Some Random Phish Thoughts

This is the section where I'll post some of my, or anyone's, random Phish thoughts. If you'd like a thought posted here, email me at andy@gadiel.com and if I like it, I'll post it.

I'm sitting here listening to VA Beach '98 and it finally comes to me why the cops in that town were more assholish than any I've ever seen: they're beach
cops.  Redneck beach cops.  Typical city cops spend more time directing traffic at football games and leading funeral processions than they do breaking up
parties.  Cops in beach towns, however (and particularly in a vacation spot as popular as Va Beach) are going into parties and cracking heads all the time: 
high school and college spring breaks for example.  And when the cops come into a party like that (some of you can probably testify to this) they come in
quick, tough, and not ready to take any shit.  They want to scare you shitless in order to make you easier to deal with; how else could anyone convince a
houseful of drunks to pour out all of their liquor?   So, that's their preferred mode of operation (let's assume); now check this:  one Sunday early in August
Phish comes to town.  This should be a peacefully chaotic evening, lots of people checking out and checking in, a day of rest for a law enforcement office
that is tired and moody after a long weekend at the height of the season.  Instead, there's a raging party brewing at the Ampitheater:  freaky looking kids
engaging in lots of suspicious-looking if not exactly illegal activities.  The cops can handle this, they know parties...the vendors are shut down, beer is
poured out, a couple of cars get searched.  But that's at 4 in the afternoon, and the crowd isn't getting any smaller, it's growing...any Johnny Law can see that
from horseback...and the trouble with these damn kids is (Officer Barbrady thinks), they don't fear me.  My presence isn't enough to cow them, my badge
doesn't make them knuckle under; in fact they seem to enjoy taunting me.  So Ponch and John start to get a little sweaty, it's humid as hell and everywhere
they look no one gives a shit about the authority that their fragile egos need so preciously; no one seems to care that they are the Star-Belly Sneeches who
get to carry guns around.  Not knowing what else to do, Lenny and Carl decide that it's time to start making these fucked up kids understand who wears the
pants in this world.....
...And that's how we arrive at the horrifying gestapo tactics that were seen at Virginia beach.  Does this make sense?  I think anyone who was there will agree
that Terrapin or no Phish should never return to that forsaken pisshole, the good jam to bad Karma ratio just isn't high enough.  Eric Keselr -
drtjeckleburg@hotmail.com

well, this thought is more about andy gadiel than about phish, but i had
this very strange dream that i was in this room, in a college i think, but
not the college i'm actually in, and andy gadiel was there.  he was a
really cool guy (in real life as well as my dream i'm sure), in the dream
he had about chin-length frizzy brown hair and was wearing a striped long
sleeve t-shirt.  we were talking about random stuff and phish of course and
some of our favorite shows and then there was a fire drill and we were
forced to leave the building.  random.  just thought you might be amused.
-jon
jr443@columbia.edu     

  Interstate 95
 How things doin.....this here is my story from the summer tour.  "The
Road To Raleigh".  I left my home in Richmond, Va with my friend Ben at
12:00pm, to head down for Raleigh, Nc.  A three hour drive(sounds like
Gilligan already!).  We stopped at the best barbecue shop in town before
leaving, 'Big Daddy's BBQ'.  The service took about an hour, but the BBQ
was very tasty..it's an order-up shop.  WE left for Raleigh, again.  One
hour into the trip, driving along Interstate 95, we hit THE big traffic
jam of Emporia, Va.  Emporia is 1 hr south of Richmond, but it had
already been over 2, when the traffic reached a standstill.  Here we
exchanged grapes for raisins with some nice phans in a red Jetta.
Thanks.  Motionless for 15 minutes, Ben got out and walked.  "I'll go
about a mile up the road" ben remarked, before he embarked.  I slowly
moved behind in my car.  Ben was nowhere in sight.  Left lane traffic
was moving faster, so I jumped into it.  One mile passes...still no Ben
to be seen.  2 miles...no Ben.  "he must be going faster than I thought"
I thought to myself.  3 miles...no ben...I'm going 40 mph...no ben.  "he
must have run!" I reasoned.."ben likes to run!"  4 miles...no ben.  "I
can't stop and turn back...he's got to be in front of me!  Just one more
mile!"  5 miles...no ben in sight.  Approaching 6 miles, still in slow
traffic, an hour after him getting out, I decide to pull over and ask
the guys in the red Jetta if they have seen him.  "I don't think so
man"  they reply.  With my car on the side of the road, I begin my
journey south on I95 on foot.  Equipped with sandals, shorts and t
shirt.  I search the traffic for phans on their way, but they are few
and far between.  Most are coming north from Atlanta.  TO my joy, I see
a white VW bus approaching with a long haired, shirtless passenger
hanging out the open window.  He shouts, "DUde, your friend is like five
fucking miles down the road!!!"  I thank him, and realize my only
option.  I began to run.  Expecting Ben to walk towards my direction, or
to hitchike, I continue with a positive attitude.  So I run...1 mile...2
miles(I'm walking by now...I'm no athlete)...3 miles...My feet blister
open from sandal chaffing...4 miles...I ask several construction workers
for rides on machinery to find ben...they speak no english...I really
hurt..I'm sunburnt...blistered..bleeding...asphalt covered...bad
shape...I move on....5 miles...curious, I try to ask passers by if they
have seen guy on side of the road....dobody wantsd to talk to crazy man
on highway....I reach the place where I left ben
off...limping..exhausted...crazed..dizzy....There he sits..on the
guardrail..head between arms...obviously distressed with the incident.
Over traffic I yell repeatedly..he eventually hears, anbd I laugh.  It
was crazy..I had my words with him...but we still had another mission to
accomplish...get back to my car!!  Hitchike..the only option..it was
4:30, and we still had 2 hours to raleigh, but there was still traffic.
I could no longer walk!  After several rejected attempts, a large brown
70's model pontiac pulls over.  Inside are two old, porch monkeys.  We
accept, and get in.  The car smells bad, and we can't understand porch
monkey language.  Unable to decipher, we say yes alot, and "just a
couple more miles."  Porch monkey car begins to smoke..they don't
niotice at first, but pull over befor anything explodes.  We thank them,
offer assistance, and move on looking for another car.  We get a ride in
a nice new nissan.  young man driving.  introduces himself, "Hi I'm
Romeo"  Yes this was his real name.  Romeo.  WE get to my sweltering hot
car, and proceed to raleigh...out of traffic by 5:30, still two hours to
go, I push 90mph all the way.  WE arrive, parking 1 mile away in a
baseball field.  Ticketmaster screwed us over again, so we had to run to
will call before it closed.  It was 7:15pm.  Iin pain, we ran and ran
and ran..blisters getting worse...then..the sky ripped open and it began
to pour.  My feet loved it, and it capped off one hell of a day!  The
show bagan while we were in line...we entered, the sky cleared up, and
you all know how it went after that..."...It was a full moon night just
like this one when Col. Forbin climbed the mountain..."  It was the best
of times, it was the worst of times.  Looking back, it was one of the
best days of my life.  Really made the show that much better.  I danced
till I fell.
     Have a great Day
  Brad Ricks     ricksbk@jmu.edu

Special thanks to:
    -Guys in the red jetta..those were great raisins, hope you liked the
grapes!
    -White VW bus...gave me direction, gave ben some friends, offered
more than plenty for the boy without a ride.
    -Girls in the green car...ben appreciated the pepsi.
    -Porch monkeys.
    -Romeo.
    -North Carolina construction people for not making driving suck like
Va construction does.
   -Phish-----you guys are the best!-


Harry Hood. Madison, WI. The Kohl Center. It should have been one of the
apexes of an excellent 2nd set and all-around tight show. Unfortunately,
when the glowsticks started flying, all I could do was cringe every time
one got near a band member or their equipment. For Pete's sake, one hit
the top of Page's baby grand with a loud *thwack* that will definitely be
audible on the tapes. Please, please, please if you want to throw
glowsticks, do NOT do it in the direction of the band. I'm sure it's cool
to try and get one up on stage, but it would not be cool to destroy
equipment, or worse yet, damage one of the finely-tuned band members. I
would suggest sending out informational flyers with mail order tickets in
the future, or maybe do some kind of service message before each show a la
Mickey Hart's "please don't crash the gates" announcements. I don't know
how to stop the madness. I'm not against glowsticks, I'm just for making
sure the band and their equipment is safe and sound for the next show
coming up.

Tom

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

"Phish is a litmus test, a musical mirror of listener's
 tastes and prejudices; and if the existential thrill of
 improvised music doesn't appeal to you, look elsewhere."
                                - Richard Gehr

"What we're doing now is really more about groove than funk. Good funk,
real funk, is not played by four white guys from Vermont. If anything, you
could call what we're doing now cow funk or something."
                                - Trey Anastasio

Tom Pinit
tpinit@gladstone.uoregon.edu

Hey all,
I'll start by adding the requisite line about how I love phish, and that
I'm not trying to bash them, I go to shows, I collect tapes, etc.  Now
the meat of my story.  I am troubled by what I perceive to be an
increase (or at least an increase in the focus upon) of cover tunes.
Don't get me wrong, I am not against all cover tunes, especially those
that Phish have made their own (ie 2001, Cities come readily to mind).
However, I would rather hear original phish tunes than hear phish play
note-perfect renditions of other people's songs.  For example, while I
was blown away by the Sabatoge cover at Lemonwheel, I was disappointed
by the closing tune as "while my guitar gently weeps".  The only thing
that gets reported about these sort of shows is then how "phish covered
song x by band y, song y by band x..."  There is so much more to phish
than ripping off other people's tunes, and I think the band should focus
more on their own songs, and those songs they chose to cover would be
more entertaining if they were "phishified" (ex. 2001).  That's why
"Remain in Light" was the best cover album--they built upon the work of
the Talking Heads instead of just playing rote renditions of the tunes.
This is a rather qualified position I am arguing for (less cover tunes
in favor of original material, not a complete doing away with cover
tunes, dig?).  So if you have anything to contribute to this music-based
discussion, please email me.  Don't tell me I don't "know" the band or
I'm not down with the scene, 'cuz then you'll just be talking out of
your ass and you can spare me the trouble.  But if you've noticed this
trend too, please let me know your thoughts.
peace
andrew
02atm_2@williams.edu




so im at the guitar store i go to everyday at lunch, just got back...
I will be buying a sick acoustic after vegas...

and I'm telling the guy just that,  so he asks why im going to vegas

so i tell him whats up

and he says he has in fact heard of the band (i wasn't sure b/c he speaks with a heavy italian accent and seemed like a bit of a foreigner)

yes, i heard of them, the red haired one was in here this morning (as he points over to the really nice guitar room) 
Trey? Trey ? I said

I don't know he said- I said The Italian- Trey Anastasio?

Yes, his name was Anastasio he said

He told me to go upstairs and ask Nick, who helped Trey, if i didn't believe him

Well Nick told me Trey bought an old acoustic (some weird type made of fiberglass instead of wood- Nick said they are cheap, but a cool item to check out, funky sounding)  and a practice amp. Mike G was in there last night- and they were both phenomenally cool and nice.  another guy in the room said he worked for them at a concert last summer and they were the sweetest people in the world- just vermont boys like you'd expect

he told me to tell him all about halloween when I get back

they're doing letterman, signing books, and guitar shopping

what a life



Here is a somewhat interesting story..

Me and some friends were hanging arounf Freetown Christiana, Coppenhagen
a few hours before Phish was to go on doing the usual.  As the munchies
et in, we decided to go grab a falafel sandwhich at a local booth.  Sure
enougn, Mike was in line with us (No big deal...I mean who hasn't seen
Mike hanging out in the crowds about a million times.)  After exchanging
a few words with him, we walked back through the town and met up with
Trey, Page and Fish.  Here is where it get good!  Page introduced
himself to me and my friends and we started talking.  After a few
minutes, someone put their are on my back.  I turned and it was Trey!!!
He stuck out his hand and said to me "Hi.  I'm Trey but you probably
know that"  No shit I knew that..anyways, we chated for a bit and I can
honestly say that these guys are some doen-to-earth motherfuckers.  I
mean, Trey made a complete smartass remark to me, but it was so funny
the way that it came out, it was so sincere and harmless...

Slamgrass@aol.com



This is the band that was small then big, then bigger and all the
while we danced together. Anyone that wanted to. We could go get our
hand stamped the day of the show back then when they would play in
non-air  conditioned places. We used to hold  up our ticket stubs
when they would play Golgi and the traditions are ever changing, like
the music, it's what keeps us coming back for more. It's the chills
you get when you hear someone describe them, the first notes of your
favorite song, the smile when you make eye contact with another at a
show. This is the place where we dance together and forget about all
the other things for a little while. Hugging neighbors, meeting
friends and again half way around the U.S. and for some the world.
Phish bring me back, memories, sights, sounds. I remember thinking a
2000 person show was huge but how if we all love it so much and tell
everyone so, can we expect them not to grow. It's not a secret I
could keep from anyone. It's me dancing around my living room, its
you driving in your car, its us on the road to the same destination,
the expectation, embellished elation, and knowing that you will be
around wonderfully beautiful people very soon. It's beautiful ladies,
glitter, boys in cords and kakhies, the smell of grilled cheese,
patchouli, fleece wearing baseball caped boys, busses, stickers on
cars, dreddies, homemade clothes, shaggy hair, trading, miracles, all
 kinds of kids from all backgrounds, from all over, a wonderful
kaleidoscope of humans traveling across the folds of the land. So if
you don't mind I will sit and smile in my contentness that I know I
may not be there tonight but again I will be there, and again we will
be there.
Forever in the bond Kelly
KPHILLIP@TNRCC.state.tx.us



i had the thought today, considering some talk i had encountered about a 
crowd prank on halloween, that it might be cool, when the lights go down 
before the first set, for the crowd to boo. just until they appear on 
stage. i think that they would be totally startled by this for a moment 
and i think that it would just create an interesting vibe for which the 
show to build upon. think about it. how would it be to hear the arena 
filled with incessant booing, welcoming phish onto the stage? run it 
through your mind, if you will, and decide if it might be interesting. 

Thanks,

Jay


 Earlier today I was hanging out at a friends house and his 17 year old
sister asked me if I had gotten my tickets for Hampton. I told her yes and she
said that she, too was planning on going. Now, this really made me mad. First,
this brings up this issue of the crowd scene at shows. It seems that more and
more kids are showing up for the scene and not for the music. Well, I asked
the girl why she was going and she looked at me and awe and said cuz she
wanted to. Now, I'm a firm believer in helping people reach out and experience
phish, but I knew that this girl didn't like them. This girl is a girl that
listens to rap and dresses in really short shorts and midriff-baring shirts
and lots and lots of make-up. I told her that live phish sounds nothing like
the cd's and she said it didn't matter. So, again, I asked her why she was
going and she responded the way I was expecting. She said, and I quote, "for
the scene." That just got me really ticked off. Here was this girl who
practically never listens to phish and doesn't give a rats ass about the band
and she was all ready to go to a 2 day show in hampton. Like I said earlier,
I'm all for people experiencing the music of phish, but not the way she wanted
too. In my opinion, she was a waste of a ticket. She has no right to go and no
right to own a ticket. The good news is that I just saw that the Hampton shows
already sold out, so there is no way that she can get a ticket and go. That
makes me very happy. Phish shows are for people who go for the music, not for
the scene. Peace. 

        -PhishyAndy




I was listening to 3/31/93 Roseland Ballroom in Portland OR the other
night when in between tunes, Trey talks about "barrels" that have been
placed near the door. These were for canned goods in support of a food
drive for the local homeless shelters and missions, etc. So I thought to
myself, "Hey, why doesn't Phish bring back this sort of canned goods
drive??". Imagine--if each fan brought one can to a show like Lemonwheel,
or even MSG, you would have tens of thousands of canned goods!!! Of
course, I think that this sort of canned goods drive would be best
accomplished on a multi-night run in one town, that way the band could
remind people to bring cans to the next night's show. What do you think???
Are there any organizations affiliated with the band that already do
something like this, that I'm not aware of? How can I get this idea to the
band management?

Thanks for reading, Tom

Hello,
I have tried to get in touch with the folks from the Pharmer's almanac, but it
seems they rarely answer thier phones or check thier email, so I would like to
share my story with you.  On summer tour, I met Fishman's Dad at the Vernon
Downs show.  He was a really cute old man that amazingly enough (because
Fishman is adopted) looked a lot like Jon.  He was real short and cute.
Anyway, I was dancing in the crowd about 20 yards or so from the stage on
Page's side and I noticed him.  I never knew what he looked like, but I put
two and two together seeing as he was a 60 year old guy amongst all of us.
So, when Trey asked the crowd the trivia question of "what was the name of
Fishman's high school band", I listened in on his conversation with the older
(40 or so) lady in front of me.  --He said he couldn't remember.  I noticed he
had a backstage pass around his neck and knew it was definitely him.  So, I
introduced myself in between sets and asked him if he was going backstage
after the show.  I knew that even though I had tried to get to the after party
for most of the tour, I wouldn't be able to ask Fishman's Dad to get me there,
so I had to be discrete and do something else.  So, I asked Daddy Fishman if
he could give Jon a note after the show when he saw him.  He said sure!  So I
scribbled down a few words on the back of my setlist and gave it to him.  He
was so nice, he even asked me if it was okay to fold the note! ---it was on
the back of my setlist, and he treated it with the utmost respect.  I told him
he could do anything he wanted with it, as long as he was going to give it to
Jon.  He said he'd be glad too and I thanked him and continued with polite
conversation throughout the rest of the set break.  The note that I gave him
read:

Dear Jon,
Play Sanity up at the Lemonwheel
Pretty Please

The rest as they say...is history
Fishman cares!

I was hoping that the Pharmer's people would put my story in the next almanac,
but they are so slack about getting back to me.  If you could maybe post this
or something it would be cool.  A lot of people love Phish, but don't know
that they really do care and I would like to let them know how much Phish
really cares about us too.

Thank you
Jeni Enck
Athens, Ga
Jenivirgo@aol.com

So here I sit on Sunday morning, about a half hour before Madison tix go
on sale, and I am still bothered by yesterday's events. My friend is in
Madison and went to TM yesterday to get UIC tickets. Unfortunately, the
tickets were on a 15 minute delay everywhere except the Chicago area, and
well the show sold out in 8 MINUTES!! Is that a new record?? How quickly
did Vegas sell out?? Anyhow, the floor seats were apparently _gone_ in 1
minute. It's amazing how quickly Phish can sell out a 9500 person venue,
even with mail order tickets making up some significant percentage of
that. So, needless to say, I am worried about even getting Madison tix,
even with my friend currently in line at the Kohl Center box office. Do
you think Phish can continue to play 3,4 night runs at these smallish
places like UIC and the Greek if it's almost impossible to get a ticket? I
mean I checked yesterday and there's still tickets for the McNichols show!
Does no one want to attend that show or something?

Thanks, Tom

This is going to be short. Please read the well articulated artical in
Jam Bands by Jeff Waful. This is what forces me to say that we dont
deserve phish. isn't that rediculous that i could say that? well its
true. hopefully not everyone is like these "glow stick tossers", but i
ask you who was standing next to these losers? if i saw them doing that
and they didnt stop after they were asked id at least try to divert them
from the scene. And finally the rumor about phish having the newyears
concert in Hawaii, i hope  its true!

                                    Thanks
                                                Blake

I don't know if anyone picked up on this or if everyone picked up on this,
but, at the 'Wheel, when the elephant started spraying water on the phans,
I took that as a reference to Carlos Santana's remarks about how Phish's
phans are like flowers that get hosed by their music.  We were hosed,
literally!  Make Sense??

                                     ~Jason~
                               axilla@interlog.com





Some guys down the hall from my apartment building are Phish fans, as am I.  We both knew that one another would be mail
ordering tickets for the L.A. and Vegas shows, but we didn't order together.  We had planned to road trip together for the shows.  We
both ended up having our orders filled (joy).  When we went to compare tickets, we were totally psyched to see that they got Section
A, row H seats 121 & 122, while I ended up getting seats 123 & 124 at the Greek.  Pretty cool, huh?  


How about for a mass crowd prank we all go wild yelling and screaming and
clapping when the lights go down and the band comes out on stage.  It might
be tough to convince everyone to do it at the same time, but you know how
spontaneous things happen at Phish shows.  I think all we need to do is
organize a critical mass.       


Actually Katie, Trey's pun actually had a third conotation.  He said "burning
down" in his traditional dank reference, but I believe he used that phrase
beacuse it sounds very similar to "Vernon Downs".  Trey's wit also worked as
forshadowing for the encore of "Burning Down the House".  But, then again, it's
also very likely that after saying "burning down" Trey was reminded of the song
and decided to play it.  (They've been learning most of their covers during set
break).  But who knows.  -Jeff Waful         

 I went to the Vernon Downs show the other night, and I have an interesting tidbit.  During 'Makisupa', Trey hinted at the encore
cover piece, 'Burning Down the House'.  He actually said "burning down" during the part where he throws in a random line!  I just thought that
was interesting, and that you might think it was too!  
 
I'm attaching a picture of me with Trey (the small version so it doesn't take you forever to download).  I saw him at the beach in Barcelona this
summer, and asked him for a picture.  He was a little annoyed at first, but then he was really nice.  It was the single most exciting moment of my
Europe trip, so I thought I would share it with you!  I saw all of the shows except the Midtfyns Festival and the first night at Barcelona, due to
travel complications.  If the photo is hard to see, and you're really interested, I can send you a larger, clearer version.  I didn't want to tie up your
line because you probably get a million messages from insignificant folks like me.  Tee hee!
 
Thanks for letting me share!  
 
Katie Cook
Fayetteville, NY  





Just got back from the MD->ME run with some of my friends.  All of us
have been catching every phish show we can since 91.  I have around
900hrs on tape or so.  This my friends, was a KILLER phish show!!!  I
was really surprised to see negative reviews about this show.  To each
his own I guess, but let me offer our review.

We had trouble finding the amptheater, and was a little late getting
there.  However, when we got up to the entrance they waved us into the
VIP lot.  We parked, and walked about 500ft to the entrance to the show,
down behind stage left.  There was *NO* line, and the smiling  usher
barely checked our tickets as we walked in.  Once inside we got a couple
beers and some killer lemonade.  The weather was PERFECT, and the crowd
was real mellow.

The show ripped.  The band was extra tight, and the jams were really
interesting.  The songs flowed in and out and everyone was dancin and
having a great time.  The security was asking people not to smoke
(cigarettes) which is cool with me-they're just doing their job.  If you
were discreet about it, they didn't bother you.  One of the ushers by us
was bobbing and weaving his head during the show.  He looked like a
miniature Mike Tyson.  Anyway, the setlist doesn't really do this show
justice.  The evening had the feeling of an older  phish show - it was
mixed up, yet blended together at the same time.  They were very relaxed
on stage, and you can tell that they love playing there.  The
Punch-Bathtub-Lizards-MOMA-Birds was incredible.  Punch grooved, the
Bathtub jam was like the Clifford Ball one turned up a few notches -
Trey was on fire.  And if that wasn't enough a PHAT bowie to close the
long set. This was one of the best Phish sets I've seen EVER.  The sound
was PERFECT.  I could hear everyone crisp and clean-including everything
in Fish's kit.  Trey wasn't all jacked up in the mix.

The second set continued the great jams especially Antelope, Waste jam
was cool, and then some old time Phish goofiness.  YEM wasn't the best
version, but the vocal jam was actually cool.  By the time they started
Chalkdust, nobody cared that it was Chalkdust yet again, and Phish just
ripped it.  Same with Frankenstein-we didn't care what they played by
that point.  Ragtime was entertaining.  And then the encore...I don't
even need to comment on that!  All I know is that we were in the
Orchestra Pit for it :):):)

This was the best show I've seen since 12.30.93 and 7.14.94 by far.
This is a MUST HAVE on tape!!!  To all of you who didn't like it, I'm
really sorry that you don't "get it".  After the show, EVERYONE we ran
into had smiles and laughs and thought "WOW what a show!".  This was a
show for the seasoned phishhead, not all you whiney little teenagers who
bitch because you can't drink beer in the lot.  When I was your age, we
just put the beer in a cup and never had a problem.  DUH!  We also
didn't think the thrill of Phish was drinking or smoking, we went cuz
they are the best fucking band in the world.  And we still do!





In response to the person who suggested a mass-crowd prank for Halloween, I think it's a great idea, except the band would know it was coming.  There's just no way to surprise them.  That's what makes them so special:  they always know what's up with their fans.  They read this website, no doubt about it.  Hello Trey!   A flyering effort could work, if done at the last minute once the band was back stage, or possibly during set break.  Whatever you do, don't try and organize it over the internet.  Anyone remember last year when everyone was planning  to get a My Sweet One chant going   during set break at MSG?  Remember what happened?  The boys busted it out in the first set.    I think it would be great to surprise the band in some way, but it's going to be a challenge.....good luck.




Just a thought, why don't we have a little fun with the band this
halloween and keep them guessing as to what WE (the fans in the
audience) are up to.  We could do something that totally contradicts the
normal band/audience social dynamics.  What if we play off the cult
"thang"  and all dress for the occassion in ceremonial garb, like
wedding gowns for instance (all white of course!).  Or as they take to
the stage instead of a greeting of jubilant applause they find everyone
to be sitting down, meditating in stone cold silence.  Hell, that might
even prompt a first set gamehenge narration!  These are just a couple of
random examples of what we could do if we unite together and take part
in co-creating this amazing ritual that is a Halloween Phish show.  I
believe we could actually do it.  I mean, I witnessed what a few
thousand well distributed flyers accomplished at Red Rocks in '96.
We've got plenty of time to think this through.  I just think it is
about time for us to have the upper hand at a halloween ahow.  Put the
ball in their court so to speak.  WE do outnumber them, but they are so
tight and focused.  Our greatest weakness is in our sheer numbers.  It's
a logistical nightmare to get even half of the audience unified in a
common goal, but not as hard as you might think.  Just imagine the
creative force we could manifest if we did!  I firmly believe in the
spirit of the lyrics to AC/DC BAG when Trey sings, "I'll show you mine,
if you show me yours", or something to that effect.  All we've got to do
is show 'em that we mean business, show 'em that we are ready, yet don't
show 'em until SHOW-TIME, if you catch my drift.  So if we as a
community decide to pursue this random thought, we got to keep it on the
down low.  BTW, I don't wanna jinx the chances of this occurence, but i
personally feel a "We Sold Our Soul For Rock'n'Roll" cover coming on.
>>>just a thought<<<





Didn't make it to Lemonwheel although I should have. My girlfriend Emily
predicted that I would meet Trey way back in June she said I had to
go....due to circumstances I couldn't but she did and took along my
meditation beads to give to Trey as I asked her to. Well sure enough she
ran into him and threw the beads around his head and that was that. Hearing
her tell me that story made me so happy. It was like I was there in spirit
and Trey now knows what an important influence on my life he and the band
has had. Sounds like a much better vibe than the Went, thats good news too.
Now the trick is to maintain these good vibes and energy until fall tour
(and even after). Hope everybody had a blast and I would love to get copies
of the shows....I'll see you all in Vegas and Worcester and get ready for
an extremely sick Halloween run! Peace and Happiness- Phil



A Little Story From Alpine Valley, August 1st, 1998:
  
I am pleased to say that I had a chance to be at Alpine Valley this 
summer, my third time in the past three years of great shows in East 
Troy. This year's show found itself a week earlier in August than the 
two previous highlight of tour shows, '96 & '97. Once again it was a 
highlight of the tour, a truly amazing show. I was far away from Phish 
and the tour for the entire summer, working at a summer camp as a 
counselor, given the opportunity to work with children, a job more 
rewarding than anything on earth. I was far removed, I had but my tape 
collection and discs, which can satisfy one's soul, but not nearly 
akin to a show, which fills one up to the breaking point time and 
again throughout the course of the night. My frined Dave Taus and I 
had been getting ready for Alpine the entire summer, from June 11th we 
would listen to tapes and talk in the ways only phisheads can 
understand. Then began the countdown as the end of July rolled around 
and August 1st came around. Phish was well into a tour that we had 
only seen through the computer, not doing the amazing shows justice. 
Phish truly seemed at their peak. It was an agonizing week. Finally 
the glorious day arrived and we found ourselves at the lot at Alpine 
Valley, only a few hours to go, FINALLY it was upon us. We decided to 
go for a walk, to puruse the vendors, maybe buy a shirt, some munchies 
or toss some disc. We found ourselves about two hundred feet from the 
entrance at about 2:30 in the afternoon and I thought I recognized the 
thundering bass that only belongs to Phish, I looked at Dave and he 
looked at me and we REALLY picked up the pace. We were right against 
the fence and I picked up Black-Eyed Katy, I hadn't known that they 
had reworked it and renamed it Moma Dance but the chorus soon gave it 
away. So Dave and I after a month and a half had stumbled upon Phish, 
soundchecking. What happened next is the stuff dreams are made of. I 
walked around the side to a delivery entrance and ran into a security 
guard and two phans on scaffolding listening as well, we talked and 
the guy showed me setlists from the tour and I was estatic to see what 
Phish was doing, the tour looked GOOD, and Alpine was shaping up to be 
a show!! I ran and got Dave so we could be closer to the soundcheck. 
They ended Moma Dance and Trey played the intro to Tela and stopped 
abruptly and it seemed that the band left the stage. The four of us, 
Dave, myself and our two new friends, whose names I never caught, were 
heartbroken, done already? We walked through a delivery door and ended 
up behind the beer gardens on a balcony overlooking the expansive lawn 
of Alpine Valley with the ski hills as a backdrop, a beautiful sight 
in the early summer afternoon. The four of us stood on the balcnoy 
watching the crew test lights, beer and food vendors set up shop, and 
we stared at the stage with a faint glimmer of hope that the band 
would retake the stage. Eventually Mike came on and strapped on his 
bass, then Page at the keyboards, and Trey on drums, oddly no Fish. 
They started a song that we identified as Albequrque, with the help of 
our tourhead friend. It was Trey and Page on vocals and they were 
having fun, especially Trey. Then Page left the stage and came back 
with his hands out, shaking his head and with a frustrated look on his 
face and from the mics we could pick up, "I can't find him" Obvioulsy 
Fish had taken off and found himself some beer and forgot to finish 
the soundcheck. He later returned with jeans and a t-shirt and sat at 
his kit. They began just playing, nothing distinct, just jamming it 
sounded alot like My Soul, in that fast bluesy sort of vein. After 
about ten minutes Trey started talking about cigars, making up a song 
and they jammed for about ten more minutes and he started up again and 
started talking about beer and how much it cost the night before and 
how it was more expensive here and how the song started out about 
cigars, then he started making fun of Fish and they jammed for about 
ten more minutes. They were having FUN!! Alpine was most defintely 
going to be a SHOW!!! They ended the Cigar/Beer jam (as I labled on my 
setlist) and then went into Albeqerque, this time with a full band. 
THey close out the soundcheck with an energetic Ginsengh Sullivan that 
had the four of us in the beer garden dancing. A great way to start a 
show! Close to two hours of Phish, before the show even started!! They 
had such a good time at the soundcheck and show itself that made it 
great to be back at show after such a long absence. Phish really is 
clicking on all cylinders and hopefully it won't stop for some time! I 
won't even mention how incredible the show was, hands down the best 
I've seen. Phish really turns it up in East Troy. I'm itching for the 
fall tour. Thank you Andy for a page full of such wealth and devotion, 
thank you to whoever read this long-winded mini essay, thank to my two 
new friends who I shared the soundcheck with, and of course thank you 
to Phish.

