and we were on our way home. It was just so
much hassle....I'm glad it finally ended. Well I got to go now.
Alesha Duffee
12-31-96 Down w/Disease rocks extremely hard.
-Adam Shiffman
In the Spring of 1993, Phish came to my Colgate University for one show.
I was a junior at the time, playing lacrosse for the school's team. We had
just come back inside from practice about thirty minutes before the band was
to go on stage. As we opened the doors into the locker room area, we saw
Trey and Fishman standing outside the football locker room which was doubling
as the Phish dressing room. As players were yelling out lines from the movie
"Spinal Tap" ("Rock and Roll! "Hello Cleveland"), the first of us to reach
Trey and Fishman asked them to wait for us to shower before they went out on
stage. They agreed without hesitation and shook our hands. At this point,
one of the players behind me, having just discovered that Phish hailed from
Burlington, announced, "We beat Vermont this season!" Trey's reply was,
"Ah, but did you play Goddard?"
-Dan Harley
Nothing could be finer than a show in Red Rocks.
'96 will be remebered as the year the Boys played there for the
last time, just like '86 is remembered as the year the "other" Boys
played there for the last time. We've got to do something about
keeping our bands in the hot venues.
-Marc Levin
I was at my first Phish show (5-29-94) at the La Guna Saca Daze (LSD)
3 day concert. I had heard Nectar, Junta, and Hoist. We were in the
center of the front row right up against the wall, I was tripping
really nicely by then (for the first time) and remember Trey forgetting to
say "Runs like a junk yard dog with a brain of brass." By the time he
should have been at "with a" he finally spit it all out as fast as he could.
Another note about that show... thier is a third encore, I have to
this date not been able to find DATs of this show -bummer. If you have
heard 5-27-94 at the Warfield (just 2 days before) you would appreciate how
awsome of a show this was. The Bowie from 5-27-94 is phenominal!
Well anyways back to LSD... during one of the 3 encores Trey was no
where to be seen and I think it was fishman who called it the "Our
guitar player is taking a piss jam." They were all drinking beers and
got really funkey -It was great- this is one of the little known GREAT
shows of the century, check it out! Peace, Rob
We have seen it we have felt it we know it phish is life in its
most ecstatic we coulnt stop dancing if we tried control for smilers cant be
bought this has all been wonderful but now I'm on my way so take the highway
to the great divide and we will unite in surrendering to the phlow I cant
help it phish is I and I is phish they are my life support system they are what
makes my garden grow they propell me into the future and give me sneak peeks
of what to come Is there life on Mars? check in the dance hall page's left side
we are phree in sharing our groove
as long as you are into sharing the groove back to us Remain in Light
and trust phish to guide your soul the entire ride I hope you all can
hold on
-Kevin Lierman
I really enjoy seeing phish in the spring and it really sucks that there is no
spring tour here in the states and that the same thing happened last year. I guess i'm just
going through Phishdraw and can't wait to see the boys this summer.
I hope that there are a lot of east coast shows because I'm ready
and I'm still praying that the rumored surprise east coast tour happens this spring
See everyone this summer.
-Rob
I have been a Phan for about six years and never got a chance to see them
because e of money and travel arrangements. But I got my first chance to see
them at North Charleston on 10/27/96. I will forever follow this band. The
is show an experience unlike any other. After my first year at college I plan
on touring.Take it easy.
-Victor Rogers`
Every time I go see Phish, I feel that there are less and less women going
to the shows. We need help. P.S. If I hear another Tweezer, I will Kill
myself. The song sucks.
-Larry Tiscornia
Two summers ago i had tickets to the second show at sugarbush, was
looking for tickets to the first show.
Going into Great Woods just the day before the sugarbush shows, my
friends and i picked up two kids who were being forced to walk out of
the concert grounds,
becuase apparently you cannot WALK in, only ride in a car. We let them
hop in and made it a five-person backseat ... a little crowded but what
the hell ... and the guy
sees the sign my sister is holding for me and says, "you're looking for
tix for tomorrow? i have two to get rid of .. i'll let you have them
for less than face value."
Was it karma--because i picked up the hitchhikers, or what?
