MR. MINER'S PHISH THOUGHTS

Festival 8 Announced In Indio!

Forget “Save the Date,” we’ve got Festival 8! After much speculation, the logistics have been hammered out and Phish’s Halloween festival has been announced. As expected, we will be meeting on the outskirts of the desert at Empire Polo Fields in Indio, CA for three nights beginning on October 30th. Combining two of Phish’s most hallowed traditions, the band will play their first solo-festival of the modern era and their first Halloween show since 1998. Eight sets over three days, including a musical costume, equals the biggest bash Phish has ever thrown- even if it doesn’t have the most creative name. And tickets go on sale Monday!

It’s great to finally see confirmation of this three-night desert throwdown, and the return to the old-school Phish festival. In the list of “What Will Be Provided To Campers” things provided for campers on the festival’s site amenities, along side ATMs and cell phone charging station are “a communal sense of rapture” and” occasional deja vu.” While intended for humor, both of these “items” are completely accurate and they will engulf us as we re-enter Phish’s fantasy land once again; this time, on the west coast, and amidst psychedelic surroundings.

There will be camping, RV accommodations, as well as day parking for those staying off site. Three sunrises in the desert- we are in for something special. The festival will open at noon on the 29th and close at noon on the 3rd- this is gonna’ be fun! With a webiste strewn with humor, and a comical FAQ, things are feeling a bit more at normal with the Phish spirit back, hosting festivals, and playing Halloween shows. With Red Rocks less than a week away, everyone’s attention will be diverted for the weekend, as they think about what might become in the biggest Phish event ever! I’ll see you there!

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Jam of the Day:

“Stash” 8.15.93 L’ville, KY SBD (listen only)

Here we have a devastating “Stash” from Louisville, KY from the summer of ’93- the day after the famous Tinley Park show. Another spectacular piece of improvisation from August ’93, this one is a psychedelic masterpiece. Exploratory and cohesive simultaneously, this one steps to the edge of the abyss and looks over, before plummeting back to earth; some high-quality lunacy to kick off the weekend!

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DOWNLOAD OF THE DAY:

10.28.91 Elk Ballroom, Telluride, CO SBD < TORRENT

10.28.91 Elk Ballroom, Telluride, CO SBD < MEGAUP.

Finishing off the week with another old school soundboard, this Colorado show right before Halloween brought more than a few treats. An Fall ’91 installment contains early incarnations of ‘Tube,” Harpua,” and the covers “Whipping Post” and “Highway to Hell.” Enojy the final weekend before Red Rocks!

I: Runaway Jim, Cavern, Poor Heart, Reba, I Didn’t Know, Tube, Oh Kee Pa Ceremony > Foam, Fee > David Bowie

II: The Divided Sky, Wilson, Dinner and a Movie, Stash, Paul and Silas, Bathtub Gin, You Enjoy Myself, The Squirming Coil, Whipping Post*, Harpua, Highway to Hell

E: Horn, Rocky Top

*With Mimi Fishman (Fish’s mom) on vacuum and Fish on slide guitar

Festival 8 Announced In Indio! Read More »

Iron Mike Gordon

Nobody can ever claim that Mike doesn’t have a passion for the game; he lives and loves to play music. The man who never wanted Phish to break up in the first place will be buying time between tours on the road with his own band for a 21-date fall tour. Winding up in early October, Mike will have enough time to flip his laundry and head out west with Phish. Totaling over sixty shows between the summer and the fall, Mike will have plenty of musical space to express his thoughts within the context of two separate bands.

Before Phish reunited, Mike said he wanted to make it a point to carve out time for The Mike Gordon Band, but who knew this is what he meant! Playing clubs and theatres over the month long “Get Bassed” tour, Gordon’s band will move all around the east and the Midwest, but making it no further west than Chicago.