-andy matragna 
matranga@interaccess.com
ajmatran@syr.edu



This is really random, and don't think I would ever plan to watch Buffy 
the Vampire Slayer, but I was cleaning my room the other day and the TV 
was on.  I sat down when I was done and just kind of watched this show. 
 The scene was something about the stuidents at this high school taking 
a test and checking the grades on a billboard.  they had a closeup of 
the billboard and on the side was an interesting flyer.  You guessed it, 
it was a small Phish flyer, almost looked like those ones that they send 
out with mail-order tickets.  My guess is that some guy who was in 
charge of the scenery is a phishhead and thought it'd be a kick to put 
phish up there.  Anyway, thought you'd like to know.

Dan from MD


what is up up with people and their ability to breath the names of blues
traveller, rusted root and dave mattehews in the same breath as phish or
the dead? every time ive seen blues traveller it has been a
dissapointment.their a bar band at best! as for dave matthews, use some
other words in your songs other than crash, and write about something valid
other than chicks. and rusted root sucks to, please.




I just got back from a 2-show stint (Merriweather and Va Beach), and I
wanted to thank the band and the phans for making it a beautiful
experience.  There was a real sense of community and friendliness
there that had been lacking for the last couple years.  To those who
hooked me up with food, drink, and nug, thanks a bunch -- I didn't
forget to give back.  

After the Went last year, I was feeling pretty low -- for the first
time, I felt old.  Not because nearly everyone there was younger than
me, but because the kids had this idea that since I didn't have dreds
and was out of school, I didn't fit in.  I saw people there getting
into fights, and just being rude as hell.  That really infuriated me
-- I missed the sense of community; a feeling that I only got with
Phish.  I'd seen the Dead, and the people were, for the most part,
extremely cool; but it "wasn't my bag".  Phish was.  

A lot of older people like to ramble on about Phish's "glory days",
when they were playing places that held 4,000 people, and not even
filling them up -- which was cool, but to constantly talk about this
is just as elitist as the kids at the Went.  

Just remember: the music is for everyone, and unless you get a
backstage pass from the band, you're only equally as welcome as anyone
else.  Remember that everyone there is there to see Phish, and seeing
Phish because they feel the same connections that you do.  Remember
that we're all "family".

Thanks for keeping the scene a beautiful one.  Peace.



As I spent a relaxing Sunday remembering and rejoicing in the happiness the
Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia have brought to my life, I was unaware of the
shock that tonight's setlist would bring.

TERRAPIN STATION!!!

As a big dead and phish fan, this just brings chills to my body.  I'm not
sure if the average phish fan realizes the significance and underlying
meaning of this Dead masterpiece.   I'm not about to explain it now.  I just
will retire to my bedroom, knowing that on the anniversary of a great
musician's death, special energies were released into the cosmos, and
something special happened.

Its moments like these that make me feel just happy to be alive....

Peace-In-Music,

Mark L.

a quick thought:

When I was just getting into phish a friend gave me a tape containg the
entire gamehendge narration.  I liked the band, but this moment defined
how I now feel about them.  I put the tape in and lay down for a nap.  I
tried to coerce myself to sleep, and as the music played, I got
relaxed.  But, I found myself sinking into the songs and the words
instead of sleep.  In fact I couldn't sleep, it was so good I was sucked
in, I listened to the whole tape and reflected on it.  I remeber
thinking to myself, no music had ever made me completely go into a zone
before.  It may sound silly, but it really did, and I can't thank jimmy
b enough for giving me that tape, cause it put me there, got me into the
band.  So, thanks jimmy.----

--Wigs, NJ




Dreaming of Lemonwheel...

I hope that Lemowheel is even more PHATTY and MEGA than last year!  I
can't have too many PHATTY and MEGA things in my life.  Listen...it's
calling to you softly..."Meeeegaaa Buuuurrrgerrr, Meeeegaaa
Buuuurrrgerrr."  When I get into the lot, I'm going to crack open a
PHATTY cold one.

Me an my boys are riding up in a PHATTY MEGA RV.  Search this!

I 'm imagining that they finally got that dang hot-air balloon up and
they flew over the crowd showering down glowstick-like "snow" during
"Bliss".  Can someone arrange that for me?  That would be too f*cking
cool.

KMC
Blacksburg, VA  7/27/98




My thoughts on Meeting Phish this summer:

I saw my 1st Phish show in May of 1994 at Montezuma Hall located at San
Diego State University.  I had seen the Dead a few times, and was
planning on doing the west coast Dead tour that summer (which I did).  I
kind of went on a whim, just killing time til the jerry shows 3 days
later.  I was literally knocked off my feet when they opened the show
with Llama (I had eaten something that was making me feel really weird
and had to sit down, right in the middle of the floor of a GA show =D).
I've seen every Phish show I could make it to since the 1st notes of
that Llama rang out.  I was impressed at how tight and big these guys
could sound in such a small venue, and then take advantage of the
venue's size by playing "unplugged" (I hate that mtv-ized term).  It was
like they were still small time down home guys at heart, but could blow
the roof off the place at any moment.

Fast forward to 4 years later.  I'm SICK of my job, and I need some time
off and the west coast leg of the summer tour is calling my name.  At
the last minute before we leave my friend asks if this girl can come
along, oh by the way she knows Fishman.  I talk to this girl and she
seems cool so she's on the bus with us.  I wasn't sure if she was
telling the truth about knowing the band, not until she handed me my
aftershow pass for the Portland show.  So the show is smokin', and the
2nd set comes to an end, and I try to find where I'm supposed to go.
Left of the stage up front has a small line of people wearing their
aftershow stickers on their shirts so I know I'm in the right place.  I
meet the SWEEEETEST girl from Massachussets who randomly recieved her
pass from one of the guys in the crew (it's
1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 times easier to get backstage if
you're a girl by the way).  She hadn't ever met the band before either
and was really hoping to meet Page.  We didn't get our hopes up too high
though because we heard that the band sometimes doesn't even come out to
the aftershow party.  Well, this is what a Phish aftershow party is
like: there's tables and chairs set up with chips and salsa, and beers
in the fridge, and you sit there and hang out and wonder "what the
hell?  how did I get here?".  So I'm getting to know this girl a little
better when out of nowhere Fishman is talking to the girl that got me
backstage about 10 feet away.  I get up, walk on over to Fish, shake his
hand, he laughs at my shirt (a fluffhead shirt with buckwheat on it
saying "O-TREY!"), and he goes right back to talking to that girl.
Hmm...not exactly the life changing experience I was hoping for.  So
we're kickin it and the girl that got me backstage runs up to Trey and
hugs him...I'm really starting to believe that she knows the band here
=D.  Trey kind of walks off, playing with Eliza.  Then Page comes out.
The girl I had just met was kind of scared to walk up to him but I
talked her into it and we walked on over.  As you've probably heard he's
a really cool cat.  We talked about Europe and that last show in
Barcelona where the speakers blew up.  He said it was a great show
despite what happened.  Then comes a surreal experience.  I'm standing 2
feet from Page as he's talking to my new friend Melissa, I'm introduced
to Trey, Fishman is like 20 feet away, and Mike pulls up on his golf
cart.  I couldn't believe this was really happening.  I mentioned "hey,
there's mike" to my friend.  Page heard me, and told Brad Sands "Mike's
Here".  They had been waiting for Mike.  Basically I made the band leave
cuz I noticed Mike was there  =D.  Page says, "Dave it was nice meeting
you"...wow...he remembered my name.

Jeez, this is turning into quite a story.  Anyways...

Fast forward to the 2nd day of the Gorge.  We're trying to beat the heat
when Lo and Behold Mr. Jon Fishman walks by.  He recognizes this girl
that's in my little posse, and ends up hanging out with us for like 15
minutes.  I gave him and this HOT girl Eden, carrier of the backstage
pass list, a ganja brownie each...from what I hear he ate it between the
gorge and shoreline and was ripped.  Jon blended right into the crowd,
wearing a Phish hat and everything.  Nobody noticed it was him!  People
were walking by left and right selling doses etc. and they didn't see
that we were kickin it with the drummer of Phish.

Fast forward one last time to Ventura:  The girl that got me backstage
at portland hooks me up again, as thanks for driving to all the shows.
This aftershow party is way more hectic.  There were only about 50
people at the peak of the Portland aftershow party, and there were more
like 30 when the band members were actually out and about.  There were a
good 200 people backstage at ventura.  We got into the line for the keg
and got a beer and kicked back.  I hadn't met Mike yet so that was my
mission.  I walked up to him, said "thanks for playing drowned tonight
Mike", he didnt' acknowledge me, and drove off in his golf cart.  Cest
la Vie.  I talked to Page again for like 2 seconds, and thanked him for
playing sea and sand, which was a song I never thought I'd see them play
live.  I saw a huge cluster of people surrounding a person with that
signature mop of orange hair so I decided against joining the mob around
trey.

The best part of the whole experience of meeting the band was that I
felt a lot closer to them, and the concerts felt more like watching your
friend's band at a keg party than being at a "Major Rock Concert
Event".  Page was really cool for remembering my name, and Jon was
really cool for taking the time out to hang out with us at the Gorge,
Trey looked tired in Portland so I didn't bother bugging him past "nice
to meet you", and Mike...well Mike's a unique guy.  I'll talk to him
someday.

I'm not name dropping here...not a one of them remembers who I am now.
Meeting Phish was something that was bound to happen, and at the very
least it gives me a good story to tell my kids before they head out on
summer tour 2016

Here's my thought:
I was driving listening to makisupa, so of course my thoughts were on 
contraband items. I pulled up to a stop sign and noticed something 
interesting: 
There were two stop signs facing me, one to my left and one two my 
right. Since I was stopped, I took the opportunity to indulge in my 
one-hitter, and when I was done I  scrutinized he stop signs and 
realized that two stop signs side-by-side, when read backwards, spell 
"POTSPOTS"- pronounced "Pot Spots", which is exactly what it was, a pot 
spot! Get it?
Billy
N.C.->Wheel! Oh yeah

Now this is the silly product of a dream I had last night in which I saw the
Shoreline show again in retrospect.  So anyhow I sure am sorry to take up your
time as its pretty long.  Here are me thoughts:
Now at Shoreline, I was on the lawn and so was having quite a good time just
digging the new funk sound without actually seeing the band, but sometine
before the opening of the first set YEM the giant video screens lit up.  And
by
the time YEM had begun, the skies had grown dark enough to actually see what
was being projected onto the screens(Thank the Lord for contrast).  In my
opinion, this exceptional YEM with a nice funk groove that reminded me of the
new Black Eyed Katy-style was enhanced by the video screen showing closeups of
Trey, Page and Mike actually playing their instruments(we got to see their
hands!!--Fish was behind  his kit so no closeups of the brother in the
sundress
who would be our own private dancer with a rendition of Sexual Healing the
following night).  Anyhow, during the nutty funked section before the vocal
jam(which was way funkier than usual), the camera hung on Trey just as he
stepped up to his wah-wah pedal and began to scratch out the deep funk rythms
high up on the fretboard.  There I was watching Trey with his eyes closed
behind his thick
glasses and with a gaping smile as his head covered in red hair bobbed from
left to
right with the beat. 
   This image of Trey in such a state of bliss under the red lights(supplied
by Chris, of course) found its way back into the fore of my thoughts last
night as I slept.  And as I woke up I thought back to the dream and realized
that Trey looks an awful lot like that Red Dancing Dead Bear that we have all
seen on Happy Vans on the road going from show to show or parked in the lots
selling the cold vegetarian pasta.  Let me no what you think.  I think Trey is
actually channeling the spirit of this Dancing Bear during the really intense
funk jams that we are witnessing nowadays because, as we all know, red is the
color of funk and bears are the funkiest animals in these parts.  And yes
drawings do have spirits...Trust me, I know.
Dylan <' } } {

now, i realize what i have thought of may be a bit far fetched and i may be
stretching it just a little bit,  but one day, i cannot remember the exact day
or anything, but over a year ago, i was listening to harpua. i cannot remember
which show it was, but that does not matter, for it is irrelevent to what i
have come up with.  i have tried explaining my theory on harpua to many
people.  they refuse to see what i see and call me crazy. if anything, im just
wrong! not crazy!  so, getting down to the point-  when jimmy's kitty, poster
nutbag, dies, his father suggests jimmy gets himself a goldfish. jimmy refuses
to get a goldfish, he simply says- i want a dog.   so one day i began
thinking- is this foreshadowing?  maybe jimmy saying that he wants a dog is
hinting that this next dog could be another harpua.  see- harpua is a mean old
dog cause his master got pissed off at all the towns people for lets say-
sending them into exile...so harpua gets mean and seeks revenge! if he cant be
happy- no one can!  so he either kills poster, or contributes to the death of
poster....so when jimmy says he wants a dog...is he saying he's pissed? is he
saying he wants to seek revenge for poster's death?  will this dog be the next
harpua?    
   well, i am not saying that its a foreshadow of the making of another harpua
song- like harpua 2...or some shit like that, im just saying that maybe jimmy
wants revenge.....now does this theory seem that crazy to you?  gee....i hope
not..maybe im thinking too much, but cant you kind of see what i am saying? =)
     if you can even remotely see where im coming from- support me please! let
me know what you think.  :o)
~~jacie     eliza44@aol.com

In reference to JaminL's post -
Is it a feeling that there's something you need to do?  Like you have
something in your pocket, but you're not quite sure what its for or what
to do with it.  I experienced a strong feeling like that at the end of
the Albany show.  I kept feeling like Page wanted to play Squirming
Coil.  It was a child-like voice (which I associated with Page) that was
asking the powerful sound of Trey and Mike to come out and play a nice
game.  During the encore of My Soul, I had to leave.  I couldn't stay in
my seat anymore.  I didn't know what I had to do, but I left.  I missed
the Coil that I knew was coming. 
        So, I don't know how it ties in with what you are feeling.
Maybe there is something guiding us and it directed the Coil at the end
of the show.  But, "it got away, yea.  It got away."  I link Coil's
lyrics to missed opportunity.  Maybe the enlightened state is the one
where something is under your skin, the knowledge of our own mortality.
Is the mind that is aware of its limited existence an enlightened mind?
We get a feeling that there is something to do because we know that time
is limited.  Is the feeling of love mixed up with regret in some way.
We love things because we know that they are temporal.  We want to hold
them close because we know deep down that they will cease to be.  Maybe
that feeling isn't a cause of grief, but the key to how we love in the
first place.  If everythng was eternal, could we find love?  
        Is there some connection between the lyrics or the inspiration
for Design that fits into this idea?  I don't know.  Just thoughts.
                                                Big Daddy Lamar


Brian and Robert is slow but a good song.  Almost like a sTREYnge design or
something of that nature.  Meat is cool.  Gordon is great on the vocals and
the funk is deep and varied with nice stops and starts.   I Ficus needs
another listen on  my part to be reviewed.  Alot of words and a little
mumbly from the first take.  Does not mean it is not special live.  Shafty
i sby far mt favorite Phish song right now.  I got the tapes of 4-5-98 and
wow was it awesome that night.  It is so funky and gordon's bass riff is
awesome.  The lyrics are cool too and can actually be understood which is a
rarity with most phish lyrics.
JYW
Peoria IL

A friend of mine just told me about this website and I have been getting my
fill the last couple of weeks, checking out the Europe setlists, rumors,
and other good stuff.   I have seen a few shows a year since 94' and I know
in the eyes of major phish fans that is not all that much but to me they
are far and away the best live act there is.   I just saw the shows at
Portland, the Gorge, and had to stop after Shoreline and report to work on
Monday.   What a bite in the ass that is.   The reason I wrote was mainly
to say that the 2001 into Mike's Song>Weekapaug to start the second set at
the Gorge on Friday was the best hour of Phish that I've been lucky enough
to witness.   I'm not gonna say it changed my life but it sure made me feel
a whole lot better about it.  In a nut shell that is the power of music and
the beauty of Phish.   Of course with a little funk and heavy metal thrown
in for good clean phun.     Rock on,  Ryan.

Story from Albany fall tour 1997

The first set opened in classic fashion with funky bitch > 2001 which
was sick and funk-filled cities.  So as expected, we were groovin'. 
However, in the midst of this nice beginning we noticed the couple in
front of us.  Now let me preface, this, because I don't want to cause
any turmoil, I do understand people who zone into their own world at
shows, but these people were beyond anything comprable.  it's one thing
to be involved in the music but...these people were nothing short of
hilarious.  The man: 45 years of age, gray pony tail.  The woman:
sitting the entire show quietly writing away trying desperately to
record the setlist.  Anyway, the man would slowly spin 360 degrees
throughout the whole show.  So slow that he would be staring at us for
periods, with eyes closed however.  But, what got us was his odd
movements, they were harsh, not flowing or fluid, sharp punching motions
some directed up toward the sky ithers straight out.  We thought that
this was a tough one.  During the set break we asked to see their
setlist and of course it was wrong, so we suggested that it might not be
correct and the man awoke from his state to have debate with us, in
which he was clearly wrong, as he claimed that the set did not open w/
funky bitch.  Any, second set, he is back in motion punching left and
right.  near the end of the show, i managed to drop my cigarette right
in the woman's hair! this was completely by accident, but they had been
so rude to us during the break that we said nothing.  She accosted us
after the show saying that we had burned her hair, which was a gross
lie, it wasn't even on her hair for more than a second.
        The funny thing was that their antics made the show a little more
interesting, coupled with an antelope encore that left me joyful for
days.  Without the punching man and his wife, I would not have as phond
memories of the show, guess it has to be that way.  See you at
merriweather.



Strange Design from albany 12-13-97 embodied my recurring dream, I don't know
why, but I have a dream where I have something to do, something important,and
I have no idea what it is, it's not just a dream though, it's the feeling that
the dream gives me, sort of incompleteness, something lingering, but it's not
a bad feeling, almost an enlightening one.  As i try to put it down on paper I
realize that it is impossible to explain.  the dream is not concrete, it's not
always me and it's not always something to do, it's basically a feeling that
kind of shows me that there's some fated force guiding people's lives, not
just themselves.  Anyway in my car I was listening to that tape and all of a
sudden had that feeling, it was the first time I wasn't sleeping(or half
sleeping) when I experienced it, I had to pull over and let the feeling pass,
before I could continue driving.  I have listened to Strange Design from that
show and others since, and never again have I felt it, but I do know it's
real.  

JaminL@aol.com

This might take awhile...but I call this one "Thank you long haired Dave and
your magic van"

It was Santa Barbara, California sometime in the morning of 5-17-94, and the
phone rang.  On the other end was a friend who was more than just a bit
excited. He had won four free tix to that night's Phish show at a little
theater on State Street. Normally they show movies there so I thought this
quite strange. Now at this moment in my life I had yet to see a Phish show, in
fact I had yet to even hear a single note; radio, boot, cd or otherwise. I
wasn't planning on watching TV that night and it was free and friends had
compared them to my musical love (dead) and so I said "sure why not." We
walked to the show from our home and immediately I saw why there were the
comparisons. There was a girl first off, walking back and forth in front of
the theater holding a finger in the air, asking for her "miracle". I remember
mocking her. I thought to myself "Don't expect one sister, even if you do get
in, this ain't the dead" 

Now the Arlington is a killer place to see a movie, it's got a balconey and
all, but the real treat of the venue is the setting. It's kind of like being
transported back a century to a scene right out of Spain or Mexico. The walls
aren't walls at all, instead there are these facades of villas, so that if you
are down in the regular seats on the floor, it's like you're sitting in the
street and you would expect children running barefoot among the cobblestones,
mothers doing the wash and a donkey tied up to a post. The villas have windows
and roofs, balconies and vines running up the adobe walls. The lanterns
flicker with candle light and the wooden doors ask to be opened, maybe leading
you into a family's home where some killer sangria might be waiting for you.

1st set: Suzie, Maze, Mound, If I Could, Scent, Ginsing, Dog Faced Boy, SOAM,
Coil

The scene was insane with dancing, people were literally climbing up the
walls, up onto the balconies of the villas and the lanterns backlit their
grooving bodies. Smoke everywhere. As it was May 17, it was Page's Birthday
and in the middle of his solo for Coil, Trey brought out a birthday cake,
candles aflame. Some might take the time to say here that it was
unbelieveable, well more so was the idea that I just wanted to go home, second
set I could do without, in fact I could have done without the first one. 

Well my friends talked me into staying, insulting me with words to do so. So I
stayed and immediately regretted it, it was not what I wanted, but they kept
passing me the green hit as a way to keep me in my seat ( I sat down in
protest of the show)  I have no idea what I was thinking, some of it probably
had to do with the fact I was a serious deadhead and felt the comparison was
not fair and because they weren't ANYTHING like the dead I held it against
them. I wont list the second set but at the time it finished, none too soon, I
prayed there wouldn't be an encore. I was bummed to see the band take their
places, but the minute they tore into AC/DC's Highway to Hell a little
something clicked and I appreciated what they did with the song, I mean even
by the standards I had at the time it ROCKED, and lord did I get up. Even so I
was still not ready.

2 1/2 years would go by before I went to my next show. Jerry was gone to us
now and the missing thing in my life was the music that had died with him. It
was my birthday and yet another phone call from another excited friend. He had
gone out and gotten tix for the Cow Palace show 11-29-96 and was determined to
take me.  I hemmed and I hawed trying to come up with excuses for not being
able to go, after all I thought, they wont play just AC/DC covers all night.
But my reasons were lame and it's rude to turn down a birthday present so I
begrudgingly got into the magic van and made the trek north with three friends
to the show. 

The lights came down, the fun guy inside me came up and Frankenstein was on.
Like the monster it is, it took over. The something in me that clicked during
the Highway to Hell encore that had been laying dormant awakened as well and I
was OFF. NICU, Cars Trucks Buses, Zero, Divided Sky, Bathtub Gin, Life on
MArs, Maze, and Suzie followed and there wasn't a moment my body stopped
throughout it. I didn't know I could be moved like that, I didn't know I
wanted to, but there it was, and all I could do was grin and say "DAMN!!!!"
over and over. Somewhere in the middle of the 2nd set closer of one Mr. Harry
Hood I discovered many more things, like pouring water over your head and
stripping down to your levis is a good thing, and as we were thanking Mr.
Minor and my balled up T-shirt was in my hand, soaked with sweat and water
another thing crossed my silly stained mind. The emptiness was gone, I was
full and I let go of that t-shirt, throwing it out over the railing of the
second level and down to the floor below. This shirt was a special one to me,
not only was it the only thing i was wearing, but it was a shirt i had got
from the last dead show I attended, a Phil shirt, the one that that says;
Bass great, Lesh Philling. It felt good to let it go, to see it drift out over
the moving horde and disappear into memory, never mind that it was almost
December in San Francisco and I'd soon be outside dripping with the remnants
of my dancing in the chill of the air, pneumonia is curable right? 

The boys gave us Sample in a Jar as a good night and I cried for it to keep
going, tears of too many things to list. We picked up our stuff, as we had
lost it all and made our way to the magic van. I did San Diego a few days
later, and got on a Greyhound Bus Christmas night to travel 3 days so as to
make the Philly shows. The Magic van has delivered us to a few more since then
and my friend who had taken me for my birthday and I have a pledge to see at
least two shows every year. I am doing the west coast leg from Portland to
Ventura, and will once again get on that DOG for another 3 day trip to make
lemonwheel even though i have no idea how i'll get to the venue once i get off
the bus (help? Baykiddead@aol.com if you have any ideas)  Needless to say, I
thank the boys; Page, Trey, Mike and Jon for philling me with their music.

Some ask me why and I tell them the story of the t shirt which ends like this.
The minute we got outside of the Cow Palace there was a guy selling t-shirts
for 5 bucks, and I had just one Lincoln left. I didn't really even look to see
what it said cause i was too cold to care, until I had paid him and was
walking away. On the front it simply said... Free.  

And in a minute I will be.

Hey everyone! Can' wait til summer tour. Just a few positive words. What
is so special about Phish is that we ARE all different. Wouldn't it suck
if we were all the same? Dressed the same, thought the same. Phish is an
identity to most, something that seperates us from the rest of the joe
average world. I am proud to have short hair and have an education and a
career. But that does not make me better or worse than the person who
tours and learns about life through traveling and meeting people and
sells grilled cheese to make a living. We just happen to have different
backgrounds. Let's enjoy each other this summer no matter what we look
like. If we don't, we are resorting to all the crappy racism that exists
in the "real world". I love Phish and the phans because I can walk down
the street and see someone with a Phish shirt and 5 minutes later feel
like that person is my best friend. That is the beauty of our "common
interest". Lets learn from each other, meet each other. If we surround
ourselves with our little groups that we feel comfortable in, we will
never learn or grow! Expand your minds, smile at someone you never met,
start up a conversation with someone you don't know and you will see how
much more fulfilling your life can be. On the subject of tape trading, I
am trying to be as positive as I can without upsetting John Whitler who
posted about tape traders holding out on tapes. I will admit my page
states I am a busy person and I have limited time to spin. But the fact
is I would never deny a person from obtaining a tape they needed. A
little story by a newbie about why they want a tape makes me excited and
want to pass that show along. But most people who ask for tapes say
"will you spin some tape?" and don't even leave a name or a show they
are interested in. Let this be a lesson to newbies and fellow traders, a
little communication goes a long way. Now I know John was probably not
referring to me and there are some jerks out there, so I feel your pain
bro. But I guess I just wanted to say it is important to EMPHASIZE why a
particular tape is important to you and most people i know will
sympathize if you are not being greedy (asking for 8 or 10 tapes). Look
for me on summer tour, I will be the one passing out free tapes for lots
of people. Smile, be happy, like someone said earlier "this will not
last forever and if we spend the time complaing and analyzing people, we
will miss all the fun". Peace,

Rob
darkstar@acronet.net


Hey there Phish Phans.  Man, I just gotta say I love you all, and
all you have written on this page.  Both the negative and the positive
are great because it shows we are a real community of caring people,
twisting, thriving, and spinning with different opinions.  For all
those worried about the "scene," let it ride, we're doing ok.
  But the "scene" is not what I want to talk about, well not exactly
what I want to talk about.  See I have been in France studying the
last six months.  In fact, today is my last day!  I leave tomorrow to
return to good ol' Kalamazoo Michigan (ironically just as my favorite
band is pulling in to Europe) but man, I couldn't be happier.  Sure,
it would have been great to see the boys up close in a little room
grooving it out with about four hundred people, but I have my sites
set on Deer Creek. I miss all you guys and I'm ready for you in full
dose.  I miss the "scene", I miss the smell, the feeling, the smiles,
the beautiful girls in dresses and dreads.  I miss dirty feet and
dirty dogs, and veggie burritos, and grilled cheese sandwiches and
Samuel Smith's Bombers!  
  It's all so great, and it all only goes down in America.  It is the
one thing that is uniquely American, and that no European (though true
many Americans as well) can never understand. Now sure, our country
has a lot wrong with it, sure the police force has been given enough
power that they balance on the beam of suppresion.  But our country,
man, our country is where Phish plays, and where we can follow them. 
And the cops never seem to catch all of us, and the cops can't
suppress love.  I guess after all I just want to say that after six
months in Europe, though it is a great place, and has wonderful things
to offer, we still have the best country in the world with the coolest
people in the world.  I thank God that I live there, and I thank Phish
and all you phans out there that help make living there great! 
  I'm coming home baby, I'm coming home!  See you all at Deer Creek! 
If you see me around, say hi and give me a hug, I'll be the one
smiling with sweet contentment from ear to ear.  