-Travis
St. Louis, Nov. 15, 1996
Through the clouds of smoke, emerged something so great. Phish.
A feeling which can't be described.
-James Wilson
During my trip to Red Rocks, on the third night, my car broke down outside
Morrison, we walked the rest of the way to the show and when we got there, it
had been a bad day,
but as many of you know, the show just lifted up my spirits. During the second
set, it started raining slightly. I had never seen a show outside when it was
raining, but
Fishman came out and played Purple Rain and the lights were a deep shade of
purple glistening off the rain drops and I knew my bad day was over. Oddly
enough, I got back
to my car and it started right up and had no problems the rest of the trip and
all the way back to Indianapolis.
It was phat.
Phanatically yours,
Dan
PHISH IS MUSIC FOR THE FREE!!!!
-Kristen Ridgeway
Three friends and I went on the Holiday tour 96 together, piled
into an old brown Volvo sedan, dubbed "Slothchick." On the 27th we all
met up in Boston at the Paradise to see a Percy Hill show. I'd never
heard them before and was BLOWN AWAY. We were all so happy after the
show, because not only had we just experienced a great concert, but we
had nine sets of Phish ahead of us.
We drove from Boston to Philly on the 28th, and quickly found a ticket
for Aaron, the owner of Slothchick. (I'd gotten all mine through mail
order, but he got the shaft on the 28th). The show was great, with Maze
and Mike's as the highlites. We eventually found places in the area to
crash, and eagerly anticipated the following night's show.
Needless to say, the 29th blew us away. I thought it would be a down
night considering the strength of the previous night, but they really
outdid themselves. We were all so fired up after that show, that we
decided to trek back to Boston THAT NIGHT. This turned out to be one of
the best memories of the tour. It was around 6 AM when we turned onto
the Mass Pike, none of us having slept at all. (It would have been
unfair for one of us to sleep since the driver couldn't!). Anyway, soon
the sun began to come up, and we whitnessed before us one of the most
beautiful sunrises I've ever seen. The clouds turned purple to pink to
orange, and finally the sun began inching up the horizen. It was at
that moment that we realized we would make it- we were almost to
Boston. We blasted "Divided Sky" and opened the windows, laughing and
taking pictures. We were all so happy and WIRED on caffeine, it was
just an amazing moment, and for me, ALMOST overshadowed the shows.
We slept all day at Joel's house, and took the subway to the Fleet
Center at around 5. Joel and I were especially psyched beacause we had
6th row seats- that's even closer than I was at the Ball. It was the
perfect show to see that close, with the silent jam and Scent antics.
Plus we were screaming for Guyute all night, and lo and behold they
played it. I just KNOW Page was looking at me! What a night.
Somehow, we found a ticket for Amos for the NYE show, and even more
amazing, it was right next to the seats the rest of us had, on the floor
about halfway back. We were going to finish this tour up all together
for the New Years show. I'd been calling a Peaches opener for NYE all
weekend, but I was one song off. 8) When they dropped the balloons and
ripped into DwD, the four of us danced together, jumping up and down in
complete elation. This DwD was the peak of the whole run, and it
couldn't have come at a better time. I experienced such joy as I have
never felt, just looking around at my friends' faces.
We went back to Joel's house and stayed up all night drinking wine,
watching the Cartoon Planet marathon, and talking about the run. I
slept for a week after the Holiday tour, but it was probably the best
time I've ever had. Phish put together a setting where friends could
meet and have fun, enjoying life. That's just what we did.
Ethan
efwhite@amherst.edu
Phish is the most incredibly talented band that I have ever heard. The
emotions that their music inspires is incomprehensible. I am a huge
Phish fan simply because they are the most unique band and they have a
strange way of making people understand certain concepts that the modern
day world is oblivious to. I admire Phish for their musical talent and
strength and I wish that more people would appreciate them for what they
are: an artisticly inclined band that, unlike the popular bands of
today, creates fun, emotion-filled music that make people happy!
Imagine that! A band that doesn't sing depressing music with lyrics
that you can't understand and look high all of the time!!! It's a miracle!