Consistently overshadowed by Trey’s solo projects, Mike has quietly carved out a fine solo career of his own. After various small side projects, in 2002 Mike collaborated with finger-picking folk-guitar legend, Leo Kottke, in a virtuoso experiment called Clone. The two eclectic musicians meshed quite well, both personally and instrumentally, and the the duo followed up with a second album, Sixty Six Steps, that gained critical acclaim. With a laid back, yet sophisticated vibe, this the 2005 release also included a percussionist, lending a calypso sound, and solidified Gordon and Kottke as a legitimate musical team.

After performing stints with the Benevento-Russo Duo, Serial Pod (Trey and Billy Kreutzmann), the Burlington-based honky-tonk group, Ramble Dove, and some shows with the Rhythm Devils (Kreutzmann, Mickey Hart, and Steve Kimock) between 2004 and 2007, Mike decided to step out on his own. Taking over a year to write and record The Green Sparrow, his second solo album*, he took the next logical step and formed The Mike Gordon Band. With longtime friend and guitarist Scott Murawski (formerly of Max Creek), Brooklyn drummer Todd Isler, keyboardist Tom Cleary, and percussionist Craig Myers, Gordon was now a band leader after spending his Phish life in Trey’s shadow. And he loved it. *(Mike’s first solo album was the soundtrack to his 2003 movie, Inside In.)

In all of the interviews, Mike spoke of how proud he was of his new album and how much he enjoyed playing with his own band. And when they hit the road for a 25 date tour last fall, fans across the nation raved about the shows. Playing an array of covers interspersed with Mike’s quirky, yet catchy, new songs, he had himself his own rock and roll band. And they liked it so much they are doing it again in September. Here are the dates:

09/08 – Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn NY
09/09 – Somerville Theatre, Somerville, MA
09/10 – Port City Music Hall , Portland, ME
09/11 – Bearsville Theatre, Woodstock, NY
09/12 – State Theatre, Falls Church, VA
09/14 – Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh, NC
09/15 – Orange Peel, Asheville, NC
09/17 – Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA
09/18 – Freebird Live, Jacksonville, FL
09/19 – WorkPlay Soundstage Theatre, Birmingham, AL
09/21 – Minglewood Hall, Memphis, TN
09/22 – Mercy Lounge, Nashville, TN
09/24 – The Vogue, Indianapolis, IN
09/25 – Park West, Chicago, IL
09/26 – Barrymore Theatre, Madison, WI
09/28 – 20th Century Theatre, Cincinnati, OH
09/29 – The Blind Pig, Ann Arbor, MI
09/30 – Mr. Smalls Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA
10/02 – Mod Club, Toronto, ON
10/03 – Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY
10/04 – Higher Ground, Burlington, VT

Check out Mike’s site for complete tour and ticket info!

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“SAVE THE DATE” MAP CONCLUSION:

In Phish.com‘s mystery turned mockery, last night the organization finally gave up the information we all knew from the start, the Halloween festival will be in California. With one last flash animation, the absurdity ended as we watched Washington drilled, and drain into California. But we still got no information about the actual festival! So Indio, here we come- but how ’bout some details? Get it together guys!

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Jam of the Day:

“Antelope” 11.13.94 Erie, PA I

They just don’t make ‘em like this any more! This first-set closer reaches the very essence of “Antelope” with a ferocious jam that few others can match. Sitting on the precipice of huge success, and fully immersed in psychedelic improv, the band played like their life depended on it each and every night- a sense that clearly translates in this jam. This one is a monster that provides a vibrant portrait of a time gone by. Warning: This may not be appropriate for office listening without headphones!

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DOWNLOAD OF THE DAY:

8.24.93 Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC SBD < TORRENT

8.24.93 Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC SBD < MEGAUP.

Phish’s fourth-to-last show on an extensive and smoking summer tour began to wrap things up for the epic month of August ’93. The band had been touring almost constantly since Februrary, and they were playing better than ever. Phish reached another peak during August, a month that is considered one of the best of their career. Luckily there are many soundboards out there to remind us!