 Dominic Siciliano
 dsiciliano@yahoo.com



        Today I wanted to write down my random thoughts about Phish. I'm 16
and many of my friends (who are slightly above Bouncin'-heads) ask me why I
get so many tapes. The only way I can think to describe it is that I've
gotten 'it' and they haven't. 'It' where you realize that besides the fact
that Phish is such a great band, there's so much great music they've played
and you're missing out if you haven't heard it. I got 'it' the 29th at MSG.
I can remember the moment. It was during Theme. I mean I had been pumped the
whole day about going to the show, it was my first time in Manhatten, it was
awesome that they opened with NICU, Crossroads was raging and the doses were
great, but from the opening piano notes to the end there was just this flow
completely seperate from but also coming internally from the band that
filled every space in the room. Every note Trey played would just add to it,
encircle it, and come from it. Listening back it might not have been such a
hose jam, but from Fluffhead on I felt it. I remember it being a dark yet
light blue during Theme, and a reddish orange during DwD. It was this crazy
purple during Antelope, and I can't even describe it during YEM. I was
pissed when my friends insisted we leave to make the train after set II, it
turns out we were 20 minutes early and could've caught a train 20 minutes
after that. But I was happy.
        I went to 4/4 at Providence and got seperated from the kids I went
up with, and I'm glad. I had to split a scalped ticket so the frat-boy in
the making who drove could have his friend go, on the way home he boasted
about hitting Trey with a glowstick. Another kid who went with us ripped me
off for my Sunday ticket after I couldn't find a ride. He said he couldn't
get more that $25 for it and therefore didn't sell it, but I saw the
ticketless hoardes on Saturday and all I wanted was face even if he made
$40. These are the unkind people we must avoid. Anyway I know I enjoyed the
show much more high on Page's side by myself than they did sneaking down to
the floor and trying to get as close to the stage as possible. And to the
guy next to me who passed me his bowl and then I spaced on passing mine
back, I owe you one. The second set was great, but the Hood encore sent me
off thoroughly satisfied. I've loved that song ever since I heard it on a CD
of Santa Cruz 10/19/91 (I'd spread it but some scratches would ruin the
tapes). The encore was the last place I'd expect to hear it, and while not
the most stellar version, the sight of the people dancing in the rafters
summed it all up for me.
        Speaking of tapes, look for possibly a mini-tree or at least a b+p
deal from some of the Europe DAUD/1s I'll be getting (thanks in advance Jon
McLennand!) There are so many kind people out there that it would be awesome
if everyone who gets 1st gens did a b+p deal. Do it for that warm fuzzy
feeling you get when you spread the music with no personal gain. If you
really love the music I can't see how you wouldn't want to as it only
involves the push of a few buttons. I try to do more than necessary to help
out newbies or traders in general because I wish there was someone out there
doing it for me. Spreading the music is what gives me the most joy. And to
those of you out there who didn't see you're first show at Hartford 97' but
in some small club or building, I envy you! Don't be pissed at younger
phans, we're the ones who should be pissed at you for getting to see shows
when we were running around playing youth soccer or going through a
Metallica phase (which I humbly admit). I'll only be going to Lemonwheel
this summer because my parents think Plattsburgh and Vernon Downs are 'too
far' (for what? I say), but I'll be listening to everyone having the time of
their lives on tape. Because where would you rather be than a Phish show? If
you've read this far thanks a lot. Think of how good this band will be in 10
years, how many awesome shows you'll see between now and then, and smile!
                
                Bryan Gilstein  calvin@iconn.net


Hello every one! I am so overjoyed that everyone is expressing their
opinion whether good or bad! It is imperative that we as PHiSH Phans make
the scene work. In order for it to work, we have to embrace each brother
and sister with open arms whether or not it is their first show or even if
they've been a permanent since like the 80's! The reason why groups like
the Dead and PHiSH have the scene they do is becuase the Phans make it that
way! It is you the consumate phan who collects tapes, goes to shows and
spreads vibes and lives PHiSH that is important. But, remember you are not
any more important than the youngin' next to you, askin' his buddies when
bouncin' or fee is supposed to be played! You the Phan who is Phishin'
every day, is important because you are educated in the ways of the scene
and can spread POSITIVE VIBES and inturn, you will make or break the
newbies opinion on the scene!!!!!!!!! If you act BUNK, then that newbie
will say PHiSH sucks and the scene sucks! So it is so very important for us
to be responsible and think about our actions. You the youngin' who is
looking forward to your first show, (look for me at shoreline for your
MIRACLE TICKET!) or even if it is your 50th show, it is important because
you are the Phuture of the PHiSH scene!!!! KEEP IT POSITIVE ON ALL LEVELS.
I'm not trying to preach even though it definately sounds like I am, I am
simply trying to provoke some thought about the state of the scene. I was
at 11-22-97 Hampton Col. and the lot scene was reminiscent of ' 94, very
laid back and way cool!! I was proud of what it had become. In my humble
opinion, it is just a matter of time before PHiSH is playing spots like
Soldier Field, Sam Boyd Silver Bowl, RFK Stadium and others!! These places
hold upwards of 60,000 people! So figure that the scene at the WENT will be
the norm at a two day run in a stadium environment! If we start now with
positivity, we will make a HUGE impact when PHiSH does start playing
stadiums! Remember, it is just a matter of time before this happens. To
qoute one of my fav Hip-Hop groups,      A Tribe Called Quest " We Need
Positivity, Not Negativity, Because We Gotta Strive For Longevity!"  Also,
to quote PHiSH lyrics, 

" RELAX, THE WORLD WILL SPIN BESIDE ITSELF AND SUCK YOU IN, WITH THREATS
AND HOPES BEYOND COMPARE!"------------- New Tune, Relax/Roget


Christopher Cassata------- A.K.A------ Bobby Shortcut
Shows!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Greetings phellow Phish phanatics!!
   Just a plea to all pet owners: Please, please do not bring your pets to
Lemonwheel or any other Phish shows this summer. I was reading the info for
Lemonwheel and it states very firmly that your pets will not be allowed inside
the grounds. This includes the parking lot. I understand that many of you tour
with your pets and while I know that you probably love them more than life
itself, it's just not fair to them to bring them to shows. I can't  tell you
how many times I've been at Phish or Dead concerts and have seen pets tied to
car bumpers while their owners are out in the lot partying. Or someone loses
their pet and the poor thing ends up wandering around with no place to go,
probably forgotten and now homeless. This really saddens me. Just last summer
this guy I know brought his dogs to a show and left them in the car while he
was walking around the parking lot. He came back after the show and found that
they had died from the heat. They were so desperate for something to drink
that they ripped open a bottle of anti-freeze and drank it in an effort to
stay alive. When I heard about this I almost punched the stupid s**thead
a**hole (and I'm definitely not a violent person, but this was so stupid and
cruel that I almost blew it). For some reason, some people think it's cool and
hip to own a pet and bring it on tour. It makes them feel more kind or
something. Well I don't think it's kind at all. That incident was not an
isolated on, I'm sure. Your pets do not have a choice, but you do. Please
leave them at home or at a kennel or something. And if you can't afford a
kennel and feel you have to bring them with you, then you are definitely not
responsible enough to own a pet in the first place. This is a life you are
playing with, not a fashion statement. If you really love them, show them some
kindness and leave them at home. If you don't have a home because are on tour
all the time, then you shouldn't own a pet. It's that simple. I feel very
strongly about this as you can see. To all those who read this and bring their
pets to the show anyway, be warned: If I see your dog or cat and you are not
around to take care of it, I will take it away and bring it to security for
transport to the nearest animal shelter, to be placed in a loving home with
responsible people. I'm serious.
   Anyway, I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way. Please be smart
and leave pets at home. See you at the shows. Peace.
                                                                             A
.T.



Well i hope i am not writng this for only my friend John to read and
understand but that it will be at least entertaining for others.  My
thoughts today are of course about tour. Specifically "phish heads"
whose find the need to bitch and moan about every little thing that
doesn't go there respective way. Many times after reading a thoughts
section on Andy's fine page i am near tears. I feel the need to weep
when i read all the hatred and bitterness so called "heads" are sending
toward each other and toward the band. I have to say it is bullshit. I
know people don't like the "Dead comparision" but the Dead paved the way
for Phish no matter how hard one tries to deny it. The Dead had a very
similar following as phish, and when their fans got mad at them or
started fights or gate crashed the band sent out a resounding message.
They told them to stop acting like children to start to love each other
again and have respect for the music because THAT is what it is all
about. Then they said words that haunt me as far as the phish scene
goes, they said to those people who respond to their statement as "fuck
it, we'll do what we want" the Dead replied: "SO CAN WE." Remeber that
people none of this is eternal take every minute to appreciate what
phish does and how they make your life better. What if they weren't
around, i'd like to think that no one could take their place in my life.
So i only get to see 4 shows this summer at least i get to see those 4.
And if you think of yourself as a true "head" then you would go to the
ends of the earth to see them not complain that they aren't playing in
"your backyard." So be kind. And be thankful. To Cactus and the boys
thank you from me and please don;t let these people take you from us.
Andy Kahn- cactus@ocslink.com


Today I sat in the park and wrote down my thoughts about the Phish scene.
I am one of the kids who "trashed" the scene before.  I didn't trash it
for the hell of it.  I "trashed" it because Phish and its' community are
something I really love and enjoy.  I can always go to shows and cut loose
and have a good time.I really can't describe the feelings that circulate
through my body.  Or the wide range of emotion I feel during every note.
Those four amazing musicians give me a high that no drug ever could.  The
music is special all on its own and thats the reason we go to shows but the
scene just adds to the music.  THe scene is just so diverse and wonderful
that you couldnt go anywhere else and find that.  BUt I feel that its
changing for the bad. I am sure everyone will agree that its changed.  And
change is inevitable.  I just dont like how people go to shows for the
drugs or b/c Phish is big now.  Its all about the music.  Just think about
all the things you own, all the things you say, and all the things you do
for Phish.  Why do you do it? If "I do it  for the most incredible music"
isnt your answer then I dont know what is(or something like that).  I have
made some very good phriends b/c of Phish.  I have changed the way I think
and dress and do things for Phish.  And I do it b/c there is nothing I
would rather do than be at a show sharin in the groove.  I have really
given this some thought and I am sure most people that read this understand
what I am talking about.  I just want everyone to appreciate Phish for who
they are and especially for what they do.  They make me glad to be
alive....In my last thought( about the kid writing the setlist trying to
write the setlist down) I really didnt describe right what I wanted to say.
 It just didnt come out the way I wanted to.  I apologize for this and hope
it didnt cause any1 problems.  My main point in that thought was for people
to acknowledge the change in scene and the fact that people arent there for
the music.  That just aggravates me.  At Nassau two kids near my brother
were trying to pick up a girl.  SHe was all into the music and they were
distracting her from having a good time. IS that right? I dont think so.
They are ruining some1 elses good time. If any1 has a prob about what I
have said, drop me a line at phishy1@erols.com. Thanks....tim

Just wanted to drop a few thoughts.  First off, I feel that life is what you
make of it
-and it turn, so is a Phish show.  I know that the "scene" has changed
drastically since say 94, but the music is still good.  Don't waste your time
at your next show trying to anaylize each and every person around you.  There
will be innumerable amounts of different people around, and it can be a
positive thing if we want it to be.  Diversity is the spice of life, isn't it?
I don't know why I let it get to me, but it seems as if most of the people who
post thoughts on Andy's page are professional scene analysists.  If your main
concern is the scene, turn your energy into a positive thing.  Don't worry
about what people look like, but think of ways to help the scene to have a
positive impact on the communities that play host to us.  I can remember going
to shows in the early nineties, and wishing that they would sell out so there
would be more energy in the venue.  Now that shows are selling out, some of
you only want certain types of people there.  That is the wrong attitude to
have. Live and let live.


This message is directed to all people who get crispy low gen tapes.  I
have had some good and some not so good experiences in my 3 years of tape
trading.  Over all it has been great but the one thing that really honks me
off is people who do not share tapes.  You know the people who say i am too
busy or my girlfriend takes too much of my time.  That is a buch of crap. 
If i can find their tapelist and it has a rare low gen tape i need then
they need to help that person out.  Why would a person keep their list on
the net if they are not going to trade?  And if they do not want to trade
why would they not be willing to do a blanks and postage deal.  I have spun
at least 1000 tapes through blanks and postage deals probably in this year
yeah the last 5 months.  Phish and other bands play great live music.  As
many peopel as possible need to hear their music and that can not be done
without people sharing tapes any way they can.  Please be like Kyle
Hanefeld.  Share the tapes.  Be generous and do a favor for someone.  Keep
good karma and stay kind.   Everyone will be so much more happier.  Thanks
to all who have ever helped me in searching for tapes and hooked me up. You
are all the best.
John Whitler


With regard to the 'scene', the growing divisions, the negativity, 
whatever, I don't get it. Anyone ever heard this: "He told me that the 
lizards were a group of people practically extinct from doing things 
smart people don't do" and "their clumsy end was perilously near". 
Anyone draw any connections here? "The lizards would be saved if they 
could be enlightened by the writings of the Helping friendly Book" "THE 
TRICK IS TO SURRENDER TO THE FLOW!" Does anyone else see? 
We are the lizards, the negativity brewing so thick is Wilson, the only 
liberation lies in the Helping PHriendly Book-the band. The tensions 
result from those unwilling or unable to surrender to the flow, which is 
certainly a way to listen to their music, but consider the further 
extension of that. Consider the people who come to shows, the cops (I'm 
fighting the bitter taste in my mouth here), the venues, the 
campgrounds, the ticketless, the Sammy's 4 sale, everything is 
encompassed by this flow. People want to pick what they like from it and 
complain about the rest. Picture a river flowing, if you're going to 
swim in it, you're going to get wet, if you don't want to get your hair 
wet don't dangle your feet and bitch when someone splashes you. 
I had never seen the band truly put off by a weird vibe at a show and 
tensions jagged in the air untill 4/2 Nassau. Trey seemed overwhelmed, 
almost Roger Waterish, and after all of this time to think about it, I 
hope he realizes how much pressure is on him. I'm sure he does, and I 
hope he expresses to everyone where Gamehendge truly is. 
If anyone dosen't believe me, consider when this negativity was inflated 
to such a horrible leviathin. Right after Spring Tour. I attribute a 
good part of this to New York (sorry to those kind who live there, but 
if you lived somewhere else you'd know what I mean)
very strong vibrations around that city.
Well sorry for rambling on so, hope this helped atleast shed some 
positive light. 
"so he led me through the forest, to the edge of a lagoon, by which we 
wandered till we reached a bubbly spring..." let's keep this summer's 
pilgrimage kind and in tune. 
Dan nowtt@hotmail.com 

We will not change anyone by trying. We can only live our life as an example
to others and they will follow.  We can love the music but we must love the
message.  The music is not there for us to abuse it with a drug induced
attitude every show.  I would like to travel parts of this tour this summer
and see les phans on the road who will not talk to me about the music but
only talk to me about the opium-mushroom combination they had.  But there
will be shows , there will be shows were we will all meet together sometime
and share an unbelievible groove that will be unprecedented before.  Hope to
see you there!


To everyone telling everyone else how to act-shut up.The scene is what
it is, and as far as I'm concerned, the music is just getting
better.There will always be people at the lots screwing stuff up-do your
part and have fun.See you in Walnut Creek...:

Wassup kids, 
i gotta say ive read alot of these posts and ive found alot of truth in what
people seem to say about phish crowd. But these dont, and never will
constitute reasons why Phish crowd is a negative thing (to me). Sure if you go
to a show and pick apart the personas, the actions and the appearences of all
its wonderously diverse denizens your gonna come up with some loose ends. I
wanna know why cant we stop trodding through reasons why shit is so bad and
just groove? 
I aint sayin to stop caring, not at all, but to me the key to a kind community
is simplicity and unity. Lotsa kids dress different, lotsa kids got sticks up
there asses, lotsa kids try to generalize and hold others down because of
their outsides, but thats not cus the scenes got a problem, its cus too many
people are tryin to change up the flow and make issues out of things that
arent worth lookin twice at. Keep it simple kids, be happy, be open. Cus I'm
sure everyone of us drivin home or buggin up the highway with some friends
after a show has realized the simple truth: ITS ALL GOOD
Isnt that the only thing that matters? Why weigh?

Keep it real kids
Peacevonspence (LunarEye@aol.com)



 I have been checking Andy's page on a daily basis for about a year 
now, and I have decided that it's finally time I post my random 
thoughts.  To say the least, I get really worried when I see what is 
becomming of the Phish Community.  When I saw my first Phish Show in 94, 
I thought I had finally found the part of my life that had been missing 
for so many years (and I had).  But in the past four years, it saddens 
me to say that Phish tour has gone progressively downhill, not Phish, 
but Phish Tour.  There are several things I would like to address in 
this "random thought", but I will try to touch on only a few of them.  I 
will begin by addressing the whole Dead/Phish thing, as much as some 
people think that the words "Dead" and "Phish" should never be used in 
the same sentence.  Let me begin by saying that I am more of a Phishhead 
than I ever was a Deadhead.  But this does not change the fact that I 
love and respect the Dead for what they did.  Lets face it, without the 
Dead we would not have Phish as we know them today.  Sure, Phish would 
still exist, and they would still play the same great music that we have 
come to know and love today (even though their style of improvisational 
rock was greatly influenced by the Dead), but the Phish experience would 
not be the same.  We cannot possibly believe that in the mid 80s, a 
group of people (hippies) would have evolved, and began following this 
incredibly great group aroung the country, making the Phish experience 
what we know it as today.  If you don't like the Dead, thats fine; thats 
your opinion and you are entitled to hold it.  But there's really no 
need to put them down, just as there is no need for anyone to do the 
same to Phish.
        Let me continue by addressing the actual Phish tour.  Unfortunately, 
there will inevitably always be people at Phish shows who don't belong 
(those who are there for anything but the music).  But those of us who 
are there because we love what these four guys do for us, need to try to 
make Phish tour what it was at one time - a peace loving utopian 
community who was moved by the music of Phish.  We can once again create 
this community by doing only a few things.  First, don't complain about 
the people at Phish shows if you don't know why they're there and don't 
stereotype.  Sure, there may be alot of youngsters at shows, but who's 
to say that some of those kids don't actually like Phish?  I only wish 
that I knew half the stuff when I was 14 that I know now, or that I 
could say I say my first Phish show at age 14.  As far as the people go 
who are there for anything but the music, just ignore them, as if they 
don't exist.  Talking negatively about them only adds negative energy to 
the scene.  And for the people who post negative thoughts here on Andy's 
page, just skip right over them.  If you don't read or listen to these 
negative thoughts, they won't affect you.       
        Also, treat the venues as well as the cops with respect.  I know that 
some cops can be assholes, but by shouting out "pig" when there is a cop 
nearby does not make the situation any better, it only encourages them 
to dislike Phishheads more and to fuck with them more. If we all treat 
cops respectfully, perhaps they will not see all Phishheads the way they 
see us now.  Respect the rules of the venue.  By rushing the floor, we 
are only jepordizing our chances of seeing Phish at that venue again.  
And please people, CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELVES!!!  We as Phishheads have 
an obligation to keep mother earth clean, not to polute her by leaving 
out shit all over the parking lots of her venues.  Make a committment to 
clean up the area around your car before you leave, even if it isn't 
your shit that you're cleaning up.      
        Finally, BE KIND to all.  Next time you're at a show, randomly hug 
someone, or spark up a conversation with the phriendly phishhead sitting 
next to you.  These are the kinds of things we need to see happening 
more on Phish Tour.  I could continue going on for hours, but this is 
already becoming lengthy.  If what I have written here affects even one 
person, I will feel like I have accomplished something.
        I'll see you all on summer tour.  If you have any comments or opinions 
about what I've written, feel free to email me.  Also, email Andy and 
tell him what a terrific page he has, without him some of us would be in 
the dark about our community.

Peace,
Mike

mikev3@hotmail.com   

I've been reading the stories about the scene surrounding Phish 
turning into a completely negative thing.  I think this is absolutely 
correct, but what many of the posts don't say(or don't say directly anyway) 
is that the scene is what WE make it.  It is not the band's job to control 
the scene, it's not the venue's, it's not corporate America's.  It's ours.  
I have to agree, the scene is going down the pipes, but don't start blaming 
it on anyone who's different than you.  Guess what?  I'm a fourteen year old 
DEADHEAD!  I saw my first Dead show when I was six(That was 1989 for the 
math impaired), and I had to watch them fall down the toilet.  Maybe instead 
of blaming other "groups", maybe we(And I say we because I am, as of about 
1993, more into Phish than the Dead) need to listen up to the other groups.  
I can give you an idea of what they'll say right here:  The kids will talk 
about how they are discriminated against.  At the Shoreline I went to buy a 
burrito and the guy had the nerve to say:  "Isn't this show going to go to 
late for your mom to pick you up?"  I was more than a thousand fucking miles 
away from my home, all of a sudden my mommy's going to come rescue her 
little child?  As a younger fan, who's friends are mostly younger fans, I 
can tell you we're sick and tired of this treatment.  Next, ask the old 
Deadheads.  Depending on how old they are(And how long they watched the 
scene spiral off) they'll say different things.  But say they're truly OLD 
Heads like '69.  They saw the line get drawn between audiences and bands.  
They saw their band move into stadiums(Like many of us have); they saw some 
amazing increases in their population(ie right around '77 first, then around 
the release of In The Dark); and they saw some of their favorite musicians 
die along the way.  These older fans can tell us exactly where things went 
wrong.  And you know what?  There isn't shit that you can do about 
population increases or death.  All you can do is take it in stride and try 
to make the best of it.  That is where the Deadhead community went wrong.  
They alienated each other into groups, just like we're doing now.  That put 
immense pressure on the band, the venues, the government, the police, and 
most importantly, THEMSELVES.  The riots happening were due to the scene not 
accepting itself for what it had become.  We have already seen the 
beginnings of this happen to us.  Red Rocks, Nassau and most likely other, 
less published incidents.  I have news for all of you:  You may not like how 
cops act, but KICKING THEM IN THE FACE WILL DO NOTHING!!  They're only doing 
their jobs.  Let me repeat that:  They're only doing their jobs.  Their job 
is to keep peace and we're making that fucking hard on them.  Finally, you 
want to ask the "tour scum" what they think.  They'll say that they're 
persecuted for their lack of funds.  They have no money, many times no 
family, and often times Phish is their only light.  We need to accept them 
and bring them into the community.  COMMUNITY.  We need to remember that 
word, because ours is falling apart.

                                     Forever,                                   
                                        Ryan

        PS-Picture a bright ball spinning pretty.  A closer look reveals the 
human race.  Full of hope, full of grace...



Just wanted to say that I think that the Phish vs. Dave Matthews Band poll
that Rolling Stone magazine is conducting is rather foolish.  First of all, I
don't know why it matters who has more fans (or more fans that would go to the
trouble of voting in a Rolling Stone poll).  Secondly, why the competition
between two great bands?  I would personally much rather see Phish if I had to
pick between the two, but I have had some great experiences at DMB shows (when
I went with people that intended to dance and frolic).  Sure, Dave Matthews
appeals to pop culture and many phans condemn him for that, but really, what's
not to like about his music?  Just a thought.  BTW, DMB's new CD, which came
out today, is quite a treat - Bela Fleck on 3 tracks and Tim Reynolds on the
whole thing.  Check it out.  Widespread also has a new one out if you don't
have it yet - Light Fuse Get Away, a double-CD live production which is a
must-have for anyone who has or has not seen them perform live.  

Peace, 
John

I'll try to be short....the tomes people submit are understandable (I could
write for hours about the band myself) but it's a little hard to filter the
chaff from the wheat (or whatever).  I just wanted to tell you about a trip
through time I recently took with the help of the SugarMegs gang.  
I'm new to the 'net and was eager to find Phishy findings.  I made my way to
the SugarMegs page by way of AndyGadiel's (which is too good for words) and
started poking around.  I must say here that while I am a longtime fan I don't
go much for the whole meta-community that has formed.  I'm a solitary kind of
guy and find that my enjoyment of the band does not require too much input
from others (that's just me).....if it weren't for the concert I wouldn't go
to the show if you know what I mean.
ANYway....so I'm psyched to find all this music at SugarMegs.....I check out
the "Emotional Rescue" that almost stopped my heart at Hampton last
fall....then the "Julius" from Winston-Salem.....Trey was staring (a cliche I
know....he was staring at the general area I'm sure but.....) right at me
while they took the jam around again....and again...and again.....
So I'm hearing this stuff for the first time (introversion has it's
disadvantages....no trading in a long time) and so I decide to look around a
bit more closely.  I see some "historic" shows listed but keep moving back
through time 'till......wait...can it be?....W.O.W. Hall???? Eugene???? MY
FIRST SHOW!!!!!  I just about died.
So I click on the first set thingy and I'm right there in Eugene on a spring
night (4-4-91) and Jason (aka Critter) Miller (aka 2Legit2Crit) is introducing
Phish and Trey is bending up into OhKeePah behind him.   Critter promoted
concerts for the University, he'd bring Phish back a few more times including
EarthDay '92 when his inflate-able earth beach-balls planted the seeds for
many a BBJ (imho).   My roommate was good friends with Critter and we had
gotten free passes and would pass backstage freely throughout the night (SO
not a big thing then obviously). 
I'm sitting alone in a room and dancing my ass off 7 years earlier at the same
time.  Pure time travel.  I'm going long so I'll try to wrap
up................It was just too much.  I could see Trey's sneakers tapping
the two Tube Screamers....the watch face on his speaker cabinet....Boogie on
top of Page's Hammond......Page looking goofy and super suave all at
once....Mike just looking goofy but head-bobbing-out a goove that wouldn't
quit.....two decals Yin-Yanged on Fishman's bass drum....The show belongs in
the underrated file.....nothing special in the list but the music was so on
the entire night....(after Portland the next night came the real
treat....Evergreen with MAYBE 100 people and the boys celebrating the end of
their first trip to the great pacific northwest.....I couldn't even begin to
describe what happened that night ....PURE MAGIC)   It's been 7 years since
Eugene and while I haven't seen as many shows as I would like I haven't passed
up a single opportunity to see them since (32 and counting).
We got tapes a few weeks later and I must have listened to them more times
than I can recall 'cos as the music came over the phone line to my computer I
knew when every jam-shift was coming...it was like I had seen the show
yesterday.  I lost the tapes long ago but my first was burned into my brain.
A very special night, then and now.
                                                         thanx for the
memories Andy & SugarMegs,
                                                                     LumpBlock
(Clod)@aol.com     (drop the Clod for e-mail)  
                       
                     (I see I went long...so much for my plea for brevity at
the top)

Please take your time and read this it's a very cool story!

Well I am going to tell you all about my Hampton Col. 11-22-97 experience!
It was cosmic and spiritual to say the least! Here goes, well it started in
Bowling Green,Ohio at about 4:30 AM. My friends and I were chillin' in our
dorm room (as usual) We were all really psyched to see what Phish would play
because the setlists were so killer out west! So my friend Todd said " If
the setlist was killer for tonights show we're goin' " We all laughed being
that Hampton is 13.5 Hours away! Of course as college students we were very
broke and ticketless! Hampton = sold out! So when we uploaded the setlist we
were like WOW!! gyute encore 4 song set 2 plus encore nice! jammin' must
have been unreal! (*I have the tapes it was!). So we all are sittin' there
trying to convince eachother that we could go!  So after some serious
ponderance we decided we can go but we're broke! Then appears Jake, my
friend listener of the master BOB DYLAN and old school-bluegrass!Not really
a Phan (YET!! MIND YOU) Apreciates them and all just never got around to
bein' a phan!Jake says " let's go I have 500$," we all say yea let's do it!
We promise to pay him back and then we start to pack up! We grap tapes by
the handful, sacks<--you know! pieces, and we head out! Well it of course
being Northern Ohio had just started the first major snow storm of the
winter! Well we walked all the way across the entire campus! We got to the
parking lot and Dan (the owner of the car) tries to start her up, well he
left the lights on and she's got a drained battery:( SHIT
The problem in cracking the egg is, of course, the total lack of 
abrasive elements in a severed neck. I found it far more workable if the 
wire was pulled out of the neck through the spinal column. Then, the 
separated vertebrae can be used to crush the egg. The drawback is that 
one must have a friend close by to help with the placement of the egg, 
as ones arms (and legs) tend to go to sleep after the spine is severed. 
What does this tell you about electricity? Well, for my part, it taught 
me to unplug the wire before trying to push it in.
Kerruisb@mail.ci.tlh.fl.us.     ........come waste some time with me, 
you beautiful people. Love B.

