Who doesn't love the onslaught of Phish content recently. Between the 3D release of Festival 8, the non-stop touring and the loads of great HD quality video footage on YouTube, the band has decided to release a 2 disc DVD of their November 2nd 1996 performance at Coral Sky Amphitheater in West Palm Beach, Florida. According to the band “the complete, uncut concert was created from archival videotapes of the multi-camera lawn screen feed and the audio was mixed from multi-track masters in stereo PCM and 5.1 surround.”
Phish has leaked a video songs from the up-coming DVD, including superb versions of "Julius", "Run Like An Antelope" and "Harry Hood".
With a huge summer tour successfully completed it comes as no surprise that Phish will be embarking on another, albeit shorter fall tour. The jam-giants will be playing the Austin City Limits Festival on October 8, as well as their first shows in Atlantic City. Last Halloween we heard Phish cover the pivotal classic rock album Exile on Main St. by the Stones. Those lucky enough to make to ATL will witness Trey, Mike, Jon and Page drape themselves in musical costumes as they cover another group's record this Halloween.
PHISH FALL 2010 U.S. TOUR DATES
October 8 Austin, TX—Austin City Limits Festival
October 10-12 Broomfield, CO—ISTBANK Center
October 15-16 North Charleston, SC—North Charleston Coliseum
October 19 Augusta, ME—Augusta Civic Center
October 20 Utica, NY—Utica Memorial Auditorium
October 22 Providence, RI—Dunkin Donuts Center
October 23-24 Amherst, MA—Mullins Center
October 26 Manchester, NH—Verizon Wireless Arena
October 29-31 Atlantic City, NJ—Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall
As if 4.20 couldn't get any headier, Phish will be releasing their first 3D movie ever. They're all the rage these days, and it just so happens that they filmed Festival 8 with fully capable 3D cameras. The first screenings of the film will begin on April 30 but on April 20 special advance preview screenings will be held in nine cities across the country, from Massachusetts to California. For those of you lucky enough to grab tickets, you will also be treated to a free 3D poster as well! Tickets for these screenings will go on sale tomorrow. Head to Phish3DMovie.com for more details.
Last night Trey Anastasio inducted Genesis into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Phish also covered two Genesis songs, "Watcher of the Skies" and "No Reply At All", the latter of which I expect to be covered again some point in the near future. And by the near future I mean on Phish's up-coming SUMMER TOUR which was just announced no more than a few minutes ago. That's right, everybody's favourite jamband will be gearing up for a solid 29 show summer tour which will kick off in Chicago and end in New York City. Check out the awesome video announcement too!
Dates: June 11 Chicago, IL Toyota Park June 12 Cuyahoga Falls, OH Blossom Music Center June 13 Hershey, PA Hersheypark Stadium June 15 Portsmouth, VA nTelos Pavilion at Harbor Center June 17 Hartford, CT Comcast Theatre June 18 Hartford, CT Comcast Theatre June 19 Saratoga Springs, NY Saratoga Performing Arts Center June 20 Saratoga Springs, NY Saratoga Performing Arts Center June 22 Mansfield, MA Comcast Center June 24 Camden, NJ Susquehanna Bank Center June 25 Camden, NJ Susquehanna Bank Center June 26 Columbia, MD Merriweather Post Pavilion June 27 Columbia, MD Merriweather Post Pavilion June 29 Canandaigua, NY CMAC July 1 Raleigh, NC Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion July 2 Charlotte, NC Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre July 3 Alpharetta, GA Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park July 4 Alpharetta, GA Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park August 5 Berkeley, CA Greek Theatre August 6 Berkeley, CA Greek Theatre August 7 Berkeley, CA Greek Theatre August 9 Telluride, CO Telluride Town Park August 10 Telluride, CO Telluride Town Park August 12 Noblesville, IN Verizon Wireless Music Center August 13 Noblesville, IN Verizon Wireless Music Center August 14 East Troy, WI Alpine Valley Music Theatre August 15 East Troy, WI Alpine Valley Music Theatre August 17 Wantagh, NY Nikon Theater at Jones Beach August 18 Wantagh, NY Nikon Theater at Jones Beach
Ever wanted to peak into the mind of Mike Gordon? I'm too nervous too, but that's ok because he's letting us peak into his rehearsal sessions and the man plays a mean bass and makes some damn fine music. According to Mr. Gordon's website: Mike and his band spent last week in rehearsals in the mountains of Vermont for their upcoming 8-date March run, which begins with a sold out show this Friday, March 5th in Troy, NY. Wanting to give fans a unique glimpse into the practice space, we're releasing a track that grew out of the session.
