Any Phish/dead Heads?

[deadfan]

Didn't realize it until just now, but I guess I'm in the minority on this one. I know there are other Phish phans on this board, maybe they're currently on tour with this great band...But I think Phish ROCKS!!!!!!!! The band is made up of four INCREDIBLY talented musicians.

Yes their lyrics are off the wall (on their older songs, a lot of the new songs actually have pretty good lyrics IMO), yes their jams can get a bit "off task" though they always come back on point, and yes their fan base can be a little different than what we are all accustomed to at times (really just depends where you're seeing them IMO), yes they have some gimmicky things throughout the course of a show (all of which are ways to keep the live experience fun and spontaneous, which can't be easy to do when playing so many nights).....BUT every single time I listen to them play, live or recording, I'm extremely impressed with their level of talent and musicianship. It's my opinion that Trey is one of the best guitar players alive, period. I know that is a strong statement on this board, but the only other living guitarist I would rather see is JK (another bold statement in this neck of the woods, but it's my opinion). But regardless, Trey can rip a guitar like no one else IMO.

I think Phish gets a bad rap from most deadheads. Not sure if it stems from the transition of music after Jerry's passing or from the media's constant comparison of the two bands or something else completely unrelated. But the music Phish puts out ROCKS!!!!!!!!!! In my opnion......

Silver Fox

You are totally correct dude, Phish does rock and I had great shows every time I went to one (which I admit are not many). I think that it is great that you spoke your mind on a board where it takes bravery, sometimes, to speak your mind. Trey definitely rocks and Phish is very very talented. I listen to way too much dead music and I am still waiting for the time when I get bored of it all... That has stil yet to happen in over 15 years I've been listening to this music! But I have recently discovered the Juggling Suns and although they play many originals, their sound is very "dead-like". Thank you for your post!

[maningreen]

Yeah I was into Phish back in the day. I was phriends with the band. Saw as many shows as possible when they were in town but that was back in '86-'88 at Nectar's. To be honest I said to myself these guys are gonna be big "The next GD". Funny how that works. The next time I saw them was on the Horde Tour with WSP, CBH, Spin Doctors etc... and that was a hell of a lot of FUN. It was at The Arts Center in Holmdel and Popper jumped off a stack onto one of the trampolines and he broke all the spings. Funny stuff and great music too. But went and saw Phish in Seattle and and they were big AND I couldn't relate with the band anymore. Something changed and I couldnt get into it. The same happened to me with the GD. I never enjoyed them as much when they played the big shows. To many distractions and people there who weren't there for the tunes. Fame has its downside and it effects the best people in the worst ways. Went to Furthur Boca in April and I left at setbreak. I am glad everyone enjoys following around the big acts so much. I really am. It guarantees me some dancing space at the select shows I choose to go to. So personally I am happy when there is another "Big" act in town when my favorite band is playin'. Phish is great but the crowds and what comes with it sucks for me. Likewise I wont go to a big or medium size festies but choose much smaller ones where there are no cops with their own camps planning operations or whaterver. It breaks my heart to see such peaceful people being treated like criminals. But yeah I love Phish I just happen to listen to their stuff on my comp nowadays. Here is the show when they came to my school. It was awesome!!! Mar

11

Base Lodge, Johnson State College

Johnson, VT, United States Tour: 1988

Favorite

ShareVenue Information:

Base Lodge, Johnson State College

Johnson, VT, United States

venue map

Set I

1. The Chicken 2. Funky Bitch 3. Sneakin

[Rusty the Scoob]

I was a Deadhead in highschool but always had other musical interests too. Got to college in 1994, somebody gave me my first Phish tape and that's when I realized I needed to devote my life to making music.

I like the complex compositions and jams. They're a lot to absorb musically, but rewarding if you can hear everything that they're doing.

I like the goofy lyrics. I love Hunter's lyrics and some of Barlow's, but life doesn't always have to be so serious. Modern life is pretty rediculous if you look at it at arm's length.

I like the stage antics. It takes serious balls to stop your show halfway through the second set for a vacuum-cleaner solo. The scariest thing on earth for a musician to do is step away from your comfort zone and do something different. (of course the vacuum is part of their comfort zone by now but hopefully you get what I'm saying)

[jfolks]

Dead. Cheese. Cornmeal.

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

[jimo]

I was not exposed to GD prior to going to college because I grew up in Puerto Rico and the only music that played on the radio was salsa, merengue, top 40 hits, and puertorican folkloric music. I got into GD my junior year in college and started attending GD shows in 1993. There were several college friends that were into Phish but I was only interested in GD. In 1994, I went to my first Phish show on my birthday, 6-24-94 at The Murat Theatre (not the Egyptian Room) in Indy. I lived 3 blocks away from the venue. I tried to prepare for that show by buying Junta, Rift, Lawn Boy, and Hoist. Boy I was lost at the show only recognizing several songs. But being lost gave me added interest in the band and I was hooked. GD always remained my favorite band but Phish has been a close second. The crowd is always a problem when you go to big shows. I just try to ignore it. I try to go to at least 3 Phish shows a year but I don't fly to see them or attend their festivals. We just hit Detroit, Cleveland, and Cincy this month. I would like to attend the 3 Chicago shows but its in the middle of the week so I'll pass.