 Hey,  we just wanted to write in a little plug for our 
friend J Willis Pratt.  Some people may have seen him open up for 
Phish in Albany this past fall.  We saw him play last night at Toast 
in Burlington with his band and with Jon Fishman sitting in on drums 
for part of the night.  Seeing Willis play always makes us happy, he 
was truly born to be a rock star.  He writes some really kick ass 
lyrics if you're listening.  His newest CD,  "Bleeding in a Sharks 
Tank" is available through Phish Dry Goods,  he's got another coming 
out soon.  You might want to check out his webpage 
http://www.goddard.edu/wgdr/willis/pratt.htm it has sound bites from 
his album on it too.  Wiilis seems a bit rough when you first meet 
him,  he can be a bit rough around the edges.  He is truly one of the 
most tender hearted,  good willed people I have ever met though. It's 
hard for some people to see around those edges,  but if you get a 
chance you'll meet one of the most purest of good people you ever 
will.  It's hard to try to put words to the man,  he's one of a kind. 
 I hold willis very close and doubt I will ever meet anyone quite so 
pure again.  His greatest dream is to be a rock star,  like his 
friend Jon.  He doesn't by any means follow in Jon's footsteps,  his 
musical style certianly can clash with the musical style of Phish,  I 
understand,  his music isn't for everyone in the phish community.  
But,  check it out on his webpage,  get his CD if you like it.  
Support him if he ever gets the wonderful opportunity of opening up 
for Phish again.  We consider it a true priveledge to be part of 
Willis' life.  That's it really...                                    
    Jen and Dan  


I've been coasting through reading these random thoughts, (randomly, I
might add), and think I might be able to add something enlightening.  I'm
nearly thirty-three years old and have seen twenty-one shows since '93, 37
Dead shows, blah, blah, blah.  I dress basically like a yuppie with a new
tie-dye, wear expensive sunglasses, have short hair and shower daily. 
Phish regularly penetrate my very soul with their music and just the
overall vibe of their shows.  How could this be possible when I'm not
dressed in a full hippie costume?  Music fans come in all shapes and sizes,
folks, and the fact that many of you actually worry about whether the
person next to you "deserves" to be at the show would be comical if it
wasn't so pathetic.  Indeed, if that's what you're thinking about,
(excepting someone screaming in your ear during amazing grace, or something
like that), perhaps YOU are the one that doesn't "get it".  I think the
entire preoccupation with this issue of "show-attendee worthiness"
illustrates that the average age of the Phish community is pretty young,
i.e. immature!   I might also suggest that there are probably more posers
dressed with the dreds and ragged clothes than you think.  Losers shirking
life's responsibilities by touring with Phish who don't "feel" the music,
either.  The bottom line is, when the lights go down, the only thing in the
world that matters is those four on stage and to waste any energy on silly
complaints is foolish.  Speaking of that, why the almost universal bashing
of "bouncing" and "sample"?  You phans celebrate Phish's versatility, yet
whine when they play the utterly soothing, beautifully arranged "bouncing"
as a nice change of pace; who cares if little kids love it?  The very
popish "sample" isn't their best song, but it beats, at last count,
5,345,232,967 songs played live by other bands, for God's sakes!  I think
it just goes to show that even when you have an experience like Phish,
you've got to bitch about something---it's only human!  In closing, my
description of a Phish show:  "They're either 'on', or they're 'fucking
unbelievable'"!   
P.S. The band should furnish Andy with front-row for every show for his
efforts!


I am a relative newbie in the Phish Community.  I have been listening to
the band since 93-94, but have only been to 9 concerts in that time.  To
tell you the truth, I have enjoyed every minute of every show I have been
to.  There were numerous occasions where I might have been introduced to
Phish earlier in my life, if I had made this or that HORDE show, but I
eventually got to my first concert at Hershey Park, 1996.  While many
people decided not to go to this venue because of its location, I felt that
I had an amazing first show.  Since then I have been to Alpine Valley,
Tinley Park (good show, bad acoustics), Detroit, Champaign and the New
Years Run of 1997.  In that time I have experienced the most mind blowing
music in my life.  There are ups and downs in the music, times when you are
just listening, and times where you are so intensely focused that the music
transcends everything.  While the latter is always an amazing experience,
you just can't stay there all the time, you're brain would burn out.  I was
never really a member of the pre-show scene until I got together with my
current girlfriend, and after a couple of bouts with some hallucinogenics,
I have retired from the drug-using scene (hello to phellowship members).  I
am not going to preach about drugs, it is not my place.  All I will say is
be careful.
As for the scene, as many people have said, the scene is what we make it.
It is sad to see kids trying to imitate the sometimes awful things we do to
ourselves.  They may be old enough to attend a show, but they look to the
older phans for guidance in how things go at the show.  We need to give
them a good example.  I don't claim to be better than anyone, but I have a
degree in Biology and extensive knowledge of the chemistry of drugs.  The
nitrous just has to go.  While this stuff does have practical applications,
the amounts being consumed at shows is a tragedy.  We are allowing a whole
generation of kids grow up thinking it is ok to blow their minds out and
become individuals who contribute nothing to society.  I have heard a lot
of people in the community complain about the American society.  Wake up
folks, if we didn't have this society, we wouldn't have a band like Phish
to listen to.  Like it or not, we live in this country.  We may not like
other individuals, but according to the laws of this country, we have to
live with them, provided that their opinions and actions do not harm
others.  We need to wake up and take responsibility for our actions.  If we
choose to do something, like a drug, we have to be willing to pay the
consequences.  I found it out the hard way.  The reason I am now drug free
is that I did a large dose of acid at the Alpine show last year.  I had a
great time.  Two weeks later, I was curled up in a fetal position on my
coach, ready to kill myself.  The acid unlocked all sorts of repressed
memories (that is why it was once used as an anti-depressant), and I was
unaware of why I felt like such s**t.  I just knew that everything I was
doing was negative.  All of the energy in my life was negative.  I entered
therapy.  Now, 8 months later, I am getting ready to return to school for a
second degree, and am applying to Medical school next fall.  My life is so
positive, and Phish is still a part of it.  I am still a big fan, although
some of you would disagree, due to my lack or concert attendance.  I fell
into the dark side, but have reemerged with such a positive light that the
only way I can describe myself is happy.  I made my choices freely, and
accepted the consequences.  These consequences have cost me time and money
in therapy.   I am not holier than thou, but each of us has to realize that
Phish is only a band.  They are the best, but they are still just a band.
We can use our free time to pursue our interest in them, but we have to be
our own individual.  I believe in the collective unconscious mind.   This
is that we are all connected, but we are not aware of this connection, it
is in our subconscious mind.  In our conscious mind we each need to be an
individual.  This will allow us to express ourselves.  When we allow
actions to just happen, instead of being decisive, we lose a part of our
individuality.  That is what makes each one of us different.  We can each
like the band, but if we devote 100% of ourselves to it, we are going to
come out disappointed many times.
I realize that a lot of what I am saying here is along the lines of a
Dennis Miller Rant, but I feel that I have so much to offer, and am willing
to share it with anyone seeking the way of peace, tranquility, and a full
life.  We don't all have to be rocket scientists, but each of us has to
express their individuality.
I am going to leave my email address, and hope that you will respond if you
have any questions or concerns.  Please don't spam me, that is one of the
reasons that I don't generally post to bulletin boards.  If you care to
talk at all, harpuaphan@aol.com is my home account.  My name is Ed, and I
hope you all have a funky day.

Ed - Harpuaphan@aol.com

"Thank you Mr. Hood"

Next time someone asks you how a Phish show was your response should be....

For some moments in life there are no words.

Its from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I think its the perfect way
to describe a show.BTW I got my tix for summer.....cant wait.....later on
Tim---phishy1@erols.com

This thought is to all phans that think every kid at a show is a
"Buncing Head" or whatever. I just turned 14 and first started liking
Phish when I was in third grade. At my camp all the counselors
influenced everyone. (The same year I wrote home to my parents telling
them about this "great new band callled the Grateful Dead"). Anyway, yes
I'm short and have braces, but I'm NOT a teeny bopper. My favorite bands
at this time are Phish, Leftover Salmon, and Miracle Orchestra (great
funk/jazz band from Boston). I've gone to shows with friends (most of
them hate Bouncing anyway) and people are like, "Get away - you don't
belong here". Just because I'm not old enough to go on tour or even go
to 18+ shows doesn't mean I can't enjoy the music just as much as
someone who's seen 154 shows. I do have over 100 tapes of many good
bands though, and I'm just saying Get Rid Of Your Sterotypes about
younger phans. Most are cool. - Casper

In a summer 1992 or 1993 Interview of Trey and Mike
conducted by Tabitha Sorren of MTV  backstage at the
H.O.R.D.E. festival Trey says,

" . . . So it becomes an obsession with certain people. Because it's
different every night and always changing, and then when they
come to a concert, and something genuine happens, they're a
part - the fan's a part - of a genuine event that's happening at that
moment and that feeling, I don't think they ever shake it.

When they come to a concert, something spur of the moment,
incredible, exciting thing happens, and they're a part of it
because we're feeding off of the same energy. They're sitting
- we're all in one room - doing the thing together, whatever it
may be - and that stays with you forever.

You're kind of hooked, to use a Phish pun."

I did not attend the spring shows because I didn't
have the money(I'm a lowely college boy). But I would
guess that most of the people reading this think I'm
not a true fan. Those kind sentiments and elitist
atittudes are what bring the scene down. The band is
playing great, and they've never really falled off at
any piont, they just change directions. We are so
spoiled as fans of this band, they give us greatness
nightly.
I love phish because it's real music that isn't
driven by any corporate machine, it's driven by our
dedication to keep this fabulous band working, and
thier dedication to give us a entetaining&transcedant
show. Let's keep it that simple, and get away from
these politics. Republicans vs. Democrats,IRA
vs.British Government,Racists vs. EVERYONE NOT LIKE
THEM, Newbies vs. Frats vs. OLD-DEAD-NEW-PHISH-HEAD
vs. Old school phishhead? That's where it's heading
people...just love each other or ignore each other,
okay? 
                   TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES,AND EACH  
                  OTHER(SOUND FIMILIAR?)
                          braman420@rocketmail.com




Right on To andy carver and the guy below him.  I totally feel the same
way.
I guess the word for the day to both of them was jonesin.  I like the word.
 Hey let people be themselves at the show.  We have all had a first show
and it is a new experience.  It is not like something is going to come
natural the first time.  Also please stop with the people in the shows.  I
am sick of the strait druggies who come to the lots to feed their habit. 
It is the MUSIC and if someone chooses to do drugs well hopefully that is
an afterthought.  PLease focus on enjoying the boys.  John Whitler



Sounds like Fishman needs Carnini at his home when this Brian Molloy
character decides to show up.

what's up everybody and props to all who went to the providence shows.
anybody who got in knows they got their moneys worth.  I'm not down with
this complaining bullshit. You got to keep that vibe alive. Personally, my
ass was rocked and my head was humming from every aspect of the band. I
just love how my boy Trey does this rock star moves. Like bangin'  his  
head (I swear that guy is gonna break his neck one day during antelope ),
raising that elbow to emphasise a lick or during cavern he was so funked
out that it looked like he wanted to make love to that guitar That's the
stuff that makes me laugh and keeps me coming back for more.  
and then there's Jon sitting back there swinging those circled jazz beats,
with his perfect posture.  You got to give the guy credit for his perfect
posture.  And how many of you out there had Birds of a feather stuck in
your heads for days after the show?  As for sundays show we all know it
was the BOMB.   These guys were'nt gonna fuck around from the get go.
They knew what we were starving for.  Everyone was jonesin' for that YEM
and Tadow! they swing it right to us first set.  I was in the hallway at
the time and every kid freaked and the hot mommas just started shaking
that ass.  Hey,  hope I opened an eye or two and fired up someone out
there.  There's more to come from this frisky writer so peace out and 
remember my motto  "Boogie till you puke!"  and "Keep on truckin" 
       Andy Carver



I've been reading the many random thoughts on this page and am 
concerned about what WE have become.  I won't briar beat anyone with my 
ideas and ideals about the band and the scene, but I will give insight as 
to why I have so much fun.
    I've seen 9 shows.  No big deal.  However, in the time it took me to 
catch those shows (fall '95 - fall '97) I've learned a great deal about 
the band, the songs, and the scene.  Looking back over the first tapes I 
ever had, I find it a window into my ignorance of years past:  I have 
songs labeled  WeekaPANG Groove, Time Time Time (Mound), PYITE->the 
Landlady->PYITE.  Yeah, as far as Phish was concerned I was ignorant as 
hell.  We all had to start somewhere.  At my first 2 shows I couldn't 
make a complete setlist ("What the hell is 'Life on Mars'?"), but I 
persevered.  If I didn't enjoy it, I wouldn't have stuck with it.  The 
young'uns we see at the shows these days deserve the same benefit of the 
doubt.  At the Winston-Salem show last Fall there were more teeny boppers 
than I could have imagined.  I saw two kids with braces just from where I 
was sitting.  There were two young girls in front of us that would 
attempt to dance to the groove, but would give it up after a few minutes. 
 It must be a difficult adjustment to go from shaking it to Matchbox 20 
to about a half hour long Bathtub Gin.  It didn't upset me that these 
kids were there, quite frankly it amused me.  If they didn't have a good 
time, then chances are they won't be back.  Everyone gets the fair shake 
they deserve, and it's up to the dedicated fans to accomodate them 
(unless they truly are jerks).  So the next time you see the Sample and 
Bouncin' heads, just chuckle to yourself and let them hope for their 5 
minute songs while you jones for the RUNAWAY JAM!!

Hello everyone- O.K., I hope everyone enjoyed themselves in Providence
and Nassau! In response to ALL the comments recently posted on Andy's
wonderful page and elsewhere, I want to offer my thoughts and a plea of
sorts to everyone who really cares and has a passion for anything, not
just Phish . PLEASE EVERYONE RE-EVALUATE WHAT PHISH, MUSIC, THE "SCENE"
AND KINDNESS MEAN TO YOU. I say this because I think that it is time
within the phish community (and without) that people breathe deep and
put into perspective what this all means in their hearts. I've seen
phish since '93 and have seen the band and scene evolve along the way. I
hope that everyone understands that they are just like you and me and
that they also are aware of what is happening within the scene. Although
you don't see Trey posting on the net about what happend at Nassau
thrusday night, he knows...furthermore I'm starting to feel that having
one of the band members say something is the only way that things will
get changed for the better. But you all know as well as I that WE MAKE
THE SCENE WHAT IT IS. When you go to phish don't be jaded about
ANYTHING. Go there with an open mind and for the music. So what if there
are frat-people, old-deadheads, teenys, etc. How do you know they're not
their for the music? Exacty. you don't. Music is different things for
different people. Be respectful. Don't carry assumptions.  You can't
change other people but you can have an impact (even a small one) on
peoples lives.  During Sunday's show a girl came up to me all tweaked
out(obviously on psychadellics) who was not your "run of the mill" phish
fan. I could see that this was all new to her and she was bugging out
but I did just ignore the problem and say "she's not a Head, or here for
the jamming so fuck her.", as I have seen done before. Instead, I talked
with her and calmed her down, got her some water, and in a little while
she was really really into the playing. That girl might never see phish
again but at least she knows that there are human beings there who are
willing to help out others. 
         It is unfair of us in the phish community to be elitest or judgmental.
What makes us so much better than people who go see MMW or Hanson, or
Metallica? In life, we are all equals. And so what if you didn't get to
hear Destiny Unbound, or Rift or whatever. What the setlist turns out to
be is so irrelevant to the larger issue here. Phish plays what they feel
like playing and we should appreciate whatever they throw at us. Yes,
they make mistakes(i.e. Lizards on Saturady was flubbed abit) but who
cares? They played Lizards. that's the gist of it. Also I'd like to
point out that many of us put phish on a higher platform than other
bands. That should not be. People, you have to be open to all kinds of
music because that fact is its all good. There is so much good stuff out
there why limit yourselves?  
        The negativity that is occuring right now comes from ourselves just as
much as from "other" people who come to see the shows. It is just an
issue of common sense. I'm seeing things that look like the last years
at Dead shows. People getting hurt, bumrushing the floor, etc. That
flatly stated is NOT COOL. We hype ourselves up so much it's not funny.
Phish is this and that and I've been to 50 shows, and we are this huge
community of people that love everybody, blah blah blah. Honestly I feel
that the phish community is really becoming very hypocrtical. I'm sorry
if this offends, but its true. Phish is just phish. A great band. A show
is just a show( yes its different for everybody, but in the end its
true) We love everybody. But do we? If we make comments like "the
asshole in front of me wouldn't stop singing to Bouncin" than I would
have to say no.  If we want to live up to the expectations we have set
for ourselves than things have to change. If you are a kind person than
show it. Give someone a miracle, clean up after the show, be
responsible  and look out for the brothers and sisters around you (even
if you don't think they are there for phish) It doesn't matter. This
might sound like I'm a jadded fan but I'm not. I'm just concerned that
I'm seeing people and music and vibes and energy and love all go down
the tubes. We are part of something bigger people. And so is phish. They
create energy but so do alot of other bands and people. Just think about
the energy that is present when you're in a room with four of your
friends having a really good conversation. Now, multiply that by a
zillion and you have some idea of the enormus energy that exsists at a
show. Within this energy is contained so much potential. Why waste it
with negative vibes and bitching and groaning? Everything is connected.
All your actions have consequences that are far reaching. You might not
know it but the water bottle that you left on the ground at the show
might affect hundreds of people in different ways. It sounds far fetched
but it is true. People go see phish shows for different reasons, none of
which should be considered better than others. If you see someone doing
something stupid at a show politely tell them that what they are doing
is stupid but don't lose your shit and blame everybody for the actions
of one person.
        What I'm trying to say here is that phish is a big spiritual,
emotional, and fun part of my life as it is to many others. We all have
to realize however that no one has the right to bitch and groan, and no
one else has the right to bitch and groan about that person's bitching.
We are the solution to our problem. Yes, everyone is free to think their
own thoughts, but just consider for a minute the words and actions and
consequences before you let fly. What is the use of words if they are
not translated into positive actions? I hope that I have not offened
anyone and if so I am truly sorry. I just want to see everyone who cares
about the band and music and scene step up and do something about it.
Comments are welcome from all. Thanks for taking the time to read.Thanks
Andy, thanks to Phish and all the cool cats who actually care about
this. Peace and Happiness- Phil Svoboda
                        psvoboda@bu.edu

So, we mail ordered for seven shows today and while we were at the post office
the craziest thing happened.  We were at the desk filling out each money
order, psyched as hell that we had the funds to order for shoreline and other
shows out west -when the guy next to us happened to notice we were addressing
everything to Phish.  He says " I used to teach English to the guitarist of
that band, Trey Anastasio, when he was in the seventh grade in Princeton,
NJ.".   So we found out that the "little red hair kid" was pretty good in
school and ice hockey- go figure.  Anyway, he asked us if we were going to see
all those shows "So you guys follow them around, have you ever gotten back
stage?"  Unfortunately we had to say "No" sadly, and he said "well if you ever
do tell Trey that Bob Krouger said hi"   So, we'd like to pass on the
greeting- see ya this summer!!!!!!!!!!!
Peace and Love 
Scot and Jen

okay, well i've been reading this page, and frankly it's got me down.  
but that's just everyone's opinions and that's cool.  but one thing
really ticked me off, the post that criticized the kid writing down the
setlist.  okay, what the fuck?

what is the point there, you criticize him for not writing down STASH
the *instant* the opening lick kicks in.  puh-lease, the negetive vibe
at shows could be coming from you.  i consider myself a huge phish fan. 
i take down the setlist.  but i guess i have no place at shows since i
write it down at my leisure.  in a shocking revalation that may STUN
this community i admit that sometimes i may wait two, thre or EVEN FOUR
SONGS to write down that run.  this definately happend at night one
nassau: Tube, My Mind's, and Sloth is not to complicated to remember. 
so because i was writing it down during the end of sloth i'm not a fan. 
oh well, whoever made that post, e-mail me and i'll pass all my summer
tix along to you when they arrive.  i have no place at shows, i'm
sorry.  i even didn't know what to call the new song being labled as
"Roget" i should've been able to read the band's mind.  i'm such a
poseur.

Peace....

Aaron Hawley
ahawley@wam.umd.edu

PS-- i hope you understand the above was blatant sarcasm, which is a
negetive thing.  on a positive note, i'm ovffering up my crispy DAUD1
copies of both nights at nassau for B+P for the first three people who
e-mail me.  the only catch is they should post somehthing to andy's
random thoughts page, on a POSITIVE note.

In this past tour some major things have occured, i'll keep this short
so i wont mention them but im sure all have read posts from phriends.
Phish is gonna be in huge stadiums sooner or later this is inevitable,
unless of course we do a 180 turn(we being the phish community) And if
we still act that way, yup, Phish's reputation will precede them, and no
more phish( i personally wouldnt want a band in my town that has fans
that kick police officers IN THE DAMN FACE!, under any circumstances)!
this is for everyone, we are obviously doing something wrong and sending
the wrong messange to people,ie: the "12 year-old" kids at the shows who
are just there for the "scene". I personaally got into phish at an early
age, and for one reason or another the "scene" was not my reason for
being hooked, the four of em' were just damn good! 
        So what am i saying we should do??? i havent the foggiest, but i do
know it needs to change. I realize that all of this is apparent i just
thought it should be said once more, and on this page.

                Thanks so much..

                        Blake
                                pdouglas@ccsinc.com

Hey everyone,
    I have never formerly wrote one of these things before, but I am 
still in such a state of awe, that I had to write it to this list.  
(I am in Canada, where phish is as popular as snow-boarding helmets). 


    Yesterday morning, I woke up an hour late to meet my friends and 
to drive to Providence (no thanks to the goddamn daylight savings).  
Fortunately for my ass, they all forgot to change their clocks as 
well.  At eleven, the four of us departed for the five hour drive 
from Lennoxville, Quebec to Providence, Rhode Island.  We were all 
extremely cranky, but a large hint of excitment was obviously 
throbbing within us.
    We got there with time to spare, relaxed, and got ready to boogy. 
 After unexpectedly meeting up with two long lost friends, a veggie 
burrito or two, and a dreadful trip to the overflowing mens bathroom, 
I made it to my seat.  They came on just as I was realizing that I 
was finally there.
    
    I was hoping for a "jim" or a "disease" opener, but I really did 
not give a shit.  "Oh Kee Pah" blew me away with surprise, but was it 
ever a treat!  The crowd, including myself, was bursting out the 
seams with joy.  We were all equally ready for the 
night that would follow.  I thought they would blast into "Suzie" 
coming out of Oh kee pah, but they decided to charm us with a 
pleasant surprise.
    YEM was great to hear.  Trey was having a bit of trouble with the 
beginning, but we would have loved it even if his speaker blew out.  
Overall the YEM was OK.  Nothing out of the ordinary if you compare 
it to others from '97.  The building jam was great, and the vocal jam 
was nice and funky, but overall, it was a fairly average version.
    "Theme" was fun.  Not much to write home about, but hearing theme 
always brings a large smile to my face.
    The only "McGrupp" I had ever seen before last night was 
12/30/97, which as we all know was unfinished.  They more than made up 
for that.  Page shined during his solo, which was 
thoroughly jammed, and the ending made me happy (as it usually does).
    The "Bathtub" was great to hear.  As far as quality goes, they 
could have done a lot more with it.  I wasn't as impressed as I 
usually am with the "gin jam".  The transition into "Cities" was less 
than flawless, but enjoyable nonetheless.
    "Cities" took a little while to get going, but once it did, it 
wouldn't stop.  I don't know what the hell they were jamming to about 
eight minutes into Cities, but it was beautiful and made up for the 
less than impressive jam before then.
    Sparkle was Sparkle.
    I really didn't think they would have time for more, but "SOAM" 
proved me quite wrong.  It was a great version.  I had a feeling 
during the Gin-->Cities jam that they were feeling a little rushed, 
but whatever was wrong was fixed during SOAM.
    Overall, the set was good.  Fairly standard (for the standard 
they have recently set), but good.  I wasn't gasping for air from the 
intensity by the end, but I definitely wasn't complaining.  I'm not 
much for rating by numbers so I won't.
    Little did I know what I was in for . . .
    
    At setbreak, I found myself promising my Canadian friend, who had 
never been to a show, that the second set would be better than the 
first.  Part of this was because I knew that a song like "SOAM" and 
"Cities" isn't real life-changing if you've never heard it.  He found 
the first set a little awkward. 

    "DWD".  The second they started with the distortion at the start, 
there was not a doubt in my mind that DWD was up.  I preceded to jump 
uncontrollably.  I can't rate this version critically because the 
whole jam had me in ecstacy (except for when I was distracted by the 
morons dancing on the cat-walk).  Let's just say it was a Down with 
Disease.  This disease was jammed to the extent that it is usually 
jammed nowadays, but about fifteen minutes into it, thousands 
recognized the cheerful opening chords of "Yamar".
    This was no average, ordinary "Yamar".  The jam which extends by 
the guitar solo was extremely relaxed and focused.  They really 
perfected their synchronization and improv.  After a while, everyone 
faded out but Trey.  At this point, Trey proceeded to entertain us 
with the best guitar solo (in my eyes) I have ever seen him play.  
For five minutes, he went off completely alone with only a single 
light for company.  I didn't get bored for a second, the jam 
eventually picked up again and evolved beautifully into "Caspien".
    I am not a huge Caspien fan (maybe because it's two chords), but I 
definetley enjoy it when I hear it.  There was nothing incredible 
about this particular version.  Towards the end when it gets real 
quite (right before the big bang), I really liked the way they stuck 
with that for a WHILE.  Page just went with his own groove, while Mike 
shared an occasional riff.  It was the perfect rest to a long while 
of dancing.
    "Maze" was great.  I always love hearing Maze.  Page took awhile 
to really get into his solo, but he finally nailed it.  Trey decided 
to use his soloing time to screw around with the jam.  He managed to 
turn the jam into "Oblivious Fool".  A bit of a shocker, but It was 
nice to hear and done very well.  The jam that took place after a 
verse or two of Oblivious Fool, sounded like it was going back into 
"Maze", but it didn't exactly do that.
    "Possum" confirmed the insanity in the Providence Civic Center.  
Their was not a single person in the room who wasn't loving to hear 
the first tunes of Possum chiming in.  The jam in Possum was intense, 
although they seemed to keep teasing a giant peak that they never 
fully reached.  I had no complaints.  It did the job that Possum 
usually does.
    This jam became funkier as it progressed until we 
found ourselves moving to a completely new origianl funk jam.  At 
this point, Trey thanked us and all that, and informed us of the 
presence of the funk (I really don't remember what he said).  This 
funk jam lasted forever, and Mr. Michael Gordon was making some of the 
greatest noises possible to make with a bass.  This was the 
definition of a truly great Phish funk jam.
    I could have sworn that I heard the first chord of "Cavern".  
Without changing their funk beat, they played what could have very 
well been the best Cavern ever.  What a remarkable set.
    After, whistling and praying for a "Hood" for five minutes, I got 
"Bold as Love" instead, and went home happy.

    I really did not mean to turn this into a novel, but I had a lot 
to say about this show, and once I started typing, I was almost back 
there.  I'm sure you guys know what I'm talking about it.  The 4/5/98 
show in Providence was pretty remarkable as a whole.  I would 
strongly urge anyone who was or wasn't there to look for it soon.  
Thanks for putting up with my long story.

Mike Preston
PR971225@UBISHOPS.CA        

Just a follow-up to that last post.  I too feel that the scene is going
downhill.  Not just the negative vibes that have been going down on Andy's
fine page, but in every aspect of *OUR* community.  I say this with out trying
to offend anyone, but in these days of political correctness it is going to be
difficult.  Back in 1994, when I saw my 1st show, it seemed that everyone
carried this glow of anticipation about just being in the building for one
purpose...to boogie their pants off.  Now I look at the crowd, and everyone
can blame it on something (i.e old deadheads who have made it into the scene,
frat boys there to party, teeny-boppers there to hear bouncin, etc), but I
just feel we have lost sight of this wonderful thing we have, THE BAND.  Yes
we all have our wish list of songs we would like to hear on a particular
night, but don't be whining that they didn't play every set with every song a
classic lesser played tune.  If you go into a show hoping for a Destiny
Unbound, chances are you are not going to hear it, and you will go home
disappointed.  The way the band is playing now just has to be enjoyed, and I
think it is just the tip of the ice berg.  There is so much exciting energy
being poured from the stage everynight, that I cannot believe some of the
reviews on this page.  THIS IS A BAND< THEY ARE PHOUR HUMANS (contrary to
popular belief).  Here are four things to remember when you go to a show
1.  clean up after yourself (we won't be allowed back if the messes continue)
2.  if you are going to drink/smoke/dose, do it responsibly, and be respectful
to those around you who choose not to partake (only in the music for me)
3.  respect others space- DO NOT rush the floor, cram 17 people into one seat,
it just pisses everyone offf around you and no one will have a good time.
4.  Enjoy the music- let it clean your soul, float you, make you a better
person for being there.