I can listen to Phish and get in a good mood! Congrats on being the first
band to go out on a limb and create fun, entertaining, easy-listening
music that makes people ponder the soul meaning of life!!
Thanks!!!
-Tiffany Hoke
I was in Australia the first time I ever heard Phish. I left in the summer
to return in the fall. Before I left my friend Dave handed me a tape. He
said, "you must listen to this while you're there." So, I did, and I fell
in love. I returned in late september and bought my ticket for the
Halloween '95 show in Chicago. Since then I've been collecting tapes and
enjoying shows. My most memorable Phish moment was at Alpine Valley '96,
listening to the sound check in the grass covered parking lot and shaking
Mike's hand an hour before the show. I love it when he rides his bike
through the crowd.
-Greg Davies
The night of the december 30th in the fleet center, I was fortunate enough to
hear Guyute for the first time. Ever since I bought my tickets I kept mentioning
how bad I wanted to hear it to all my friends, they said I probably wouldn't.
Not only did I get to hear the tune, but I also got to thank Mike later in the
eve
ning for I ran into him walking around the arena late at night. I don't know if
he heard me or not because there was a crowd of people talking with him, but
if he did I'm sure he would have appreciated the gesture.
-John Garrett
It seems that every time I am about to go to a Phish
show some thing has to get in the way. Yet this distraction
seems to make the event more special. Some people can't believe
some of the things i had to do to get to a show. These
journey's give me more memories that I will live with
forever.
-Alicia Cupp
Summer '96 at Hershey
I got there and had a great time, then a friend came up to me and gave
me a ticket and a ride to plattsburg
-Dick Seagul
This november my boyriend Brock,and our friend Niel went to the shows at
the palace at Auburn Hills and they had the worst time getting there but
once they got there, they had a blast! Brocks car broke down about half
way there and they slept in the car for two nights until they met up with
some friends that finally got there. Even though it was raining and then
snowing, they still kept their spirits up because they knew that it would
be worth it. And I certainly hope it was because on top of all that, Brock
missed my senior prom to go to the show. They are definitely die-hard fans
and it's hard for me to anything but that!
Love and Peace,
Kathleen Stanley
"Music is like this porthole into another world - the world of truth." -
Trey Anastasio
I had a friend that I worked with for over two years named Jenny.
She had cystic fibrosis. The only thing she ever wanted to do was see a
Phish show live but she was always in or out of the hospital when they
came around town. A few months ago she became really sick and the
doctors said she would not live much longer. She was only 17, a senior
in highschool. Phish was coming to Champaign on 11-8-96, but she was
still sick in the hospital. She was extremely determined to get to the
show-her brother was a student at U of I and he got her a ticket and a
couple for her freinds. They put her in a wheel chair and sent her down
there, oxygen tanks and all. It was about a two hour drive. She watched
the show and her desire was finally fullfilled. She died a few days
later, happier than any of us had ever seen her. Sometimes you just
don't know how much Phish means to all of us. I miss you Jenny and I look
forward to seeing you again in the future.
Love,
Stephanie R.
After getting the mail oreder shaft like so many of us did, I was able
to sleep
out and get great seats for both Philly shows. Boston was impossible
to get
over the phone through ticketmaster, but I was happy enough to see the
boys for
two nights in my hometown. I knew the shows were going to be great,
but since
most of my friends were making the trip to Boston after the show on
Sunday I
planned on being pretty bummed. After the spectrum shows I was on
cloud nine
and not even thinking about Boston. The first night was great, but
completely
shadowed by the 12/29 show. All I can say is PAGE,PAGE,PAGE, this guy
was on
total fire and set the tone for the entire night. For those who
couldn't make
it this show do your self a favor and get a copy, the Caravan is
absolutly sick
and the intro to Bathtub is excellent Page is all over the keys. I
could go on
forever about this show, but I don't want to waste too much of your
time so I'lljust fill you in on what I thought was the total highlight
of the show besides
the YEM>switch instruments jam. Harpua was awesome, Trey was IMO
getting
incredible feeback from the audience and gave us one the best and
funniest
Harpua ever. When it came time for the story, Trey started to go on
about a guywho lives on a hill with his dog above a town(very
grinchesque), everyone knows
the basic characters and story. Finally he gets to the "Meat " of the
story
where the fight causes a wirlwind and sucks everybody down to hell
where they
see the "Uberdemon" (Tom Marshall) and here the awful sounds of hell.
