Comments and Observations

review submisions dws@www.phish.net or dws@gadiel.com

Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2000 17:25:11 EST
From: Bathtub420gin@aol.com
To: dws@gadiel.com
Subject: what?
 
I was reading one of the last reviews from NYE2000, one of the most memorable
shows in the history of Phish.  To get to the point, who the hell is that
bitch that talks about Trey's drug problem.  She states that Trey was gettin'
his fix the entire NYE show.  Her name is robin dzvonik. Remember when Trey
left the stage, she thinks it was because he couldn't help but to get yet
another fix.  These are the types of people that really give Phish a bad rap.
 So what if Trey was gettin' a fix...  What about all the Phucked up people
and their syringes.  I also read a couple of reviews from the Clean Vibes
Crew, they said that there were some syringes found while cleaning up the
concert grounds.  What about the people walking around barefoot.  Ouch!  To
get to the point, if Trey is snorting big deal, If there are people shooting
Heroin to enjoy Phish, They unlike Trey are Phucked up.
 
                                                                        James

Date: Sun, 05 Dec 1999 15:08:23 -0600 From: "samtmki@one.net" samtmki@one.net To: dws@archive.phish.net Subject: 12/3-4 reviews Hello, I have seen enough Phish shows in the last three years to know that these two shows were not the best shows Phish has done. (I definitely have my favorites!) Admittedly, there were moments on both nights that seemed quite ordinary and perfunctory. Yet many other moments **were** transcendent, despite the claims of the reviewers who have posted heavily negative remarks on both nights. If I see a pattern myself in Phish's performances on these dates (since I've read the reviews for 12/2-4 so far) is that the first set has been routine and "pedestrian," a little lacking in fireworks (AC/DC on 12/3 notwithstanding!!!). Then, the second sets sizzle and explode. This strike me that the band is holding back and building more momentum toward the second set. (My recollection of Cincy in 98 was that they rocked out of the gate and unleashed a Reba AND Tweezer in the first set, a sign that the entire show would be spectacular, which IMO it was!!!) The reasons for this trend are not clear, but they do reflect a change in the band's energy or intentions. Another related pattern is that I noticed practically no segues on either night. Nearly all of the songs had clean breaks rather than morphs. (TMWSIY/Avenu/TMWSIY on 12/4 not counted). I won't say that this is good or bad, but rather that I found it quite surprising, as I've come to expect that myself and I've made a point of listening for the signals and teasers of where the songs would go next. As with the change of set momentum, I can only speculate that the band has perhaps made a conscious change about song placement and segues that has something to do with a new approach. Good or bad? I don't know, just merely observing it. Not that it should matter, but I am an apsiring musician (of modest ability) myself. And one thing I have to guard against when I go to any artist's shows is to not get overly analytical about the performances. Interestingly, I had no trouble with these Phish shows of getting into the spirit of the moment, which was a very positive rapport between the audience and the band. I succeeded in turning off my detached, observational mode and in just feeling and being in the moment both nights. A couple of times my analytical side sneaked in, like when I left for a bathroom break during Wolfman on 12/3 (gasp!--I thought: hmmm-pretty basic here) or the first set on 12/4 seemed to run noticeably shorter than usual. I find it ironic many of the longtime fans (whom I presume are not all musicians themselves) seem to be griping about Phish outdoing their most transcendental moments of past shows. Some of these fans even brag about seeing 20-40 or more shows, and to me their complaining about these two recent shows seems to transmit an exaggerated sense of entitlement. In other words, I think we've got some spoiled rotten brats here who've lost the simple ability to appreciate objectively good performances. Why? Because the band didn't perform every song on their "personal set lists," in the exact order they had "predicted"??? Or because the band didn't double -- or triple -- the intensity level of the most intense previous performance of the fan's personally favorite songs??? I can only ask: Is **this** the band's fault, or is the problem with these fans for becoming overly dependent on the band to keep outdoing itself and keeping the fans distracted from getting on with **living THEIR lives?** I think the band can only be so clever, creative and spontaneous before it naturally reaches the limits of its ability. If any of these fans were musicians themselves, could they reasonably expect anything different of themselves? I don't have the answers to any of these questions, but after reading these inordinantly negative reviews, I can't help but feel they deserve to be asked. The band is obviously changing, and I think it would be interesting to learn more about what is going on in their minds. Maybe they feel that fans have become too possessive and it's time to shake things up a bit. Bands like the Dead have reacted to the pressures of overly demanding fans by reshuffling the deck. Maybe it's time for Phish to start dealing a new game, too. Peace, SAM