Those are my thoughts, see everyone this summer Maryland--->vernon
be safe and give a buck to the waterwheell
                                                                    peace thru
the funk
                                                                         dan
                                                                            d4
0894@aol.com

I think the Phish scene is going downhill fast. I havent been around that
long (listening to them since '93- first show in '95) but i have been
around long enough to see all the bad things that have happened. The music
continues to improve yet we as phans continue to get worse.People bitch
about the song selection and how this song sucks and this one doesnt jam
long enough or i have heard this 43 times. hte band is human. they are
going to make mistakes and arent going to be able to play their best every
night. We have to remember this. I also think that there are people going
to these shows who are just going because "going to a Phish show is a cool
thing to do" Well yes i agree it is the best thing anyone can do, but when
i see kids walking around in Tommy Hilfiger size 95 jeans, and a Wu tang
tee- shirt on i feel that they arent there fro the right reason.And that
reason is the Music. that is why we drive thousands of miles around the
country, isnt it? I used to go to shows to hang out with the crowd before
the show. But now i Just feel it isnt the same as it once used to be. Thank
God the band is so fucking good or i dont think i would come back.It used
to be an experience, an adventure. But now it isnt.In Nassau i had kids
next to me who personally I thought were really into Phish. They just
looked that way. He decided to write down the setlist. It took him about
halfway through some of their best known songs to realize what they were
playin'. I know everybody, including myself, doesnt know every song .An it
doesnt make you a bigger or better phan. Just as going to 8 shows or 80
doesnt make you a better phan. But what i question is why that kid is
there. Is he there to cut loose, have a good time, and really appreciate
what these four amzing musicians are doing? Personally I dont think so.
Before the Nassau show i just was in a horrible mood and i thought once i
got there the scene would cheer me up. well it dint. It made me feel worse.
What happened to the nice , open- minded, caring, wonderful, appreciative,
people that i once knew.If everyone is there for the music then that is
great and i apoligize. But i dont feel that everyone there is. In fact I
know this from some kids in my school who hated Phish who went to a show.
Every time they heard Phish they would bitch about it. Yet they went o see
a show. Is that right? no it is not! well those are just my thoughts.Keep
on sharin in the groove!





        These are just my thoughts on music and Phish.

        I've climbed inside music and ate of its fruits.  Tasting 
overwhelming flavors... at times I like to just take music and wrap 
it around me, lost in the odd familiarity of its comfort... 
eventually crawling deeper into the music until I find it... there it 
is... RELEASE...
        I look back now and can see that I am truly found in music.  I am 
found by losing myself in the flow.  Bathing in it, cleansed and 
purified, the music seeps into my bloodstream, until,... that 
tingling sensation begins to emanate from within... from the very 
center of my being... blossoming like a flower with its petals 
opening around me and revealing my soul.
        Now that I can breathe music, the action of swimming in its river 
has leaped into a whole new realm.  It is still an incredible 
experience, but it is also becoming a way of life... riding the 
music... I am finding that Phish shows are gatherings of musical 
surfers, surfers of music, all with their own unique levels of 
experience, of wisdom, of love of life...
        ...and the wave, what a magnificent wave... constantly changing and 
evolving, for the mere existence of an individual changes the waters 
forever.  Every person is constantly creating ripples, flowing out 
over everything in Life.  With countless people, the ripples 
accentuate each other and in turn create waves... Phish have been 
swimming the waters and know of these waves, as do we.  The miracle, 
is that they have managed to bring forth a wave for us,... for 
everyone... one that we've helped create and are still creating.
        With this in mind, it is paramount that we acknowledge our ability 
to change the waters of Life and then develop skills in harnessing 
the way we shape the universe.  I feel one key component is the ways 
in which people surf, riding the music... for standing still and 
trying to make changes will do nothing.  One must hop on their 
surfboard, or whatever means available, and then cut out their 
grooves against the wave.  When this is done, others to come will 
find that they can harvest the seeds you've sown in the lands you've 
opened.                  
        well, sorry to ramble on so long, but that's how i feel.  if you 
could put this anywhere, i'd gladly appreciate it.
thanx,    adam         mayr8705@rowan.edu



I read the Phish summer tour news with mixed emotions. It looks like a carbon
copy of last year's tour with only a few differences. A LOT of the same
venues, same length, and this time they are planning to stop in my hometown of
Columbus, Ohio at Polaris Ampitheater on July 31. This really pisses me off.
Not that they are playing in my hometown, as it is the first time in four
years they've been here. (and what a show it was - see 6-22-94). What upset me
is that they are playing at such a crappy venue. When They built the place,
they knowingly stuck it in an area that was about to explode with residential
homes and commercialism. Ever since the doors opened, all of the neighbors
complained about noise, crowds, and all of the other celebratory hooplah that
surrounds an evening of music. They only allow blankets to be brought in (if,
say, Michael Bolton is playing), It is the quietest venue I've ever been to
(they made a pact with the neighbors to keep the noise down) and no one is
allowed to sit in the parking lot unless you stay inside your car. The moment
you get out of your car, they almost poke you with a cattle prod to get
inside. Last time I went, they made me throw away a Little Debbie snack cake
that was stashed in my hip pouch. Good thing they didn't check my socks(which
wouldn't have been far fetched). 
I guess I am a little bitter that my favorite band will be at the worst venue
I've ever been to, and I've been to quite a few. I looks just like the rest of
the venues they will be at this summer. A cross between Walnut Creek, Deer
Creek and Lakewood in Atlanta. 
On the bright side, it will encourage fans to high tail outta there and make
the long trek to Alpine in less than a day, for what will no doubt be a summer
highlight again. God I hope I'm wrong. See ya there. 

What a great time to be alive. Music, live music especially, is 
certainly at its peak. I just got back from the Ben Harper show last 
night, the man is to say the least a genius, a great show. The Greyboy 
Allstars who opened for Ben are so god damned good, also a great set of 
music, I look at the saxophone in a different light now. I also just got 
the tapes from the MMW show earlier this year in Chicago, a truly 
amazing show to be at and for once the tapes do it justice. moe. and 
Leftover seem to get better everytime I see them and Widespread just 
won't stop jamming. It seems like every band is playing their asses off 
and it is a beautiful sight to see and hear. Oh yeah and then there's 
this band called phish, they had an absolutely incredible fall tour 
where they busted out some tunes they haven't played since the eighties 
and jammed the everliving shit out of so many others. Andy was right 
when he said early on in the tour that phish was at its best. The energy 
in Hampton, the magic in Worcester, the mindblowing holiday run. A great 
time to be a phish fan and fan of improvisational music. The future is 
bright, for all bands and hopefully the magic will continue. So for all 
of the jaded fans and people who say "it's just not the same" 
re-evaluate, the music is what is important and it seems to me that 
music is a new level and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight just 
yet. Everyone good luck on their respective tours. Have fun in April and 
the summer will bring us more phish, playing their hearts out, along 
with their incredible counterparts: MMW, moe. Leftover, WSP, Ben and the 
countless others that make up the music scene today that we all are 
given the opportunity to be a part off. Take care and let the music take 
you away.

-andy matranga
matranga@interaccess.com



12/01/94

Haven't heard anything about this show before, good or bad, but that's
enough to know it doesn't receive the credit it deserves - definitely
one of the best from a Fall '94 Tour which, all around, is a landmark in 
Phish's evolution.

I.  Sample, Uncle Pen, FEFY, Maze, Guyute, I Didn't Know, SOAMelt,
Adeline.

II. Peaches, Mound, Tweezer>Norweigan Wood>BBFCFM>Makisupa>NICU>Tweezer>
Jesus Left Chicago, Hood, Golgi

E. Sleeping Monkey, Tweezer Reprise


First set's allright, nothing really exceptional here except a good 
clean Split Open (which, I'm sorry, to me sometimes gets so out of whack 
that it sounds pretty shitty, but maybe that's just me - listen to
6/14/95 for an example)  Maze and Guyute are nice, nothing fantastic.

Set II might be the best set I've ever heard, live or on tape.  Peaches
is excellent, as is Mound.  Tweezer is excellent, seguing into this
epic, free-spirited Wood jam.  The Makisupa actually sounds a bit
different than anything I've heard from '95 on.  Even more of a reggae,
mellow feel, if that'ss possible - great segue into NICU, and then back
into Tweezer before a superb Jesus Left Chicago (Page!!!!!)  Harry Hood
is nice, and then a really energetic, explosive Golgi to close out a
fantastic set.  
Sleeping Monkey is Sleeping Monkey, but the Tw. Reprise closes this show
out nicely.
Definitely worth your while and the cost of a couple of blanks if you
can get your hands on it.

Cheers, J.



Phish.  How much has it impacted all of our lives? 
The music picks us up when we're down, helps us
through the tough times, (really, can you hear the
words "poster nutbag and keep a straight face
sometimes???) and brings a certain type of people
together.  It hurts when I see thoughts about how bad
young people are for the Phish Community.  Because
the teens that are ruining it for everyone are the
ones that really don't appreciate the music.  I
happen to be a junior in high school, and people
around me don't understand the concept of Phish. 
When they hear that their best songs are all like 10
minutes long, most are turned off because they think
of a 10 minute STP song or some other crappy sold out
rock band.  A longer Phish song is not only an
individual song.  Granted, it only has one title, but
the tempo changes almost, nay, do divide the song
into several mini-songs.  Just look at Bowie.  It
took my girlfriend this long to understand Phish, and
I've known her for well over a year.  It's a gradual
process, and one truely has to admire and have
knowledge of music to know what Phish is about.  I
have never seen a Phish show in my life.  I could
have last summer, but my mom told me that I couldn't.
 Yes, I too have to get permission to go to a
concert.  This year, I am bound and determined to get
to Alpine Valley.  I could go on all day, really.  I
just love the whole thing:  the taping, kindness,
vibes, you name it, Phish has got it.  So, to those
who are the stereotypical teens or even adults who
don't seem to appreciate the music, smoke your bud at
home with friends; don't pay $30 to ruin it for
everyone else.  If anyone ever wants to chat PHISH,
drop me an e-mail.  I've been trying to find someone.
 It would be great.  Keep groovin'.  See ya'll this
summer...
Steve
phishhead99@hotmail.com
stevecoleman@rocketmail.com

Can you believe it?!!  I have seen shows all around the country, and with
this summer's dates I can see three shows and all of them are withing three
hours of my house.  Playing at Sandstone in Bonner Springs will never be as
cool as playing the Gorge, or Desert Sky, but it is nice to see that the
guys are making up for passing Kansas City over in the fall.
         While my drunk friends slept all of the way to Champagne, I had to drive.
 Even though I was dead on my feet, when it came time to groove, I was
rocking!!! I can't imagine what it will be like when I don't have to drive
12 hours to the closest show!!!  It was well worth it thought!  
        Summer 98' will rock, and for those of you getting ready for Lemonwheel,
have a great time without me!!!  I have to go back to my day job the
beginning of August.  Always Phloat!!

M.K.

kendall@horizon.hit.com

I was wondering if anyone took notice of phish's venue in Copenhagen:
Freetown Christiana.  I visited this place in the summer of 1995 and was
quite surprised at what I saw.  Basically, if I remember correctly, it's
an experimental living cooperative of about 2000 people that's
self-governed independant of Danish law.  Residents are more or less
self-sufficient, living modest lifestyles without a lot of modern-day
convieniences.  The place was somewhat dirty in the touristed areas, and
many of the buildings didn't look all that sturdy.  Located on an
abandoned military base by a river, the Danish governement lets them do
as they please.  Hash and other stuff is openly sold there.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone knows specifically about the Grey
Hall.  I remember an old outdoor stage, covered by some sort of arc, in
a courtyard area with some picnic tables.  Could this be it?  Otherwise,
the only other venue-type place I saw there was a small bar that could
hold 50 people max.

In any case, I'm sure Christiana will make for a unique phish
experience.  Probably won't have the beauty or history of some of the
other European halls, but well, you know...

Also, be sure to catch the Greyboy Allstars if they come to your town!
Having just heard them in San Francisco, I'd say they've soloing has
improved from just a year ago.  I thought I even heard some Trey-esque
builds from the guitarist!

Matt
mbrowni3@csc.com

  While I was student teaching at Fairport high school, a couple kids 
     needed rides to the Went.  Planning to go with my pal Steve in his 
     automatic so driving could be shared (none of them knew how to drive 
     my standard), I said "of course".  When Steve couldn't make it, I was 
     sad and thought about not going.  The week before I was in a real 
     spot, trying to decide.  And the kids called from the high school, 
     asking about the ride.  A sign, and of course we 3 Went.  I had also, 
     earlier that spring, made plans to meet my buddy Matt (he was the only 
     person with whom I made such random plans) at the Went, somewhere.  We 
     were to borrow my housemates automatic, but it broke down an hour 
     before takeoff (I had to work 9-5 Friday).
        Me and my charges took off in my car instead, my driving 16 hours 
     solo, non-stop from 6pm Friday night-saturday morning to arrive at 
     LAFB at 10:30am.  Who needs drugs on a drive like that, (I did need 
     them after, I confess) all on backroads!!  MUCH more importantly, Who 
     needs I95??  Plenty of moose on backroads at 3 in the morning!  Tent 
     up, and then wait for the show.
        I listened to the first set, enjoying the mix of tunes and sun and 
     people everywhere, and stood at the end to survey the scene.  I was 
     about 25 feet from both the lighting tower and the center railing, in 
     front of Mike.  I looked first to my left, to the tower for lighting, 
     etc, and saw what could only be Matt's back - in a sea of 60,000, I 
     found him after a set of Phish and two seconds of looking!  What more 
     could you want?  Turns out they broke down three times from 
     Darien-Went, and arrived at the start of Makisupa - I never could've 
     met him in the lot before, as he wasn't there.  The rest, well, 
     everyone who was there knows how rest of the weekend went.  I can't 
     wait to see you all again (except for the litterers, c'mon, we are 
     better people than that - at least get it NEAR the trashbins.) this 
     year! 
     Feel Good! - Dave (dbristol@palisade.com)



Hello from Chicago,

Everybody check out the Greyboyallstars if you can.  They are a
FANTASTIC
band from the San Diego Area.  They are touring with Ben Harper right
now.  
This is one band that I GUARANTEE you'll like even if you dont know any
of their tunes
WWW.GREYBOYALLSTARS.COM

Thanks 

GOS



I never thought I'd ever be someone to post anything on the net... it's
scary out here.  Millions of people may know your name and what your all
about in only a few minutes.  I'm sure Andy himself can relate... I mean
this page for example has spread itself all over the place like bacteria...
the ULTIMATE PHISH PAGE with thousnads of links and data and files and what
not.  I don't know.. I'm stuck with an empty feeling in my stomach and i
find myself sending this petty e-mail.  I've learned that it's hard to be a
phish phan when you have to ask your mom just for permission to buy
yourself a ticket.  But somehow in the end I think it all pays off.  For
example my friend came up with 4th row and 10th row and offered me to come
along for a night.. and somehow i convinced my strict paranoid mother to
drive me and a friend to Maine for the Went.  It paid off really.. As for
the present I can't seem to get tickets for the show that I'm finally
granted permission to go to in April and now  it looks like I'll be waiting
till summer or fall again... and i already know i can't catch the went 2. 
I'm just wondering what feeling will replace the emptiness in my stomach
this time around... go with the phlow right? yes.  i think i will.    

The only show I've seen was the Great Went, but what a show it was!
I've been too lazy to get into tape trading, and after the Went I knew I
was missing a lot only listening to Phish's albums.  Then I discovered
RealAudio concerts, and I could suddenly get the closest thing to live
Phish next to being there.
    But, computers being computers, things go wrong.  Every now and
then, I get net congestion or some such problem, and the music stops for
several seconds.  When they're in the middle of a jam, even those few
silent seconds are enough to give me painful withdrawl.  I don't realize
how much I'm into the music until it's gone, then I'm writhing in my
swivel chair.  How badly I need to see a real show!


Joe Chisholm

 So, I just graduated and got my first "real Job".  You know the
drill, 9-5, Mon.-Fri.  It was a bit overwhelming at first ,changing my
lifestyle so quickly.  I have to get up at 7am!  I hadn't seen 7am in
years (except if I was still awake from the previous night or show).
But recently I discovered something that starts my day out on the right
foot:  Phish in the bathroom.  I brought in a little tape deck and now
while I shower and shave I groove out!   It's great.  What better way to
become energized and in a good mood?  I'll be all groggy and out of it
and then BAM some sick jam will just give me goose bumps and I'll start
grinning.  With such a busy schedule during the week, this is pretty
much my only time to listen to my tape collection.  I highly recommend
this to anyone else in a similar situation.  I read some old interview
with Trey where he was remarking about how awful most radio is.  He said
that if people listened "real" music on the way to work, the world would
be a much happier place...right again Trey.
     I get 2 weeks vacation time a year (which I'll probably use for
summer tour) so when I found out that I could hit 2 shows on a weekend
in Providence I flipped.  Thank you Phish once again for brightening up
my life.  Whoops, gotta get back to work...see everyone real soon
-Jeff Waful,  Boston

I just got done reading tons of reviews and some make me a little upset. I
really hope i don't make anyone mad at me but some of them reviews are
really aweful. I know everyone goes to a show with many expectations and
sometimes they aren't met but they really don't have to write those bad
reviews. Believe me, i understand that everybody has a right to share their
opinion but for me each show just keeps getting better and better no matter
what they play. i just know when their on tour and i'm here at home i can't
wait to get up in the morning and get to Andy's page to see what they
played last night and every time i'm thinking "i wish i was there last
night". But of course i haven't seen half as many shows as most people but
i just hope and pray that each show just keeps getting better. Again i
really don't want anyone to be angry with me for not liking some reviews
because there are just as many good ones also so keep sending them. Take
care everyone.
 



What's in a phish?
Surely a liver
maybe a bladder
but this all doesn't matter.
Could it be the fins
that let it circle and spin?
No, the most crucial piece lies within!
Phish have intestines and brains, but who cares?
It is not the gills that give it its air.
The best part of a phish is surely its heart,
which produces the beat that makes us jump up and rock!

It's so cool how everybody is just on pins and needles right now waiting for
the summer tour dates to be released.  What other band could have a list of
rumored tour stops circulating around the country?  It's like this every time
tour dates aren't yet out, but I think it's even more intense this time
because of that unbelievable Fall Tour/Holiday Run.  (Does life on earth get
any better than the Mike's opener at Hampton 11-22-97?)  Anyhow, I'm checking
Gadiel's site daily for new rumors to fuel my imagination.  I live in NC, and
I know that much of this summer tour will be out west, but I'm really hoping
for a Virginia (Farmville?) or NC stop this summer for my pre-Went fix.  There
is nothing better to look forward to than a Phish concert, and I can't wait
for this thing to start.  Sweet mercy!!  (Meanwhile, check out Bela Fleck and
the Flecktones if they're coming your way.  They're doing some really cool
stuff right now, as always)  Peace, JohnL



I finally got to see my first show in almost a year this fall and all i had
to say was

I FEEL THE FEELING I FORGOT.....FREEEEEEEEE...

That feeling that we all feel is indescribable, yet everyone knows what I
am talking about.Isnt that weird? We cant describe our feelings, but know
how each other feels.Another thought...Have you ever just sat back at a
show and watched everyone have the greatest time of their life(i m sure we
all have)? It is unreal what their music does to us...they take us to
another place,to another time,to another world. Before a show we are all on
different pages, different worlds. But when the music starts we all become
transformed into one.Including the band.I remember watching the Trey during
"bowie" in Philly second night, just staring into the sea of people with an
absolute look of euphoria and relaxation on his face, just like everyone in
the crowd.It was something that i will never forget.Thanks      Phish for making
the most beautiful music on earth.Tim

The Asse Festival 
Pt. 3

And yet once more Zarathustra began to speak.  "O my new friends," he
said, "you strange higher ones, how well I like you since you have
become alive again.  Verily, you have all blossomed; it seems to me such
flowers as you are require new festivals, a little brave nonsense, some
divine service and asse festival, some laughing fool of a Zarathustra, a
roaring wind that blows your souls bright.

Do not forget this night and this asse festival, you higher ones.  This
you invented when you were with me and I take that for a good sign: 
such things are invented only by convalescents.

And when you celebrate it again, this asse festival, do it for your own
sakes and also for my sake.  And do it in remembrence of me.
Thus spoke Zarathustra.

"Thus Spoke Zarathustra, A Book for None and All"
Friedrich Nietzsche

What's up to everyone out there in Phishland.  I've just been sitting here
listening to some tapes and am just getting it!   This band , this music, is
the most intense beautiful, irritating, overwhelming experience anyone would
want to know.  I am just waiting to see what they are going to do next.  We
are very lucky to have 4 guys willing to try something new (almost) every
night for us, the phans.  I've read too many negatives on this page to not say
anything.  THe music is 1000 times better than any of the shit you hear on the
radio nowadays, and we are lamenting that they played "My Soul" too much on
the last tour.  If tyou think about it, that is just one song making that set
longer, so you can dance your pants off.  I love every show, every set, every
song, every second.  TO borrow a line fron Celtics great Bill Walton about the
Dead, " What is my favorite song?  The next one!"  That says it all.  IF Phish
moves all of you like they move me, that should be a mantra.  It is such a
positive thing these guys are doing, and we are putting a skew on it.  Whether
you've been to 300 shows or 1, you know what Phish can do.  I was hosed at my
5th show, and i'm never gonna turn back.  TO all of you lovely heads out
there, remember the time when you hardly knew the tune they were playing but
that jam, that jam sent you reeling father out than you could ever imagine
possible.  Your face awash from the stage lights, the band takes you higher
and higher, and just as you think you can't take anymore, the band peaks with
a fury and vigor and just as you realize it, they are setting you gently back
in your seat while they close out the song.  That should be the feeling you
have every show!  I'm jonesing for the summer, so see you out on the road.
                             Peace through the tunes
                                           Dan"imal"

Well, what can I say about Phish?  Simply the best!  No doubt.  I've got so
many memories from such a small amount of shows (compared to many of you guys)
that I just thought I'd share some of the greatest moments of my life.
6/28/95-Jones Beach, NY.  My first show.  My friend called me up the day of
the show and said "Noah, we're leaving at 4:00, I want to get there early".
What!?  4:00!  But the show doesn't start 'til 8:00.  Little did I know what a
Phish show was all about.  We arrived at the lot and I looked around in
amazement.  I was 12 years old at the time, and I thought "These people are
weirdos!".  I was probably the youngest person there!  We walked around the
lot for a while, I bought a phat Antelope shirt, and I absolutely loved the
scene.  Drum circles, hemp necklaces, skateboarders, the whole deal.  We went
into the show and my heart was pumpin'.  I couldn't wait.  The boys came out
as the sun was setting.  What were they going to play?  Axilla Pt. II, great
opener.  The rest of the first set was great, with stellar versions of Foam,
Stash, and FEFY as well as a nice Reba, Chalkdust, PYITE, and Fluff.  The next
set was great as well.  Sample opener was nice.  Tweezer got a little lengthy
and boring but it was my first Phish show and I was loving it.  Gumbo and
Sparkle were great as well.  But Suzie knocked my socks off!  I'd never heard
the song before (I didn't collect tapes at the time) and I loved it so much.
I was amazed with the energy level of this song.  Hood was nice.  Tweeprise
was great too.  Sweet Adeline and While my Guitar Gently Weeps were great
encores and I left the show absolutely hosed by what I had witnessed.  Now
that I listen to the tapes, I realize that the show was just average compared
to the level that Phish is playing at right now.  I've seen six shows  since
then and each time, they've been better and better.  I brought in the New Year
with Phish that year with two great shows at MSG and saw them when they came
around in '96 again.  The Penn St. show was great in the fall and left me
psyched for the Holiday Run.  12/29 was outstanding, TUBE, YEM, POSSUM, BOWIE,
THEME, FLUFF, ANTELOPE, DWD, does it get any better?!!!  The 30th speaks for
itself.  Sally>Taste, Harpua, Bag, Hood, Izabella,
CARINI>BEK>SALLY>FRANKENSTEIN, whoa!  I missed the Went (I was pissed) but
there's no doubt I'll be there this year.  I wouldn't miss it for the world.
Those of you who think the Phish scene is dying, think again!  The energy
level of those MSG shows was unbeleivable, the crowd was nuts, the band was
nuts, it was the best.  And another thing, next time you see a young kid like
me at a show, don't make fun of them or think that they're not as much of fan
as you are because you've been seeing them since the good 'ole days.  I
guarantee they're just as much or even more into the music than you are.  When
you're young and you haven't seen a lot of shows, Phish can do no wrong.  I've
learned that many a times.  Well, that's all folks!  Take care of yourselves
and have a blast in the summer.  I'll be right there with you.

-Noah



After recently joing the cyberspace/phish community I hae come to some rather
disturbing contradictions.  Are the people I am trading Phish tapes with
really the same fun loving, genuine, good people I see on tour?  I recently
moved cross country to California from the midwest and not knowing anyone out
here I have turned to the internet to get my tapes.  Only to find that MOSt of
the people I trade with flat lie about the sound quality of the tapes they
trade.  I know I am picky but when I opened my package of tapes I recieved in
the mail today (those "dank A+" tapes) and ruched to the stereo today, my
hopes were crushed again.  Not only were they not A in my opinion they were
not even worth listening to.  This is the 12th trade I have been invloved in
and only 2 so far have worked out. 
 I know you people out there. I party with you people out there.  Why lie to
get tapes?  I would much rather trade for blanks than get my hopes up for
tapes that just plain let me down.  If somebody asks me for a specific trade,
and I know my copy is shit, I tell them so.  Pretend the people you are
trading with are the kind people next to you at a show, and you are sharing an
experience. Which you are.  Let's not let each other down D



 I would like to say that I'm glad we have a system that allows us to be
together as one big family.  Phish influenced me in really appreciating music,
especially classic rock and the concept of jamming.  Before my discovery of
Phish, I was more involved with industrial, techno, metal, hardcore,
experimental, alternative, and acid jazz.  Now I listen to classical, world,
spiritual, and classic rock. It took me a whille to accept Phish in my
collection of music, but it all changed when I saw them live at the Clifford
Ball for my first experience of what they are really about.  I never felt so
free and energetic in my whole life.  I was in an euphoric state when
fluffhead started, which gave me goose bumps through my entire body. Words
can't really express the state I was in except: BLISS.  After that event, I
looked at life in another perceptive.  I have only been to four shows, but
these shows are considered gems to many phans,  Anyway, I'm 20 years old and
attending college at the infamous Bergan Community College studying religion,
philosophy, and psychology.  I live parents in New Jersey right now which
sucks!  But I'm looking for home in spiritual enlightment.  So for this has
not been easy and I'm wondering where I'm going to be next year.  Phish right
now is my savior through these times of confusion and illusion of this world
that we live in.  God bless Phish and everyone really appreciates these great
bunch of real men!

