6.26.2008

On a potential Phish Reunion


So, Page McConnell, keyboardist of Phish, posted on the band's website to address the rumors that had been floating around about a Phish reunion. The message boards lit up like Times Square on New Years Eve, and immediately the questions of where the first show will be, what will they play, will there be an album first, and so on. Look, I am as excited as the next guy, but I wonder what this proposed version of Phish 3.0 will look like.

The second time they retired, I really thought it was for the best. In tours leading up to summer of '04, the band seemed to be trying to hold onto something that hadn't been there since the late 90's. Now, I don't want to sound like all the righteous old-school Phishheads out there who say there wasn't a single good show after 1997, but it definitely wasn't the same. I saw my first show summer of '98 (which hardly qualifies as old-school), and I can remember getting tapes (yes, tapes) that were so amazing that I couldn't believe the band would let their fans freely trade these magic moments. The It Festival was a ton of fun, but I recall hearing/reading that Trey was spending all of his time offstage in his personal trailer, hardly a healthy way to be spending your freetime.

The one thing I think fans don't realize is that these guys (as ridiculously talented as they are), are just human beings. And even if they possess some kind of secret or magic, in the end, they are just 4 guys. Can you imagine what it's like to constantly hear from people that you've changed their lives? Not just occasionally, but at a regular basis, in just about every place you go. And your kid's t-ball game can't be viewed in peace without some dreadlocked chick in a Worst Show Ever t-shirt coming by to ask you when you're gonna play Fluffhead again.

But then again, no band seemed to capture the mood of the sometimes light, sometimes dark era of the nineties, the way way they did. Yes, in a way their music spoke to people, but not in a political context, and I would argue that most fans appreciate their interconnected skill at their instruments far more than anything else about the band. When the lights dropped on a Phish show, you never knew what to expect, but you could be sure that the music would take everyone in attendance for a ride.

Another item to point out: Coventry (Phish's final show in their home state of Vermont) was supposed to be a fitting end to a storied career. Except that didn't happen. Rain made much of the venue uncampable, and fans were told to turn around because they would be denied entry to the site. Some still persisted and walked more than 5 miles and WERE allowed in, meaning those who turned back were left to regret their decision. If that wasn't enough, the band played terribly, most notably guitarist/lead vocalist Trey Anastasio-who seemed noticably intoxicated troughout the weekend. It got so bad, half of the final song-the bow that was supposed to wrap up a career- was played in the WRONG key.

If they do come back, these are the questions that have to be answered...
1) Will they practice?
Not just rehearse, but really practice. Practice the complex chord progressions and changes as well as jamming. Trey once said he doesn't want them to ever become a nostalgia act, well, the best way to avoid that from ever happening is practicing the way they did in the early 90's.

2) Will they be healthy?
Obviously drugs came into play later in their careers, but also what is extremely important is for their relationships with each other to be good. I never liked the whole no talking about the show rule, but they need to do whatever it takes to have open communication between each other.

3) Will fans give them a break?
This is probably most important. You know who you are out there. Stop trying to test the possible levels of intoxication on a nightly basis. STOP! You do NOT need two hits of mescaline, a couple of Xan-bars, some coke, some speed, and bottle of Jaegar to enjoy the show. Also, if you see the band, try to somewhat respect their privacy. They want to hang as much as you do, and your best shot is NOT to come charging towards one of them as they get off the elevator. If you do encounter one of the members of Phish or their crew, a simple 'Hi' or 'Great Show' will suffice. Just chill people, idol-worship won't get you anywhere closer towards
personal enlightenment.

In the end, I am just happy that I am continuing to inch along and move a few steps closer to hearing You Enjoy Myself once again with 15-75,000 of my closest friends. I hope this time has served them and their fans well.

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