The Mason-Dixon Line Run: Camden/Merriweather Review

   After a barn burner in Darien Lake - no pun intended - they boys headed to Camden, the sight of last years musical explosion. The city heat was nothing like last years 103 degrees - the same went for inside. Shakedown was at its normal fever pitch; in fact, the crackheads were even sucking down balloons hours before gate opening. At least they used to wait until darkness fell. As we made our way to our 4th row Fishman-side seats we walked past a girl that exclaimed - totally out of blind faith - that Phish would open with Rocky Top. We settled in as her friends clowned her for predicting a seemingly most improbable opener. The clowning ended quickly with the first Rocky Top (3:41) opener since 10/7/99. The second Mike's Groove in as many shows bummed out many of the touring phans in attendance, especially considering the magical Mike's > FEFY > Weekapaug from Darien the night before. Regardless, we'll always take a classic Mike's (7:17) > Hydrogen (2:59) > Weekapaug (10:01) any day. Smoke billowed from the crowd as they blasted into a decently psychedelic Stash (14:07) before...dude, who is requesting this song? Is it a joke I'm unaware of? Is it a Fishman joke? Is there an unwritten 2011 rule that says "If we hear it, we must play it"? Are phans actually requesting this fucking song?? Something is up, because Tube used to be the shit. People use to yearn for this funk fest. Now I dread it. And this Tube (3:31) was especially horrible. Not just short, horrible. A standard Guyute (10:34) followed. Just as my head began shaking in disapproval, the boys brought the phaithful right back in with an always sick Guelah Papyrus (5:31) > Scent of a Mule (8:04), and Cavern (4:32). The sick song choices continued, but unfortunately they BUTCHERED Sloth (4:50) and played a sloppy, but eventually sick Curtain With (15:00), the longest song of a show that included several standard suites. 

   Set Two opened with the second DWD (13:07) of 2011, paling in comparison to Gordo's birthday Disease. DWD > Free (7:02).  The FOURTH Possum (10:33) in 13 shows followed...kill me. The energy spiked during BBFCFM (5:11), which melted into the third Swept > Steep (7:40 total) of 3.0, and only the second since SPAC 6/20/10. The FOURTH, and horribly short, Bowie (10:51) of 2011...HA, they played it 1/1/11 - you were about to correct me weren't you - and the THIRD of this tour followed. I'm telling you guys, I complained about this in my last blog, and here we went again. Is Phish reading my blog and shoving these songs up our asses? Doubtful...there are some theories, but I'm not in the mood. I think it's just a bread-and-butter type thing. Julius (8:21) popped off, and seemed like a set ender, but the first Golgi (4:41) since AC followed and > Fluffhead (14:12). A very strangely placed Joy (6:46) ended the set. The boys played what a good friend, Phish vet, and unbelievable musician called "a drunken bar-band" version of Bold As Love (5:46) for the encore, and I have to say, I agree. Camden had it's moments - and trust me, after Phish's second hiatus I vowed to NEVER turn my nose up at another Phish song, let alone a show - but for those of us hoping for a return to the style of play we saw in Camden in 2010, we were disappointed. But it's not 2010, it's 2011. If I had to apply one of those ridiculous 1-out-of-10 ratings, I would give this show a 5.5. The highlights were Rocky Top, Guelah Papyrus, Scent, Curtain With, Swept Away > Steep, Julius. Other than that it was a conglomerate of oddly placed sometimes sloppy standard tunes. Hey, they can't all be gems.

   Next up was Merriweather, and the last show in Merriweather in 2010 ended up being one of the best shows of summer tour, if not the entire year. Temperatures and humidity were up - the weather, although mostly sunny, was miserable. The cops and other security were more lax than usual, but then again we showed up "late" and ended up in the furthest lot from the venue we could possibly be in.  Well, it was a mile. It seemed like the furthest lot from the venue. We had lawn tickets for this show - our only lawn tickets of the summer just happen to be ON THE WORST FUCKING LAWN IN THE COUNTRY - so we were immediately looking for our way down. The reason I make this point is because the sound is terrible out there and you literally can't see the band. At least other terrible lawns - SPAC for instance - have decent sound. This place sports three stacks smaller than what Hendrix used to rock on stage and they're placed on the left, center, and right directly facing straight. Absolutely ridiculous. Compound it with the fact that EVERY OTHER FUCKING PERSON TALKS DURING THE ENTIRE FUCKING SHOW AT THIS PLACE and you have one shitty situation. The first Daniel Saw The Stone (2:53) of 3.0 (137 shows, 8/3/03) set the place off, although I could barely hear it. We had to move over during AC/DC Bag (6:38) because these douchey yuppies were double fisting 4-packs of Bud Limes and talking louder by the second. Guys, you're at the wrong show. I don't know what show you should be at, but it's not ours. Go talk about the frat days at the local bar. Ocelot (10:11) followed, then the fourth Access Me (4:04) ever, and the first since 10/26/10 in Manchester. A slightly butchered Vultures (7:04) was still well received, and by the time we got into the pavilion for the real sound, the band was neck deep in a Wilson (5:29) > Sand (10:24) segue. A short but rocking Roses Are Free (5:54) > a bomb Reba (11:55), which was followed by a sick On Your Way Down, before continuing the Repeat Party with the THIRD Antelope (11:04) of the tour. At least the Antelope had On Your Way Down teases.