I was at home listening to A Live One, Hood came on and it comes to the
jam part;I can't stop dancing.  I was thinking to myself here are these
four guys who play music, and in a way people pay money for this
music:blanks,CDs,Tickets,videos,shirts,stickers,patches,gasmoney,food,posters,taping
equipment ect.  If you think about it over the years people cough up a
lot of change for these guys,not just for merchandise but for gas to go
see them, all the money doesn't go to them.  And what do these guys pay
us back with "good tunes" .  I think that is so cool how much some body
can love these people and there music so much and not meet them in thier
whole life!!  It is like Santana said about phish being the hose and the
crowd being the flower and how they feed off of each other. Peace ,
Grasias
  -Griff

recently i attended a number of shows over the fall and winter tours.
each one seemed to get better and better.  i don't know how they do it. 
phish, they are the four most amazing group of people i have ever known
of.  i even got the chance to meet mike and trey at the albany omni
before the dec. 13th show. They are so real, by just looking at them
onstage on tv or even in person, they are just themselves, they aren't
trying to impress anyone, and it builds up so much more respect than i
already have for them.
     right now is really rough for me. my parents are divorcing, and at
only 16 i am trying to cope. i tell you it is not easy. but i facinates
me most that i can just put in a tape and everything just disappears,
not only is it enjoyable but spiritual. they can do something to me
nothing else ever could, no fucking counselor, psychiatrist or medicine
could ever make me feel the way phish has. i want to thank them for
being such a big part of my life. i knew right from the start when i was
told, once you go there you'll never want to turn back. and i am so
happy i went there. thanks you guys.
-courtney
gever@ma.ultranet.com

Halloween 1995(a love story..sort of)......A night of magical and
mystical proportions. This ranks second (next to 6/18/94) as the best
phish show I have ever witnessed. I was so psyched when I heard phish
was to play at the Horizion for Halloween. My good friend Jenny( who I
was madly in love with at this point and still am) set us up with 2
tickets (courtesy of mailorder) and I drove down to the show right after
the end of the school day. I went down with my friend Pete who had never
been anywhere within 500 miles of a phish show. We arrived early, before
the loy scence had materialized. We just hung out for awhile and scored
some nice nugglets before the show. I was to meet Jenny at our seats.
Pete noticed how crazy the lot was and told me he had this scary feeling
about tonight. He was right in a sense it was sort of spooky, anyway I
cruised inside found my seat and smoked a nice sized pipe in preperation
for the momentous event that I knew was about to occur. I was feeling a
little bummed since I hadn't found my friend Jenny yet. There was this
pulse in the air and running through the crowd, like before most phish
shows, but this was different...almost like people were psyched to let
it all hang out and be scared shitless tonight. The lights went down and
the magic began....ICCULUS opener. Words cannot describe what happened
to my brain at this point. I guess the best I can do would be that
someone had tied me onto the back of a rocket like Willy Coyote and shot
me at 2000 miles an hour into space....that's the rush that was there. I
lost my voice in the first two minutes of the show screaming and going
apeshit over this tune. Then came THE DIVIDED SKY..which keep the juices
pumping although I began to drift a bit and think of Jenny, where the
hell was she, she was missing this!
WWWWWWWIIIIIIILLLLLLSSSSSOOOOONNNN......was next and I was mad psyched
for this one. About 30 seconds into the second verse someone pushed me
on the shoulder and took me out of the zone. I turned and stared at this
person in a full wetsuit with flippers and a snorkel.....it was Jenny. I
also lost my shit at this point because I was SO pschyed to see her. I
gave her a huge long hug as we both screamed in excitement and finished
out Wilson. I turned to Jenny and belted out the first verse to YAMAR
right along with Page. We just jammed right out on this one. Then a nice
SPARKLE that, contrary to poular opinion, I think is a great tune. From
this we went into FREE which was where the magic hit me and wouldn't let
me go. I just grabbed Jenny's hand and also wouldn't let it go. That
FREE took me to places I think I'll never  be again but it was worth it.
All these thoughts just came up like how much my parents love me, how
much I love the girl next to me and the band in front of me. It was FREE
where I finally figured out what "it's" all about and where I finally
became free. The lights, the words, the music, the scence everything was
like we actually were curious little creatures floating in the ocean. It
was beautiful...it was also where I started to have the breakdown. I've
never cried at a phish show before or since. I just started sobbing in
Jenny's arms and telling her how much I loved her and phish and
everyone. And I realized that it's all about being kind to everyone and
doing your best even for folks you don't know and just completing the
circle of life. During the jam in FREE, I just became one with the
music, if that makes any sense. It was like the music was directly
connected to me and vice versa. I felt every note Trey was playing race
throughout my whole body. GUYUTE next and another first for me. I peed
in my pants.(no I'm not kidding) I'd heard so much about this song and
heard the 12/29/94 version, but was not expecting it at all. I was in
this complete state of Nirvana and I just lost control of everything. 
An ANTELOPE to follow was great. At first I wasn't psyched cause they
played Antelope a bunch of times on the tour and I'd caught like all of
them.  But it turned out to be sweet! I've never heard a transition from
the beginning into the jam like that ( and I've probably seen more
antelopes than any other tune) that just had so much energy! (seriously
listen to the tape, they just fly before they bust out into the middle
section it's only like 2 seconds but wow!) The groove part was also a
personal favorite. Cool Page and band singing. HARPUA was a Halloween
treat. LOVED IT. great "Beat it" tease...also during Mike's spooky
racoon dream I had time to reflect on the events that just happened and
tell Jenny about everything. I wished for one thing all tour and that
was to hear SUZY with Jenny at that show. It's our favorite song.... so
needless to say 3rd set with the horns...BAM! "Little Suzy Greenberg
with her head caved in.... " Jenny and I were so high off of that we
went ballisitc. Later she told me during the Suzy that she too was taken
to another level and realized many things as well as our feelings for
each other. 
        What a magical night. This descirption just doesn't to the whole thing
justice but I hope that you....that you people will read the Helping
Friendly Book...and...no just kidding. Seriously I wrote this to assure
people that they can have spiritual/magical moments at phish that will
change their lives...like it changed mine and open their minds to the
wonderful world of kindness. Thank you for reading. Peace and Happiness-
Phil Svoboda



I'd just like to say that i m going through the worst case of "Phishdrawal"
 And like everyone else i cant wait to be sharing in the groove. I'd also
like to meet the band...just to say "thank you, you dont know what you guys
mean to me.

TJP-phishy1@erols.com

Dear Phellow Phans...
  In the past few days I have been recognizing alot of negative 
things.  Regarding tapetrading (especially!!)  When I scroll
down through the messages on swish's page it get's disgusting
FYI-I was just reading that phellow trader was going to put
someone on the bad trader list for not sending J-cards!! Come on 
people!!! If some one sends me tapes w/out J-cards I don't flip out,
Hell, it won't make me run to my computer and put someone on the 
badtrader list. I got what I wanted the most essential part of the trade 
the TAPES!!! It's just the little things like that.  That piss me off.  
As a trader with almost 300hrs. I just can't understand why this stuff 
goes on. It's not just this example, they're are many more 
believe me!!! Come on people share the wealth..
Next I see people bitching about shows. I haven't seen alot, 14 to be 
exact.  But I haven't seen 1 bad show yet!!  Yeah I have had my bad 
experiences at shows, but it doesn't detract from seeing the best band 
in the world, and watching them preform magic on stage. I read reviews 
on the net and some of them are bunk!!! I prepare my whole summer around 
the tour so I can make as many shows as possible. And I make sure that I 
have a good time. Hell some of the shows may have long rides involved. 
but if you really want to see phish than you'd probably go. I would!! 
Plus, say if trey fucks up on stage, get over it!! with the style of 
music they play it's bound to happen!!
Why don't we make the most of seeing phish, sharing good vibes, and 
enjoy them while we still have them. And stop with so much of the 
negativity surrounding shows,tapes,driving,etc.. and have fun!!
Because they are not going to be here forever!! 
Phish can do things to me that no other band can do.  I haven't figured 
out what it is yet, but when I do I will let you know.
I realize you can't please everyone so if you agree or disagree with 
anything that I mentioned then let me know. I'd love to hear what you 
think. 
PS..Read Andy Gadiels personal thoughts. I agree with him totally, 
esp...with his thoughts regarding what makes phish so special!!
Now let's make the best of 98'. See you this Summer. and continue
spreading those tapes!!!

Peace
matt 

keenem@hotmail.com

With regard to Phish's Best of '97, specifically the "Jams of the Year"

For me, the most ridiculous parts of Phish sets are the two or three songs in 
a row that the set centers around.  It's what makes the set; it's what you 
describe when relaying talk of the show to your friends.  It's what gives a 
show instant credibility during a tour.  Sure, I was bummed I missed Ventura 
after only hearing "BowieCitiesBowie" from Jake on the phone. 

In past years, it used to come in the middle of the set, but as we all know, 
1997 was a different year.  It could have been the first two songs of the set 
for 45 minutes, like a lot of my tapes are showing from fall tour.  What was 
the best one-two-punch combo for 1997?  I don't know, but I've got some 
suggestions.  Below I've listed some examples from the shows I've been to 
and the tapes I've garnishied.  Generally, they are segues, but not in all 
cases (i.e. the 12/30 ACDCBag HAD to be on the list, but didn't really segue 
into McGrupp).  Andy Gadiel (or some other HTML-coding legend) should 
have a place on a website to vote for the best two songs of the year back to 
back (hint, hint).

I've listed some potential winners below, limiting my list to two song 
combos, although that was kind of hard in many cases.  Can you tell which 
are the gratuitous throwins?

[Please note: all bullshit "Jam" labeling is deleted for these purposes]

2/16 Simple->Circus
2/17 DWD->Carini (or Taste->DWDreprise)
2/18 Wolfman's, Reba
2/21 Crosseyed and Painless, YEM (Firenze debut) 
2/21 Antelops->(metal) Wilson
2/22 Simple->Jesus Left Chicago
2/23 Peaches, Mike's
2/26 Scent->Magilla
2/28 Frankenstein->Bowie
3/1  Wolfman's->Jesus or Jesus->Reba
3/18 Cars Trucks Buses,Suzy Greenberg (with horns)
6/13 Stand->Isabella (debut)
6/16 Limb By Limb, Ghost
6/19 Stash->Ghost (kind of have to include Saw It Again with Ghost)
6/20 Taste, Cities (just for the pre-Cities jam!)
6/22 Ghost, Limb by Limb
6/24 Wolfman's > Reba
6/25 Down With Disease->Piper (including DWD reprise)
7/1  Bathtub Gin->Cities
7/2  Stash->Llama (much more than this rolled into two titles)
7/5  Twist Around->Piper
7/9  YEM->Ghost (Flecktone factor)
7/10 Ghost-> Take Me To The River
7/21 Theme->Funky Bitch
7/22 Down With Disease > Mike's Song
7/23 YEM->Rocky Mountain Way
7/25 Ya Mar -> Ghost ->
7/26 Timber Ho! > David Bowie
7/30 Bowie->Cities->Bowie (still only two songs)
7/31 I Saw It Again, You Enjoy Myself
8/2  Down With Disease > Tweezer (with Disease reprise)
8/3  Twist Around->Jesus Left Chicago
8/3  Simple, Fluffhead
8/6  Also Sprach Zarathustra > AC/DC Bag
8/8  Wolfman's Brother > Free
8/9  Slave > Groove
8/10 Cities->Good Times, Bad Times
8/11 Timber Ho!, Piper
8/13 Ghost > Isabella
8/14 Camelwalk > Taste
8/16 Wolfman's->Simple
8/16 Halley's->Cities
8/17 Tweezer->Taste
8/17 Down With Disease > Bathtub Gin
8/17 2001 > Harry Hood
11/14 Wolfman's Brother > Piper
11/16 Wilson > Harry Hood
11/17 Tweezer, Reba
11/19 2001 > Wolfman's Brother
11/21 Emotional Rescue > Split Open & Melt
11/21 Ghost->ACDCBag
11/22 Mike's->H2 
11/22 Groove, Hood
11/22 Tweezer > Black Eyed Katy
11/23 Bathtub Gin-> Down With Disease
11/26 Character Zero->2001
11/26 2001->Cities
11/28 Timber Ho!, Limb By Limb
11/29 Runaway Jim > Strange Design
11/30 Guyute, Funky Bitch
11/30 Free > Piper
12/2 Yamar->Weekapaug
12/3 2001 > You Enjoy Myself
12/3 David Bowie > Possum
12/5 Julius  > Slave
12/6 Tweezer > Isabella
12/7 Pycho Killer* > Jesus Left Chicago
12/7 Boogie On Reggae Woman->Reba
12/11 Drowned > Roses are Free
12/12 Saw It Again > Piper
12/12 Guyute, Antelope
12/13 Ghost->Mike's Song
12/28 Ghost > Drowned
12/29 Bowie->Possum
12/29 Tube, YEM
12/30 Sneaking Sally Through The Alley > Taste
12/30 ACDC Bag, McGrupp
12/31 Wolfman's, Limb By Limb
12/31 Mike's Song->Piper

My votes are:
2/21 Crosseyed and Painless, YEM  (just being there...)
7/30 Bowie->Cities->Bowie 
8/17 Disease > Gin
12/13 Ghost->Mike's (Bring the Dude)

I'm not taking votes, but I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Ted

Ted Kartzman
Actuarial Analyst
The Kwasha Lipton Group
tkartzman@kwasha.com
201.363.2636
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Studio/6416/


"The 29th was the highlite of my youth.
Tube swamp funk, yo!"
-Sean


 Fall 1994 Revisted
     
     So here is My RANDOM THOUGHT, Hopefully some of you will find it as 
     amusing as my friends and I did.
     
     It was several years ago on the first night of the Fall 1994 tour.  
     The venue was @ lehigh University and as I recall It was called 
     Stabler Arena.  (im not quite sure) 10/7/94 maybe, maybe not ???
     Ive never been the statistical Guru my phriends are.
     
     So anyway the show was cosmic.  First GUYUTE EVER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
     That in alone is worth writng in about, not to mention the acoustic 
     foreplay>longtime encore.
     
     But the defining moment for me during the show was during STASH.
     
     A killer version during which I had the most amusing idea.
     During the sections where the phans all apropriately clap in a pattern 
     of clap, clap, clap (I think you all know what Im taklking about) I 
     began to say to myself CHA, CHA, CHA.  I couldnt stop luaghing and 
     smiling.  I told my friends to do the same, each one by one burst out 
     in a manic frenzy of joy.  To this day I still go CHA, CHA, CHA while 
     everyone else claps, sometimes to myself, sometimes out loud and I 
     still Laugh, maybe its me, maybe its my friends, maybe it was the 
     shrooms but youve got to try this next time you hear them play STASH.  
     youll be amused more then ever, and dont forget to tell your 
     neighbors.
     
     Peace, love, happiness.
     G

Excerpt from a message to Slade Sohmer detailing the events of 12/31/97:

...The most peculiar thing we witnessed was after the show on the 31st.
We're sitting straight back from the stage, not in the upper deck, but
the one right below, all the way in the back. They were decent seats,
pretty much the same ones we had in `95, as we could see everything
going on: the band, the crowd, the lightshow. So people are filing out,
it's like 1:00 a.m. or something, when Bodack goes, "Look back and to
the left." We're all stoned so the "back and to the left" thing gets me
giggling thinking about assassinated presidents and spitting Mets. So I
twist my neck around, don't really see anything, kind of sit up a
little, and that's when I see it.

There's this girl, ass-naked, standing at the top of the stairs in MSG.

Initially, I was stunned. Mind you, I had seen excessive nudity in a
venue before (see Tinley Park, 1997), and you would think that the
abundance of sex in advertising and popular culture in general would
have completely desensitized me to any occurrence such as this, but I
was honestly speechless. Although no one person in our immediate party
vocalized the intention, it was clearly understood that we would all
wait, a mere 10 feet away from this Crazynakedchick, until the situation
was completely resolved.

We all considered trying to talk her down. You know, get her seated, get
a fleece on her or something, but there is something forbidden about
approaching a strange woman that is wearing no clothes. Some of our
early theories were that this was merely some prank, an attempt at
noteriety from one of the legion of
my-parents-live-on-the-island-and-I-drive-a-Range-Rover-and-go-to-Penn-b
ut-I-ate-three-hash-brownies-tonight Phish fans. Then, we thought maybe
she was waiting for a friend of hers to take her picture, sort of a
"Nude Badge of Courage," stick-it-to-the-man,
I-got-naked-in-MSG-and-nobody-caught-me thing. Then she began to speak.

It was all very nonchalant. She, with animated hands and a stern
expression turned from side to side from her perch at the top of the
stairs, muttering something about how we all understood, and that what
she was doing was beautiful, and that we should join her. Now, when she
mentioned this last part, I began to get an idea. Jackowitz, who was
with us, has sort of a history of public nudity, and I have a history of
instigating said incidents. I knew what must come next.

"Jack, go get naked with that chick," I said.
"I'm not gettin' naked," he replied, but you could tell it would be
possible to sell him on the idea.
"Come on, get naked."
"No."
"Just for a minute."
"Todd, I'm not getting naked."
"Get up there and get naked. Just for a minute."
"There's no way."
"Well, at least strip to the waist."

And so it continued for a few minutes, eight people pushing Jackowitz to
the verge of nudity. By this point, some pervert from a couple of rows
down came up and was taking pictures of Crazynakedchick, who gladly
posed. This ended when one of her friends came up, another woman, this
one fully clothed. The two began fighting playfully, shadowboxing and
stuff, when Crazynakedchick starting laughing maniacaly and landing
repeated open-handed blows about her bestfriend's face, neck, breast and
head. And for some reason, all of this didn't seem too abnormal. It's
not everyday you see a naked woman in a fight unless you work on the set
of The Jerry Springer Show.

Like all things, the fight came to an abrupt end. I can't recall exactly
what happened next, but I know that for some reason, at the exact same
moment, all of us turned to look at Crazynakedchick. I remember there
being an expression of complete serenity on her face. All of the
agitation and anxiety and aggression that had been there before was
replaced with a mask of total calm. She brought her palms together in
front of her in a praying fashion, raised them above her head, bent
slightly at the knees, and sprang outward in a perfect dive. She didn't
flinch. She didn't look scared. She didn't try to brace herself for a
landing on the concrete steps below. She just flew...about 10 steps down
before pancaking with a sickening thud.

This change in plot turned the entire section on its collective ass. All
of our mouths dropped. The uber-stoned around us sat in shock. Several
girls shrieked in panic. A guy with dreadlocks ran for security. It was
like somebody had yelled "D.E.A.!"  Because she had dove so far and a
group was amassing around her, we couldn't see what had become of her.
I, of course, feared the worst and fought off images of fractured skulls
and broken teeth. But Crazynakedchick proved resiliant and climbed to
her feet a few minutes after the spill. She had no visible lacerations,
but her previously clear skin was now tainted with the smeared muck from
the floor of The Garden: spilled beer and soda, the tapped ash from that
last cashed bowl, some teenager's vomit.

A this point one of us, or maybe all of us, exclaimed "Let's get the
fuck out of here." As we made our way out of our seats we witnessed
Crazynakedchick consoling a crying and concerned friend. Crazynakedchick
was probably her ride home. We were walking down the steps and into the
main aisle when MSG's crack security staff arrived on the scene. One of
the rent-a-cops kept trying to put a sweater around her, but she slapped
away his hands. As I turned one last time to see Carzynakedchick, her
posture stiffened. She raised her chin, stared into space and began
singing in this powerful voice. I don't know what the song was, but the
entire image was terribly surreal. She had attained a certain dignity,
standing naked to the world singing her song of songs. In the earliest
hours of the new year, the beauty that she had prophecised came to
fruition.

I turned away as we exited the main part of the arena and walked down
the steps toward the main entrance of The Graden. It was agreed upon by
all of: it was a damn good thing Jackowitz didn't get naked.

My story starts way back in August when
the Schvice came out and said that Phish was going to play a two-night stand
in Hampton.  I also couldn't help but notice that the second night fell on my
birthday.  I thought to myself, "Is there a better way to celebrate a
birthday, or any other occasion for that matter, than to go see Phish?"  Nope.
So my friends and I loaded up the car and made the long haul from Bloomington,
IN to Hampton.  The 22nd was magnificent.  The weather was beautiful, which
made for an unbelievably great time in the lots before the show. Plus, this
was the second night in Hampton.  We were all well-rested and ready to rock.
We partied a little longer outside and enjoyed the unseasonably warm evening
since we had gone in early the night before to get seats up close.  After we
had gone in and been in our seats for a while, we became more and more anxious
for the show to begin.  We could sense a buzz among the crowd.  Everybody
seemed really hyped-up for this show.  I know I was.  Then, one section of the
crowd started up the wave.  The f---ing wave was going around at a Phish show!
I couldn't believe it!  And this was not just any wave...this wave must have
lasted 6 or 7 minutes!  It was as if someone tore the roof off the place,
dipped their arm into the arena, and began madly stirring it around!  The
place was dripping with energy.  The crowd was ready.  Phish was ready.  The
house lights went off and the boys came on stage.  To me, there is nothing
like the opening of a Phish show.  I live for that moment.  I think it's
because I know that I'm in for a a treat.  My reward for making the long
journey is just beginning and I know for the next three hours or so I'm going
to watch four guys create some of the most beautiful art in the world -- the
same art I spend my life collecting, discussing, and learning more about.
Then Trey started playing the beginning of Mike's!  Was this a joke?  Was I
hearing this correctly?  I slowly looked around in bewilderment to the people
standing next to me.  I was trying to make sense of what I was seeing.  What a
way to start off a show!  Phish then eased into Hydrogen.  I couldn't believe
that one either.  The melody rose and fell until it slowly built up
to...Weekapaug!  I love this one.  Then again, who doesn't?  So cool.  You'd
be hard pressed to find a person that couldn't shake to this one...and I'm
sharin' in the Weekapaug groove!  After this, I was stunned.  I couldn't
believe what they had just done.  Forget about easing into the show with a fun
little jam (like Emotional Rescue the night before).  Phish came out with
their boxing gloves on and personally socked me in the face.  Hello!  "What
could top that?" I thought to myself.  After a long pause, marked by an
extatic Trey running up to each bandmember and telling them what was next, I
found out what could top that...Hood!  Oh my!  The smile on my face went from
ear to ear, and as Trey bellowed out "Harry," the duel between the fans and
band ensued with an overwhelming wave of "Hood" chants.  At this point, I
literally lost it.  Tears of joy went streaming down my face.  I've never been
so happy in all my life.  It's really quite an extraordinary experience to cry
at a show.  I had never done it before and I certainly don't plan on doing it
again.  It was a special, once-in-a-lifetime sensation fueled by the music and
the moment.  Of all the things I've seen in my 23 years, nothing has moved me
to the degree I was moved at that moment.  I felt so complete and alive.  It
was truly remarkable.  Phish didn't stop there, though, as Hood triumphantly
would to a close.  The rest of the set was extremely powerful too, and on any
other night would have stood out as the heart of the lineup.  But this was no
ordinary night.  As the set came to a close, I felt obligated to go outside
and catch my breath.  The Hampton Coliseum served as the perfect venue for
this occasion, because the main concourse of the arena led to an outdoor patio
that overlooked the lake which butted up against the building.  It really was
an incredible sight and allowed me to gather my marbles, which I felt I had
lost inside.  As we waited for the second set to begin, it was evident that
the crowd's energy was not consumed by Phish's incredible first set.  If
anything, just the opposite occurred.  It was as if the last set had pumped
even more life into an already exuberant audience.  The crowd began to clap in
unison as it was obvious they were thirsty for more.  The clapping got louder
and faster with every beat.  Finally, the lights went off and the band came on
stage.  Trey made reference to the clapping and chanting as he started the set
by saying, "It just sounds like a horrible cannibalistic chant for people who
want blood.  I don't know what you're saying...Is that the human sacrifice
part of the show?...All right, bring him up!"  It was hysterical.  Then they
busted out into Halley's Comet, which seemed appropriate, because this show
was out of this world.  I had never seen this song in-concert before, and only
have it on one tape (New Year's '93-'94).  I thought I liked this song based
on that version.  Boy, had I been missing out.  This Halley's was so cool.  It
must have lasted twenty minutes, and to me it sums up Phish perfectly.  It's
wacky and goofy, yet there's a certain  sophistication to its improvisational
jam.  All this, while capturing that underwater groove.  I love it!  At this
point, I kept telling myself that nothing would surprise me, but they
did...Tweezer!  Tweezer was one of the three songs I wanted to see this night.
It's so cool when they actually play one of them, isn't it?  What a f---ing
funk-fest of a set!  Follow this up with Black Eyed Katy, which is just an
awesome jam, and we had ourselves another ridiculous set.  What could be next?
Piper.  I nearly fell over.  This song has the ability to get me really high.
It's so intense and just keeps on rising.  I have no idea what the words mean,
but as you said, Andy, who cares?  This song is just a whirlwind of emotional
energy for me.  The lights were phenomenal, too -- orange, red, yellow, green.
I have such a vivid picture of this song in my mind.  It really is incredible.
This is what I love about goint to Phish shows -- the monumental images that
are permanently etched into your memory bank which serve to raise your spirits
at any given moment.  I was completely content after Piper was over, but Phish
obviously was not.  It was a really wierd feeling.  Normally, I crave one last
tune.  While I accept the fact that they have to stop playing, I never want it
to end and always think they can play one more.  But this night was different.
I felt completely content with the show and was already awe-struck.  Antelope
was Phish's way of really pushing the envelope.  They knew they were on.  We
knew they were on.  It was as if they said, "Let's see how far we can ride
this wave of energy."  They rode it further than I've ever seen them ride it.
Phish had taken the audience and wrung us out like a wet rag.  They had
pummeled us with every perfectly placed note.  They were killing us, and I
loved it!  Now for my bizarre story.  Obviously, I thought the show was
terrific.  Now, I'm not one to put much emphasis on the encore.  I've learned
my lesson.  I look at the encore as completely separate from the rest of the
show and take what I can get.  However, the guy behind me felt differently.
Phish came out for the encore and everyone was excited to hear whey they would
play.  Bouncing Around the Room.  Not my favorite, but oh well.  Might as well
enjoy it, right?  Not according to the guy standing right behind me.  As soon
as the crowd settled in and the initial roar subsided, this guy screamed at
the top of his lungs, "Fuck you, Trey!  Fuck you!  That's bull shit!  Fuck
you, Trey!"  I could not believe what I was hearing!  I was paralyzed with
disgust and developed an empty feeling in my stomach.  Phish had just put on a
show that moved everyone, and all this guy could say was "Fuck you, Trey?"  I
was brewing with anger, and had to restrain myself from punching the guy in
the face.  All I could think of was that they played Tweezer, but hadn't
really given it a proper ending.  I couldn't think of a better in-your-face
statement than a rip-roaring Tweezer Reprise.  After Bouncing was over, the
boys belted out a triumphant Reprise.  I knew it!  As soon as I felt this guy
had figured out Phish wasn't done playing, I turned around and poked him in
the chest with my finger and screamed, "That's what you get!"  Wow...what a
rush.  I was so glad to be able to do that.  All I can say is, thank's Phish!
What a great birthday present!

Kevin


Article in Guitar World w/ Storm Thorgerson, Album Designer

GW: How did you like working on Phish?s new album, Slip Stitch and Pass?

THORGERSON: I really enjoyed working with them. I hope we work again;
boys, if you?re listening, lets work again. I was very impressed by one
particular piece of information: did you know that they don?t work with
a setlist? You knew that? I didn?t know that. How many rock bands do you
know of that don?t have a set list? I don?t know any. I was really
impressed by this, that they feel the level of communication with each
other is such that they don?t worry too much about what they?re going to
play. And they take things, take themes and improvise them, go off and
play quite long versions of things. They seem to take an idea and run
with it, musically speaking. I thought that was interesting. 

GW: Which would explain the cover.

THORGERSON: It was about their improvisation. It?s a picture of a man
who?s unraveling a very big ball of wool, and somehow it seemed to be
appropriate-take and idea and run with it, see where it leads you.


??????????

THORGERSON: ? I build big things sometimes. For Phish, I built this ball
of yarn that is the size of a small house.

Dare we try to question why?

   Why does this music move us so?

   And I mean all of that question quite literally.

   Why is it that when we listen, we must move?

   And when we absorb the perfection of the music, we must move
in perfect ways . . .

   And when we close our eyes and sink back away from the
ordinary world . . . withdraw, floating on their sublime sounds,
back in, away from that "out there" world, and into the real
world of us, into our real selves, into where we are real and
perfect, where we are blessed with feeling, sometimes knowing,
that everything we are hearing is perfect, that it makes our
bodies move in perfect ways . . .

   What is this force that moves us so absolutely?
That draws us, compels us ever to hear more, to seek more,
to experience more, to move more . . . to be there again . . .
at another concert, or vicariously with another tape . . .
to always be there, reveling in the perfection of the moment,
and our movement, and the music?

   What is this power, this force, that draws us ever in,
wistfully seeking the next time we can spend
alone with these men, our men, our Phish, Phish music, our
music?  . . . draws us to it again and again, obsessed, like
insatiable lovers who know where their ecstasy is:  in those
moments when movement together is perfection . . . their
sonic movement joining with our kinetic movement, as we
dance to the vibrations pulsing through our bodies, as we
open our ears and our souls and surrender and move . . .
dance, moving uncontrollably but under perfect control
of the vibrations that are washing through us, surrendering
to the flow of this force, this power . . . the same force
that empowers these four men to play nothing but perfect
notes . . . this same perfection that moves their bodies
and their minds and their souls, as they too surrender . . .
become channels to those vibrations . . . as they too have
long since surrendered to this force, this power of perfect
music, this relentless deluge of life's best beauty, of
life's most perfect beauty, the beauty of unfettered sound . . .
of free, resplendent, moving, musical sound . . .

   And what is this force . . . what is this power, this beauty,
this perfection, this vibration?

   It is the spirit of Icculus.

Concerning the presence or absence of 'teases' or 'jams' or illusions
otherwise, I guess it is both good and bad to read so far into every note
Phish plays.  

On the one hand, it demomstrates a keen knowledge of Phish's style and
artistry to pick up on all the nuances in their songs.  This involves
recognizing their influences and recognizing a duplicate chord progression or
one of Trey's solo runs.  When you tune in well enough to Phish then
eventually you realize that they have basic musical influences and they play
a certain way.  This in turn means that a lot of sounds come out that sound
alike when taken out of context and are then labelled a jam or tease (I swear
I've heard Weekapaug and or 2001... grooves in each and every jam they've
ever done.  In fact, at a recent Santana show, I started blaming him for
teasing Weekapaug and Runaway Jim.  How far can this go?).  I guess there's
nothing wrong with this, except that it can get annoying when somebody tries
to label each and every measure of music played.

On the other hand, it's gotta be pretty haughty to complain that these jams
are noted.  From what I've seen, the teases and jams listed by setlists did
seem to shine out and be intentional..  I think what Dirksen was bitching
about was more when people try to extract unintentional (or simply 'natural')
riffs from a song and label them.  Either way, get over it.

