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“Tweezer -> Llama” 8.1.99 II, Niigata, JP
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“Split Open and Melt” 6.21.94 II, Cincy, OH
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“Reba” 10.19.10 E, Augusta, ME
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“Waves > Bug” 6.28.12 II, Noblesville, IN
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“Seven Below” 2.22.03 II, Chicago, IL
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“Roggae” 8.5.11 I, George, WA
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“Wolfman’s > Piper” 11.14.97 II, Salt Lake City, UT
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“Ghost” 11.15.98 I, Murfreesboro, TN
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“AC/ DC Bag” 8.9.98 II, VA Beach
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“YEM” 12.29.98 II, MSG, NY
*** “Tweezer -> Llama” 8.1.99 II, Niigata, JP *** “Split Open and Melt” 6.21.94 II, Cincy, OH *** “Reba” 10.19.10 E, Augusta, ME *** “Waves > Bug” 6.28.12 II, Noblesville, IN *** “Seven Below” 2.22.03 II, Chicago, IL *** “Roggae” 8.5.11 I, George, WA *** “Wolfman’s > Piper” 11.14.97 II, Salt Lake City, UT *** “Ghost” 11.15.98 I, …
@heyscottyb: If you could pick one song that #phish has never jammed out, for them to explore which one would it be?
Great question and easy answer—“Bouncin’ Around the Room.” With all the shows Phish has played in their career, it is unfathomable to me that they have never jammed out “Bouncin.” The song has all the ingredients of a great jam—percussive layers, a perfect tempo, and a beautifully melodic foundation. Influenced by the syncopated style of Senegelese bands, I’ve always thought Phish could transform this song into an awesome piece of improv. Why they haven’t I’ll never know.
There are some other head scratchers in the modern catalog as well. First and foremost, “Stealing Time.” A song that has been played ad infinitum in this era, the band has only flirted with a jam once—in Portsmouth last summer. When this song debuted at Jones Beach in 2009, I was sure it would be a new school jam vehicle, but instead it has turned into the “Character Zero” of 3.0—an innocuous, guitar heavy set closer. Talk about wasted potential. Additionally, I’d really like to see Phish jam on “Halfway to the Moon,” “20 Years Later,” and “Steam.” Each of these three songs have a distinct sound and style that begs for exploration. But as of yet….no go.
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@roofan2009: I’m looking for a good group of scorching “Suzy Greenbergs.” If you had an all-time-top-five Suzys, which ones?
11.13.96 Target Center Minneapolis, MN, 9.14.00 Darien Lake, 12.28.03 AA Arena, Miami, FL, 10.31.09 Festival 8, Indio, CA, CA, Any Summer ’91 version with Giant Country Horns
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@rw_forb: Can you share how you take set notes in real time so you can then write a show recap? Maybe a pic of your set book? Thanks
I have never in my life held a writing implement or piece of paper in my hand when Phish is playing. Everyone has their own way of enjoying Phish shows, and I dance. The thought of trying to process anything intellectually or analytically during a show is foreign to me. Phish is a purely in the moment experience for me; I don’t try to breakdown anything about a show as it’s happening, aside from exchanging looks of awe when massive jams end. I feel that taking notes would be totally counterproductive to the spiritual nature of my experience. In fact, I rarely open my eyes at shows, because any visual stimuli takes away from the music for me. The reasons I go to Phish are to be inspired and to transcend my own humanity; pencils and paper don’t help these goals at all.
Writing a recap of the show is a totally separate experience for me that comes after talking with friends, thinking back over what went down, and—usually—listening to the significant jams once through. I won’t remember to get milk at the store, but I’ll remember what lick Trey started a jam with. Odd, but true.
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@MJVITIELLO: Why no new material lately? They tried some new ones in 2010 & 2011, but it didn’t stick. Even “Steam” was rare.
The reason I think there has been no new material recently is that the guys don’t spend time together off tour. They haven’t been in a studio together since they recorded Joy before their return, hence they have had no opportunity to engage in the creative process together. Between families and side projects, I guess there hasn’t been a desire to write new music for Phish. Most of the new songs we’ve heard this era that aren’t from Joy have been solo efforts that have crossed over to Phish, with “Steam” being the only real exception. Why “Steam” hasn’t entered the rotation by now is beyond me. It was once rumored that this fall might bring a new studio effort from the band, but as of now, I’m not sure that is even still planned.
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@WolfmansUncle: Which song would you like to see them turn into their next 3.0 jam vehicle? #fireaway #WheresmydarkOcelot?
If I had my druthers, it would be a completely new song. I thought “Ocelot” and “Stealing Time” had potential, but the band had other ideas. If I had to pick a song that could jump into rotation and be a heavy-hitter with some improvisational attention, it would be Page’s “Halfway to the Moon.” Or “Mike’s Song.”
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@AceMcCready68: What are your top 5 MSG jams of all time?
In chronological order: “Harry Hood” 12.30.95, “Mike’s Song” 12.31.95, “Tube” 12.29.97, “AC/DC Bag” 12.30.97, “Carini > Wolfman’s” 12.28.98
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Jam of the Day:
“Boogie On” 9.18.99 II, Chula Vista, CA
I haven’t heard this beast in a minute.