Tom
dressed as the lead singer of Oasis goes on to sing "Champange
Supernova" and
sends me almost to the floor laughing in tears. All I can say is
these guys
really know how to put on a show. The funny thing is after the show I
stayed inmy seat until most of the crowd left as me and my friends
waited I was able to
hear some of the conversations of the people who passed and it seems
that Tom
was able to fool a lot of people into thinking that it was really the
guy from
Oasis and that Phish was serious about playing that song. I guess they
did
notice it when Trey introduced the song as being the horrible sounds
of Hell.
Well thanks for reading and for the first 5 people to e-mail me I'll
spin you a
copy of this show if you want. Also I would like to thank Andrew for
having
this wonderful page, keep up the good work. see ya!
Rob
I journeyed to Boston for the NYE shows this year. I had high
expectations
for both shows (needless to say they were met... and thensome). On New
Year's
Eve Eve (the 30th), I was sitting in my jeep before the show trying to
stay
somewhat warm as the weather was positively frigid. A friend that I
attended
the show with was wandering around the parking lot searching for
Jagermeister. He had left an unopened bottle of iced tea sitting in
the
center console. I was numb and thirsty and I started to drink it. By
the time
my friend returned, I had drank half of it. He hopped into my jeep and
looked
down at the bottle in my hand. He said, "Did you drink my iced tea?" I
apologized and explained how thirsty I was. He stared at me, mouth
agape, and
I apologized again, saying that half of it was still left. Then he
started
grinning and he proceeded to explain to me that the iced tea I had
drank
contained a quarter ounce of mushrooms and, consquently, I had
ingested an
eighth of them alone. No sooner had he said this than I started to
feel my
body and my surroundings melting.
Hours later I ran into my cousin outside the Fleet center and she
showed the
setlists for that night. I read in amazement the first set. I had no
recollection of the first five songs whatsoever. I wondered if I had
showed
up late for the show or had passed out or fell asleep. But it was none
of
these things. I think it was the zebras that had leaked out of the
lights
above the stage.
:) julia
p.s. i had a bunch of great shows this year - sober and unsober - a
huge part
of the atmosphere is the people. friends i see and hug regularly and
friends
whom i exchange grins and cheers with - thanks for smiling, thanks for
making
me smile, thanks for making every show a fantasy
New Years for me simply confirmed the fact that Phish is the greatest band in
America. They are simply awesome. The shows were a perfect way to ring in the
new year, and they took care of us, and that's what I like to see.
-Andrew Gadiel
From:
Phishsphun@aol.com
Hey phellow phish phan!!
I'm sure you have already received stories about New Year's Eve at the Phleet
Center, but I don't think enough stories can be told. The 30th was great,
but NYE is incomparable to any show I have ever been to!!! I don't think
three better set lists could have been put together!! It was incredible!!!
Sparkle at the speed of light, a billion balloons at midnight, and choir for
Bohemian Rhapsody. Could there have been any more thrills for one night?
It was DEFINITELY an increedible way to start the new year!!
Re: St. Louis - 96
This show was absolutly amazing, Especially when John Popper came out
during Mean Mr. Mustard. He played Weekapaugh with the guys. I danced
until My whole body turned into jello. When Trey said the the second set
was brought to us by the letter M and the number 4:20 everyone in the
Kiel errupted into cheer.
I have gotten down with Phish for many years and this was better than
any New years or Halloween show I have ever been to.
-Mike Zubiena
Okay Now!Stay with me. This Random Thought came out of the air along
with many others whilst peaking during the first set the first day at
The Ball this past summer. What if Fishman were to come out naked to
start the second set and ask the whole crowd to join him by removing
their clothes as well????? Many different scenarios occurred to me as
to what the mounties would do about 100,000+ concert goers suddenly
transformed into 100.000+ NAKED people. Would they call out the
national gaurd or would they laugh? I also wondered about how the
energy of the crowd would change by having this common bond and the
illusionary feeling of seperateness shattered. The variables are
endless, but needless to say, this did not occur. Yet I re-membered
this thought just this morning and thought, "It could Still happen!"