Phish is complex and articulate and intuitive.  That is true both of the band
and of their audience, don't you think?  The topic of teasing jamming and
random riffs is more prevalent this last tour due to set-long jams and
blended songs.  Sorry if this strecthed the bounds of Random Thoughts. I
didn't intend to begin a discussion, a la r.m.p. or Digest's.

brcohen

Trey on New Year '99 - From NYT Article
 To me, historically, there's always been so much great art going on around big periods of change like this. At the
 end of the 19th century, there was so much important art and literature. So I'm looking forward to it and we've
 been throwing ideas around to do something. Who knows, maybe we'll play the space shuttle or have concerts in
    four different time zones. I want to do a 30-hour show. People need to be able to cut loose for many days. 

 To the picky, hard to please Phish fans,

                It seems everyone who comments on the new Ween cover
        "Roses are Free" are just saying how dumb Phish is for covering it
        and how bad Ween sucks. Both Gene Ween and Dean Ween are
        outstanding musicians (you might realize that if you saw them live)
            and they need not to be said as some dumb band that Phish is
too
        good for. If Phish covered a Dead tune people would freak if I posted
        "...and then they did a Dead cover which made themselves look like
        a joke". This Charlie guy who posted some New Years comments
        on your page added a line like that in the midst of his slang filled
            review of the show. But anyway, i think that song has Phish
written
        all over it so watch what you say about a band you don't have a clue
        about.
                        Keep up the good work Andy,
                                        Zane    tuckerg@netnitco.net    



Dear Phans,
        Let's first establish this, I love Phish and I love the phans. However, my 
feelings have changed a bit as of late. I still love the phans but I am a bit 
disturbed by what goes on at concerts nowadays. My sentiments mainly 
come from my experiences at MSG on the '97 Holiday Tour. 
        First, the LIGHT STICKS. We all love the light sticks because they make a 
pretty awesome visual effect when the lights go off. And the band feels the 
same way [i.e. Trey at the Went telling us to bring more of those things]. But 
I felt really sorry for the band as I saw them doing their best to jam during 
HOOD while being pelted with the sticks. Yeah, it was fun to watch Trey try 
to catch the things, but it must get annoying. Bring as many light sticks as 
you want, but please, toss them in the crowd not on the stage.
        Second, the CHEERING. We all love the band and their music and we like 
to show our appreciation in many ways­one of them, cheering lowdly. 
There are times to cheer and there are times not to cheer. Example, at MSG 
during Harpua. Trey is trying to tell a story and we can't hear a word he's 
saying because everybody's screaming like it's a basketball game. Another 
example, Divided Sky. When they reach the stopping point three quarters 
through the song, you're supposed to be quiet. Our cheering only inhibits 
what they can do at times like these. Don't get me wrong, you can cheer at 
the shows, but when they're trying to talk to us or concentrate, by all means 
shut up.
        Third, the CLAPPING. Clapping has long been a ritual at rock concerts. It is 
another cooperative jesture between the fans and the band. Rythmic 
clapping at Phish must go! When we start to clap in a rythm we inhibit 
Phish's ability to create music in their own direction. They have to wait 
until the clapping dies down until they can move off into another beat. 
Clapping in Stash is all right, but lets try to eliminate the rythmic clapping 
in the middle of a jam.
        That is all. I hope you don't think I am the Gastapo of Phish concerts, I'm 
only trying to make the experience better for all of us. See you in the Spring!



As a veteran of seventeen odd shows, the new years run was one of the
best I've seen.  (It's a toss up betwwn that and CSU, the Palace, and
Dayton '97)  I am not one to ever criticize the band; after all, they
are only human and play pretty damn well.  I guess everyone can't always
be that fucking good.  My biggest disappointment of the run were the
fans.  I have never been surrounded by more unfriendly people.  Could it
be my midwestern accent?  I know how possesive east coasters can be
about their band, but, really, I'm not trying to take it away from
anybody.  Phish brings me a happiness few other things do and I love to
share it with those around me.  At MSG I missed the friendly smiles I'm
used to getting at shows.  Many people were blatantly rude when I
attempted conversation and I was even called a bitch for asking a nice
question.  The community, as I see it, has become less accepting of
others in recent years.  People run around in their tight little circles
and it's pretty much every person for themselves.  I miss the feeling of
being with a lot of people who have a passion for the same band, not
just the drugs.  I miss people talking to me and making new friends. 
I'm sick of being pushed around and hearing people bitch if Trey wasn't
right on one night.  We all need to stop and look at what a great thing
is going on and realize we are all a part of it, no matter where we
live, fucked up or straight, dreaded or not.  

I'm sick and tired of all the criticism surrounding Phish from phans.  I
know the band is not perfect, but they're damn sure the greatest of all
time.  Give them a break for God's sake. Personally, as someone who has not
had the opportunity to see an excessive amount of shows, I am amazed by
every single note the band plays!  If people would open their minds and
souls, and just share in the groove instead of constantly judging it, they
would discover a sense of unbelievable satisfaction.  Its great to attend
nearly every show, wish I could, but don't set your expectations too high. 
Phish is human.  Cherish every moment you share with the band.  Just imagine
what life would be like without them.

The minutes...
I've weighed my waiting moments like the last cent in my bag
all those waiting moments have held me back with raw jet lag
But the minutes that await me I will hold gentle in my hand
And tomorrow I will walk head high acrossed this shining land
To those I've shakin' hands with, to those hands that will come soon
I thank you as I move along in the thanking that you do
Far away and close and in between the times are getting bright
So dance in the music and ride on the clouds into the setting light.

thanks for your time, nick.
(pyite80@hotmail.com)


Dear Andy,
        I'm 19 years old and saw my first Phish show completely by accident at
Amy's Farm back in '91 - my camp counsler took me there! I'm fairly new
to the whole internet thing, and while I doubt that I'll ever really get
into it, I think your page and others are great resources and great
procrastination tools. I go to college in Saratoga Springs,N.Y. a place
that always has great music happening nearby. I myself have organized
Gordon Stone Trio gigs, Jazz Mandolin Project gigs, Acoustic Junction
gigs (before they changed their name to "Fool's Progress," and Smokin'
Grass/Upside Down Frown gigs.
        I also have the pleasure of only being 2 hours away from beautiful
Burlington - So I've been able to catch some really great low-key gigs
like Gordon Stone w/ Mike G. and Fish at the now defunct Last Elm Cafe
(along with tons of JMP gigs.) My most memorable Burlington gig has got
to be seeing Pavement play Club Toast this past fall.
         I must admit that I knew little about Pavement before Trey started
raving about them - but my roomate has always been a huge fan, and he
really got me hooked.I had known about the gig for several months before
the show, so I really did my research and listened to anything Pavement
related. Adam, my roomate introduced me to "The Silver Jews," which was
actually Pavement's 1st name and included singer/songwriter/genius,
David Berman. They have 3 album's that I know of "Starlite Walker" (The
only SJ's album with Pavement member's), "The Natural Bridge" (Which In
my opinion ranks up there with anything Dylan, The Velvet Underground,
or Hank William's ever did) - and their third album really an EP (I
think) available only on vinyl called "The Silver Jews and Nico" (Ha!-at
least they admit their influences)Which I have never heard. - Anyway,
David Berman decided to become a novelist instead of a Rock-star and
only does albums occasionally (in my opinion he is the real genius
behind the whole Pavement thing even more so than Steve Malkmus - who
now prefers to be called "SM" - I think he might have a "Prince"
complex. So it shouldn't be suprising that these guys aren't exactly the
warm, friendly, chums that Phish are - they're stuck up intellectuals
from L.A. who write killer tunes.My roomate also introduced  me to the
bands "Palace" (A.K.A. "Palace Music", "Palace Brothers", "Will Oldham")
and "Tortoise". I won't get into these guys, you can find out for
yourself.Along with all the Pavement disks and singles, I felt prepared
to see my 1st show. Anyway, back to the Pavement Gig.
        If you've ever been to Toast, you know that the place is pretty small -
comparable to Wetlands in NYC or Trax in VA. So I was psched,
considering Pavement has gained enough popularity to be on Conan O'Brian
and play the Roseland Ballroom in NYC. the opening band was a Burlington
hard rock outfit called "The Pants" (Fish has sat in w/ them before.) I
wasn't to interested, so I decided to sit at the bar and watch the
Yankees playoff game. As I grabbed a stool, I noticed SM and Mark of
Pavement watching the game right next to me. As I said before, these
guys kind of have a reputation for being a little "pretentious" (the
best word I can think of.) So I thought it wise not to play the part of
the fan, but instead launched into some serious baseball talk - and they
turned out to be great guys! While all this is happening, who do I
notice over my shoulder but Trey, who seems to be cautiously inching his
way toward his idols! Notwithstanding, I was greatly amused to see
hometown hero Trey as timid as a thirteen year old groupie decked out in
his "grunge" look - ripped blue jeans, plain black shirt, and black knit
beanie cap (The same one he wore on the cover of "Guitar Player Mag." By
now, everyone in the bar knows that Pavement is sitting at the bar and
that Trey is trying to saddle up next to them -but everybody is really
relaxed about it (Even I restrain from asking Trey if the Rolling Stones
ever had the chance of being at the Went.)
        In true Rock-brat fashion, Pavement didn't go on until the game was
over. Their performance was fantastic and not suprisingly short.The
highlight for most people was "Type Slowly" with a hypnotizing jam that
even SM commented on by saying, "That was our long jam song for
Vermont."  Trey must have laughed at that and that was definitely the
only time I saw Pavement acknowledge Phish's presence. During the show I
noticed that Fish was grooving right next to me. The funniest thing I
saw was Trey playing air guitar and shaking his tail - he bumped into my
roomate, and without missing a beat Adam, started rubbing his ass in the
same fasion against Trey's!-we literally laughed our asses off.My
friend, Pete Gershon (who edits a GREAT music 'zine called "Soundboard")
attempted to tape the show, but only got the first three tunes, and he
was the only taper. Anyway, that's pretty much my Pavement/Phish story.
I'm also writing this to ask if anyone has Trey's radio program from the
Ball, "Eye on Pavement" on tape - I missed hearing it and would really
appreciate a copy. I'm writing this from my Dad's computer, but my
E-mail address is lnatali@skidmore.edu . Wow, well i hope i didn't
ramble on to long. I've got a bunch of other great Phish stories i.e.
Amy's farm, Europe tour '96. If you'd like to hear 'em I'd love to blab
your ear off.
        Thanks,
          Lucas.

In my opinion phish has to be one of the greatest bands out there and
the best performers that I have seen.  I went to the Landover show at
USAir arena and it was incredible.  Everyone was so cool and could care
less about what anybody else did.  It was one of the best concerts that
I have gone to.  Thank you to everyone for making my first Phish concert
a very memorable one.

Subject: 
            Harry and the glowsticks
        Date: 
            Mon, 05 Jan 1998 12:30:17 -0400
       From: 
            david 
 Organization: 
            Whitehead Institute
  Newsgroups: 
            rec.music.phish




Hello all...

I was at the Went, Albany, and MSG, so I've seen the Hood glowstick
phenomena in its three (recent) incarnations. 

At the Went, the glowsticks were a symbol of wonderful spontaneous
interaction...Trey called for the lights to be lowered (just as he had
at the Gorge?) so that we could enjoy the celestial beauty, and
suddenly, there we were amidst glowsticks and beaming smiles.

At Albany, the crowd with its glowsticks was ready and waiting for an
attempt to repeat the magic of the Went.  I was surprised when the crowd
eventually began hurling the sticks TOWARDS the stage, and even more
surprised when Trey threw them back.  Taking any part in the glowstick
wars seems to indicate at least tacit apprival by the band, which quite
surprised me.

At MSG, the band almost certainly knew what to expect when they began
playing Harry, and the fans were only too happy to oblige.  The
glowsticks flew, the smiles and darting eyes returned, and we all
enjoyed the day-glo streaked darkness...brownies and
glowsticks...mmm-mmm.

What does this all mean?  Well, it seems that the glowsticks might be
here to stay.  At first, this didn't really seem all that wonderful. 
BUT, the more I consider the whole thing, the more ultimately
appropriate I feel it is...

Harry...Harry...where do you go when the lighst go out?
Harry...harry...where...do...you...go?

I mean, now we know what happens "WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT..."  For years
we heard the question, and it had, until recently, been rhetorical. 
Maybe he was riding the Chuck Wagon, maybe he was getting down and dirty
with Mrs. Butterworth, maybe Trey accidentally drowned him in a glass of
milk while playing Udderball in the house.  We never knew.  Until now. 
Now we know...Harry goes nowhere...he stays inside the fridge and
watches the trippy lights...arcs of color hurled from behind cold cuts,
falling down  behind the beer...leftover Chinese take out boxes lit from
overhead by streaks of color on a journey from the empty pizza box
plateau to the potato salad mountains.  Aluminum foil reflecting the
greens and reds and purples flying and hurtling and falling, filling the
fridge with frivolity...

Just imagine turning your back on the fridge door as it shuts, but
seeing, out of the corner of your eye, beams and streaks and traces of
color...turn quickly, throw open the door...NOTHING.  Just the same old
leftovers bathed in the same old light.  Close the door, though...

Harry...harry...where do you go when the li-ights go out?
Harry, Harry...where...do...you...go?

Now we know...

phish yourself silly...

David

Dude of  Life with Great Red Shark
The Dude took the stage in sequenced long coat with Napoleon hat for two
excellent sets - the group sounded tight for only having been together
for 8 months. Suzie Greenberg, Fluffhead and Antelope amongst the set
list. Joined for two songs during second set by "amateur drummer who
wants to try out"  - John Fishman.
Strangefolk came on at the Wetlands just before midnight (we arrived
from Phish between the first and second sets) and wailed through three
long sets until after sunrise -about 6:20 in the morning- finishing up
with a medley of 5 or 6 songs.
Had two great days/nights of music and remarkably at the old age of 48
still able to party!

Paul Lutz
Boxford, MA

##A FORMAL INVITATION TO THE GAME##

Hello Uno,
Now that the Phall Tour is complete, i'd like to offer an explanation of
sorts for anyone who may be curious.  If you have no idea what i am talking
about, attach no signifigance to this message whatsoever.  On the other
hand, if you attended any show this fall where you saw one of the following
sights, this message may be for you!
-kids with Uno cards taped to their shirts
-Uno cards protruding from hats, bandanas, pockets
-cards lying on seats (or on the ground, not my direct fault)
-kids waving Uno in your face outside the venue, seeming to offer you one
-an apparently maniacal dude standing on his seat before or between sets,
waving his card as if it held utter signifigance

If you recall any of these sights, allow me to expound.  It all began at
the Great Went, night 2, between sets 2 and 3.  My brother Royce and I had
wormed our way to within 20 rows of the stage.  As crowded as it was up
there, it was near impossible to find room to place one's ass for a much
needed break.  My brother, always one to find ways to pass the time,
noticed a crumpled, dirty card laying in the trampled mud of the concert
field.  Curiously stooping to pick it up, he alerted me to the presence of
a RED NINE, unbeknownst to us, the "first" uno card.  My brother has that
perfectly Phishy sence of humor, namely, Mike's Corner combined with Chris
Peterson's "Get a Life" (which i would love videotapes of, if anyone knows
where to get them).  Thanks to Royce's need for the bizarre, he began to
wave his newfound prize wildly in the air, indicating it's "importance" to
hundreds of mystified and amuzed fans behind us.  We pointed at it, we
saluted it, we even got angry at it and occasionaly threw it on the ground,
only to "rediscover" it a few moments later.  All i can really say, was
that our Uno card was utterly entertaining and hilarious at an otherwise
lackluster moment.  Indeed, in retrospect i believe we had discovered the
essence of The Great Went, if i don't presume too much.
        After this charade had continued for about 20 minutes, the most
coincidental and unbelievable thing happened.  A guy, at least 20 rows of
people behind US, thrust his hand into the air.  Guess what he had. No,
really, guess.  You guessed it, he had beaten us at our own game:he had the
DRAW FOUR WILD CARD.  The highest ranking Uno card in the world.  How he
had got it, i have no idea.  Probably found it, just as we did.  Although i
wont go so far as to say it was the craziest thing that ever happened to me
at a Phish show (it's equal with about 50 other things), i will say i was
floored.  We laughed, we saluted one another, we even tried to get him to
make his way up to us(impossible).  Completely hysterical.  The Great Went.
While we never managed to talk to the other "player", we did often wave to
eachother throughout the final set, brandishing our Uno cards in
recognition of eachother, and more importantly, the beauty of Phish.
        This image stayed with me all throughout fall, almost becoming an
icon of the zany-ness, the coincidence, and the awesome force of FATE which
surrounds our band.  And then it hit me.  I'm not a vendor, nor do i give
out stickers or hugs (well, i do, but i dont do it consistantly).  However,
ive long wanted to find a way to give SOMETHING back to the scene which has
given so much to all of us.  And what better way than to do just what the
band has always made part of their MO: i wanted to infuse something
completly absurd with total meaning, i.e. feeling good about Hood, Washing
a Ufitzi, dinner and a movie, dog-doodoo and ?Poster Nutbag?, admiring star
trek (Spocks Brain) or lumping Lucy's head...it's always been a part of
what we are. (I believe Benjy calls it a "gund") Outsiders often comment,
"What the heck are these freaks singing about?" or some such nonsense, we
chuckle to ourselves hoping that someday they'll figure it out. Just so
with Uno. (<--what a good bumper-sticker slogan) And so began the big Uno
Giveaway of fall tour '97.
        At nearly every show from Hampton VA on, i personally, or one of my
close friends, were in attendance, freely distributing Uno cards to whoever
so desired.  While we missed three shows (NC, Dayton and MI), the presence
of "America's #1 card game" has been present almost everywhere in some
capacity.  And guess what?  It started to catch on, and some people were
hooked.  Some kids started to bring decks of their own.  Others simply kept
their cards visible at every show, others would pull them out of wallets or
pockets when confronted with another "player". One girl even sewed her
yellow 2 to her dress. ;']  I probably have been asked what these cards
mean over 500 times by now, and probably contrived at least 30 different
answers.  I've said everything from "a new form of currency among heads" to
"Stay on tour! Collect the whole deck!" , and some less coherent responses.
Some people trade the cards for better ones, some try to find their
matches. But the best is when you can tell someone instinctualy
understands, without having it explained, that it's true meaning is only
absurdity, only fun in it's most basic sence.
        I love Phish more than any manmade institution in the world. As i
said, i wanted to give something back.  If youve ever felt like me, now
here's your chance.  Go buy a pack before holiday tour.  $4.50 at walmart.
I know it sounds insane, but isn't that part of the fun?  Besides, the're
others of us doing it, and believe me, it's FUN.  Its nice to have a gift
for someone, even if it's just a green skip ("now you have to skip the rest
of the night!") or a reverse ("walk backwards, duh!").  I was _personally_
told SEVERAL accounts of Uno bringing "luck", in the forms of kicked-down
tickets, favorite songs, etc.  I also made a TON of friends who loved the
idea.  Rumor has it a card even reached Mike Gordon himself after
Worcester, but let's not get ahead of ourselves...
        If anyone's still reading, i hope you dont think im an idiot.  At
least it's not just another show review, right?  I beg you, if this idea
appeals, write yourself a BIG reminder for the holiday tour, get a deck,
and pass em out. Where does this lead, you ask?  Cardgame against the band
(get them back for the chessgame), a secret way to identify narcs, trades
for tickets, secret language, inter-uno clans devided by color or number
(blues vs. reds)..all suggestions i've heard.  Who knows.  All i know is
you wont be sorry, and you just might get to be a part of something
special!!!!
See you soon, with an Uno stub in your hand.
CLay

Holiday Tour '97 starts tomorrow and boy am I psyched for Phish's three night
stay in NYC.  I wish I was going to DC but it's really out of my way,
considering that I live an hour away from MSG.  
I've always been amazed with how people travel on a whole tour with the band.
It seems like every time I pop in a Phish tape, I begin to daydream about
touring with the band I love, seeing them night after night, taking road trips
all across the U.S. (or even Europe).  My best friend and I have been to quite
a few shows together for two 15 year old kids.  We've been to many a shows at
MSG, Jones Beach, and other areas near NY.  We've always had this passion and
desire to tour with the band.  Just him and I travelling around when we get
our driver's licenses and cars.  We're gonna start saving our money now.  Who
knows, maybe in a couple of years you'll see us doing a whole summer tour.
"The best laid plans..."

Happy Holidays and have a great Holiday Tour!

-Noah 

I always like to flip through the Random Thoughts just to see what
people are randomly thinking...I have to echo some of the sentiments in
the thought from Ben that discusses the incredibly horrible attitudes
many long-time Phish "fans" seem to have concerning "their" band...I
constantly seem to see messages from people who claim that they are the
only true fans because they are from Vermont, they have been with the
band since the early days, etc etc....what gives with this crummy,
confrontational, obnoxious attitude? I enjoy many different styles of
music and many different bands, and Phish happens to be one of them. I
enjoy making travel plans to attend shows, and I love the journeys to
get there. Seriously, what gives with these rude "fans"? Can't other
people enjoy the music, the shows, the fun? Or do you have to be
exclusively from Vermont, and have been to 276 shows? Newsflash gang:
many of us have lives that keep us a long ways away from the tour scene,
but we like to jump in every now and then and have some fun...isn't that
what it's really about? An enjoyable escape with friends, fantastic
music, and terrific atmosphere, preferably in some city we've never been
to before! 
Please don't get me wrong, I'm not down on the scene in any way shape or
form, but I'm way down on the small percentage of long-time "true fans"
that seem to be out to keep people away from "their" shows...lighten up,
gang. There's plenty of fun for everyone. You should welcome people that
want to enjoy the music and the scene, not shoo them away.  Those
"long-time true fans" need to lighten up, and help make the scene
better, not drag it down and make it worse with their crummy, boorish
attitudes.
Have a great new year, see you next time you come West!

Each fall, Phish plays a fall tour and finishes off the year shows at the end of December, dubbed the "New Year's or Holiday Tour" and each year, it's always a good time. However, this year, Phish has managed to top themselves with a tour which saw the returns of two songs that haven't been played since the 1980s, and several songs which haven't been played in over 50 shows. Low Rider(826 shows), The Curtain(57 shows), TMWSIY(66 shows), The Sloth(54 shows), Dog-Faced Boy(109 shows), Boogie on Reggae Woman(821 shows) and BBFCFM(115 shows) all made their truimphant returns to the Phish stage this tour. Also the tour contained such rarities as Halley's Comet and parts of Sanity. A Day in the Life and Suzie Greenberg also made their returns after two tours of absence. In the past, every Phish show has been special in it's own way. At least one part of a show was played really well or there was a rare song to rejoice in. This tour, each show had a special part which has played excellent. Think about it, Vegas had a Mike's and a YEM, which in my opinion, the presence of both a Mike's and a YEM is the sign of a classic show, only about 30 shows have had both and even less in recent years. Besides Vegas, MSG(night 2), Shoreline, and NYE 95, no shows have had both. Utah had the Guyute, Antelope combo. Simply put, it's has been the best tour in years. I went to quite a few shows this tour and was blown away each time, even at PSU, which I expected to be a weak show and Rochester too, which I thought would be weak, contained the tour's 2nd Drowned and Rose are Free( a Ween cover) and BBFCFM. What is with Phish? They are playing the most incredible tour in recent memory, perhaps since the famous run in August 1993. Also, the song selection is interesting. Ghost, a song which opened up the 1997 Summer Tour and was played a total of 10 times that tour, including three times in the first four shows. It wasn't played this tour until the fourth show and only a total of 7 times. Guyute, saw much more action than ever, played 6 times, I think, including once as an amazing encore, coupled with Antelope. Mike's Song action five times, including twice as an opener, which I'm not sure if I agree with. Still, the Mike's Groove opener at Hampton was when I discovered the meaning of life.

In closing I have to say that this tour is awesome, and I hope to accumulate all the tapes, until Holiday Run, later.

P.S. Holiday Run will be sick!

-Tom Torbik
PiperTrey2@aol.com

just wanted to share a thought. Me and a friend went to europe last year 
for a month. When we were in germany we went to the hofbraus house which 
is this huge, old beer hall. After drinking many liters of dark beer I 
had to use the facilitys. The bathroom had stalls just like american 
bathrooms. I went in one to pee. The walls were pale green and looked 
liked they were just painted. But, then there, on the upper right hand 
corner, something scribbled in fading black magic marker, I looked 
closer and it said "..what ever you do take care of your shoes!" I had 
to smile. Whoever wrote that there,, 
thanks:p
chez8@hotmail

Phellow Phish Phans, 
        The positive vibe is kickin', I can feel it in the air.
Something funky's brewing, but it could just be my hair.  Christmas
time's for sharing so I give this vibe to you.  I can't wait till new
years eve when we bathe in Phishy goo.
        Stay positive, be kind, and don't blink - you might just miss
it.
                        Big Daddy Lamar


Well, I hate the fucking radio. It seems like everytime I turn it on, I
hear the same songs. Over, and over, and over...That's
what pulled me into listening to Phish. The fact that I never hear them
on the radio. That and the fact that the music that pours
out of the lives of these men can mean so much to one person. 

Music exists all around us, yet only a small few of us can have the
strength to harness it's power so the rest of us can hear. Even
the greats such as Mozart and Beethoveen said that they could feel music
pouring through them, and they were just there to
provide a medium for the music. They claimed it was God sending the
music through them. 

Improvisation is the ability to capture the music that exists naturally
and the feeeling of having no sense in what comes next, yet
being able to harbor a self-confidence that you are in complete control
of the situation. Nobody controls improvisation, it
controls the musician. Improvisation must be practiced, as silly as that
seems. But it is not a process of practicing playing a
musical instrument, It is the process of practicing listening.
Practicing feeling the music that is around you. It takes tons of
practice. 

I am really starting to hate the Phish scene. I have been to eight
shows, and I plan on seeing the whole MSG run. I went on a
mini-tour this summer from Tinley to Deer Creek. I have never felt so
alone in my entire life. Everyone at the shows was out
there for themselves. There was no spirit of community that I have seen
at other shows like Ekoostik Hookah. Everyone was
pushing, shoving, stealing, conning, and manipulating each other. It
made me sick. I have an intense passion for listening to
Phish. But I can not stand the crowd that is out there right now. 

For example, as I went to buy tickets for the Dayton show this fall, I
was accosted by a young women who said "You do not
deserve to go to a Phish concert." My friends and I had been waiting
since 5 in the morning to get tickets. Her rationale behind
her statement was that since we had not had a chance to see the band in
the early days, we were not true fans and therefore
should not be permitted entrance into the show. 

What the fuck??? 

I couldn't really understand her logic. I am rather young at 19 and
there was no way that I could have listened to the band back
in the eighties, I was only 10!!!! She blatently said to me that I am
not a fan. Maybe this is ignorance on my part, but Phish has
brought me some of the happiest moments of my entire life. Who was she
to say that I was not deserving of more of this
happiness because she had seen the band before I had. 

I'm sorry, but this is the cold hard truth that I have come to face. I
also know that I will be looked down upon when I try to sell
my 12/29 and 12/30 extras at the MSG show for fourty dollars. The price
on the ticket does not say fourty dollars, but I
ordered them over the phone, and with all of the service charges,
shipping by UPS, and other bullshit that they rack up, my
total order came to $80.15. When I'm at the show trying to sell these
tickets I know I will be looked at as some stupid frat boy
trying to mark up the price of the tickets. That is not the case, I'm
rather trying to make sure that my money isn't taken from me.

I know this is negative, but I really couldn't go on thinking that Phish
is the best thing ever to me. I love the music, I love the
emotion, and I love the energy I get caught up in while at the show. I
love hearing the part in Run Like an Antelope where the
boys build us up almost to the point of collapsing, only to be gently
set down into another groove. I love the hearing the jam of
You Enjoy Myself fade out into an intense, spooky vocal jam. I love
meeting people at shows, and then seeing them later while
on tour. 

But I hate being ripped off. I hate having stupid shit like my
flashlight stolen from my tent while I'm at the show. I hate being
looked at like I'm out of place when I have a whiteball cap on at the
show, I hate people who stub there friends down to the
front row and have them push everyone who worked their ass off for a
front row ticket out of the way. I hate people asking me
for free shit. 

But man do I love the music... 

-Ben Foster

I'll start off by saying that I caught the first four shows of the fall
tour, and I think Phish is playing better than ever before.  I just wish
the crowd would follow suit.  I sat/stood 3rd row in front of Trey in
Vegas, and while the show was phenomenal, musically, there were some
strange things going on in the crowd.  I don't know if you've heard about
it, but things were so messed up that two of my friends totally freaked
out during the show.  First is that guy who wears some costume.  It's a
potato, or peanut, or something.  Anyway, he managed to get up on stage in
Vegas, and tried again the first night in Denver.  He did some weird sign
with his hand before being carried off, and several in the crowd returned
the gesture.  Also, even worse, were these two guys screaming "Phish
sucks, I hate you.  You guys have changed.  F--k Phish!  I can't believe
you guys are listening to this!"  They continued this through the show and
also pushed people out of the way until they were right in front of the
band, yelling.  I know the band saw this during the second set, and it
seemed that for a while they were battling these idiots with their music.
I also think that when they played Bouncing, it was a total joke, sort of
a retaliation for that scene.  (If you'd have seen it, you'd know.  Jon
started drumming, Trey gave him a questioning look, then made a goofy face
for the whole song.)  I love Phish more than ever, but this scene is
getting out of hand.  Who ever heard of an agro Phish scene?  As long as
the band can rise above it, it's all good, but I hope these people just
get out of the scene-there's no room.