Mike Gordon explains: "On the first day of practices, we decided to come to the studio and invite the muse to control us for a day. I led a guided meditation in which we imagined tapping into universal energy that connects from the spheres, through us, and into the center of the Earth, and then we imagined being on stage as the music played the band and the coolest sound we could imagine came out. Each band member then described his aural vision, directing the others to create it. And this little sampling is Craig Myers' vision, entitled 'Birth Of The Universe.' He described ambience wallowing from nothingness, and then mouthed out a rhythm that Todd could then interpret, helping to kick the thing into rock-ass gear. Nice work, Craig."
While I wasn't able to make it to Toronto to check out Mike Gordon's show, our good friends over at Dog Gone Blog (http://dogoneblog.wordpress.com/) did attend and had this to say:
Last night, Mike’s fall tour came to a close at Higher Ground in Burlington, VT. With rave reviews coming from a wide variety of sources, it appears the future for the Mike Gordon Band looks bright.
On Friday, Mike performed in a tiny club in Toronto, bringing back the feeling of Phish’s early days of touring the club circuit. In the past, when Phish would travel to Canada, only the most devoted fans would make the trek (read our article The Spirit of the North). The band would reward the fans in these intimate venues, far-off their regular touring path. Friday night was no different with Mike’s band. The energy was brimming from the outset, and in the small quarters of the Mod Club, the band rewarded the fans once again. Feeding off the energy of the crowd, Mike and his band delivered one of the best shows of the tour. Once again the feeling was there of the band and fans both in it together, in a small room, sharin’ in the groove
10.2.09
Unlike some of the previous shows on the tour, on Friday, Mike and his band needed no time to warm-up. The night kicked off with “Traveled Too Far”, one of several songs played off Mike’s new album The Green Sparrow. Mike began by playing with his Korg Kaossilator, an effect box, creating some very interesting sounds. The song was taken for a 20 minute ride which began with a vocal jam prior to the intro. Holding nothing back, an early groove was started which led into the song perfectly, showing the connection Mike has crafted with his band mates. Even the highest expectations were shoved aside as the band launched into one of the best jams of the tour. To be fully honest, this was one of the best jams Mike has had in years, in any band. And to anyone close enough, you could see how much Mike was enjoying it. Featuring noticeable “Sugar Shack” teases, and some alternative picking reminiscent of “DEG”, Murawski and Gordo vibed off each other showing the long history the two share. 10.2.09
10.2.09
Mike has cited Murawski’s other band – Max Creek Band – as one of his favorites, and has sat in with them on numerous occasions. In the 80’s, Phish covered Max Creek’s “Back Porch Boogie”, a funky number that Mike tricked the band into playing the song, claiming it was one of his own. Joking with each other much in the way Mike and Trey do, it was obvious Mike was having the time of his life. The close friendship between the two was shown when a fan held up a “Skin it Back” sign and Mike tapped Scott, laughing, to see his reaction. Unfortunately, the song was not played.
