“PhanArt” – A Record of Us
The Phish Community - 8.9.04 Hampton
Beyond the musical masterpieces and vibrant fantasy lands that comprise Phish tour, there is a community; a people who have defined the cultural significance of Phish as much as the band’s music, itself. Phish fans play an integral role in the energy flow to and from the band every singe night, and it is this dynamic interplay that separates the live Phish experience from that of most other bands and their fans.
But this exchange of energy and creativity overflows beyond the confines of arena and amphitheatres, and into the lot. The Phish lot, taking its cue from The Grateful Dead’s, has been a traveling psychedelic bazaar of artists and merchants- a revised throwback to the Renaissance days of atria and bartering. People vend, congregate, drink, negotiate, share smokes, and celebrate- like an ancient rite that has been passed down through generations- creating a living, breathing community. In this nomadic open-air market, art created by fans has long been a centerpiece of creativity, expression, and transaction; the collective art of us.
Phanart: The Art of the Fans of Phish
This art represents the intersection of musical inspiration, individual creativity, and the communal experience- and this is where the book “PhanArt: The Art of Phish Fans” comes in. In a sprawling visual epic, editor Pete Mason has compiled a definitive history of the Phish community. Combining fan contributions, memoirs, historical writing, interviews and anecdotes with a visual archive that will blow your mind, “PhanArt” is a trip through Phish lots of yore, and an essential piece of recorded history for our largely underrepresented sub-culture.
PhanArt
“PhanArt” was first conceived by Mason and friends as they drove away from Coventry, coming to the realization that IT was really over. But beyond the somber truth, they felt a need to record what had happened, to document the community and phenomenon that lived around the music of Phish. Mason had the idea to collect relics from lot- those nuggets of Phishy culture that we would never see again- the stickers, the t-shirts, the posters, the artwork- the expression of fans through the years. Within weeks of conception, a Gmail account was setup and word began to spread for submissions. The goal of 1400 items was reached in 2006, and Mason began to edit and compile this mass of memories. What resulted is an overwhelmingly comprehensive and entertaining tomb that Phish fans of any age- but particularly ones that have been around- will enjoy for hours on end.
PhanArt
Combining the writings of community members and chronicling the art of so many people you know, recognize, or have bought something from, “PhanArt” is a vibrant record of we have created. With every piece of lot regalia you’ve ever seen- and many that you haven’t- this book will definitely bring you back, while reminding you of some shirts you lost along the way. This book-based museum contains amusing sections, including a compilation of the eternally-popular “corporate-logo-turned-Phish-song” art and an archive of Simpsons / Phish mash-ups, as well as fan-artist profiles with samples of their work.
PhanArt
Mason is the first person to take the time to chronicle the artistic offshoots of this circus act we call Phish tour. With all net profits going directly to The Mockingbird Foundation, Mason has truly done a selfless service for all fans, providing an external hard drive of memories to compensate for those lost over time. A joy to read and a legitimate archive of Phish tour, I highly recommend picking one up. And, if you were wondering, I am not getting anything to write this- it’s really that good.
PICK UP YOUR OWN COPY NOW BY CLICKING HERE!
======
Guess the Halloween Album – Win Money While Saving Antelope!
Speaking of fan artwork and community participation, over at “Antelope Gatefree Paradise,” they are running a “Guess the Halloween Album 50/50 Raffle,” with half the proceeds going to the winner and half going to the Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge out west. While you are there, you can also pick up some classic Antelope T-shirts for the second leg of tour.
======
Jam of the Day:
“Twist > Piper” 7.5.97 Como, Italy
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
This “Twist” was an offshore highlight from the Summer of ’97. Part of their funk explorations through Europe in June and July, this jam sprouted in the middle of a free, single-set, outdoor show in Italy. Seamlessly jamming in and out of Deee Lite’s “Groove Is In the Heart,” this one is a great piece of improv you may of never heard. Segueing unfinished into “Piper,” this was an early incarnation of the oft-combined songs.
