Oddly enough, my experiences with Phish began while Jewberg was still listening to Lou Rawls's Garfield Christmas album. At my suburban high school, Phish was the cool band. The hip-jocks, stoners, and soon to be fratties found common ground with their music and its intoxicating culture. Although I was deeply embroiled in a life of religious study and proliferation, I found a rebellious outlet in Phish. I didn't drink or stay out too late or do drugs. I honestly just liked the music and was attracted to the coolness of the fans.
I had been listening to the Dead, the Allman Bros, Clapton's various projects, Skynyrd, Moby Grape, and the like throughout most of my sophomore and junior years of high school.* I was actually turned off by Phish because they were so popular at my school. Class of 95 song was "Down with Disease." Not listening to them was a way to separate myself from others. It's interesting to hear Marc say their popularity didn't peak until 97/98. I finally started listening because of the one true tie-dye-wearing, long-haired, birkenstock-sporting hippie dude at my high school.
The first albums I remember buying was Picture of Nectar. This is pre-internet days so I just went to the store and bought one of the three or four of their albums the store had. My selection was probably based on PON having more tracks than the other albums, getting the most for my money. I liked it and soon bout Junta, which was what did it for me. I've listened to it the past couple days and still find it really good. It's got great, tight instrumentals and a couple imagery-laden narrative songs that rock. I started getting bootleg tapes from friends and started seeing shows.
Through a two year period, senior/freshman years, I probably saw em 5 or 6 times.** A few at Lakewood, one or two at the Fox, and then once at the Omni. I bought tickets through their mail order for a couple shows in Virginia but didn't go due to my religious fundamentalist obligations. In fact, I remember thinking that if I was to leave the Church I'd probably end up following Phish around-- a repressed young man's fantasy. I did end up leaving the Church, though, in 97, I think. For some reason, at that time I also stopped listening to Phish. I've never really thought about what began to turn me off to it, but I can only assume it's that I became embroiled in the Athens life which frowns upon Phish.***
I've tried since to listen to them again. It's never clicked like it did when I was younger. My last attempt was a couple years ago. In anticipation of Marc's night, I gave it another shot. Again, Junta has remained great. Most of the other stuff, live and studio, is sorta hit or miss. There's a lot of awesome stuff. Great music. Compelling lyrics. Rockin hooks. Even the longer jams can be epic. However, there's also a lot of shit. Annoying, non-sensical, repetitive lyrics. Chaos. Childish shit.
I found the documentary to be interesting as some one who was into this band before YouTube as I'd never seen them interviewed before. In the Phish community, like that of the Dead, the audience feels like their friends with these guys**** But the film shed some light on the individuals. Again, it focused too much on Trey. The super close-ups of his face were annoying. The other guys only spoke a few times with the exception of Fishman, who the audience still didn't get a good picture of. I'd have preferred just watching a good video of one of their shows.***** I think it'd have been a better representation of what they are capable of. You did get an idea of what amazing musicians they are, especially Trey, who is an incredible guitarist. I wish it'd shown more of what Page does, cause I've always loved his jazzy playing.
I'd like to say the evening was a success. Despite issues surrounding attendance and ill girlfriends, the Rabbi pulled it off. I hope he understands how much we appreciate him sharing his knowledge, love, appreciation and this movie with us. It is a very special feeling to be able to share with your friends something which has been so much a part of your life. Good job.
*My 88 Ford Ranger was decked out with a Steal Your Face, Mean People Suck (I'm very embarrassed to admit this one), Ice Cream dude (from Europe 72), a Calvin with his finger in his nose, and a "You Don't Need Dope to Dance" sticker (again, embarrassing). I didn't add a Phish sticker until I moved to Athens.
**I agree with Brent's comment about some of the more special elements of their live shows being left out of the documentary. The trampolines and Fishman on the vacuum.
***In one Athens kitchen in which I worked, the tapedeck was marked "Phish Phucking Phorbidden."
****I've heard of people having photographs of the band in picture frames on their desks as if they are family.
*****As I write this, I'm watching one on YouTube. My BluRay player let's me watch it in HD. It's professionally filmed, multiple cameras, good stuff. There's a good number of em on there.
No comments:
Post a Comment