Phish – Festival 8
10/30-11/01/2009 – Empire Polo Fields: Indio, CA
Words/Photos/Videos by Justin
Writers Note: In honor of the 8th Phish festival, I plan to write 8 separate confessions of my four days in the desert with Phish. Having left the Hunky Dory campsite 30 hours ago, I have still not fully processed everything I experienced within the grounds of the Empire Polo Grounds. In the event that some non-phish fans read this, I have tried my best to provide links on lingo that is often discussed in Phish circles.
Part I: The Feeling I Forgot
In the time it takes to drive Brittan Avenue from Alameda De Las Pulgas to El Camino Real, I became a fan of Phish. It was late 1996, and on that ride from Youth Group to Jack in the Box, I heard the first couple of songs from 04-27-91 show. Acapella openers and songs about someone named Jim who ran away were weird enough to have me hungry for more. The next summer, I went to my first show (7-31-97) and went from casual fan to obsessed overnight. For years, Phish was my number one past time. I went to shows up and down the west coast. I traded tapes, and then CD’s then various files. I even had a failed attempt at dreadlocks, and well let’s just say I am embarrassed to tell you how many times I showered in February 1998.
All was Hunky Dory with Phish and I, until 7-10-03 when I walked out of Shoreline Amphitheatre with my head down in shame. After a self imposed hiatus, a strung out and uninspired version of Phish criss-crossed the nation playing more subpar concerts than stellar ones. Gone were the tight jams and crazy chord progressions. In their place was embarrassing slop that made me wish I was seeing some terrible band llike The String Cheese Incident. While sad that something I truly loved called it a day, I was actually glad Phish called it quits less than a year later. As the calendar progressed, I started to forget all about the band that in many ways became my identity for six years.
In those six years since I left Shoreline in disgust, a lot has changed for the members of Phish. Most important was front man/cult leader Trey Anastasio getting pulled over in upstate NY, driving on the wrong side of the road with a serious collection of drugs in the car. I was skeptical at when this reunion was announced, would they still have it I thought to myself? Much to my relief, after three solid nights in Hampton, VA they indeed did. As the year progressed, I grew restless waiting for tour dates. Upon finding that Wooks lied to me on PT and the band was not playing the Hollywood Bowl during summer tour, I actually fell into a slight depression. Spirits were quickly lifted when the rumors began that the east coast rockers were planning a serious left coast desert shakedown over Halloween Weekend. Spirits went through the dang roof when Festival 8 – a three day Phish festival over Halloween (a high holy day for Phish fans, as the band covers another artists record front to back as a musical costume) was finally confirmed for the Empire Polo Fields in Indio, CA. The first three day Phish Festival featuring 8 sets of music two hours from home? Well I sure as hell can’t think of a better way to get reacquainted with an old flame.
I won’t lie, it took a bit. Perhaps we were too far back from the stage, but the first set of the event (10/30/09) was rough. Sure the upbeat “Party Time” was a logical opener, but the mix of songs simply never seemed to click. “Chalkdust Torture” seemed a bit more rushed than usual while guitarist Trey Anastasio managed to crack himself up during “NICU”. A personal highlight for me was the opportunity to finally see drummer John “Henrietta” Fishman bust out a “suck and blow” solo on the vacuum cleaner during the somewhat rare “I Didn’t Know”. My love for the new song “Stealing Time From The Faulty Plan” only grew after seeing the Vermont foursome tear it up. With a chorus of “Got a blank space where my mind should be” the line really hit home after having partied for 24 hours straight under the Santa Rosa Mountains.
The bands second set was much better. It took me 15 shows, but I finally got the Gamehenge classic “Punch You In The Eye” which kicked things off. However, what took place next was what I came in search for. Down With Disease>Prince Caspian>Wolfman’s Brother>Piper>Joy. I am pretty sure it was sometime during the big build in Piper when I finally let go and was totally entranced in the music. With a backdrop of palm trees lit up by one Chris Kuroda and the constellation Orion high above us in the sky, a huge smile spread across my face. The Feeling I Forgot was back. Phish had me in their pocket, and could do whatever they wanted to me, even if that included bringing out some weird balloon type prop that flashed vibrant colors during “Harry Hood”.