As some people said, to each his/her own.

[FunkyBass13]

Great musicians, lyrics are atrocious, they need a hunter...

they are bit gimmicky, trampolines, vacuum's, etc.

jam's lose me.

I like panic much better...

Way, way, waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better!!!

That being said, I will echo Blindman in that Phish puts on a HELL of a show. There aren't many bands left out there that can play three nights for 60K and completely crush it every night.

At this point for me, if I am going to a stadium, it will probably be for Phish. if it is a theatre, I prefer DSO and Panic(amongst others).

[Octal]

I was not exposed to GD prior to going to college because I grew up in Puerto Rico and the only music that played on the radio was salsa, merengue, top 40 hits, and puertorican folkloric music. I got into GD my junior year in college and started attending GD shows in 1993. There were several college friends that were into Phish but I was only interested in GD. In 1994, I went to my first Phish show on my birthday, 6-24-94 at The Murat Theatre (not the Egyptian Room) in Indy. I lived 3 blocks away from the venue. I tried to prepare for that show by buying Junta, Rift, Lawn Boy, and Hoist. Boy I was lost at the show only recognizing several songs. But being lost gave me added interest in the band and I was hooked. GD always remained my favorite band but Phish has been a close second. The crowd is always a problem when you go to big shows. I just try to ignore it. I try to go to at least 3 Phish shows a year but I don't fly to see them or attend their festivals. We just hit Detroit, Cleveland, and Cincy this month. I would like to attend the 3 Chicago shows but its in the middle of the week so I'll pass.

As some people said, to each his/her own.

Well then I guess it's your birthday today?

I never really got into phish. The lyrics never drew me in. The jams are well played, but they seemed to have too much funk for it to be serious. I don't really like Trey's guitar tone, either. Always seemed like a "lets just jump around and have fun. Bounce all around the room," and while Jerry considered the Dead to be a "dance band"--at least early on--, the emotional character of Jerry and Hunter's lyrics made them very deep.

But I'll tell you something I love: Those few Phil & Friends shows (I think it was a 6 night run at the Warfield Theater in 1999) where Trey and Kimock where both there with Phil. That was lovely. Trey is extremely talented, I just don't like most of the music he plays.

If Phish was more like the Grateful Dead, I'd like them more. But then they wouldn't be Phish.

[Still Truckin]

I never really got into phish. The lyrics never drew me in. The jams are well played, but they seemed to have too much funk for it to be serious. I don't really like Trey's guitar tone, either. Always seemed like a "lets just jump around and have fun. Bounce all around the room,"

Trey is extremely talented, I just don't like most of the music he plays.

If Phish was more like the Grateful Dead, I'd like them more. But then they wouldn't be Phish.

This pretty much sums up my blase take on Phish, which I feel is like good Dead elevator music. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Besides going out of my way for the aforementioned Indigos, Jorma, Kimock, and many bluegrass bands - especially Peter Rowan, I have to put in giant thumbs ups for Derek Trucks and for Los Lobos. I'll go almost as far to see those bands as I would for DSO. As far as meeting kynd folk - they are out there for sure at many shows and especially fests like the Vibes, but there's nothing like a DSO concert for those who rely on the kyndness of strangers.

[acududeman]

This pretty much sums up my blase take on Phish, which I feel is like good Dead elevator music. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Besides going out of my way for the aforementioned Indigos, Jorma, Kimock, and many bluegrass bands - especially Peter Rowan, I have to put in giant thumbs ups for Derek Trucks and for Los Lobos. I'll go almost as far to see those bands as I would for DSO. As far as meeting kynd folk - they are out there for sure at many shows and especially fests like the Vibes, but there's nothing like a DSO concert for those who rely on the kyndness of strangers.

The new Trucks/Tedeschi album entitled "Revelator" just got rave reviews from Rolling Stone.

I look forward to checking it out.

[DaysBetween]

As a veteran of 130+ DSO/GD shows and a whopping *4* Phish shows (but I've listened to many shows over the last few years) allow me my two cents. GD: strong obvious Americana influences, MUCH better lyrics, more improvisational. Phish: higher energy rock influences, often weak lyrics, more composed. I just don't hear the variety from song version to song version in Phish. While I will enjoy Phish shows (6/11/11 in the lawn at the Merriweather with the Glow Stick "war" - actually more a celebration - was FUN FUN FUN!) I will always enjoy the music of the GD SOOOOOOO much more. There's just more substance to it.

[Still Truckin]

The new Trucks/Tedeschi album entitled "Revelator" just got rave reviews from Rolling Stone.

I look forward to checking it out.

For a real treat, check out the DVD: Crossroads Eric Claption Guitar Festival 2010. Actually, there are several years' crossroads concerts on DVD, all with phenomenal guitar acts, but the 2010 has some superb Tedeschi-Trucks, along with sets by a dozen great guitarists: Warren, Landreth, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck, Robt Cray, BBK, and of course Slowhand.