My love for Phish’s music was born during those three hours and over the course of 10 years, I fed it, watered it, and watched it grow into an obsession. I listened to Phish all the time. Nothing else. I air-
Trey’d around the apartment. I bought the shirts and scoured the internet for discussions about Phish. I horded tapes and eventually moved onto CDs. I threw out over 1,500 analogs when I moved to NYC and currently have so many shows on disc, I don’t even bother adding to the collection because there is always something new I can find to make me fall in love all over again. I missed family gatherings and spent every vacation day and dollar I had (and about $15,000 that I didn’t have and still owe Citibank) to see Phish.
My love for Phish took me to places I would never have gone on my own – Antioch, Tennesee in the brutal heat of summer; middle-of-nowhere George, Washington for the most tremendous views I have ever seen; Plattsburgh, NY to join 80,000 people that drove up having been promised only two days, three sets each. It didn’t matter where or how far it was or what I had to do to get there, as long as I was going to see Phish, it was worth it.
I met my wife at a Phish show. We didn’t hang out or get to know each at Great Woods that night in August, 2004, but the first time I laid my eyes on her, and vice-versa, was on the lawn in that beat up old venue in Mansfield, Mass.
I met two of my best friends in the world, guys who served as groomsmen at my wedding, through another friend who met them on a Phish message board. I have met countless people through similar
message boards, through tape/cd trading or at shows. The people that are most important to me in this world all have ties to and love for Phish. And to me, that was and always will be the true legacy of this band. Even at the end, when the music was shaky and inconsistent, the fun times rolled on and the relationships grew.
Towards the end, there were many different reasons people went to see Phish. The parties had replaced the playing on the priority list of many fans and let’s face it, the band too on some nights. When the drummer is yelling “let’s be a foursome…let’s be a quartet” as the guitarist is scolding the bassist for his late-night partying ways, something is wrong.
Then Coventry, a truly unjust disaster for fans and band alike, forced us all away from the Northeast Kingdom with a terrible taste in our mouths. For a long time I hoped deeply that Phish never played together again. The prospect for awfulness was just too much in the forefront and too fresh in my mind. I wanted it to be left alone. I had my 1,200 CDs and was content that it was a great run that had come to an end in an unfitting way and that was that.
As the last four years went by, it became more and more obvious that these guys weren’t done. Once Trey had sorted out his legal problems, and even before then to some extent, the quotes started moving more towards “it’s a matter of when, not if” territory and eventually, it became a foregone conclusion that it would happen.
So when the official announcement of Phish’s return came, there was very little shock for anyone paying attention over the last year. The fact that the band members are not doing interviews strikes me as a good sign. Fuck the good pub and press. Fuck the promotion. Just put some real energy and effort into practicing and go out there and kick some ass. Play your hearts out. As fans, that’s all we can ask.
I personally have mixed feelings about the reunion. A big part of me was disappointed that they decided to come back, but these reasons are selfish on my part. I’ve pretty much moved on from that “Phish-centered” point in my life in every way. My days of 16 shows in 18 days in 12 states are long behind me. And part of me also had hoped that the 20-year lightning in a bottle torpedo that was Phish was one of those things that was exclusive to those that were on board for Phish 1.0.
But on March 6 in Hampton, VA, the site of so many ups (1997, 1998) and a few downs (2003, 2004), our eyes will again shift to those four guys on stage and we’ll see if the magic is back. If it is, I think I will feel invigorated and young again. If it isn’t, I still plan to dance my ass off.
22 Responses
Very nice post. Couldn’t agree more.
hope driving me around wasn’t the reason for 2004 being a “down” Hampton year for you.
“If it isn’t, I still plan to dance my ass off.”
Love it.
I have high hopes for the boys… but to your point, I remember thinking “I’m just happy to be here.” at the Hampton 2003 shows, despite the music.
I think they’re gonna be ready to kick some ass honestly.
Nice writing Luke. I can second the feeling of knowing you were seeing something huge at my 1st show.
luke, phish is your father!
;0)
I only saw Phish twice—1995 & 1996 and both in Knoxville, TN. First time I was as high as can be & the second time I had a few beers (first show was much better). But since I’m barely a fan of the band I’m curious as to what real fans think will be the difference between this reunion & the time after their hiatus a number of years ago. From the diehard fans I know, the period after the hiatus was considered to be pretty subpar with Coventry just being plain bad.
Of course it remains to be seen, but is there a feeling that the band will be rejuvenated like never before and just kick-ass? Or is there a concern that there will be distractions—since the guys are older now & involved in more projects—and the reunion will be a letdown?
nice piece. phish coming back was going to happen – they all come back! Stones, Who, Police, Cream
they can’t stay away
Great piece! You won’t have to fake your dancing though, its gonna be great 🙂
luke, excellent piece.
it’s alot more positive than i thought it would be, coming from you…
you old softy you…
😉
Luke, you hit this on the nose… I had moved on too, but as of Oct. 1, things have changed. My facial hair is growing out of control, I wake up clapping my hands and singing and people at work ask me why I’m so happy all the time. I will see you in Hampton!
very well written, i honestly don’t know what i’m going to do with myself when i see them in concert…been a long time coming
Good stuff, Luke. Good show, bad show, funky show, sloppy show, gamehendge sets, new song sets, cover sets….doesn’t matter to me. What I DO know is that going to a show with you makes it a good show because you have a blast no matter what. Road trip time.
SHOTGUN!
G
Nice piece. It was amazing to be a Phish fan in the early 90’s. I saw my first show just slightly before yours. The Roxy in ’93. Naturally that show hooked me and I was never the same after that show. Nice piece.
Great article Luke. Thanks.
well said- good read.
That pretty much matches my experience with them to a T..although about a year off. The people I’ve met and the adventures I’ve had have been enough to last a lifetime. While I’ve matured a bit-I sure miss that feeling of waking up on the day of a show, just knowing it was going to be a great day because you were going to get to see them play. I think the past 4 years have been what the original hiatus was supposed to be-a chance to truly step away and reclaim their lives away from Phish. I doubt if they’d come back unless they were really serious about the music-so I expect great things, but I know just seeing all 4 of them on stage will give me goosebumps, before they play a note.
Nice words. I was wondering why I felt uneasy, dissapointed and excited all at once. You took the words right out of my mouth. From Christine fainting on my at my first show in Austin in 95, traveling by myself thru Europe or catching the last run with you because it WAS their last, I feel like there’s no way it could ever be as good. As an eternal optimist, I have to try and see for myself. ps Did u include me on your groomsman count?;-)
your first show was my first show and I have been following them all over as well. I new nothing about the band back then. I drove my moped to the show to meet some deadhead friends of mine in the lot. I was on my way home when a guy walking by haded me a ticket and the rest is history. Those were some amazing shows back then. I would always be amazed where they got that energey song after song…night after night!
your first show was my first show- I walked to the ticked booth mid day and was told it was sold out… but then as we walked away, they called us back and sold us 6th row center tix. I too was a Phish novice having only listened to Picture of Nectar and Rift (in my New Castle Hall dorm room as a freshman!)… but was absolutley hooked from the start of the show. I followed them around as much as I could over the next few years, but after seeing 4 shows in Europe over the summer of ”97, I reached the pinnacle and decided in ’98 that either they had changed, or I had changed (probably a bit of both) and I’ve only seem once show (Merriweather 2009) since. I miss it all and have no regrets… best band around. I’m gonna see them again next week in Raleigh (7/1/2010) and can’t wait…