======
DOWNLOAD OF THE DAY:
6.20.97 Prague Poster
6.20.97 Divaldo Archa,Prague, CZ ^TORRENT
6.20.97 Divaldo Archa,Prague, CZ ^MEGAUPLOAD
Taking it from Italy over to Prague, we have another chapter of the funk-laden story that was Europe ’97.
I: Taste, jam > Cities, Horn, Ain’t Love Funny,* Limb By Limb > I Don’t Care > Run Like an Antelope
II: David Bowie, Ghost, Bye Bye Foot, Ginseng Sullivan, Cavern, Twist, Bouncing Around the Room, Julius
E: When the Circus Comes, Rocky Top
**First time player, J.J. Cale cover
Source: Schoeps cmc6/mk4 > Sonosax SX-M2 > DA-P1
Tags: Culture
Anybody ready for some west coast Phish? Leaving for Red Rocks in a mere matter of hours…can’t wait….hope to see ya’ll there!!!
Why do you plug Antelope Greg’s stuff?
This self-centered guy’s a prick and has wrecked countless shows for so many people. No doubt his “Antelope Gatefree Paradise” is a farce designed solely to sell his t-shirts and stickers.
Lame.
Thanks for posting about this. This is a good way to raise money for the Mockingbird.
111th and 112th shows coming for me @ the Gorge!!! Can’t wait!
works, gonna be tough all week.
listened to the Tweezer from 96 red rocks jam of the day from last week
great sounding source and hot tweezer gettin real excited
got my taxed tix in hand, 4 night run at my favorite venue gettin my 7-10th show at the rocks, fun shit
Ahh, nothing like listening to Phish in Italy while I’m in Italy. In Viterbo right now. Good stuff. Great wine. Jazz Fest. in Soriano…got to chat with Bobby Watson and see Eddie Gomez, Ray Mantilla and Francisco Mela. Kurt Rosenwinkel was walking around too, checking out the scene – he plays tomorrow night with Francisco and Eddie. Now, Kurt, THERE’S a guitar player. Go check him out if you don’t know his playing. Very personal style, in my opinion.
@Leo -
Thanks again for the info. So far, had a blast. The vino is bonna, really good! It has been hot but I won’t complain seeing as how Boston has been like Seattle all summer long. You are right Villa Lente is just up the road from Viterbo center. We WILL take you up on that trip to Cortona and Tonino’s, if we can find it. Shouldn’t be a problem though.
Oh, to all regarding the Gorge, back in ’97 the traffic line was nuts, winding through the mountains….the camping lot was full so I had to park in the regular lot. But, they let us stay there for the entire two shows. I slept on top of my grand caravan under the stars both nights. Just put out the foam, a pillow and my sleeping bag, listening to the late night goings on — percussion, milling about and general good vibes floating through. It was one of the best Phish experiences I had, not to mention that I sill had some amazing driving to do for the rest of the tour. I took on that whole tour — what fun it was.
And it was HOT HOT HOT, they had hoses on us down on the floor, if I remember correctly. Water is a must for this place. You’d think WA, huh, north, huh, must be cooler than elsewhere, huh…Nope. Water water water…and tab. See you there, after I get back from Italy.
woohoo!
Fan Art book looks dope. May need to cop that.
Tix onsale 1pm EST, who’s got my airfare??
Ha, no kidding nonoyolker. My friend just this morning called and said not to buy the tickets because I’d be racking up more charges on my credit card and that is “highly unadvisable.” Sucks to know someone working in finance/econ.
I am going with the credit and forget it method of finance on this venture. Not a recomended method, but you have a lifetime to pay off debt – live while you’re young.
PhanArt is a excellent book. I have had mine since just after X-Mas and I still haven’t gotten throught it all. So much to see. I def. say grab one!!!
^”credit and forget”
Thank you Ron Popeil, that was my plan too
@ Mr. C – Thanks again for the Gorge tips last night. I thought the regular camping pass said Thursday till Sunday, but I could be wrong. Either way, we’re leaning towards setting up camp Friday.
Can’t wait to see you guys there!