Aaron Grossberg

This isn't a show story or a review or a smoking tale....it's a story
about the community we live in.  I didn't get my mailorder back at all
and knew I didn't get tickets....I was a little pissed off.  My
girlfriend got us tickets for the 30th and that was cool with me, but I
really wanted 31st.  Just yesterday I come back to my room and there's
an envelope on my desk.  It is my mailorder sent back to me...but it has
someone else's return address and there is a letter inside.  Brendan
Cranna seemed to have been sent my mailorder as well as his and
forwarded it to me.  The tix were for the 30th, no biggie right?  wrong.
They were 3rd row seats and got me NYE tickets.  If anyone knows how I
can reach this guy please let me know, the address is really messed up
and I can't read it, but my girlfriend and I owe  all the fun we have on
NYE to him.  It is things like this that make me happy to be a part of
such a community.  I hope everyone has a great holiday season and I'll
see you all who are going to be at the shows!  BJ

I had 2nd row seats(section 107) at the second albany show.
During J Willis Pratt my friend motioned to my to look at Pages side of the
stage by the security guard.  It was my Mike!  He stood there for a few
minutes before moving to a 3rd row seat.  A few people noticed him.  I was
watching as a girl walked up and introduced herself.  He held out his hand
and said "Hi I'm Mike".  I thought this was great. He's so modest he
assumes that even though he's in the band someone might not know his name.
Its probably nothing but I thought it was pretty cool of him.

now my question----what was playing at the set break on the first night
in albany?? i also heard it in the palace and one of the nights at
worcester and hartford.  it sound like a folk-celtic irish music.  the
lead voice is feemale and it jams!!!! i want to get it!!!!!! please help
me out or direct me to someone who can.
peace and bag it!!!!
-prem-
pdb97002@uconnvm.uconn.edu

I dare anyone who was there to listen to the Deer Creek '97 HOOD without
getting goosebumps.  I don't think it can be done.  I know I can't.
What a magical jam.
-damath@ix.netcom.com

" At last he was there...at the end, he'd found what he was looking
 for. The journey which his life was a part of had taken him to the
 farthest reaches of the world, and while he searched for that goal which
 he held so dear, he knew that to be living his life to the fullest he
 could understand what he was doing it for. As he gazed into the light of
 the renounced understanding, only one thing remained clear for him. That
 to live his life to the fullest understanding, he must first understand
 his life. Why he was there wasn't important, all that was important is
 that he was there. And it was up to him to take the raw materials
 composed of his soul, his heart, and his mind, and put them to use so
 that he could prosper. So that those components which were working could
 glow with the inner beauty he possessed. In the end, noone would
 remember the complaints or the failures, but the accomplishments and the
 understandings of the journey called life, and he would once again stand
 atop the mountain in a blaze of glory, in clear view of everything, and
 have a vision of all. He would truley be free."

-AG

Well, the tour is over but expect crazy things for the Holiday Run.  Anyway, I
was staying in the OMNI Hotel in Albany this weekend as were the boys.   After
the first show I was standing in the lobby after the Crew came in.   I was
about to goto my room and pass out when all of a sudden I see the "PHISH FALL
TOUR 97 ALL ACCESS" pass on the ground.  I picked it up and started to freak
that I was now in the money.  After showing it to a few people and cracking up
I startet drinking at the bar. Then I see Brad Sands and some other Phish
employees walking through the lobby.  I hustle over to turn it in because of
some sort of morality complex.  They were all shocked that I would turn it in
as was I.  Subsequently, they said what I did was nice and that I should come
up to Brad's suite for the final party of the tour.  I got some alcohol of my
own and some drink mixers and headed on up.  Everyone in the band was there or
was there (Trey).  I drank with the boys, employees, and frineds from about 1
am til 4:30.  They can all throw down but no one does it like Fishman.
Fishman was drinking a Bailey's/Ketel 1/ O.J./whatever else concoction out of
a Chinese food soup Quart holder.  They were all having a great time. 

Let me say that phish never ceases to amaze me. That
is why the second night in the knick was amazing(my
second favorite show next to darein lake). Everyone
was expecting alot, and the boys came through. Show
opened with a funky Ya Mar, that took off into a sick
jam, that would rank this version one of the best.
Out of this jam, they kicked into a blistering
version of Axilla pt.1, complete with "nitrous jam"
outro...kick ass! Next was Ginseng, nice version only
my second, but  still would have preferred Homeplace
or Uncle Penn. Strange Design followed, my first
always nice to hear a page vocal. Sample was
Sample...STANDARD. Then the band busted into
Vultures...fiasrt and only of the tour...a
spirited,metalesque version, but flawless...sweet...
Next Trey conferred with the band for a few seconds
returned to the mike, and busted into...TUBE!! This
Tube was 8 1/2minutes of pure funk with page on the
synth, probably the one of the best(and lengthy)
versions ever. It ripped!! The band kept the energy
high with a rip-roaring version of the LedZep classic
Good Times,Bad Times, very cool page vocals,
mimmicking Plant best he could. End of set.
threatened to be ruined by sample,ginseng,and design
thrown in the middle, but can't look past killer
YaMar, Blistering versions of Axilla 1 &
GT,BT,Vultures, AND OF COURSE, THE TOUR'S SECOND
TUBE! Second set opened with a solid NICU, always
good to hear. Next they break into Punch, which I
heard at Roch', but it's still cool, better version
at Roch', IMO. Next was Ghost: at first dissapointed,
but when the jam kicked in it was all good, this
ghost was pretty sick, they didn't come around with
the chorus again, but instead Trey strummed the
opening notes to...MIKE'S!!.... AHHHHH!! went nuts,
this was my first Mike's in 8 shows, I was so pumped,
and this was no lame version, to be blunt, they
funked the shit out of it with band members egging
each other on throughout..."Cactus bring the BOOM!"
Just pure sickness...Into Llama... heard this was
teased alot the first night...standard,average
version into...Circus comes to town...Good tune, but
would have opted for something else...Fish started
the fimilair beat to Weekapaug, and Gordo starts on
his basslines he thunders out a monster bass solo of
claypool-esque proportions. This high energy paug'
was awesome, and as the jam got deeper, the boys
started groovin' on a stop-and-start version with
trey coming in on the starts with a funky-ass guitar
part with spotlight on him, lookin' like a showboat
with his foot on the speaker in front of him gyrating
his body on a p-funk groove. They were the funk,the
funk was them until... the jam started intospace
into...Catapult...haunting,spacey,melodic
version...nice vocals by Mike, which kicked directly
back into...Paug' which winded down with some CYHMK
teases...overall, a great mike's groove...Blew away
with the Hood directly after the groove, above
average version(which means it rocked) complete with
a glowstick war, as the band jams with lights off(ala
WENT). END OF SET . GREAT SET, WITH GOOD TUNES
THROUGHOUT, Circus the only throw-away, great
Mike's...Encore: My Soul...great,roCkin' version ,
but not what I wanted to see(nice work page and
trey)...Squirming Coil.. flawless version with a
perfectly spaced outro, with Page and Trey doing dual
solos util page was left to close the show, beutiful
as always. Overall- Liked both sets, but both had
some weak moments(cicus,design,sample), but
especially LIKED Tube,Axilla,Vultures,Gt.bt,Mike's,
Hood, and Ghost. I love this band!!

This weekend was perfect, absolutely PERFECT.  You know those little
things that always seem to go wrong when 6 people take a road trip? 
Well this time we did it right.  Everything just seemed to work out.  We
left Boston around 2PM on Friday and we were all extremely stoked to see
Phish for the next two nights.  Right from the start I just had a good
feeling about the trip.  We went with a great group of people,  everyone
was equally obsessed with Phish and we passed the time in the car with
some Phish trivia as well as predictions for Friday night.  We were
lucky enough to stay in my friend Steve's beautiful house out in Western
Mass.  It's out in the middle of the mountains and is just the perfect
place to kick back and relax.  We made it to the house by about 4:20
(really) and immediately Steve started making dinner as we made a fire. 
We had quite the pre-show feast:  lobster, shrimp, chicken, rice, salad,
micro-brews...it was amnazing.  So then, we all start getting kind of
nervous cause its 6:30 so we head out the door to go to the show. 
"Anyone know how to get to the venue?" Steve asks as we're about half
way there.  At this point, I was sure we'de miss the beginning of the
show, and I hate that.  But, of course it was a PERFECT weekend
so....Steve remembers he's got his cell phone with him, calls the venue,
gets directions and somehow I make it to my seat by 7:50!  The only
problem was we all had single tix.  So I'd sit by myself, no problem,
done it plenty of times before...."Hey, you're Jeff, right?"  Turns out
the guy sitting next to me knew me, I'd been at his house a month
earlier...we have some mutual friends, (go figure).  First Set
highlights:  SICK 2001, some of the best funk yet, Karoda going nuts on
the lights...CAMEL WALK!...Most jammed out version I've ever heard of
Taste...Character Zero ripped.  And another thing...I've been
brainwashed into thinking Bouncin' is cheesy cause everyone says it is
and "the mainstream" audience likes it, so when they started playing it
I sat down.  About half way through the song I realized I hadn't
actually heard the song in ages.  I never listen to it on tapes and I
hadn't seen it live in a while...I recognized how beautiful the song
really is.  It reminded me of years ago when I used to love the
song...and quite frankly I still do.  Label be however  you want to, but
Bouncin is a beautiful, complex song regardless of who likes it!  
Anyway, set 2:  I Saw It Again>Piper INSANE!!! These (along with Limb by
Limb) are my favorite new ones...and I was so stoked to hear them back
to back, then they did this weird funky jam that lead perfectly into
Swept Away...I cried when they started playing Swept Away.  I was so
emotionally moved by how pretty it was...and then I saw two girls
sitting near me hug each other when they started playing it...I couldn't
help it.  Isabella absolutely smoked and then Reprise rocked out as
usual.  Trey was fucking going nuts during Reprise!  Anyone else see
what was going on between Trey and the first couple rows on the floor? 
I was watching it the whole show:  these 3 or 4 guys had insane seats
right up front and were just going crazy the whole show, Trey was so
into them that he was actually playing right to them.  During the
Reprise Trey was dancin and pointing at them it was hilarious.  
Encore...so the place goes nuts when they bust out Guyute.  Guyute comes
to the final verse and a lot of people are getting their coats on and
heading for the exits...when They hit the final chord I notice that Trey
is nowhere near the mic for his typical, "thanks a lot everyone, we'll
see you tomorrow night", instead, he's looking over at Fishman
signalling something...and then I thought I was hearing things...is
that?  no way...ANTELOPE?!  The place fuckin erupted, people around me
ripped off their jackets and started flipping out...what an encore!  I
thought I heard a Buried Alive quote in there, plus the Ry Ry Rocco part
was extended (proving that the band was in no rush).  It was like a
start/stop jam with Trey taking 8 bars to do some funk riff, and them
Mike took a short solo before finally kicking it into the final chorus. 
Trey looked right at the dudes in the front row when he yelled "set the
highgear..."  it was beautiful. 
        Anyway, we all found each other after the show and find out that Sandy
(who didn't have tix) wound up finding a ticket right before the
show...THEN she got a ticket for Saturdays show right as we were
leaving.  Wow, this was too good to be true.  We got home to that
beautiful, secluded house only 40 minutes away. We drank some great beer
and sampled the plethora of dank we had all brought.
        Day two:  Awoke to the sell of breakfast around 1PM.  Feeling very
refreshed, we ate another great meal and then immediatley started
cooking dinner.  After yet another gourmet meal we hit the raod for
Albany.  This show was the bomb...
        The night before, Devo and Smithers had found the one aisle in the
venue that didn't have a security guard...so we all decided we'd chill
there tonight so we could be together.  (section 101, the aisle didn't
go to the floor).  Got my first Tube in 38 shows!  Also witnessed one of
the most amazing sets I've ever seen.  Before the show I did see the
Dude of Life walking around, but he never came out even with the "bring
out the Dude".  The Harry hood was so beautiful, I cried again...tears
of joy.  I was at first worried that someone was going to hit the band
with a glowstick, but then Mike started throwing the glowsticks back,
kind of showing that the band liked it.  It was a smaller version of the
Went Hood, but was still equally amazing to see in an indoor venue.   I
really can't put this set into words and I don't think the tapes will do
it justice either...there was just a vibe in the air that night...great
crowd/band energy...when the music in Hood changed to different section
the glowsticks just stopped, like it was part of the song.  No one
abused it, they just knew to stop.  It was great.  (also a lot of the
glowsticks were on stage and that looked amazing under the purple
lights).  Well the night ended with a beautiful Coil and Page solo, he
then thanked everyone for a great tou and threw a glowstick into the
crowd.  THANK YOU PHISH.
        So roadtrip: no arrests, everyone got into the shows, didn't get lost
and everything just seemed to work out....wow.  See everyone in NYC on
the 29th.  PEACE, Jeff Waful

I was planning on writing a whole review due to my profound inspiration
at this show, but I really just want to talk about a few salient points.
The first set was incredible.  Every note was alive.  How about that
opening band? ha, ha.  The guys had me blown away.  The music during the
first set was incredible.  It was like Trey was reading my mind and
playing all of my favorites.  During the second set, I heard some
incredibly subliminal shit from Trey.  I need some feedback on this one,
but I heard Trey say, "You got some good shit if you're getting this."
and "Page! Page! I can't hear you Page!"  I believe this occurred during
the Mike's.  I also felt Page begging in a child-like way to play Coil.
I had to leave during My Soul, so you can imagine my suprise when I saw
Coil on the setlist.  Wow!!  The images I was getting during this show -
Santa and his reindeer during the first set.  A dragonfly during the
second set that slowly evolved into a rocket.  During the "cactus" jam,
it sounded like a huge explosion with the jam following the debris as it
fell to earth.  The jam during the second set got very "ordinary."  It
felt like the guys were at work and pleasantly chatting about being on
stage and hanging out and what they were going to do next.  I felt a lot
of dynamic interplay between the band members and the audience.  In the
end, I could feel the audience and the band separate and that was when I
had to leave.  I got hosed in a big way.  e-mail me at
proctorl@mail.courttv.com if you heard what I heard.

Well Friday's Worcester show was my first since The Went and I needed it.  We
were lucky enough to score floor seats about 20 rows back in the center
(perfect).  Before the lights go down,  my friends and I always review the
tour's set lists and try to predict the probable songs of the show.  I had
guessed a Runaway Jim opener, but was ecstatic when I heard the first few
notes to the Curtain.  There's nothing like the surreal feeling of seeing
Phish for the first time in months.  I had been looking forward to it so
much, it was almost like, "is this really happening?"  (the brownies had also
just started to kick in).  Curtain was solid and when Trey counted off the
time signature to YEM it was obvious that they had come to play this night.
  YEM was great and heavy on funk.  After they had been grooving for a while
I turned to my friend and remarked, "wow, no vocal jam".  At that instant,
they started playing quieter and went into what we initially thought was the
vocal jam....but, wait it sounds like..."I didn't Know!"  YES!  such a treat,
I love this tune and hadn't heard it in a while.  Plus we got the added bonus
of the first Henrietta Vacuum solo of the tour and in quite a while as far as
I can remember.  (it seemed that the boys felt right at home in front of the
"home-town" crowd).  When they kicked into Maze, I was psyched.  I was ready
to dance.  Standard (amazing) Maze.  Next was Farmhouse.  I groove this song
probably because it's so new.  I can see it growing old if they play it too
much, but for now it jams.  (No Woman, No Cry-big influence).  I was very
impressed with Black-Eyed Katy.  I hadn't heard it yet, but was pretty sure
that this was it.  I still can't get over how funky the boyz are these days.
 They're so in the pocket.  Theme From the Bottom was jammed out more than
usual, thought it would end the set, but Rocky Top did.  Overall, the first
set was impressive-not epic.  I was happy to finally be at a show, and really
needed to sit down.
     Second set opener of Tiber Ho! got everyone groovin again, I was 

"Music is a spiritual expression of what's in your heart. Music as a
way of getting rich is a pretty new thing, and I often wonder if the
mega-bucks glitzy atmosphere is making the quality of music suffer.
You have to work really hard to get around that and remember why you're
in it in the first place: because you have to be. It's like an
addiction. You can't go a day without picking up your guitar. To me,
the only commercial goals that are really valid are, 'Boy, I wish I
didn't have to go to work. I wish I could do this all the time.'"
 
    -Trey Anastasio

Here's a funny little tidbit for your day.

Over the weekend, I was hanging out with some friends before the Palace show. 
Some people I hadn't met came into the room and my friend introduced them 
as, "This is Ryan, this is is 2nd show. And this is Mark, it's his 15th show."
I felt like I was at a Phish Anonymous meeting.
-Andrew Gadiel

Subject: 
           Review: The MSG ticket line or how to freeze your ass off in 30 easy steps....
           (fwd)
      Date: 
           Mon, 8 Dec 1997 14:02:03 -0500
      From: 
           Sister Mary Carmen 
Newsgroups: 
           rec.music.phish


 
Setlist first:

set I: Homeless guy selling Nike's->Rain, Indecent Exposure Guy, Valium
and Methadone Guy, Masturbation in Bathrooms, Ranger's Game lets out->
Arthur the bike man, Drunk Man-> Little Jacket Man, Scuzzy Men, The Mayor
of Linesville Makes a List->Sister Mary Gets Scary with a Scalper

Set II:  Warmth in Penn Station-> Almost getting a Summons->Searching for
a Warm place->Heading back outside, The Drunk guy from California->Running
Away from the Drunk Guy from California, The Cool Homeless Guy-> Giving
away our food and blankets, The lineup->the Long Wait Inside-> Buying our
Tickets

Enocre: Goinhg home to shower and pass out 

Mike and I awoke at 2:00 am Thursday morning to catch a train to NYC at
3:30 expecting to be the first two phreaks in line. At exactly 4:21 we
walked around the imposing edifice that is the Garden we spotted a huddled
mass of homeless humanity... or so we thought... what we found were Brian,
Chris, Anik, Brian and Todd the five people who arrived before us. Brian
and Chris two troopers from Albany had staked their claim at 7:30 am
Thursday morning... we may have been the sixth and seventh people in line
but we were far from the first.
        As we settled in for our 32 hour seige of MSG we became acquainted
with our neighbors... all nice people. About 10 minutes later the next 8
people showed up and we were the first 15 people on line for about the
next 4-5 hours.   Aside from the cold weather and the dark, with the
ocassional homeless person stopping by to chat, the first evening was
pretty uneventful.
        As the sun rose, more commuters and tourists took to the streets
of NYC and began their day.  It was really interesting to watch the city
turn from a really quiet place to a thriving, busy, hurried, mess.  As
more people began to show up in line, the weirdness truly began.  To make
a long story short, I will give the remainder of the adventure in list
form, recapping all the interesting/hilarious/downright weird events that
took place:  (all events are listed in chronological order)

Set I:

1.  The weird, homeless guy trying to sell a pair of Nikes:  I woke up
from a five minute nap listening to some guy trying to sell a pair of
stolen Nikes for $20 dwindling down to $3 after not getting much of a
response from the half asleep line.

2.  It started to rain on and off for the rest of the day.  It finally
ended around five when it was already night.

3.  The indencent exposure guy:  This happened around ten am.  I regret
(well maybe I don't) that I did not actually see this.  However, everyone
else did.  Some scary man pulled out his penis from his pants and urinated
in the middle of the crowded sidewalk then proceeded to wave his penis
around in the air in circles.  Mike had to check with Brian and Todd to
make sure that this was actually happening.  I guess the cool/odd thing
about this was that all the people who were on line waiting for a taxi
(about 60 people) just seemed to treat this as though it was a normal
everyday occurence and looked the other way.  God bless NYC.

4.  Mike was offered valium, methadone, alcohol:  A rather normal looking
man asked Mike what he was waiting for.  After Mike told him Phish, the
man proceeded to tell Mike all his addictions and mental problems.  When
Mike said he'd be in line for about thirty hours, the man offered him
valium , methadone, or alcohol to tide him over.  Mike happily declined
the offer.

5. Masturbation in the bathrooms:  we received a report (thanks Brian and
John) that the Penn station bathrooms were turning into dens of
masturbating dirty old men.  NOTE: the only dirty thing in the women's
room was the ceiling leaking dirty brown water everywhere but in the
bucket that was placed under it.  

6.  The Rangers game let out:  Thank God the Rangers did not lose.  I can
not believe just how drunk fans get at these games.  We answered a lot of
"What are you doing"  and "Are you homeless?" questions, as well as being
told "To get a job!" and "that we are crazy".  Some of the best answers
to the "what are you waitng for?" question were:

"Spice Girls, they're gonna be naked"
"Monster Truck-a-thon, with Truckzilla"
"WWF"
"Bette Midler and Barbra Streisand"
"Kenny G"
"Trey on Ice"
"Free Sex"
"Free Acid"
"You, where the fuck have you been, we've been waiting all night"
"Sociology experiment, we are trying to experience what it is like being
homeless" NOTE: even though we had the comforting knowledge that we were
going home to a nice, warm place, we actually did experience being
homeless for thirty hours and have more compassion for these souls that
wander our city streets.

7.  Arthur, the bike man:  Apparently Arthur was the first man ever to
drop acid in this country.  He held the secrets to the freemasons, the
illuminati, organized religon, the AIDS virus, the meaning of life, and if
we gave him more time he would have told us who killed JFK and what was
inside Al Capone's vaults.  This man was seriously disturbed and the funny
thing was that he looked so normal.  

8.  Drunk Man:  Anyone who was there knows who this drunk man was.  I know
that drunk man sounds kind of vague, but this man was DRUNK!!!!  He
wandered down the line getting in everyone's face until an ambulance from
St. Vincent's picked him up.  Anyone who was about numbers 25-35 in line
care to share with me who exactly called the ambulance and why?  

9.  Little jacket man:  Man with a radio and extremely small jacket
grooved and flowed to the tunes of his mind with the line.

10.  Apparently I am attractive to really scuzzy homeless men becaus e
about 10 of them tried hitting on me.  It was pretty funny.

11.  The Mayor of Linesville Makes a List:  normally, every time I have
waited in line at the Garden, security comes out and takes a list of all
the people on the line and then gives out the bracelets in line order.
Well this did not happen.  Tom, who was a fan waiting in the back of the
line, got pissed since about forty scalpers had decided to jump in,
pushing them back.  He talked with security and then proceeded to take
down all of our names.  He made a list of about 250 names and then gave it
to security.  The scalpers names were not on it and apparently they were
pissed.  If it had not been for him, the scalpers would have gotten a lot
of tickets.

12.  Sister Mary gets Scary with a Scalper:  Some guy who thought just
because he was talking to the two people in front of the line on 10
different occasions that night felt that he deserved to be third in line.
i felt a bit different.  Everyone saw him and was getting pissed, so I
voiced our complaints and proceeded to get really loud and annoye.  I kind
of surprised myself as to how vocal I was being, but I was really mad.  I
think Anik refers to this as me "regulating"  the front of the line.  From
that point on, I was standing and watching what was going on.  To quote
myself, "You can be damn sure that you will have a problem with us if you
cut in on this line!"

Set break:  They gave out the bracelets, the scalpers really got screwed
as they were pulled off the line, and we were told to come back at 6am.

Set II:    

1.  Went inside Penn Station fo rWarmth:"  We headed down to the LIRR part
of Penn Station since we are usually left alone there.  It worked until
quite a number of us hippie freaks were gathered and people started
playing the guitar.  It sort of attracted the police and they were sort of
pissed.

2.  We almost got a summons:  The officer told us that we cold get a
summons for sitting there doing nothing, so we promptly left as he was
writing them out.

3.  Searched afor a new place:  WE tried everywhere in Penn station, but
there were cops at evry place we tried to sit.  I am surprised that we
were not arested or given tickets.  Admittedly we came close.

4. Went back outside:  WE gave up on trying to be warm and bit the bullet
and went back outside.  There were people already out there.  Lots of last
minute poeple came and got bracelets.  I could not believe they were still
giving people bracelets.  They were already up to the 300s.

5.  The Drunk Guy From California:  He came right up to us, at himself
down and began rapping the Sugar Hill Gang.  He was very very weird and
extremely drunk.  He had pissed his pants, and was seriously talking in
his own language.  He had no idea where he was or where he came from.  We
did manage to find out that he works in a hospital giving EKGs!!!!!  God
help us all.

6.  The Cool Homeless Guy:  We met this really cool guy because he was
attempting to take my rotted, disgusting, sleeping bag out from the
dumpster I had just thrown it in.  I really didn't want anyone to have it.
He said that he felt it was a shame for a good blanket to go to waste.  I
then offered him the two of the five new blankets I had bought at Kmart
that night.  He was very grateful.  We then gave him all the food we did
not eat and he repaid us with some of his fantastic artwork.  The man
makes mazes and all i can say is that I wish I was tripping while I was
looking at it.  He was a young guy who had only been on ther streets for a
few months and my heart really went out to him.

7.  The lineup outside:  Security began to line us up in number order
outside.  We were excited because we only had about four hours left.  They
then proceeded to bring us inside the Garden to wait.

8.  Waiting inside the Garden:  This was the hardest part for me.  I was
really exhausted and I swear I was seeing little animals running all over
the place.  I tried to sleep for the next two hours, but the floor was
really cold and it was freezing in the hallway.  However, I could see the
ticket booths.  Finally around 8:30 they lined us up at the ticket
windows.

9.  Buying the tickets:  the excitement and tension was mounting.  I was
second in line at the window.  I thought Chris, who was in front of me,
was gonna die.  Finally they opened and the frenzy began.  We got floor
seats for all three nights, sitting with all the people we waited with.
The ends certainly justified the means, I was very happy and ready to go
home.

Encore:  As soon I got into my door i was already half undressed, all I
wanted was to be clean and out of the clothes I was wearing.  My roomate
left and I slept for the next twenty hours.

I have decided that I will never camp out for another holiday tour because
it is just too damn cold.  This is the third time I have camped out at
MSG and I must say it was the most enjoyable.  I hope to see everyone at
NYE.  I have no idea where the gathering is going to be, if anyone has any
ideas name them.

Peace,

Sister Mary Carmen


******************************************************************************
"God help you if you are an ugly girl,*  "Does anyone else feel weird when 
 course too pretty is also your doom. *   putting their hand inside a 
 Everyone harbors a secret hatred for *   puppet?"        
 the prettiest girl in the room"      *           - Sister Mary Carmen 
                                      *             mchimato@ic.sunysb.edu
                       - Ani DiFranco *
******************************************************************************
                     

I was wondering if anybody read the Philadelphia Inquirer review 
of the first night in Philly.  I read it the other day, and man was I 
pissed at the critique the show got.  I know it's the writer's job to 
criticize, but I have read the same crap time and time again.  She 
basically said that the Spectrum wouldn't be packed if Jerry Garcia were 
alive.  That's the crap I am so sick of.  You mean Phish sucked when The 
Dead were around?  Let me see here.  Bouncing Around the Room and Sample 
in a Jar were very popular on the radio circuit long before Jerry's 
passing.  They are probably the most popular Phish songs among people 
who don't know Phish, except for probably Free.  Phish was packing clubs 
and arenas way before 1995 as well.  I don't know about you, but when I 
see Phish every time I get to see them on tour, I see, well, I see 
Phish, the way they always have been.  They stick to their guns, and 
that is what has made them such an endearing band to their fans.  The 
column went on to also say that today's Phish is much more different 
than that of 4 1/2 years ago when they played the Tower.  She said they 
were something like an annoying band, with self-absorbed songs, blah, 
blah, blah.  I don't know about her, but I think everyone who still 
doesn't know Phish like they didn't know them then still finds them 
annoying, and in the same way.  Nothing has changed.  I have people who 
come up to me and say, "How can you like them? They're annoying."  Well 
of course they're annoying, because they're defying the odds by packing 
arenas with tons of fans who follow them show to show.  They're annoying 
because people like you can't stand to see this band succeed.  All I 
know is, The Dead have their fans and Phish have theirs, and there's 
also fans of both and of course, why not? Both bands fucking jam like 
crazy.  Jerry's death just plain sucked.  The  band couldn't go on 
anymore, so what's a Deadhead to do.  Why, the next best thing of course 
- follow Phish and join the massive throngs who have been fans of them 
all along.  
        I guess the best thing to do, is to ignore naive reviews like 
that and keep on keepin' on, because that's what gets us through and 
that's exactly what Phish has been doing since that first show at the 
little bar known as Nectars.  See ya people and Phish on!
-Paul B. 
pjbishop@bellatlantic.net

More Phish Thoughts ->

Andy's Phish Page

Andrew Gadiel

andy@gadiel.com

http://www.gadiel.com


 (12/5/96)