Date: Mon, 4 Oct 1999 00:18:04 -0700 From: Kevin Kohley bephree@uia.net To: dws@archive.phish.net Subject: What it's all about... I didn't go to this show. I couldn't. I just moved to California. I was able to catch a couple of shows out here but there just wasn't anyway that I could get back for the midwest run. I did have some very good phriends go including my sister... She just called me and told me that Phish was back. After a few shows left us feeling unfulfilled this summer, she was able to find that groove once again. You know how it gets sometimes, where the whole reality thing gets you down and you start to forget what is really important. It happened to my sister. The hectic college schedule can get you down and frustrated, and make you question what you are doing, where you are going. What Phish can do is get you reconnected with the essential part of yourself. It can give you the clues to find your path once again, and give you that feeling of hope and love and peace within yourself. It's great to have that and to be able to share it with a few thousand of your closest phriends. Thanks for being there, Phish. Thanks for sharing your energy and allowing the school of fans to remember what it's all about. Thanks for being the catalyst to allow swarms of people to come together, meet one another, and share an experience. Thanks... Be Phree, koolio
Date: Wed, 29 Sep 1999 15:14:02 PDT From: brian o'toole forbin5@hotmail.com To: dws@gadiel.com Subject: Phish! Every time I see Phish, I am so impressed! They truly enjoy what they do, and make many people happy! I went to the Northwest shows, the first 5, and alas, yes, I missed Shoreline! Let's not talk about that! The vibe at the shows was great, everyone was there to see Phine music and to have a good time! Boise was amazing, and for all you Phans who went, you know what I'm talking about!! It was worth losing my job!! I can't wait for NYE in Phlorida!! And I can't wait to see all you beautiful people!! Peace and love to all!!
Date: Wed, 3 Nov 1999 20:40:08 -0500 From: mister KGOchs@email.msn.com To: dws@gadiel.com I can't believe how some people complain. You are out to see Phish and here the best friggin' music being composed right now and you bitch about a bunch of pigs in a parking lot. I saw all of the security and they were actually pretty cool about the drinking, etc. I did it all and had no problem. Anyway, with that said. This show rocked. Any old fan, any newbie, get a hold of it. All you other homos, cut out the whining, no one cares that you've been to 61 shows! KGO
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 16:41:12 -0700 From: DEADCHEF deadchef@home.com To: dws@gadiel.com Subject: albany review Gads people are so damn criticle. I lived in Albany for 20 something years before moving to San Diego. I got to see Phish in the very beginning at clubs, the small gym in Schenectady Union college, the Palace shows, etc. I wouldve given my left foot to be at these shows. Just hearing the tapes from the shows now. I got to see the west coast shows and they were incredible. These shows (albany) are just as smoking. Give the guys a break will ya. We are lucky not to have the same line up of tunes night after night like 99% of the other bands out there.
Date: 13 Oct 1999 21:00:25 Z From: Peter B Conway Peter.B.Conway@marshmc.com To: dws dws@gadiel.com Subject: Observations Phish are in their prime right now. It was not 93 or 94 or 97. It is now. They are musicians, not profesinal athletes. People who refer to Phish's younger years as their prime must be mistalking them for athletes whose body's wear out. But can the soul wear out the same way? I suppose, but I haven't seen it happen with Phish. Musicians generally only get better, unless they already sucked. Even though Jerry was more wild on guitar in 1970, never back then was he really able to put together compositions like "Days Between" and "So Many Roads", which were written the year before his death. True, mucisians may lose some technical prowress with age but technical ability is secondary once you get to a certain stage. Melody, harmony and the concept of song as ART are timeless and ageless things. Songs like "FarmHouse", "Heavy Things" and "Get Back on the Train" exemplify this point. These are almost pop songs that put an image in your head. And you think about the lyrics a little bit as oposed to "YEM" (YEM is a great song but even the musicans admit that it is contrived. Mike Gordon said he thought that it was obviously just sections thrown together without any real connection). They are just discovering this type of writing as is evident with their last two albums. Phish is far from their prime. Thanks Phish for all of the good times and ever-changing music. If it didn't always change, Why would I ever go? And thanks to people like you Andrew, who allow people to voice their opinions (despite how silly they are). I have always found any review you wrote to be positive and yet not pretentious(Champaign '97). It's just too bad that some people who write into you can't see a gem staring right in the face. Peace to all, Pete Conway
