Not to trivialize today’s important election, but if you’re a fan of great Phish, there is really only one choice. Just look at recent history. Bill Clinton took office in 1993, the beginning the band’s first peak era. Clinton served two terms through 2000, watching over’s Phish’s glory years, and at the end of his term, Phish called it quits for the first time. George W. Bush, arguably the biggest buffoon to ever sit in the Oval Office, was sworn in at the beginning of 2001 and served two terms during which the band managed to crank out merely 1 and 1/2 years of opiate-laced jamming in ’03 and ’04. Enter Barack Obama in 2009. Less than two months after the Democratic victor was inaugurated, Phish came back at Hampton Coliseum and entered the Golden Age of their career, playing their tails off for the last four years. So here we are at the political crossroads of 2012. Under a Democratic White House, we experienced ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, ’98, ’99, 2000, ’09, ’10, ’11, and ’12. Under a Republican watch, the band came into their own during the late ’80s and early ’90s, and graced us with ’03 and half of ’04. Those are the facts—and the choice is yours. Vote wisely, my friends!
On Election Day 2012, I bring you three choice cuts from each of the past four years. And here’s to four more years of Democratic Phish!
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“Bathtub Gin” 8.7.09 II, Gorge
“46 Days” 8.15.09 II, Merriweather
“Back on the Train” 12.30.09 II, Miami
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“Simple” 8.6.10 II, Greek Theatre
“Reba” 10.19.10 E, Augusta, ME
“Ghost” 12.31.10 II, MSG
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“Down With Disease” 6.3.11 II, Clarkston, MI
“Rock and Roll -> Meatstick” 8.5.11 II, Gorge
“Tweezer” 9.3.11 II, Denver, CO
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“Twist” 6.22.12 II, Cincy
“Undermind” 8.31.12 II, Denver, CO
“Light” 9.1.12 II, Denver, CO
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