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Are you dreading Phish? Worried about a 6.5 hours of noodling on the Farm? Just uncomfortable with the general idea of liking a jam band? Well this is the thread for you. As a twenty year or so Phan, just let me tell you I am here to help. To me the energy, and power of a great Phish show is only rivaled by a rave. The PLUR, and Energy that the crowds throw of always make me realize all over again why I love this band so much.
First off I want to work on a Phish demystification project, a lot of people worry about things they don't understand. While Phish shows do not have rules per se there are a set of constants. So here are some quick bullet points.
---Phish comes out and plays really hard without bullshit. Talking (not narration we will cover that later) is very rare, and always something relevant to the music. Typically they just play like mad bastards until their set is up.
-----The drummer is a terrible singer, however on the rare occasions he does sing, it is amazing. (This is most likely not something to worry about at Bonnaroo)
----- Typically a show is going to include, some of the biggest hits like You Enjoy Myself, Fluffhead or Wilson. One or two cool covers, Rock and Roll, by the Velvet Underground, or Drowned by the Who are two of my favorites. Still they have a lot in the catalog, in 09 we got Highway to Hell, and the songs with Bruce. There will also be several bust outs that are not played very often at all like Big Black Furry Creatures From Mars, Carini, Vultures, quack Your Face etc... This band plays around 250 unique songs a year, so the rest of this will fill out the show.
-----Gamehendge and narrations (once again not really something to worry about at Bonnaroo) They have a old rock opera/story that spans several songs, it is not really important to the average listener unless Trey does a Narration about The Man Who Stepped Into Yesterday. It is interesting, but I am just going to post the quick wikipedia explanation in case anyone wants to read it. There is a little bit of explanation you will get from this about the meaning of some of the songs, it explains why Wilson sucks, Who Tela is, and why Mr Palmer is concerned.
The Man Who Stepped into Yesterday (The introduction features the story's main theme music as the narrator describes the lonely life of Colonel Forbin and what happens when he begins to see an image of a strange door on a daily basis)
The Lizards (Colonel Forbin, while on a walk with his "flea-hound McGrupp", decides to finally walk through the door, thus entering the land of Gamehendge. The song features Colonel Forbin hearing tales about the saga of the Lizards, Wilson, and the Helping Friendly Book as told by native Rutherford the Brave)
Tela (Colonel Forbin joins Rutherford and other allies, one of whom is the beautiful Tela. The song reveals Colonel Forbin's deep feelings for Tela)
Wilson (a song introducing the evil king Wilson, who captured the Helping Friendly Book from the Lizards and declared himself ruler of Gamehendge)
AC/DC Bag (tells the story of the execution of Mr. Palmer, Wilson's accountant. Palmer was using Wilson's money to secretly fund the revolution, and was therefore hanged in the town square by the AC/DC Bag, a mechanical hangman)
Colonel Forbin's Ascent (details Colonel Forbin's journey to the top of a giant mountain to ask for the help of Icculus, the Supreme God of the Sky, in regaining the Helping Friendly Book, which Icculus wrote, from Wilson)
Fly Famous Mockingbird (Icculus sends his friend, the Famous Mockingbird, to retrieve the Helping Friendly Book from Wilson's Castle)
The Sloth (once the book is recovered, the Sloth is hired by the allies to murder Wilson)
Possum (a non-Gamehendge song written by original Phish guitarist Jeff Holdsworth and later entered into the story by Anastasio with altered lyrics to fit the Gamehendge theme. It offers a strange moral: Icculus considers all that's happened in Gamehendge, offers a slogan to consider ("ain't no truth in action unless you believe it anyway") and describes the roadside demise of a possum. Aside from "Col. Forbin's Ascent," this is Icculus's only direct speech in the Gamehendge saga.)
Other Gamehendge Songs
The Divided Sky (a chant performed by the Lizards as they stand on the edge of a rhombus and shout to the sky, praising Icculus)
Llama (a tale from the later years of Wilson's reign in Gamehendge during a violent war)
McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters (the story of a shepherd who lives in Gamehendge, whose flock is watched over by Colonel Forbin's dog, McGrupp. This was originally a poem that inspired the Gamehendge saga, then grafted onto the music from a song that Trey wrote with his mother entitled Skippy The Wondermouse which was performed live until 1985.)