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1999 02:08:02 EDT From: Hoofawcat337@aol.com To: dws@archive.phish.net Subject: Current Tours and Old-School Tours... Let me just start that the last time I saw these boys was at the first night at Holmdel, NJ, so I really don't how the boys played this fall tour, but...For God's sake, who cares when a song is played in a set and how standard it is...A song is a song, and however they play it you should be thankful that you heard that particular version...You know what I mean??? I love these guys and every time I see them, it's like paradise, but it drives me crazy to see people criticize little $#!T the way some here do in reviews...If songs get boring to you, then maybe it's time to reevaluate your situation...Every song should be a treat, no matter when or where they play it...Ahhh, I'm getting out of hand and I apologize...I just want to see nothing but great vibes, that's all... Hoofawcat G. Kerr
Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1999 23:20:12 -0400 From: Charlie Earp cearp@ibm.net To: dws@gadiel.com Subject: Be critical hey guys, If it was me on stage, I would like to hear at least a little criticism. It seems all these reviews are is a lot of "hey man, these shows were SO cool, dude, that jam rocked" Dont get me wrong, absolutely no 20th century music moves me more than Phish, but they are still human, so if you dont like something dont be to afraid to say it. they would like to hear it, all artists must be able to hear criticism. Peace in the Southeast, Charlie
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 12:48:13 -0400 From: Matt Marmorek msmobrien@mindspring.com To: dws@gadiel.com Subject: very critical fans I have been visiting your site off and on for awhile now- being a huge fan it provides me with all the necessary info on the boyz. I now am three years out of college, so seeing shows is more difficult than in the past. However I caught the two at Nassau this weekend and I throughly enjoyed what I saw. I just read a bunch of the reviews and man are some of these people critical. I think that they should just sit back and enjoy what they see, I used to be like that, but now that I only see a few shows a year, I learned to appreciate whatever I hear. One thing I learned is that its not the same as it was say 4 or five years ago, but I truely think alot of that has to do with the fans and the scene-The band still rocks(when they want to) But I do not think I will ever see shows again that compare to 10/31/94 or 12/29/95. The music might compare but unfortunately the scene has transformed into something completely different. Thanks again for running a great page- Good luck Matt Marmorek NY, NY
Date: Tue, 28 Sep 1999 16:56:10 -0700 From: Mike Indgin IndginM@suissamiller.com To: 'Daniel W. Schar' dws@protos.lifesci.ucla.edu Subject: submission Phish is the only band that has continued to evolve at an incredible breakneck pace since my first tape of 85 and my first show of 93. They are anything but complacent. Attending Shoreline, Chula Vista and Irvine and listening to the Portland and Boise shows confirmed what I already know: they just keep getting better. Still, I'm not quitting my day job to follow them. Why not? Reading the tour reviews from jaded, burned out, over-expectant Phish heads made me realize four things: 1. Phish has decided to rotate a very limited (more than the Allman Brothers, less than the Dead) amount of tunes and I saw most of them in my four show run. 2. Even paradise becomes pedestrian after two weeks. 3. The boys have, and are continuing to play primarily for themselves. It's what keeps them sane on the road. But don't worry, they'll tire of (insert your least favorite song here) eventually. Mike Indgin
Date: 06 Oct 1999 15:46:21 -0400 From: Randy_Scherer@prenhall.com To: dws@gadiel.com Subject: reviews/reviewers Okay, I've been reading these things for a while now, and have a few quick tidbits to add. Here you go. 1. Let's see some more reviews where people tell of their personal experiences. Enough of "this was awesome, and that sucked." What was awesome about it? Did Mike step up and start dropping bombs? What sucked? Was Trey missing lyrics like crazy? Why do you think something was good or bad? I think we all love it when there's reviews up that have specific points, stories to tell, something fresh to say, etc. 2. Let's try to cut down on pointless negative stuff. Birds doesn't suck everytime, Sparkle isn't always boring, etc. Face it, we love these guys, otherwise we wouldn't spend all our time and energy following them around. 3. Just because someone's been to 100 Phish shows or has 50000 hrs of tape doesn't make them an expert. In reality, it probably makes them obsessed, which will probably make their review skewed anyway. Bobby (Weir, of the Dead) once said he loved Deadheads, but hated the fact that all they listen to is the Dead. Sound familiar? How can someone honestly think they're review is worth reading if all they ever listen to is Phish? I'd much rather hear a review from someone who goes to lots of different shows, all kinds of music, or maybe even from someone who plays an instrument themself. In other words, from someone who has an open mind. Well, that's it. I hope I didn't piss anyone off too badly. If you agree/disagree, feel free to make your opinion known, that's what this is for, right? I hope everyone keeps having a good time at these shows, whether they play your favorite song or not. I know I will! -Randy
