PHUCK YEAH PHISH: PRE SHOW

Aight, so I'm going to a Phish show tonight at MSG, their phirst of three gigs there (they'll play Thursday and Phriday nights, too) and my phirst Phish show since November 2003, six years ago.

It certainly doesn't pheel that long ago. Not at all. But to think I was a junior in high school seeing Phish...

I remember the phirst Phish show I bought - Live 01, 12.14.95, Broome County Arena, Binghamton, New York - and not knowing what it was that I had purchased. As with many things musical, it is often when you get something simply by chance or on a whim that it has the greatest effect on you, maybe because there is the added value of, "Wow! I lucked out!" and "I'm glad this doesn't suck!"

Listening to Live 01, I was surprised that the songs lasted, like, a long time, man. Like, 10 minutes plus, bra. I didn't know Phish was a "jam band." I don't think I was even familiar with term.

I was a little put off. It initially didnt' click. [Note: I think this lasts to this day. I enjoy Phish, always have to varying degrees, but I never had that moment where BAM! you know this shit is for you.] but as time went on I started to dig it. I think some things helped this process -- cough! cough! -- my friends' eventual unbridled enthusiasm for them-- though there is a moment that sticks in my mind:

I'm waiting phor my mom to pick me up from school -- I wanna say I'm a high school phreshman, maybe sophomore, so this is a good year at least before I phirst saw Phish live -- and I'm listening to the aphorementioned live release on my discman. It's a crisp phall day and phor some reason I am almost certain I am wearing my red Billabong hoodie. "Tweezer" is playing -- "Look who's in the phreezer/Uncle Ebenezer" -- and the combination of the weather and the music was just right. Phrom then on, I have always looked upon Phish phavorably.

I'd say my peak interest in Phish was in high school, starting with that December day. Since then I've rarely listened to them on my own, though I've constantly been around many phans. Occasionally I'd go through a short spurt, i.e., a night or day of Phish music.

But I'm seeing them tonight. And I'm pumped. Real pumped. More than I thought I'd be. Maybe it's cuz I just randomly got the ticket by chance less than 24 hours ago -- yes, that's definitely a part of it -- but I'm looking forward to connecting with something from what is essentialy my past. I mean, to some it may not seem that long ago (Moms, Dads) but in the terms of my life thus phar, it's not unsignifcant. It's December and getting cold: it's like that day waiting phor my mom to pick me up. The timing couldn't be better. Plus, the show's at MSG. That always sweetens the deal since there's a certain amunt of excitement that comes phrom seeing a show at the world's most phamous arena.

Oh, and let's not phorget that this is still the phabled reunion tour. It may seem like they've been back together phorever already (maybe because every knew they were going to sooner rather than later) but it still adds some more excitement to the whole thing.

So I'll blog about the experience either tomorrow or ASAP. I can't wait to see what they play! I feel like I have a knack for getting disappointing setlists (ex. Bruce at the Meadowlands; my phirst Phish show at Nassau Colliseum). I hope that isn't the case tonight. And, yes, there is a part of me that is dreading those looonngg jams - never so much my thing, less so in the last three, four years -- but it doesn't matter. I'm seeing Phish again. Life is good. And though this hookup came via an unfortunate occurance (WE LOVE YOU, MAN!) it'd be in every one's best interest for me to soak up the vibes and music tonight.

SHOW OPENER CALL: Prince Caspian (LEGENDARY)