Punch You in the Eye (tells the story of a traveller who passes through Gamehendge during Wilson's reign and his subsequent escape from Wilson's jail)
Icculus (introduces Icculus, the Supreme God of the Sky and author of the Helping Friendly Book)
Harpua (tells the story of a mean bulldog who sometimes lives in Gamehendge, however not all Harpua narration sequences include Gamehenge)
Axilla (a tale of monsters, witches, and battles in old time Gamehendge)
Axilla, Part 2 (told years later during peacetime in Gamehendge as the narrator reflects on the land's past turmoil)
Kung (a chant that one must perform in order to enter the land of Gamehendge)
------Jamming, I think this one scares people the most, they get a little intimidated at the idea of a 4 minute song getting stretched out to 45 minutes. While they do Jam also remember they still play 20 plus songs typically only one will be jammed out though they might throw some teases back to it in the other songs. Recently at a show for instance they played a 15 minute Born Crosseyed and Painless, then through the whole second set they would repeat the jam and chorus. It is actually a lot of fun, and reminds me again of raves, and EDM, where different songs might still be built around a theme.
So any questions go ahead and ask here and let the helping phriendly inforooers help you out. Later on I will do part two which is listening recommendations, along with some good pro shot videos of the type of music they are creating these days.
Last Edit: Jan 30, 2012 21:44:33 GMT -5 by Deleted - Back to Top
Post by gardenfresh on Jan 30, 2012 21:48:33 GMT -5
Jess, I know everyone bags on you hardcore for your passion with Phish. The mere fact that you take the time to write this out and really go all out... for the mere purpose about spreading the word about one of your favorite bands... that really shows your enthusiasm for music. I also admire your perseverance to keep promoting, even though you KNOW the haters out there are going to bag on you hardcore. You still do it anyways, because this what you love and you are a guy who wants to spread what you love.
Friday for you. Maybe I'll check Phish out. (just kidding, saw them at outside lands and they rocked my world! can't wait to see them on the farm)
This is the first message board I've ever been on, the only reason I joined is because I love Bonnaroo and wanted to read and talk about it all year long.
Jess, I know everyone bags on you hardcore for your passion with Phish. The mere fact that you take the time to write this out and really go all out... for the mere purpose about spreading the word about one of your favorite bands... that really shows your enthusiasm for music. I also admire your perseverance to keep promoting, even though you KNOW the haters out there are going to bag on you hardcore. You still do it anyways, because this what you love and you are a guy who wants to spread what you love.
Friday for you. Maybe I'll check Phish out. (just kidding, saw them at outside lands and they rocked my world! can't wait to see them on the farm)
Here Here! I've only been on the board for a short time, but I wanted to say that this is immediately what I thought upon finishing this post. Way to be inclusive, I admire what you've done here!
Jess, I know everyone bags on you hardcore for your passion with Phish. The mere fact that you take the time to write this out and really go all out... for the mere purpose about spreading the word about one of your favorite bands... that really shows your enthusiasm for music. I also admire your perseverance to keep promoting, even though you KNOW the haters out there are going to bag on you hardcore. You still do it anyways, because this what you love and you are a guy who wants to spread what you love.
Friday for you. Maybe I'll check Phish out. (just kidding, saw them at outside lands and they rocked my world! can't wait to see them on the farm)
Haters are going to hate, no matter what. Though it is strange to me that we have some music nerds on here who have so much disdain for them. With a catalog as large as theirs you can argue endlessly about the best version of a song, whether or not they still jam as well as they did, and like Whoreshack there you can lament about never hearing the song you want to. There are loads of puns, and in-jokes, and other things that always keep you interested in learning more. Once you GET IT, and it might take a few shows or some hardcore home listening there is just no turning back.
Call them a jam band if you want, but to me they are straight up Rock and Roll with some jazz influences.
Post by gardenfresh on Jan 30, 2012 22:10:58 GMT -5
I do not proclaim myself to be an expert on "jam bands" nor even Phish's specific style, all I do know is concerts are what I love doing. Some concerts I've been to rocked, some sucked donkey doodoo... but when I saw Phish I had a smile on my face you could not erase and the music gave me an urge to rock out, dance, and enjoy accordingly.... for that reason, I'll make it a point to enjoy them at roo as well (if we end up deciding on Roo this year.)
You have one song to convince me. Make it good. Quote this post and reply with the YouTube video. This is your one and only chance to bring me to the dark side.
Post by FatKeystone on Jan 30, 2012 22:14:58 GMT -5
Very respectable piece of writing Jess, I'm glad someone took the time to defend such a talented band. I like jam bands and I happen to love Phish, however I realize that the jam thing might not be for everybody. It certainly wasn't for me until I actually saw a few shows live (Phish, John Butler Trio, even DMB). It's hard to appreciate the extreme talent these bands have until you actually see them live and give them a chance. At "jam band" (I hate that term) shows, I just try to get lost in the music and appreciate it. It's not for everyone but I think if people went to a Phish show with an open mind they really would start to "get" the whole "jam" thing.