I: Chalk Dust Torture, All Things Reconsidered, Bouncing Around the Room, It’s Ice*, Nellie Cane, Split Open and Melt, The Horse > Silent in the Morning, Uncle Pen, Maze, Golgi Apparatus

II: Llama, Horn, Ya Mar, Mike’s Song > Ginseng Sullivan > Weekapaug Groove, Wilson > Rift, Suzy Greenberg, HYHU > Cracklin’ Rosie > HYHU, Run Like an Antelope

E: Halley’s Comet, Poor Heart, Sweet Adeline

*With an “I Feel the Earth Move” jam

Iron Mike Gordon Read More »

When The Funk Came Home

The day had finally come. We hadn’t seen the band for six months- six months that had changed everything- and we had finally made it. We were in Virginia Beach, and it was July 21st! It was here. After waiting over half a year that seemed more like an eternity, we would finally see what this new funk was all about! Unless you were lucky enough to make it to Europe earlier in 1997, you were in the same boat- fiending for Phish and more curious than ever.

After finishing off 1996 with a smoking New Years Run, peaking at the Fleet Center amidst unreasonably cold temperatures in Boston, the band disappeared from the American scene. Only two months later they were off on their first of two European tours before we’d have a chance to see them in the states again*. Their twelve-show winter run continued the transformation to groove-based playing that had begun during the second half of Fall ’96. And once we got a hold of that 2.17 Amsterdam tape, we knew something special was going on. That “Disease” slowed down into some thick music we’d never heard before- and then segued into a dark, new song called “Lucy Had A Lumpy Head”- who was this band?! This was different music than we heard in Boston- that was for sure- and it was very engaging! Phish went on to play their infamous Markthalle show captured on Slip, Stitch, and Pass, but at the time, that Amsterdam tape was all anyone could talk about. *(Phish did play a small benefit in Burlington on 3.17)

We got some of the other winter tapes as well, and then we waited. The band took off across the pond once again in June- this time armed with an array of new songs that spilled out quickly over their first two nights in Dublin. “Ghost,” “Twist,” “Limb By Limb,” “Dogs Stole Things,” “Piper,” “I Saw It Again,” “Oblivious Fool,” “Vultures,” “Velvet Sea,” “Water In the Sky”- and come Virginia Beach, most of us had never heard them! These were not the days of instant uploads and digital Phish; the tapers were all in Europe. With only ten days separating the last European show and Virginia Beach, most of us didn’t have time for a blanks and postage deal.

But while we weren’t getting Phish music instantly online, it was around this time that Phish internet space- and the internet in general- began to catch fire. On message boards and over email, we heard stories about twenty-minute funk jams played really, really slow; about this new song called “Ghost” that was all the rage; about bass led grooves coming from everywhere! But they were just stories. With each passing day and setlist, excitement amongst fans grew exponentially. After six and a half months of no Phish coupled with tales of legendary jams, our imaginations were about to burst- we couldn’t wait any longer. And we didn’t have to, because the day had arrived.

When we got into the amphitheatre, the energy was palpable as the entire crowd seemed to be on the verge of explosion. How long would we have to wait before we heard all these new songs? As a rainbow appeared over the lawn, breaking the day’s inclement weather, Phish stepped on stage with the first stateside drop into “Ghost.” The music felt immediately addictive- its deep bass and slow grooves coursing through your veins. It was a new high you’d never felt before- and Wow!- it felt good. You had to dance, no matter how awkward it might have looked; this shit was funky! And as the band entered the jam, we experienced the first gooey excursion of what would be a stellar summer tour.

“Ghost“ —————————————

Following up with “Dogs,” “Piper,” and “Dirt,” the band was as eager to introduce their new material as we were to hear it. When listening to just the abbreviated version of “Piper,” you could feel the magic in that song from day one. And finally, to welcome everyone to their US Summer Tour, Phish ripped apart a funktatstic “Bathtub Gin” that saw Trey jokingly chant “USA! USA! USA!” at the end. Spirits were soaring; the band was as ecstatic to start a long US tour as we were, and a new era had truly begun.