The show was contained to a single set due to the strict curfew, but in that time, Mike and his band made quite an impact. Each song was extended and explored, with some very unique jams resulting. “I’m Deranged” was one of the highlights of the night, appearing in a sandwich between “Andelman’s Yard”. The song featured a heavily syncopated riff by Scott that flowed throughout the song. The jam went very outside before returning to the bright melody of “Andleman’s”. Other highlights were “Another Door” and the GRAB song “Suskind Hotel”. mgsetlist10.2.09
The feeling of this being a simple side-project was completely absent. The emphasis on the band-mentality, rather than displaying a single musician’s talents, has made for a very different feeling. Showcasing songs from the other band members, it is clear that Mike intends to make this band more than a musical outlet for himself. He has said how important developing this band is to him, and his intense focus during the show made it apparent that he is putting a great deal of effort in to it. The band nailed their noticeably difficult composed sections, and jammed with a growing confidence. Closing the show with the Beatles “She Said, She Said”, nailing the vocal harmonies, Mike and his band left the stage glowing with excitement. Afterward, we caught up with the band at the after party where they shared their feelings on the incredible night. This show was the definite sleeper of the tour, and a treat for anyone who made the trek through the cold, rainy Toronto night.
The road to recovery has brought us Joy, Phish's first studio effort in five years. Joy is equal parts therapy and provocation. The lyrical themes are heavy and filled with honesty while poppy, often psychedelic music provides the contrast that we have come to expect from Phish. The band isn't afraid to address its shady, public history as lead guitarist Trey Anastasio sings "Got a blank space where my mind should be, got a Clif Bar and some cold green tea " on the standout rocker "Stealing Time From The Faulty Plan". What good, partying Phish fan hasn't lived off a similar diet either on tour or at college? Things get a little more serious on the title track "Joy", a dedication to Anastasio's now departed sister who passed away last year from cancer. In true Phish fashion, the album also has a few odd-ball moments, most notably on the Mike Gordon penned and sung "Sugar Shack" which is both funky and strange in true Gordo fashion. Joy also contains some soon to be Phish classics such as "Ocelet" which is filled with child like imagery and is a welcomed return to Anastasio's playful, narrative style approach to songwriting. Pianist Page McConnell steps into the spotlight on "I Been Around", the albums modern day response to the Phish classic "Lawn Boy". The only downfall of the album is the 13 minute prog-rock number "Time Turns Elastic". With meaningless lyrics such as "But, I'm a submarine, submarine sinks below the ground. A submarine, I'm a submarine, submarine sinks below the ground" its quite difficult to understand what Anastasio was trying to accomplish with this tune. It's safe to say that Joy is a return to Phish being a rock and roll band with pop sensibilities and this is easily their most accessible album to date. While old-school Phish fans may view this this as a downfall, new listeners are sure to have the catchy choruses of "Backwards Down The Number Line" and "Kill Devil Falls" stuck in their heads for days. Ultimately, Joy is a recharged and reinvigorated Phish proving to the world that their reformation is not simply an attempt at testing the waters, but rather a statement that the boys are back for good.
This weekend is a big weekend. For most folks out there, March 6-8 is just like any other regular weekend, but for some of us, this weekend is extremely special and about 5 years in the making. For those of you who guessed it already, the Phish Hampton reunion run is this weekend and even though I was unable to get tickets, like so many of you out there, hold your head up because Phish has not let us down. The boys will be giving away the Hampton shows for free so we can live the experience in the comfort of our homes. Some of you may have wished for a webcast of the shows but for one reason or another, the boys have chosen to go a different route, and I for one am still very gracious. Big Red had this to say: "We really wanted to show our gratitude to all the Phish fans for their support and the overwhelming response they've had to these shows. It's going to be an amazing celebration and we only wish everybody could be there," Phish will be recording the Hampton shows in a mobile multitrack studio, and mixing the shows overnight for immediate delivery on LivePhish.com
Saturday couldn't come any sooner, but I guess we will all just have to wait. My guess on first song is officially Down With Disease. I leave you now with a killer version of Sample in a Jar from the new Clifford Ball DVDs that were just released. Enjoy!
