Long ago, I knew this group of guys who would follow Pearl Jam around like Phish fans. Are they Phish with yarling?

I get how folks can dislike this band..

but am I really the only one who voted NC (albeit with waffles) for this band?

EDIT: I see I am no longer the only one.

I am going to see The Phish for my Father-in-law's 80th birthday in Pittsburgh. It was his whole idea, not my thing, but I will give it an honest assessment; my view my be colored by the old guys enjoyment though.

Growing up just a couple hours from where they started, they were pretty huge in my area from the very beginning. There was no distinction between the 'alternative' kids and the hippies. Everyone liked all of it. I've seen them enough times to have lost count. But as far as new material, I stopped following in 1996. They seemed to have abandoned what I liked the most about them- weird, mathy, composed Zappa-esque jams- in favor of what I liked least about them- basic-ass, tepid white boy funk. I still love Junta, Lawn Boy, Nectar, Rift, the old Gamehenge stuff, and a scattering of songs after that. The shows are still a blast, in general. Trey is a mind bogglingly talented guitarist. Actually going to see them back home this summer at SPAC which is cool as hell. Or at least WAS.
Fans are annoying dorks for sure, but to the person saying dead fans are better: have you checked in on that recently? It has become a fucking MAGA fest of drunk, rich douchebags. Truly depressing.

I listened to Marc Maron's interview with Trey Anastasio some time last year. For the music makers it's damned fascinating. More regarding Phish as a cultural entity and a massive fucking operation. It's pretty insane. They have (had?) some kind of annual fest in the middle of nowhere New England and basically Phish is a cross between a megacorporation and a municipal government. Like an operation so huge they could elect a sheriff.

Trey talks about losing control of the VIP section over the tears to where every substance you can name is available at greater purity and casualness than any urban junkie could dream of.

It's also fascinating how different music has different inertia. Like how many people we know pushing hard on thinky rock music, or visceral rock music to modest acclaim. Like no matter how hard they push. Meanwhile Phish took off with a force that was frightening for them.

Crap music. Although I wish more popular crap music was as singular and particular as they are.

did Phish do that "Possum" song? A high school bandmate moved onto a blooze trio and they'd play that song live. The vocal harmonies always made me laugh. I have never heard the original but WF if that was them.

High school chemistry teacher would go to their 20 hour New Year's Eve concerts. I have no idea if he'd be rolling or not.

Much like krautrock makes most of the Dead redundant, I imagine Ween is the best side of Phish. God knows my Ween-obsessed friends talk about Ween shows with the same rabid enthusiasm as jam band fans.

Crap, of course

As far as their festivals go, they absolutely do it right and do everything in their power to make it as comfortable and bullshit free as possible. Especially when compared to…ANY other festival. Punk ethics are curiously absent when you look at events like ATP which have fucked over fans AND bands time after time, yet people keep coming back for more.

I think I'd have a better time at a Phish show than at SXSW or Bumbershoot.

Krev wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 11:21 am I think I'd have a better time at a Phish show than at SXSW or Bumbershoot.

Well yeah, there's only one terrible band, as opposed to dozens of terrible bands. I know a weirdly large number of Phish fans (Phish Heads? A-phish-ionados?), and too many of them only like Phish. It's boring! Some of their song titles enrage me even before I have heard a note. I like a couple Phish songs, but that doesn't save them from a Crap vote. Tough titties, Phish.

kerble wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 8:59 pm

Krev wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 11:21 am I think I'd have a better time at a Phish show than at SXSW or Bumbershoot.

Well yeah, there's only one terrible band, as opposed to dozens of terrible bands. I know a weirdly large number of Phish fans (Phish Heads? A-phish-ionados?), and too many of them only like Phish. It's boring! Some of their song titles enrage me even before I have heard a note. I like a couple Phish songs, but that doesn't save them from a Crap vote. Tough titties, Phish.

Have I told you lately that I love you?