You have one song to convince me. Make it good. Quote this post and reply with the YouTube video. This is your one and only chance to bring me to the dark side.
Look Jess! They're giving you a second chance!
Phi, I don't want this to count as Jess's one and only shot to change your mind, but I'll offer this one up for the sake of this thread:
Post by itrainmonkeys on Jan 30, 2012 22:21:06 GMT -5
Contrary to what some may think....Jess is pretty awesome.
So are Phish.
This is a great thread idea. I know that before I was really introduced to the music I had a stigma about Phish and thought that they were just hippy music but when I really listened and got into them I discovered so much more.
One of my favorite things is Trey's love of Frank Zappa, an other amazing musician.
You have one song to convince me. Make it good. Quote this post and reply with the YouTube video. This is your one and only chance to bring me to the dark side.
Well for a starter I am going to do something weird and give you the Tweezer Reprise. It always ends any show where Tweezer is played it ends and the lights come on and they walk off. Full Screen, and take it to 720p please.
Also here is one more but between them just do Tweeprise if it is just one. Both of these are short and accessible though. This song, NICU actually never had a name but the tapers writing the setlist down always abbreviated the Chorus "And I See You" into NICU, so that is what it is called now.
Post by FatKeystone on Jan 30, 2012 22:23:25 GMT -5
I really want to start a thread like this for DMB, but I'm not really in any condition right now to defend against the imminent barrage of comments of how they're just a crappy pop band with a violin.
I really want to start a thread like this for DMB, but I'm not really in any condition right now to defend against the imminent barrage of comments of how they're just a crappy pop band with a violin.
Tell them, "its a fiddle, and dont make that mistake again or he's coming after you...."
All I've really listened to is Junta, and I love it. What other Phish stuff you recommend?
Of the albums Rift is my favorite, it tells a story about a guy fighting with his girlfriend, having weird dreams, then waking up and realizing everything is ok. The most accessible is probably Billy Breathes or Hoist. Just remember less than a third of their catalog is actually on a studio album.
Last Edit: Jan 30, 2012 22:30:37 GMT -5 by Deleted - Back to Top
Also you just can not forget about the lights. Chris Kuroda (widely regarded as one of the best light guys around, he does tons of shows) is generally called CK5 when he is with Phish. The 5 denotes that he is actually considered the 5th member of the band, he has a uncanny ability to get on the same groove as the band and "jam" the lights to the music.
Also you just can not forget about the lights. Chris Kuroda (widely regarded as one of the best light guys around, he does tons of shows) is generally called CK5 when he is with Phish. The 5 denotes that he is actually considered the 5th member of the band, he has a uncanny ability to get on the same groove as the band and "jam" the lights to the music.
Didn't the fans vote him in as an official member and the band turned it down, or something along those lines?
To what extent do you think the classification of Phish as a drug band is fair and/or unfair?
About the same as Bonnaroo being a drug festival is. Also classifying the fans as dirty hippies is pretty unfair as well. There are plenty of hippies, and drugs around, but I do not think it defines the experience.
The big reason for the reputation has come about because of how well they treat their fans. Because you can openly eat corn at pretty much any Phish show indoors or out they have gotten this reputation. The truth is that venues are told what to expect, and not to book Phish if they are uncomfortable with it. Another example of fans being treated well is that every ticket to every show costs the same. Stubhub and scalpers have ruined this a little, still every show is 65 dollars and includes a free download of the show.
Post by CMPMGCTRCKS on Jan 30, 2012 22:48:48 GMT -5
I feel like that's a question without an answer. A different state of mind can absolutely enhance their music, but on the other hand, I dance around my house to them in the morning while drinking a cup of coffee and getting ready. So in essence, them being a drug band or not is up to the listener.
Post by kaleidoscope kristen on Jan 30, 2012 22:49:23 GMT -5
Jess, I am baking you (insert whatever baked good you enjoy here) for this thread. Let me know if you rock a glutten-free lifestyle or anything, and you will receive amazing goodness made by me at roo for creating this thread.
I cry happy tears when I listen to Phish. I remember watching the episode of the Simpsons they guest starred on when I was a kid and that started it all.
I've only had the chance to catch them at Roo in 2009, and even though it's not Phish, TAB has a pretty magical effect on my soul too.
I had a guy comment to me once that they hated Phish because they made songs about nothing. But the group has the uncanny ability to make insanely cool, plot driven songs that are in fact, everything. In such a structured, yet effortless way.