*** @heyscottyb: If you could pick one song that #phish has never jammed out, for them to explore which one would it be? Great question and easy answer—“Bouncin’ Around the Room.” With all the shows Phish has played in their career, it is unfathomable to me that they have never jammed out “Bouncin.” The song has all …
On Tuesday, Phish announced what everybody has known for quite a while, the boys will be back in New York City for their New Year’s Run. It has been no secret that the band signed a multi-year deal with MSG in 2010, and everyone has known since years ago where we’d be come December 28, 2012—back in The Garden again. Phish and New Year’s Eve at MSG has become an institution over the years, as the community has descended upon the capitol of the world for their end of the year celebrations in 1994 (just the 30th), 1995, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2010, 2011, and now 2012. And following a series of bunk performances in New York City last holiday season, I’d expect Phish to come out polished and firing for redemption come the end of December. Although the band has just as much time off as they did last year before the run, one would expect Trey to hold practices this time around—something that was absent from 2011’s debacle. Only a week after the long-awaited date of 12.21.2012, we will filter back into The World’s Most Famous Arena to conclude, without question, the best year of Phish since their return. But this time, it’s gonna’ be different!
For the first time in 23 years, Madison Square Garden will completely remove the seats from their floor and offer general admission tickets! But there is a catch that might make a huge difference depending on how hard they patrol the floor. Instead of having one, flowing open floor, MSG will sell “GA front” and “GA rear” tickets. The effect of this segmentation could result in more crowded environs for both sections. Without the ability for the masses to “push up” and crowd the front when the show begins, the back of the floor may not loosen up as usual and provide the dance space that spunions have come to love on GA floors. Perhaps fans’ preoccupation with the floor will free up the classic 300 level walkway that was so congested by construction last year? Here is the ideal scenario: they “undersell” the floor and require a separate entrance for all GA ticket holders, disallowing anyone without a ticket and bracelet from coming near the GA area. Who knows how things will turn out, but after last year’s clusterfuck at MSG, any change has to improve the situation!
The mail order window is now open through October 15, and with the new setup, one can request GA Floor only, though cannot specify front or rear. This is always a nice option so that one isn’t stuck with a handful of 400 level stubs come mid-October. Best of luck in the lottery, and we’ll be meeting in The Big Apple before you know it for a final serving of 2012 Phish!
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Jam of the Day:
“Carini -> Tweezer” 12.28.11 II
One of few redeeming jam sequences from last year’s New Years’ Run
On Tuesday, Phish announced what everybody has known for quite a while, the boys will be back in New York City for their New Year’s Run. It has been no secret that the band signed a multi-year deal with MSG in 2010, and everyone has known since years ago where we’d be come December 28, …
Yesterday marked the 4th anniversary of the Hampton announcement, a flash video dropped in the middle of the night confirming Phish’s resurrection. Over the last four years, we have come back together as a community and watched our band re-evolve. Now, as we sit on the precipice of Phish’s 30th anniversary year, let’s look back at 100 things that we will always remember from this era. Add more memories to the list in the comment section below!
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The Hampton “Fluffhead,” Waiting For Columbus, Red Rocks ’09, Gorge ’11 “Rock and Roll,” Telluride, Fenway’s “Tweezer > Light,” Jones Beach ’09 “2001” in a deluge, Two-legged tours, “Split Open” Storm ar Red Rocks, “Time Turns Elastic, The Greek Theatre, The Ripcord, Exile On Main Street, The Storage Jam, Miami ’09, The Whale, Blossom ‘10 “Number Line,” Tucking, Super Ball, Pins, Augusta ’10 “Reba,” Indio, New Years at The Garden, “Golden Age,” Plinko jams, The “S” Show, Bethel Memorial Day Weekend, Dick’s “Light,” the torch and nail, Fuck Your Face, Atlantic City, New Jersey, “Brother” openers on Father’s Day, Worcester “Hood,” Bill Graham night 3, Page’s House, Tahoe “Light,” Leg Two jams, Merit Badges, “Seven Below > Ghost,” Crushington State, Dick’s “Tweezer,” MehSG 2011, Guyutica, A Disease Supreme, “What?!,” AC “Stash,” Webcasts, nTelos Pavilion, Camden’s MJ “2001,” “No Quarter,” Greek “Light,” MPP ’46 Days,” “Disease -> What’s the Use?,” The Element Set, Mediocre Woods, “Steam,” OKC, mainstream festival slots, “Dr. Gabel,” St. Louis “Limb,” MSGNYE “Ghost,” YEMBlog, “Skin It Back,” the keytar, “Alaska,” UIC “Waves -> Undermind,” LBC “Rock > Ghost,” Bethel “Halley’s,” Worcester 2012, “Crosseyed” in rotation, first set “Wolfmans,” Phish Loves Dicks, Miami “Tweezer,” Manchester, The Ocedoc, tour openers, Cobo “46 Days,” “Manteca,” Deer Creek ’09 lightning, MPP “Saw It Again” show, “Summer of ’89,” Occupy YEMSG, “Show of Life,” Burble, Star Lake ’12, Jesus Christ Super Twist,” Hampton “Disease,” TweeZeppelin, Bethel Tech “Waves,” “My Problem Right There,” “Night Nurse,” Telluride “Piper,” Jones Beach Runs, “Torn and Frayed,” Dick’s “Sand,” Charlotte ’11 “Rock > Ghost,” Miami “Back On the Train,” uniting the world with the “Meatstick,” the light is getting brighter now…
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ISLAND RUN PIN SALE!:
It’s not to late to pick up your Island Run pins! The price of the full set (w/ plexi tower display) has been reduced to $60, and now you can buy individual pins from the set for $20 each! With these adjustments, the rest of the pins are sure to go quickly, so head over to MYFE. and grab your collector’s set now!
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Jam of the Day:
“Down With Disease” 3.8.09 II, Hampton
The first outstanding jam of this era.
Yesterday marked the 4th anniversary of the Hampton announcement, a flash video dropped in the middle of the night confirming Phish’s resurrection. Over the last four years, we have come back together as a community and watched our band re-evolve. Now, as we sit on the precipice of Phish’s 30th anniversary year, let’s look back …