No one and I mean no one can take me musically on a journey like Phish does. It really has been close to 10 years since I truly experienced the band max capacity. Walking out of the concert area and back to our tent, I had a tear or two running down my cheek. I finally got to experience what millions across the country have already discovered this year. Phish is back, and they are BACK. With about 30 hours in the desert under my belt, and six sets remaining, I grabbed a slice of pizza and did what every other phish head inside the lush Empire Polo Fields were about to do. Phish is back, Halloween had arrived and it was time to party, even if it meant denouncing ones membership from PETA by killing a couple dozen roosters. Party Time indeed.
21 Comments, Comment or Ping
Phishmeat
wtf, killing roosters? and this was your highlight? Down With Disease>Prince Caspian>Wolfman’s Brother>Piper>Joy. wow man you should be at a sci show or something, what do i expect from someone from LA who never saw phish till the shoreline show in 97 though…… leave the writing to someone who knows wtf they are talking about, even MR Miner wouldnt stoop this far.
Nov 6th, 2009
concertconfessions
Clearly PHISHMEAT’s dreads hanging over his eyes caused him to miss the 5th paragraph. I do realize I am terrible because as a west coast kid, I didn’t hear Phish till the age of 17. I mean shit, if only my junior high math teacher was a hip 50+ year old hitting Phish gigs at Great American Music Hall right?
Nov 6th, 2009
tennesee jed
hey phishmeat, lighten up brah its closed in kooks like you that made me ditch the scene way back in ’92 anyway, you muppet. ps ill bet you loved the stones album on sat riiiggght?
Nov 6th, 2009
Phishmeat
i linked stuff from the 5th paragraph, your talking about weird shit that makes phish seem like some cult, where do you get off calling Trey a cult leader, why are you talking about killing roosters, Your first PYITE? If indio was your 1st PYITE why are you blogging about Phish as if you are some expert. All im saying is you added a couple weird ass things into this, most of your writing is fine but honestly….killing chickens and making trey out to be a cult leader is completely wrong, leave anything like that out of your post that might make a person who knows nothing about Phish think weird shit is going on.
Nov 7th, 2009
Phishmeat
i linked stuff from the 5th paragraph, your talking about weird shit that makes phish seem like some cult, where do you get off calling Trey a cult leader, why are you talking about killing roosters, Your first PYITE? If indio was your 1st PYITE why are you blogging about Phish as if you are some expert. All im saying is you added a couple weird ass things into this, most of your writing is fine but honestly….killing chickens and making trey out to be a cult leader is completely wrong, leave anything like that out of your post that might make a person who knows nothing about Phish think weird shit is going on. Also SCI is a great band taking us to the depths of psychedelia while phish was too dark and fucked up to do it in the late 90s, have you ever even seen them?, i really dont know wtf you are coming from…..
Nov 7th, 2009
Phishmeat
and ya the covering of exile was great. are you saying you didnt approve? What does it take to make you happy? Im assuming your one of the people who was so set on Ziggy that you were going to be jaded no matter what they played. FYI Ziggy was never going to happen…
Nov 7th, 2009
Phishmeat
“Gone were the tight jams and crazy chord progressions. In their place was embarrassing slop that made me wish I was seeing some terrible band llike The String Cheese Incident. While sad that something I truly loved called it a day, I was actually glad Phish called it quits less than a year later. ”
God man, you really have no buisness even talking about Phish……do you realize that in your absence the prior 20 years that theres people who deeply support whatever this band has done, you walk in here making bold broad statements as if you are some expert. Your a fly by fair weather fan who doubtfully ever truly connected with what goes on between the lines. Your massive generalization and odd take on the cultish aspects of phish are insulting to those of us who live for this band….you have no place speaking for us. You should rethink how your voice to this effects what people who know nothing about phish might perceive and how you may be affecting the collective. Your page is being linked from several places which means that a lot of people are reading what your saying.