This morning I was driving to work and the reality of the gorge hit me tears in eyes and all, can’t freaking wait! Thanks to whoever posted the idea of putting camping supplies in a cooler and shipping it, saved me a lot of worries. SC>Gorge for birthday=priceless
@ Mr. C
yes, thank you for the tips…esp the gate tips…i’m one of those cant wait on lines guys…saw the weather out west today hope we see a cooling 4 the gorge wknd cause it’s already in the 100s out there…either way WATER is my mantra those 2 days. i’m doing the Consider It Dan hotel/shuttle…old man style is the way of the walk. just don’t think that we wont be raging as hard as the campground over in ellensburg…we will.
@Quazi
just wanted to reply a day late that there are definitely people still seeing phish (and on this particular board) from the Nov 90 bowie days. I saw the 10/31/90 show at Colo College two nites prev, missed the Glen Miller Ballroom and then saw the Boulder Theatre and Ft Ram (fort collins shows) right after. I was a Colorado State U student at the time and Phish couldn’t have picked a better year to revisit Colorado. I saw a shit ton of shows my first year out there.
enjoy everyone. see you down the line.
and as always, thank you mr. miner.
@tele…is that S(outh) C(arolina)>Gorge??? Are you the one in school at CoC?
sweet. i love it. Thanks
@gavinsdad
And one more off topic thing…
no computer job for me (meaning i’m not a programmer or developer) but I do work for a .com and yeah, it’s all about my family on the weekends but when i’m at work i gotta check in on mr. miner.
on topic:
what’s your fave logo rip? my first was a morning dew/mountain dew T bought at MSG in fall 87 but on the phish lot they got WAY more creative. i like some of the subtle stuff because after awhile the rips got kinda lamer and not as derivative. at the went i saw the Timber Ho/timberland jawn and I loved that…it was spot on. there are literally hundreds of em. i think the crossover of logo rips from touring bands to skateboard companies in the early 90s should not be overlooked….especially companies like blind/plan b and world ind.
I had a crazy dream last night that I showed up to Red Rocks, and was so excited, I forgot most of my gear. Whatever you do, pack extra clothes and shoes!
Does anyone know how big the Festi camp grounds are in Indio? Should I be worried that the $15 camping passes will sell out? I know there are other campgrounds near by, but I don’t really want to worry about driving in every day, & I can’t afford to get my tix today…
Leo
yup, I’m working here in the psych lab for the summer blasting mice with phish all day. I think it helps them navigate the T-maze. That should have been my thesis, damn…
Mr. Miner, your countdown clock puts this in perspective! A four day run at the same place. I haven’t had that since the New Year’s ’98 Run. I need to comb the maps a bit today and find some day hikes in the area. Any tips for some hidden gems that are easy to access?
Another plug for “Greensky Bluegrass” at Owsley’s in Denver on the 29th. Hope to see some of you there! And stop by the Waterwheel Booth inside the venue. I’ll be talking Salmon / Clean Rivers. IMO, Waterwheel is one of the best things going on tour. Come learn more.
so psyched for the gorge, not only a promises to be great phish experience, but my wife and I will be camping for a week in Oregon when it’s over. With the friends I have going, the scenery, and everything already falling into place, Phish playing two great shows would be a bonus
just heard from friends who were there that the mystery set rumors about Phish playing Rockygrass yesterday turned out to be nothing more than rumors. YMSB played and apparently there was a collective “ah, bummer” let out from the crowd when they came out. Kind of amusing to have a deservedly celebrated band playing what is in essence their home festival getting a disappointed reaction for playing a surprise set. Behold, the power of Phish!
had some people bail on me.. left with 4 Gorge tickets for each night (Friday & Saturday)… anyone interested (face value)? email me at soumyeahATyahooDOTcom thanks
Have fun at Red Rocks, everyone! I’m on vacation this week on the east coast but can’t make it. My birthday is Friday though so I’ll be staying up waiting for the no spoilers for that night at the least. (There will be no spoilers, right?) Looking forward to your Red Rocks reflections every day, Miner.
Bustout predictions:
Harpua…
Walls of the Cave…
I hope the Phish community acts kindly so as not to get us banned again.
Take care of your shoes!
Peace.
LB