The Phish story about the naked guy reminded me that people still get
naked at Phish shows. Now my focus is on NEW YEARS EVE, with a twist!
To take the blame off any one person, like Fishman for instance, and for
the sake of suprising the band and getting them to play another
delicious Furry Creatures again like they did at 3rd night Red Rocks:
WHAT IF WE HAD A GRASS ROOTS TYPE WORD OF MOUTH EFFORT POSSIBLY WITH
FLYERS.A.K.A the"HOOD" response also at Red Rocks to spread the word to
have EVERYONE, AND I MEAN EVERYONE, to strip down at midnight at the New
Year's show! It would bring everyone closer to each other and
themselves and who knows, the band might be soooooo impressed with our
organizational skills that Trey would ask us to sit down quietly for a
nice rendetion of the entire Gamehenge saga. HIGH HOPES aside, if we
could pull it off it would surely be a night to remember eh? The
crucial part of the equation would be to get enuff truly devoted phans
to get naked so that just afew people don't get "dragged off in cuffs".
We'd also have to win the hearts of all the more inhibited crowd who
just doesn't do that sort of thing. If this random thought is planted
and grows and manifests as fruit then all we'd have to worry about is
all the spun out people pissin' all over everything. The pigs would be
powerless if confronted with even 10,000 naked phreaks, let alone the
whole house. We could probably all spend the night in the Fleet Center
and have a big slumber party!!! They couldn't exactly throw us out into
the frigid cold with no protection. Even if they did try and clear us
out, if we stand united and thus all lay down it would take em' forever
to carry us out at the rate of two cops for each naked person. Just the
time it would take and the logistical problems alone with getting that
many reinforcements in the form of cruisers and meat wagons to hold us
all if they were silly enuff to try and arrest us. They'd get caught in
their own traffic jam, and the rest of the city of Boston would be left
free of pigs. They couldn't just abandon their "Protect and Serve"
motto with everyone else. This would make front page news ya'll. WE,
The NATION OF NAKED PHISH PHANS could declare our independence from the
eeeeeveeel king wilson fascist regime and stage a shut in for peace and
love. The key would be to remain peaceful if it got to that so as to
remain innocent in the eyes of the mind control media. Anyways, enough
talking to dispel fear of the unknown, If the pigs were cool we could
just put our clothes back on after the show and go home. But we'd still
get the point across.
Peace and Goodwill,
Lleee
I've been reading several posts and stories in this section, and most of them
are very entertaing and they keep me occupied when Phish is not on tour. There
is one problem I have with some of the stories and thats is that some of the
fans in our community are so pre-judgemental of other fans it makes me sick.
I've been a fan fan for a long time now and every phish show I've been to was
great an they get better each time, the thing I love most is the music, but I
also love the community. Sure there are some fans who may be disruptive and
might talk during the quite parts of the show and I know that sucks, but to
generalize and group that person(s) into one group is not fair to other loyal
fans that may be a part of that group. My point is I read a post where a guy
said that "the show was great except there was a lot of frat guys in the
audience", now maybe that certain group was disruptive I don't know the
situation, but just judging someone by their looks and saying "oh he's in a
fraternity why do they have to ruin my scene." That's not fair to that person
or to anybody thats in a fraternity. Just because your not in one or the
fraternities at your school may be filled with cocks, doesn't mean that all
fraternity guys are like that. There are a lot of pretty cool guys that are in
fraternities and to stereotype them is not fair. Every person with a legitiment
ticket to the show has just as much right to be there as you do, Reality check
you don't own Phish. Who are you to judge? I'm sure if you asked Trey who he
wanted at the shows he would say "anybody thats going to enjoy the music, I
don't care what they look like, where they're from, or what they might belong
to." Give the fraternity guys a chance you might like them, hey you have one
thing in common you both like Phish. Like I said before, some fraternity guys
might be dicks but there are guys and girls in the crowd that aren't in a
fraternity and have been with the band for a long time say since nectar's or
amy's farm whatever but who can be real assholes too. Thank you for reading my
random thought and try to be a little more openminded next time. Keep sharin
in the groove.