Nov 7th, 2009
concertconfessions
Just curious Phishmeat, where are you from? As I have explained, I saw my first show in 97 (sadly missed Cow Palace 96 cause of Turkey Day travel). I have seen the band all up and down the west coast. Is it my fault that I had (before this past weekend) 7 Limb by Limb’s and no PYITE? I can’t control what the band plays, now can I?
Likewise, did you see any of the 03 summer shows? Trey couldn’t even play Bouncin in Chula Vista, I am sorry but that was slop. If you could grasp what you were reading, you would understand that I am happy that the band is back to their OLD ways, killing it up there. Perhaps it’s time you layed off the hippie crack homie.
I will say, please do keep on posting over the next four reviews. Your general stupidity makes me happy. Oh and for the record, how did you find my site? I am glad you did/invite you to write your own Phish review the next time you see the Phab Phour
Nov 7th, 2009
Phishmeat
your calling me stupid? What i take issue with is you saying first that Trey is a cult leader, making Phish a Cult, second calling SCI a terrible band when its part of the Phish community and has blown away many a crowd, and 3rd talking about killing chickens at a phish show even if it is metaphorical. Everyone knows Phish wasnt at their prime in those years, why are you bashing Phish, bashing SCI, bashing anything when you’ve only been to 15 shows. And yes I saw alot of shows through all the era’s and its got nothing to do with i saw more shows than you or w/e, plenty of people saw more shows than I have, its a general respect for the situation and community which you are somehow missing. You need to think about how you are using your platform here because your just spreading a bunch of nonsense. Why would you want to give people the impression Phish is a cult? If anything its a religion at this point just by shear numbers but dude its a really good band, why spread some kind of impression around that makes everyone think Phishheads are stranger than they already are. I found your site linked through the waggers site, who would never use his platform to spread nonsense like this because he knows how much impact it can have and how peoples perceptions about Phish can impact how we are treated at shows wherever we visit.
Nov 7th, 2009
concertconfessions
PHISHMEAT,
First off, clearly Phish is not a cult. While I may not have thousands upon thousands of readers of this page (one day I hope, so tell your friends), I would like to think that those who do read this are smart enough to grasp what I am trying to say. We all worship Trey/Phish, and much like any successful cult leader, he is able to place us under his spell. Clearly, I love the band, and want to do them no harm. If I hated them, why would I write 8 seperate reviews/tales of their show?
Now as far as bashing SCI goes, why the hell would I not? Sure, they are a part of the “scene” but if part of the scene sucks, I am going to make note of it. We don’t all have to like every jamband because they are a jamband, that’s just crazy talk. When it comes down to it, I happen to think that band blows, it’s my opinion and as a US citizen I am allowed to share that opinion. I happen to like Limp Bizkit, which I realize is not the greatest band in the world, and that’s fine if folks hate em. It does not bother me, I have thick enough skin to smile when folks talk trash on em.
Sorry these concepts are lost on you, and my words have gone over your head (so ummmm yeah to answer your question I guess I am calling you stupid). I will say thanks for the ti on waggers site. Never heard of it, but made sure to thank him for sharing my tales with open minded folks like yourself
Nov 7th, 2009
Phishmeat
what a noob….
i bet you never even saw sci, and after 10 phish shows you act like some kind of expert, your original post for this night is pathetic, you may as well give up on blogging at this point imo, you really make no sense and clearly are not qualified to be proclaiming anything about anything. Your blog is this- phish was good the 1st time i saw them-yay, then you went back and they sucked and were terrible-boo, now its good again—yay, anyone who disagrees with you is “stupid”.