Date: Mon, 04 Oct 1999 15:50:56 -0400 From: JOHN HEDRICK cavernwolf@home.com To: dws@archive.phish.net Subject: Review Complaints Is it just me or do too many kidz critique the shows in a negative way. I'm always reading some Mr. 40 or 50 shows review and it's full of 'hated this or thought this could be different'. I figure if you've been to this many shows you gotta love Phish, so why ya always complainin'. I've been to 18, alot for me. Even if I'm disappointed b/c I didn't get to hear what I wanted, it always is memorable. Really, if ya love em enough to go so much how come ya gotta complain or be so critical. Stop going then, or at least stop sending in reviews. Enjoy the fact that we have something like this to be a part of. Lot's of people got to grow up with The Dead and go for 20-30 yrs, This is our time to grow up with another band in our era. Just think of how they'll be talked about when we're in our 50's. Good memories only.... Thanks for your time, Cavernwolf
Date: Mon, 4 Oct 1999 17:29:25 -0400 (EDT) From: Matt Aronowitz aronowm2@union.edu To: dws@archive.phish.net Subject: 7/8, 7/10, 7/17, 7/23, 7/25, 9/9, 9/26 To all you idiots who say that Birds of a Feather sucks, How does one person review a jam saying that "Birds" sucks, yet the people who actually "listen" to the song at the show know that it was between 20 and 30 minutes of experimantal jamming. Everyone seems to be complaining that they don't jam enough. So when they take a previously standard song and experiment HIGHLY with it, some of you morons don't even realize it. Birds is now (more often than not) an awesome experimental song. Period. If you say that Birds (in general, not a single performance) still sucks then you are a moron. Plain and simple. If you hate it now, the only possible reason would be that it was originally "cool" to hate it, like Bouncin' Sample, Sparkle, etc.... THis is one comment from the 7/10 Camden show this summer from the phish.net review page. "Birds, there have been some strong ones, with some great jobs by Chris, but I'd say i liked Trey's solo the first time when it was called Chalkdust." Now here is another comment by someone else from the same show (also from phish.net), "Birds: Never really loved this tune, it gets the energy up, but I've never, ever heard a jam like this. It was unbelievable, the feather was no where to be found, it simply morphed into this fabulous jam that wwould have killed ,me if I had eaten any 'cid." Were these guys at the same show? How in the hell do you "miss" a jam like that? That version is absolutely insane. And that is not up for opinion. I mean the only reason people review shows is to tell everyone about the jams. Nobody cares about how Roggae was. We all want to know what it took for a Tweezer-> On Your Way Down to happen. So in conclusion, if you're gonna write a review, listen for a jam, please. You might be surprised. ******************************************************************************** "I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy." "Lottery: A tax on people who are bad at math." Mattaronowitz (one word)
Date: Fri, 1 Oct 1999 07:24:29 -0700 (PDT) From: jason streitfeld jstreitfeld@yahoo.com To: dws@archive.phish.net Subject: Show review Ok, here is a general review of some Fall shows, inspired by an incredible night in Memphis! my credentials: caught 8 shows this summer, and austin thru memphis this fall. memphis was my 28th show, and i have over 300 sets of phish on tape. This is not gonna be a full review of all the songs, but just some points that i think are worth mentioning about the five fall shows i was fortunate enough to see. my first point: Fall tour is kicking serious ass!! with the exception of the first set in alabama (which was merely really good!), every second i witnessed this fall was spectacular. memphis was definitely one of the best shows i've seen--right up there with 12-30-97 and 4-3-98. Houston was also unbelievable! I didn't think they'd be able to top their performance in Austin, but they did!! ok, here are some specifics: 1) Trey pulled the girl up in houston--Mike did not assist. when she got on stage, she yelled out to Mike, "You know me!" He just stared at her, with a sort of confused look on his face. Then Trey put her in front of Fishman right in time for his standing solo. 2) The entire crowd sang Happy Birthday to Trey when the lights went out before the first set in Memphis. Thank you to all of the people passing out the notes to sing together in the lot before the show!! 3) Both of the Jim's I caught were noteworthy, just because they were more in the old-school, guitar-led tradition, rather than the long jam tradition. both were very tight, short and sweet. 4)After the Stash->I Can't Turn You Loose, there was a long pause while Trey explained the contest. There was no segue into Theme. 5) The actual contest was for 4 tickets and backstage passes, and one date with Fishman (for the person who actually made the guess.) During setbreak, Trey announced TWO winners over the PA system. 6)Beginning of Dirt was flubbed in New Orleans, but they made up for it with an amazing rendition of the song in Memphis. 7) Wilson jam in Houston was ground-breaking. Trey just tore it apart!! 8) Halley's encore in Alabama was pretty bad, actually. I think trey skipped a verse accidentally, so at one point he and Page were singing different lyrics at the same time. they got confused. The jam was similar to 4-3-98, but not as solid. I would still recommend getting this show on tape, as the tweezer->makisupa, chalkdust and YEM were all outstanding! Serious funk action in the YEM, and definite Sweet Home Alabama in the vocal jam! Ok, i guess that's it. I'll see you all in Hamptons and NYE!!!! ===== What's the difference between cheese?