   Second Set opened with Birds (6:04), and then a dark and popping Tweezer (10:18), which > The Horse (1:02) > Silent In The Morning (5:14) > Waves (7:13) > Chalkdust (6:17). Some amazing moments in that half-hour, including Fishman and Trey blasting BOAF teases during Chalkdust. A rarish middle-of-the-second-set Rock 'n' Roll (5:06) blasted > Columbia jam (5:58) before harmonizing the third Albuquerque (4:02) of 3.0. It was beautiful and > a sick Piper (10:34) > Wading In The Velvet Sea (6:15) > the third 2001 of tour (I'll take it EVERY DAY) > a sick STFTFP (5:26) > Suzy Greenberg (8:22). I hate, if you can even hate a Phish tune, Suzy Greenberg. Still, Page slayed it so it worked. The only break after Birds came after Chalkdust. Speaking of Birds, it was teased throughout. The set had it limp parts, but the set blasted off for the most part. The boys encored Show Of Life at the Saturday show for the second year in a row, which > TweepriZe (3:49). This show had some flubs, a few oddly placed songs and more redundant repeats - is that saying the same thing twice? Is it an accidental pun?? - but on the whole was a pretty rocking show. Still, many of us wanted a little more as we sat around the hotel partying after the show. Ask and ye shall receive...

   An actual pavilion ticket that belongs to you is a beautiful thing at Merriweather. This show had to blast off. The weather was nicer, the cops/security were nicer, the lot was quasi-clackin', and we were with friends we hadn't seen since last summer and fall tours. As my boy Swenson and I walked in, he kicked a pipe that someone had dropped on the ground right over to the five cops that were working extra security at the gate. They looked down, then looked back up at us. As if we had been through it a thousand times, we both put our hands up in unison and exclaimed "That's not ours, man, we swear"...just as the cop who was closest laughed and said "You might want to pick that up and put it away"...WHAT?!?! Every cop was smiling, even after some wook went over and "claimed" the pipe. Wow, I never expected that from the local cops. Much respect...this time around. Trey asked the pit people to lower their signs so that everyone could see them blast off into Buried Alive (4:02) to open the show, the first of its kind since Charlotte (7/2/10). Then Lonesome Cowboy Bill (3:01) for the first time in 3.0, only the second since 2.0 (7/30/03) and the seventh time EVER! This show was launching off. HA HA HA (1:47, only the third since 1.0)!!! Holy shit! For some ridiculous reason Phish decides to play Sample In A Jar (4:57) when no breather was yet necessary, but it > Divided Sky (15:18) and shit got crazy. Wolfman's Brother (8:01) followed before Mike popped off Boogie On (8:02) > a THICK Gumbo (4:26). A too short Halley's Comet (5:47) still brought us to the central part of town right > Bathtub Gin (10:51) > Jesus Left Chicago (8:37). Jesus...you said it, man. Character...meh...Zero (8:20) to end the set. Three bust-outs and some deep, sick jams. We were back to business.

   Set Two opened with the first Party Time (5:49) since Amherst (10/23/10) and it was on.  BLAST OFF: Crosseyed And Painless (10:15) > Steam (10:19) > Light (9:35) > The Wedge (5:43). Dude, WHAT?!?! Almost 36 minutes of mayhem. With a nice breeze no less. Alaska (9:59) was followed by a predictable Hood (9:32, with an INCREDIBLE lawn AND pavilion glow stick war) > BDTNL (7:11). A rockin' Loving Cup (7:28) finished the set. The encore was something out of this world. Sanity (5:10, for only the second time in history - 3/11/92 Colonial Theater, Keene, NH; sixth time since 11/30/98) > Makisupa (4:14, a little sloppy, no real jam, but some funny dialogue about blunts and bundt cake) > First Tube (7:29). UNBELIEVABLE. There is an 11:00 curfew at Merriweather and it was 11:24 by the time Phish's spaceship launched off to go home. Considering the show started ~7:50, we're talking at least three hours of HEAT. And a hefty fine. Thanks, boys, we appreciate the love. This show immediately injected itself into the "one of the best show of the summer so far" conversation - and deservedly so. 