On the afternoon of the Las Vegas show, myself and three other friends
were walking out of Caesar's palace and we saw a grey bus. I told my
friends that i thought it was the bands tour bus so we went over and
looked in it. no one was inside,but we saw a jacket sitting on the
seat with a phish logo on it. I said, "I am not leaving this spot
until the band comes here." My friends convinced me that the chances
of them coming to the bus was slim, considering the fact that we were
only three blocks from the Aladdin theatre. So we went to eat. On
the way to our hotel room, after eating, i noticed that the bus was
still there. I said to one of my friends, "Look, Pete, there is a 1%
chance that they are on that bus, lets go have a look, we have nothing
else to do right now, anyways." So as we were walking over i noticed
a guy with glasses on the bus. A few steps closer i noticed his red
hair. "Holy shit! its trey!!" I jumped to the ground and opened up
my bag, where I had several enlarged pictures that i carry around,
just for this situation. I went up to the bus and knocked on the
door, but the bus driver nodded his head "no". I started jumping up
and down with my pictures and the next thing i noticed was that trey
was coming out to talk to us. I couldn't stop shaking. We talked to
him for a little while and he signed some of my pictures. Then he
started to sign a picture of mike and i said, "Do you think Mike could
sign that?" He said "sure" and called mike to come out. I am
standing there with my firend and Mike and Trey. I couldn't believe
it. We talked for a while and then went on our way to see an
incredible show. What a day....
Bret
pessin@ucsu.colorado.edu
Recently I have been thinking alot about show experiences. I came to
the conclusion that the three most fun times in my life have all been
at Phish shows. Two times at shows I have been in a state of
intensity so high that I thought I was going to collapse (one was
during Chalkdust at 11\15 and the other was during Maze at 11\8\96).
However, one time I experienced a pennicle of freedom. This is
something that I expect to never have happen again. It happened at
last years Halloween show at Rosemont. During Harpua, when Trey had
just started going into the Jimmy naration. At this time, It was only
like my 3rd or 4th show. But, I have never and will never, see an
audience in such a state of natural ecstacy as this one when Phish
burst into the "Beat It" tease in the middle of the naration. When I
witnessed John Popper come on to play Weekapaug with Phish at the
Kiel Center, I though the arena might just explode from all the noise
that the frenzied crowd had created. That was nothing compared to
Beat It. At that point, that 15 seconds, everybody in the arena was
completly free. As someone who used to attend Dead shows but never
understood following them...I am grabbing my stash and hitting this
road for this Summer to do the Midwest thing. After that point I
realized Phish was more than music to me.
-Marc Zale
o.k. check this.....last sunday me and a couple of friends decided to
shroom....we wanted to go to a park but it was raining and very
cold.....so we decided to stay inside. We all popped our shrooms and
went into my friends living room. We were all chilling there listining
to Floyd's Omagooma (or something like that)and the shrooms were working
nicely....however I was in the mood for Phish so I went upstaris
by myself and just played what ever c.d. was in my friends player.
Luckly it was Phish (Junta the first C.D.) Fee came one and all of a
sudden little claymation figures came up from this kids speakers of Fee
Milly Grace and Floyd and they started acting out the whole song....i
was amased...after fee i decided I really wanted to hear Stash so I
popped in Picture of Necter put it on Stash and low and behold little
claymation figures of Trey Mike Jon and Page started playing for me. I
was so happy and they were just playing for me....as Stash ended my
friends came up and quickly the little figures dissapeared...i was
pissed cus i never got to thank them....i then walked outside (in the
rain) and felt like i was drowning in a puddle...i kept sinking till i
came to this empty arena where life size claymation figures of Phish
were playing Funky Bitch for me....they finished and said they had to go
so i thanked them and gave them all hugs then got sucked up to ground
level were i was back to standing in the puddle.....i was amased and
felt like my trip was better then all of my friends because of this
experience with Phish....well gotta go...bye!