Date: Fri, 1 Oct 1999 15:57:09 EDT From: SStecor@aol.com To: dws@archive.phish.net Subject: life, music, scenes, venues, opium, and hip hop. to whoever wants to listen, I have been on this earth, physically, for 20 1/2 years. I believe in reincarnation and I believe that miracles and good karma build new souls to enter the cycle. Maybe souls in between bodies create new souls to accompany them in their journey ( soul mates ) . Sorry, I didn't know that I was that far gone. I also believe in ICCULUS. My vision of ICCULUS is an old spirit with too much time on his hands puffin tons of opium and chillin in a hut. What does ICCULUS think of the scene these days? To tell you the truth, it's probably giving him an ulcer up there in Gamehendge. Maybe some of you are thinking that I'm a hippie or a tree hugger. Yeah, I've hugged a tree or two--but what most of you don't know is that they hug you back. I think that hippie is outdated. The mentality is legit for the most part, but the Dead are dead and for those who still wanna tour ( with Phish ) things are gonna be different. I realize that the Other Ones are kickin and that's great, good for them. I listened to the Daed hardcore for about a year. I've never seen them or the Other Ones and I also don't feel left out in any way.I can't talk about their scene because I have no idea as to what it was all about.But if there's one thing that I do know about it, it's that it wasn't all about bein a gangbangin fuckfacehead.Yeah, I listen to hip-hop. Right now, I'm listenin to Ol' Dirty Bastard and wonderin when his next disc is comin out.Hip-hop is a big part of my life as is Phish.Good hip-hop to me is: GZA, BUSTA, TRIBE CALLED QUEST, DE LA SOUL, ROOTS, GOATS, PHARCYDE, DEL, etc. I also dig the DISCO BISCUITS, SALMON ( Vince Herman invented crack), and GALACTIC outta New Orleans. I've had dreadies for about two years. I know a lot of people think that havin dreadies makes them feel secure and even a little (or lately a lot ) better than others when they're on the lot. I also used to think that custies were pieces of shit. I still don't really get along with them and I probably never will. But no matter what you feel, think twice about scammin that kid! I scammed tons o custies @ the LEMONWHEEL ( MONEYWHEEL!!!! ) .I sold em St. John's Wort as Moli. That's pretty fuckin poor. Yeah, I made about $500 or so,but fuck bro, do you know how much bad karma that is?!?! By doin what I did in Maine, I probably inspired 15 to 20 people to do the same, like a ripple effect. I was 100% WRONG! Now there's always gonna be kind hearted kidz on tour and I think that's dope as hell. ( I'm also in a transitional period right know , so if some shit that I'm sayin sounds wack, disregard it ) . But the reason I believe that Phish has been havin problems on and off the stage, lately, is due to the lot/tour scene. It's too much of a coincidence that the scene and the music have been strugglin lately. On Summer Tour '98 @ Va. Beach, my boys and I were chillin--sellin shwills and workin Moli ( real Moli ) at my boy's ride, when a mounted 5-0 came up to us. He asked one of my boys if he was old enough to be puffin cigarettes. My boy showed him his ID and the cop rode off, with all of us standin around with shwills in our hands! He was the only one who was of us standin around with shwills in our hands! He was the only one who was old enough to drink, the rest of us were 19 and 20 ! After the 5-0 left , I started bitchin about how the cops @ Va. Beach always give the kidz shit for bein' dreadie and not wearin clean clothes.Fuck those assholes. RASTA DON'T WORK FOR NO C.I.A.!!!!!!!!! About 10 min. after we had our bitch sesh I saw this kid goin through his pack for somethin in the car across from us. The mofo pulled out a gun and set it on the seat of the bus. IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING???? AM I REALLY HERE????? At that point I wish I hadn't been. I kept my mouth shut. Another fucked up thing I encountered on Summer Tour '99 kind of killed me in a way. This sista who I'd seen all tour seemed legit (eccept when I saw her finish a Sammy Imperial and throw the bottle in the woods @ Star Lake ). We became ok friends, probably because we only talked for a couple of minutes each show. But @ Alpine, I saw her in an argument with some custie . Supposedly she sold him a bunk bag of shrooms that from what I gathered, probably were Shittake. I still took her side and nothing went down. I still thought that she was somewhat legit. Maybe I was blind? The next time I saw her was after the 2nd night @ Deer Creek. WE talked about th show and needless to say, wer were both somewhat dissed ( She seemed a little bit more upset than I did, but... ). I told her that I was bummed that we didn't get a CROSSEYED AND PAINLESS the whole tour--she had no idea as to what I was talking about. We talked some morte about songs, Phish, etc. Finally , I saw one of my boys, said later and walked away. It turned out tha t she had no clue about tons of songs ( Psycho Killer, Sea and Sand, Letter to Jimmy Page, Drowned..... ). But yet she bitched about the setlist! IS THIS BECOMING A TREND? WHAT DOES THIS GIRL WANT TO HEAR? I don't know what to say or do anymore. This might seem fucked up but at that particuler moment in my life, I had a strong connection with Indians. Is this what it was like when the WHITE MAN took the NATIVE'S land and forced them onto the reservations? Will us heads be the minority in the future? I hate it when people do this, but I've seen close to 75 Phish shows, and I tell you what-- I'm tons skeptical about touring this fall. ( $150 bones? Is this a fuckin joke? Why was the WENT and LEMONWHEEL only $75 ? At first I said hell yeah I'm fuckin goin. But then I sat back and thought. I saw some guy write on the net that Phish could afford to do a show for free. Hell yeah they could! It's not practical, but why don't they charge like $50 or $60, or even $75 ?! ). Do the B-BOYS do New Year's runs? Does Jimmy Buffett do New Year's runs? Actually, I think I'm gonna do the Salmon run @ The Fox in Boulder. Look for the kid with the " Where's The Mayor?" shirt on. That's me. I'm definately in the mood for some of that SLAMGRASS!! To be perfectly honest with you, I don't know why I wrote this. Maybe I'm a little shwilly on Red Stripes or maybe it was the Valium ( only 5 milligrams makes you that faded? ) . I don't know. All I've learned in life has been taught to me by Robert De Neiro and ICCULUS. Gracias, jsc P.S.-- If you see someone on tour listening to hip-hop or wearin skater duds, don't always think that they're scandalous. Not all the kidz are scams. P.S.S.--Stop the DESTINY UNBOUND shit. They'll play it when they want to. Try something else, like SPOCK'S BRAIN or maybe LUSHINGTON. ( Also pray for TELAS and McGRUPPS!!!!!!!!!!! )) P.S.S.S--Next time you find yourself in a music store and don't know what to buy, check this out: The ORB: Orbus Terrarum---Costa Rica Space Funk Dream Ambient Chill Make Love Music Dead Can Dance: Into The Labirynth ( or any) Galactic Tricky Gil Scot-Heron Digable Planets: Blowout Comb P.S.S.S.S-- A lot of people are complaining about when Phish plays Dead material ( TERRAPIN STATION '98 ). Do you think that when they play DROWNED that they want to be THE WHO or Trey wants to be Pete Townsend? Do think that when they play BOOGIE ON REGGAE WOMAN that he wants to be Stevie Wonder? Do you think that when they play ROSES ARE FREE that they want to be Ween? STOP BITCHIN.
Date: Fri, 1 Oct 1999 03:33:48 -0500 From: hackbart hackbart@grinnell.edu To: dws@gadiel.com Subject: general remarks/comments So often I reviews which begin by criticising others' negative remarks. I, too, believe that an overly negative attitude (especially broadcasted over mass media) will ultimately diminish the experience of listening to Phish. However, I also believe that it is important to look at the band critically, if for no other reason than to differentiate between the many Phish experiences one has had. Otherwise there would be no need to have eight trillion tapes; we could always pop that first one in and become entirely blissed-out from the day it was dubbed until the day it breaks. We collect show experiences and tapes because each one is unique and special, though not necessarily perfect. I consider comments like "great Chalkdust" or "best Reba yet" to be just as valid as any other, but I also think it's alright to mention a weaker transition or flubbed Mango Song licks in a review. have a nice autumn. it smells good.