How old are you? What do you do for a living? Call me stupid all you want but I have a masters degree in a hard science background, and I’ve been seeing Phish shows since I was 12 in new england, seen them all over the country-back and forth, Ive seen all of these other bands countless times and value the community, good vibes, and creative spirit that goes into each show. You seem to just be a fly by making all kinds of rash generalizations and crazy assumptions and proclamations-ie Trey is a cult leader-I’m gonna join in the cult and kill chickens after the show—, and you dont seem to know the 1st thing about vibe, community, whats really going on during a show, or what good music is-just a bandwagoneer. Once again did you ever even see SCI? You think they are terrible but members of Phish have performed with them, they have blown out so many shows and taking people nearly as deep into psychedelia as Phish ever has, O wait you are too young to have seen any the late 96-00 cheese shows, my bad. Did you ever see the Dead? O wait too young… Did you ever….o wait the answer is no, you only went to a few Phish shows and now have taken it upon yourself to write this silly blog which noone is going to read anyway.
Next time you try to portray Phish as some kind of Cult in a public domain Ill make sure that a bunch of people post to let you know how badly you are representing our community, freedom of speech goes both ways noob.
Dec 3rd, 2009
concertconfessions
First String Cheese Show 08-21-99 w/ moe. and Phil Lesh & Friends
Last String Cheese Show 03/10/00 w/ Bob Weir
Phishmeat, you really miss the point. You are so concerned about community and status, that you are acting almost like a religious institute. You must be a certain way. You must act a certain way. If you don’t act a certain way, you have no place here. You know what, sure, I didn’t see Phish till 1997, it’s not my fault I wasn’t a kid in New England, ya know? So who cares if I like death metal and phish? The fact is, I enjoy blogging, I enjoy various music and I enjoy making fun of myself as well as others. Clearly Phish is not a cult, and clearly your Science background has left you oblivious to something called sarcasm. I guess they don’t teach that to New England kids eh?
So here is my challenge to you Mr. Big Ivy League school hardcore hippie card carrying community member. With fall tour being held basically back east, why don’t YOU sign up for a membership here and write what you feel is a good Phish review. I would love to share it with all the folks you plan to have show up here and practice their free speech (and if you notice, as the moderator, I could very easily delete all your comments, but have approved em, as I appreciate free speech as much as all the free loving nitrious huffing hippies you plan to send my way).
Peace,
Justin
Dec 3rd, 2009
Phishmeat
i just think your rude and insulting and posted something that is ridiculous and enforces a stereotype that no one wants to be associated with except apparently you. Maybe instead of going to Phish shows you should be at a Satanic sacrafice where you can kill as many chickens as you want, insult everyone whos there and drink blood or w/e you feel like, in the meantime leave your insulting posts in your mind where they belong.
Dec 3rd, 2009
concertconfessions
So basically, what you are saying is I hurt your feelings and now you have a sad vagina. Got it. Well, the offer still stands, write what you feel is an honest Phish review. You know we will share it.
Dec 3rd, 2009
tennesee jed
PHISHMEAT IS A MUPPET!!!! HEY PHISHMEAT, LOOK THIS ONE UP, YOU INTELLECTUAL PHISHHEAD AFICIONADO— YOU ARE A GESTICULATING POSEUR!!! WHERES THAT GOOD VIBE YOU WERE REFERRING TO???? DON’T FORGET TO WAKE UP TO FIND OUT THAT YOU ARE THE EYES OF THE WORLD. ENJOY THE RIDE SINCE WE’RE ALL GOING TO HELL IN A BUCKET ANYWAY
Dec 6th, 2009
tennesee jed
you are= you’re
your= possessive
I NEED A DARK STAR
Dec 27th, 2009
Bottle Cock
Concert Confessions, I am glad I got to know you over that weekend, what a great time. Nice site by the way. Thank you for your hospitality in L.A. For those who have any doubts this guy is awsome with no Ego, all that he says happened……..happened. His West Coast opinion is valid in my book. Keep up the good work, see you next time for sure. Sicerely, Phish fan that can’t stand the Jaded Phish fans, live the life you love!
Jul 3rd, 2010
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