“Bathtub Gin“ ———————————–

7.21.97 Virgina Beach, VA – 12 Years Ago Today

I: Ghost, Dogs Stole Things, Piper, Dirt, Ginseng Sullivan, Bathtub Gin*, Character Zero

II: Wolfman’s Brother > Magilla, David Bowie, Wading in the Velvet Sea, Theme From the Bottom* > Funky Bitch*, Slave to the Traffic Light

E: Loving Cup

*w/ Leroi Moore

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Jam of the Day:

“You Enjoy Myself” 11.28.97 Worcester SBD

Perhaps the greatest version of “You Enjoy Myself” from Fall ’97, this one will get anyone’s head bobbing. Coming in a show opening combo of “Curtain > YEM” to begin Worcester’s three-night stand, Phish got the party started right. While not necessarily a dark-horse, a run through the SBD of this impeccable jam brightens any day. With a fierce and funk-laced “Crosseyed” segment, this one is a keeper.

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DOWNLOAD OF THE DAY:

3.20.92 Broome Co. Forum, Binghamton, NY SBD < TORRENT

3.20.92 Broome Co. Forum, Binghamton, NY SBD < MEGAUPLOAD

Keeping with the early-era soundboard trend of yesterday, here we have one of the greatest shows from the hallowed Spring of ’92. This Binghamton show was an analog staple back in the day, with a SBD source that circulated early on. In a show strewn with highlights, the “Antelope” stands out as one of the greatest early-90′s versions. The first set is absolutely flawless, and set two isn’t far behind. Enjoy this gem!

I: Wilson, Reba, Brother, Glide, Rift, Fluffhead, Maze, Lizards, Mound, Run Like an Antelope

II: Mike’s Song > I Am Hydrogen > Weekapaug Groove, Sanity, The Sloth, The Mango Song, Cavern, Uncle Pen, Harry Hood, Terrapin*, Possum

E: Lawn Boy, Fire

* Trey explains “Secret Language” before “Possum”

When The Funk Came Home Read More »

Won’t You Come Out To Play?

As Red Rocks, and the second leg of summer, sits less than two weeks away, my thoughts have begun to move past June to what may be coming in August. With the tour coinciding loosely with the now-unknown release date of their album, “Joy,” we are sure to continue hearing Phish’s new material early and often. But along the second road of summer, we will almost certainly see the transformation of some of these new songs into larger jam vehicles. Thus far, all have remained largely contained, in what will likely be their album form. Phish will slowly put these pieces put under the spotlight in the second set, and scribe complex adventures we can’t yet conceive. Taking into account all their new songs, I see the following three as the most engaging launch pads.

“Ocelot”

I continued waiting for Trey’s slow opening chops of “Ocelot” to creep from stage to start a second set towards the end of June, and I am waiting still. A song that has turned into a new-school fan favorite seems quite conducive to some summer time improv, and I think we will see the loafing groove expand into something colorfully improvisational in August. The jam could take the direction of a slowed down whole-band folk-funk fusion, or they could also take it into psychedelic blues-rock territory. Trey’s solo in Fenway’s debut hinted at a potential dirtier direction as well. The playful tune could create some Phishy excursions before summer is done, and they would be great to hear.

“Stealing Time From The Faulty Plan”

This song seems destined for dirty psychedelia whenever the band decides to let loose on it. With a slower rhythm and ominous feel, Phish will create some monstrous jams out of “Stealing Time” once they establish its improvisational framework. I could definitely see this one coming out of the box during August, and oh, the places it could go! With a composition that easily lends itself to rock, ambient, or dissonant psychedelic planes, the improvisational possibilities of this song leave me salivating.

“Light”

Though the band scratched the improvisational surface of “Light” in Bonnaroo’s closing set in June, we have only seen the beginning of where this new song is going. With a fast-paced texture, “Light’s” jam caters to breakneck exploration in the vein of “Piper.” This song is a certain jam vehicle, as we have already seen it reach diverse musical places in its only version following its Fenway debut. Emerging from darker jams- “Tweezer” and “Rock and Roll”- both times it was played the band, apparently, finds it an ideal landing point for jams, as well as a jam, itself.