Date: Wed, 29 Sep 1999 15:39:38 -0400 From: Casey Kim caseyk@c2is.com To: dws@archive.phish.net Subject: Comments and Observations Well, to start with - I'd like to thank Josh Heydorff for saying a lot of things that needed to be said and I hope people take the time to read his letter. If you haven't, please do. Anyway - the reason I'm writing is that certain reviews of the 9/17 Shoreline show have really upset me. I can't believe how the people with only negative things to say are the ones that speak up - didn't your mama teach you if you can't say something nice don't say anything at all? I understand that the truth hurts sometimes, and sometimes honesty isn't nice, but some of these people are writing in their negative OPINIONS only, not giving brutally honest accounts of the show. They're not spreading any kind of good vibe at all and have a lot of people upset (as evidenced by the numerous postings on that review page of people complaining about the negativity). One review in particular that struck me as "misguided" was one which upbraided Phish and Phil for the technical difficulties which occurred that night and said that: "Now all of a sudden they are treating themselves as the heir to the dead throne, officially commemorating dead landmarks (9/8/98), and getting old band members up to play dead tunes. Guess what -- you're NOT the dead, nobody WANTS you to be the dead, you should not be TRYING to be the dead or the new dead, and any more steps in that direction are a mistake. I go to a phish show to see the band PHISH!" To you, sir, I say that Phish isn't "trying to be" the Dead. They aren't and never were a "Dead Cover Band" (they covered a few tunes, but never a show with mostly or all Dead tunes). But we must recognize that the Dead were one of Phish's greatest influences when they first started out (if you've read the Phish Book, you know that they talk about this at great length). Phish have many influences - but every time they play a Led Zeppelin tune are they "trying to be" Led Zeppelin? When they had the Del McRoury Band play with them in Oswego were they "trying to be" the Del McRoury Band? What about the Beatles, the Who, the Talking Heads and Pink Floyd? Of the over 500 songs Phish has played in their 16 year career, only about 150 of those were originals. That's a lot of cover tunes! Phish likes music, all kinds of music and they want to share it with us. They want to broaden our minds, like "Hey, we don't just listen to any one band and neither should you. Explore!" Phish certainly doesn't want the Dead's "scene" or image. Phish isn't trying to fill any shoes, they're just paying tribute in their own way to the musicians that in some way shaped them into the band they are today. Phil recognizes them for the musicians they've become and he invited Page and Trey to join him on his stage in April. Why wouldn't Phish, when in San Francisco, return the favor and invite him to their stage? It's about respect, not about passing the torch or anything like that. All I'm trying to say is it's all about the music. They're just trying to be Phish, and Phish IS in small part the Dead, Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, the Talking Heads, The Beatles, Skynyrd and all the other bands. And another thing - in the world of music, nothing ever goes as planned. Sometimes you have technical difficulties and sometimes you have last minute decisions. They're only human and so are their crew. You can't be upset because something doesn't go as planned, or because something wasn't planned at all or else you'll be upset more often than you're happy with the way things turned out. I used to be critical of Phish shows when notes were flubbed, lyrics forgotten and stuff like that because I've seen some phenomenal shows and I know what Phish is capable of doing. But then I learned, as we all have to learn, as Zappa said: "You've got to be diggin' it while it's happening 'cause it just might be a one-shot thing." Fate is funny and I don't know why you were inside the show that night when someone else out there would have enjoyed it more than you and brought more to the flow of energy around them than you did. Next time you're inside, try to forget about your politics and expectations and just have fun. Remember that there are kids outside who wanted to get in sooooo bad that you've just got to get down FOR THEM and everyone else who wishes they could be you for just 3 hours. Well, I hope that the author of that review reads this and really thinks about what was said. I know there are other people out there who feel like I do, and I know they'll keep doing everything they can to make every show a wonderful experience for those around them and especially for the band - no matter who's the special guest or how tight the songs sound. Spread the GOOD VIBES, people and remember what Zappa said... "You've got to be diggin' it while it's happening 'cause it just might be a one-shot thing..." See y'all at the shows - - Casey Kim caseyk@c2is.com