Dave
i was at the st. louis show this last nov.well sort of. the show started
at 7:00 which everyone knows in phish time is 7:30 or so. i go to
southern illinois university which is about an hour and half away from
st. louis,so when my ride that was coming from ohio still hasn't showed
up at 6:30 i start to get a little bit nerveous.so we are finally on the
road when i decide to take the short cut instead of the interstate, big
mistake.i took us a half hour out of our way, and got us totally lost,
needless to say we were all bummin.so we're finally on our way, and my
friend is hauling ass down the highway,of course we have to get pulled
over when we are running EXTREMELY late to the greatest show on earth,
the cop could tell we were up to somthing, so he searched the car found
my bowl, kept the bowl, gave my friend a 95mph speeding ticket, and said
be on your way. so we finally get there, and just by the atmosphere i
can tell this show has been jammin, the first thing i heard when we
walked in was a sssssick SOA melt jam.the rest of the second set
ripped,and when popper came out, and they went into a weekepaug, i could
feel a chill down my spine.after the show i hooked up with some of my
friends from school,and they told me what i'd missed in the first set,i
missed a wilson opener,which i'd never heard live, and thats when i
decided we'd make the five hour drive to mephis to hear them again, i
couldn't pass up my last chance to hear them till summer comes around,
they put on a decent show in memphis, can't wait for the summer tour.
Ryan Gallagher
rgal@siu.edu
I saw The Shows At Vancouver B.C., Portland, and Seattle. I have
never seen a Phish show that didn't blow my mind and these were no
exception. At Vancouver, myself and five friends had the privilage
of sitting in the third row between Page and Trey. It was the best
show ever. I don't have the setlist but one standout in my mind was
a version of Simple that was so intense that close that one of my
friends had to leave for five minutes. They all connected so great
that night and for that song. The jam lasted for about fifteen
minutes and by the time it was over we had all been to hell and back
the slow way. They did those spiralling jams were the lights wig out
and the music goes in twenty different directions at once. Then they
would melt into melodic guitar virtuoso clinics put on by Trey. The
coolest thing about being that close was seeing the expressions on
the band members faces. Trey would move his mouth along with his
guitar solos and you could hear him actually singing, not through the
mic in the quiet parts of songs. The encore of Good Times, Bad Times
was done better than Zeppelin, with Trey easily handling Jimmy Page's
licks and adding too them for measure. That show was intense.
Portland was a little bit of a letdown because we had seats instead
of GA, but they were good seats. Antelope, YEM, Sparkle, Sample and
2001 were definate highlights, and the rest of the songs more than
made up for the lack of personal boogie room. Also Chatanooga Phish
Style with my first ever vacuum experience made the show. Seattle
rocked really hard, Ya Mar, and a crazy, demented Free as well as
Poor Heart(?) made for good boogying. Somewhat of a frat-boy crowd
which sucked, but it was a good friends first show, he was on
mushrooms, so that was fun to watch him get run over by the sounds
and sights. Just my take on the Northwest Leg of the tour.
Okay, this is sort of a Phish story but a bad one and not entirely a
Phish story because we never made it to the show.
Me and two friends tried to go to the Omaha show. Anyhow, we were
going about 80 on I76 when I hit a patch of ice and spun off the road.
I was really freaked out and these people stopped right away and it
turned out they were going to the show too. They changed my flat tire,
which amazingly was the only damage to my car, and followed us for 50
miles to the next town to make sure we were okay.
So the next day we got a new tire and kept going, and the only way to
describe the drive is...the tires are the things on my car that DON'T
make contact with the road. We went off the road again (by then I was
getting good at it and no damage to the car) and we were going about
30 on the shoulder. We stopped to help some people who had gone off
the road (who were also headed to the show that's the weird part
everybody on the highway seemed to be going to see Phish). We totally
missed the show because it was so icy we had to go about 30 and we had
to keep going so we could turn around in Omaha and go back on I70
because I80 is truly the highway to hell and I will never drive on it
again even in the summer.
Anyhow, everyone told me it was a really great show and I hope they
all drop dead (just kidding).
It's not over yet...we were stopped at a gas station somewhere in
Kansas and this cop star