As we move through this upcoming tour and also into the fall, many of these new songs will take on enhanced musical significance for us. Ever the innovators, Phish used June to introduce their songs, and will, in all likelihood, soon begin to expound on them. As we take another step deeper into chapter three in only ten days, it will be exciting to see which ones we will ride to musical heights- and we will soon find out!

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Jam of the Day:

“Reba” 7.6.94 Montreal, QC

Nothing like a “Reba” to kick-start the week, and why not one of the best?

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DOWNLOAD OF THE DAY:

11.16.94 Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor, MI < TORRENT

11.16.94 Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor, MI < MEGAUPLOAD

Here is an analog classic that comes via reader request. While there is a lot of bluegrass within the show- for better or for worse, depending on your tastes- it all boils down to the colossal “Simple ” jam that segued out of “Mike’s” in the second set. This wildly creative version, clocking in at over a half- hour, was one of the most intriguing jams from the band’s highpoint of November ’94.

I: Sample in a Jar, Foam, Fast Enough for You, Reba, Axilla [Part II], Lizards, Stash, Pig in a Pen*, Tennessee Waltz*, Bluegrass Jam*, Swing Low Sweet Chariot*

II: Mike’s Song > Simple, I’m Blue I’m Lonesome**#, My Long Journey Home**#, Chalk Dust Torture, Fee, Run Like an Antelope

E: Amazing Grace, Suzy Greenberg

*With Rev. Jeff Mosier on banjo and vocals **Acoustic #First time played

Source: AKG 460B/CK61

Won’t You Come Out To Play? Read More »

Weekend Nuggets: SoCal ’96

DOWNLOADS OF THE WEEKEND:

Phish concluded Fall ’96 with a famed run down the west coast. Ending in Las Vegas on December 6th, these two shows came directly before- with a stop in Phoenix in between them. Both shows illustrate the band’s developing sound, as they finished the tour with far more musical direction than when it began. Converging in more groove-oriented playing, the transition to funk was underway. The LA “Tweezer” and San Diego “Mike’s” stand head and shoulders above the rest of their respective shows. Enjoy the weekend.

12.1.96 Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA <TORRENT

12.1.96 Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA <MEGAUPLOAD

I: Peaches en Regalia, Poor Heart, Cavern, Cars Trucks Buses, Character Zero, The Curtain, Down With Disease, Train Song, The Horse > Silent in the Morning, Sample in a Jar, Run Like an Antelope

II: Tweezer > Sparkle, Simple > A Day in the Life, Reba, Swept Away > Steep > Tweezer Reprise > Johnny B. Goode, Slave to the Traffic Light

E: Highway to Hell

***

12.4.96 Sports Arena, San Diego, CA <TORRENT

12.4.96 Sports Arena, San Diego, CA <MEGAUPLOAD

I: My Friend My Friend, Chalk Dust Torture, Horn, Uncle Pen, Timber (Jerry), Sample in a Jar, Train Song, Guyute, Character Zero, Lizards, David Bowie

II: Ha Ha Ha, Mike’s Song > Prince Caspian, Sparkle, Punch You in the Eye, Life on Mars, Reba, Lawn Boy*, Weekapaug Groove

E: Jesus Just Left Chicago

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Jam of the Weekend:

“Bathtub Gin” 11.9.98 II Chicago, IL

This “Gin” that highlighted night three of UIC’s ’98 stand, saw Trey carry a melodic idea throughout the entire jam, creating an melodic anthem.

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VIDEO OF WEEKEND:

“Bug,” “Reprise” 3.8.09 E Hampton, VA (Three-Camera shoot)

DOWNLOADS OF THE WEEKEND: Phish concluded Fall ’96 with a famed run down the west coast. Ending in Las Vegas on December 6th, these two shows came directly before- with a stop in Phoenix in between them. Both shows illustrate the band’s developing sound, as they finished the tour with far more musical direction than …

MR. MINER'S PHISH THOUGHTS

Festival 8 Announced In Indio!

Iron Mike Gordon

When The Funk Came Home

Won’t You Come Out To Play?

Weekend Nuggets: SoCal ’96

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