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 1999 18:30:22 -0700 From: Josh Heydorff Josh@dialtch.com To: dws@archive.phish.net Subject: To All of you Whiners out there, an Open Letter After reading all of the negative comments about the band we all love so much, I just had to write. I noticed that the complaints were broken down pretty much three ways; either 1.) The Band's Performance Sucked 2.) The Band's personal life somehow affects people's ability to have a good time at the show. 3.) The whole scene is going to shit. First of all, I have seen some phish shows, and I have seen some PHISH SHOWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have come to the conclusion that the perception of any given show can be attributed to Setlists, and how each particular song was played. For some people, they want Phish to perform Tweezer like they did in '95 or whatever, and Antelope like they did in '93,or whatever, NOT the other way around. These are the same picky bastards that bitch when Trey flubs a line on his guitar. Look, Trey isn't perfect, I know it seems like he is, but he has the same faults you or I do. Also, those of you who are musicians, which means you devote your life to the study, and performance of music, understand what Page calls "Becoming Egoless". Those of you who may have a different talent (Painting, writing, sewing, growing, cooking) but don't play an instrument DON'T UNDERSTAND about becoming egoless when it comes to playing/performing music. If you saying that "well I do" NO you especially DON'T. Thinking you do has the same logic as a kid from Kansas who has never been in the Ocean thinks he knows what it is like to surf. My point to this is; they are up there playing and trying to become egoless everynight. Sometimes it's hard when a glowstick smacks one of them in the face,and they have to constantly be on glowstick recon watching for them (BTW leave those at home you dorks) Some nights are going to be inspired, religious experiences, some nights are just going to be experiences. That's the way some nights there are shows, and some nights there are SHOWS!!!!!!!! Second, Who cares what the Band's personal life is about? How do YOU know Trey is cheating around, and snorting eight balls of coke? Were you guys partying at the Ritz the night before, and threw a T.V. out the window together, ala Led Zeppelin? Did you follow him around and watch his every move? Or did you get your info from someone trying to make a buck off of lies and accusations? Don't believe everything you hear. If Trey is altering his conciousness before he goes out onstage, that is his business, NOT YOURS!!! Most of the people in the crowd are already pretty jacked on something, so you have no right to accuse him for being amped/drunk/spun/baked/shroomin' WHATEVER. Besides, THEY ARE ROCK STARS not Monks, although some of you "Hippier than thou" types out there may think otherwise. If it really bothers you that much, then stay home, go see DMB, or moe. or Widespread, or Disco Biscuits, I could use the extra space to groove around. Third, Have you guys ever stopped to wonder that the reason they tour like they do isn't only so the "Hardcore Phans" can follow them. It's to give people the chance to see the country. You don't need to follow them to Every show. Catch a run of 4-5, then go camping somewhere, and catch up to them next week. It's so much more leisurely that way. I have often noticed that too little sleep makes one cranky, irritable, and not themselves. Maybe this is why the perception of the scene is going down hill. A bunch of tired, cranky, and road-weary phans doesn't make for the best scene. Some of you won't agree with me on this one, but I honestly believe it is a mitigating factor in the "vibe" at any given show. See if this sounds familiar: Youv'e got 2 hours 'till the show, and 250 miles left to cover. You get there late, find shitty parking, and go in mid-set, frazzled, and probably in no mood to really HEAR the music. Of course you are going to be critical !!! you have that voice in your head going "I drove 400 miles today for Rocky Top?!!!" Trust me, you are not any less of a phan if you don't go to EVERY show on the tour, This is supposed to be a vacation/time away for most of you when you are on tour. I don't burn my 2 weeks a year of hard-earned vacation just to be frazzled and over-extended. Most of you have bitched about the scene lately, but I think it has gotten better. There are less people showing up without a ticket. There are less and less scroungers every year, and there are more people there to see the band, and not just get high and party in the lot. THIS IS IMPORTANT TO OUR FUTURE!!!!!!!! Don't ever forget that. The Dead went through it's surges popularity wise, and there were some places they couldn't play anymore because of people who didn't love the "scene" and were just there to score drugs. Also, The band's sound is changing, we all noticed that. IT WAS INEVITABLE!!!!!!! Phish has always been about evolving, and changing, they have never stagnated. That's why '95 sounds VASTLY different from Spring '97, and sounds different from right now. This is why I love Phish, they always change, but they stay the same none the less. So if you are disgruntled, and sickened, and saddened, maybe it's time for you to move on, and to accept the fact that a part of your life has changed. Maybe they gave you something that you needed at the time, and now don't need anymore. I know that there are a whole lot of us that still love it when the house lights go down, and still manage to have a good time. Phish won't last forever. we are lucky to be able to see them in thier prime. I wish I could say the same thing about the Grateful Dead in '70, or Zeppelin in '74, or the Allmans in '72. But, most of us weren't even born yet, we now see watered down versions of what those bands USED to be. Phish is one of the few REAL bands out there that gives me the same charge as the aforementioned bands in thier prime. Everynight I am at a show I feel so lucky, so blessed, and so fortunate that I am there with all of you. May the Road rise up to meet you, and the wind always be at your back................ -- Josh Heydorff
click here to return to the 1999 reviews page
hits (many)