   So although we got off to a slow start, by the time Phish wrapped things up Sunday night the place was on fire. For the second Sunday Merriweather show in a row Phish busted out and popped off. Old school and new school. Just think: The First Set included Buried Alive, Lonesome Cowboy Bill, and Ha Ha Ha...and the Second Set included an EPIC Steam > Light. Old and new...just like we like it. The take-home message? Never miss a Sunday Merriweather show. Phish heads off to Alpharetta next, the site of last years First Leg finale. Last year we got some of the best Phish in history, and this years shows were some of the first to sell out - although that's starting to look like the work of scalpers by the looks of StubHub. Either way, Phish blasted off from Merriweather Sunday night and it seems they won't land until Tuesday in Alpharetta. See you there.

- Trigger Treinta Uno

Trigger31.com

Thanks to LivePhish & Phish.net for set list help and the Courtyard Marriot-Columbia for being so cool. And the cops, too, you guys surprised us.

Big Top Blown Off: Mansfield/Darien Lake Review

   Sometimes I forget that the MA shows are the most head-spinning, arm-pulling, cell-phone-blowing-upping, dizziest, and potentially frustrating shows on tour - and the Comcast Center doesn't make it any easier. Despite being centralized around two major interstates and one major state highway, traffic always sucks. Side question: How the fuck can it take almost three hours to leave Mansfield? Why build  elaborate Jersey barrier traffic pattern systems if they only make the situation worse? I'm only embarrassed to be from Massachusetts in two situations: When you're at a bar anywhere but in MA and some little annoying shitfaced chick in a pink Red Sox hat is screaming about Big Papi or Tom Brady, or when Phish plays Great Woods. Security absolutely sucks. The police suck worse. Party poppers leave the poppers at home. The venue vendors get so jealous and bitter they lie about other non-licensed vendors and get people arrested. Think I'm kidding? Talk to my crew.

   So when we rolled in at 6:45 because of traffic my cell phone was already overheating. I thought "Why do our hometown shows have to be like this?" But let's face it, MA rocks when it comes to showtime and despite these little annoyances, Phish didn't disappoint....completely. Set One opened with only the fourth Llama (5:16) of 3.0 and the first since Manchester. Next was a groovin' Moma Dance (7:37) > yet another...ugh...Possum (9:38). I'm sorry, but the boys WAY OVERPLAY Possum, Bowie, and Hood. Just admit it. Next was another groovy Cities (7:00), the second Instant Karma! ever (4:45, Canadiaga 2010), a rather flat David Bowie (13:34), and the debut of Rhymes (6:04), a great new tune. For the second year in a row the boys ripped Divided Sky (16:34), one of our absolute favorites, before ending the set with one of the best, although short, STFTFP (6:05) of 3.0. 

   Set Two opened with a SWAMPY Back On The Train (8:38) > the best Rock 'n' Roll (7:39) > Mansfield Jam (8:56) I've heard in a LONG TIME > a slightly butchered Mango Song (8:08). Unbelievable segue. It's hard to believe the Rock 'n' Roll > Jam was only 16 minutes...it felt like a blissful eternity. A great version of Bug (8:36) was followed by "Let's Go Bruins" chants and a smoking Pebbles And Marbles (10:13). Everyone went to the center of town to hear Halley's (5:39) > Meatstick (5:51) > an Antelope (11:41) that contained Bug, Meatstick, and Divided Sky teases. The band encored an eventually funky Suzy Greenberg (7:19) that contained Meatstick teases. I'm not sure if it was the looming traffic, Fishman missing his stop queue in Antelope yet again, or the fact that 30% of the pavilion crowd got up and left after the first ten notes of Suzy Greenberg, but the band left that stage quicker than I've ever witnessed in 14 hiatus-injected years. It was weird. The energy of the crowd was decent, the song flow was decent, and the song selection more than satisfactory, but something seemed to be missing. Perhaps it's just a Masshole looking for a spine-snapping home show. While we didn't get that per se, if that was you're first show of the summer you were pumped. We all were...it's phucking Phish, man. And the R 'n' R > Jam was EPIC. Either way there was an energy in the air about Darien...

   We made the long boring trek out towards Buffalo down the infamous I-90 - BTW if you haven't heard the I-90's disk, the one that came with Utica, listen to it ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH EARLY 1.0. Darien set the scene with a proper Shakedown. One knew this from a simple pre-show lot observation or a quick scan of the freaks that piled into that circus tent Wednesday night. 2011 Darien would be nothing like 2010 Darien. Nellie Kane (4:40), only the third since 1.0, opened a show for the first time in history. Oh boy. Mellow Mood (4:31) was anything but as everyone raged right through into phan favorite locally-induced Buffalo Bill (3:02). A rocking KDF followed (8:36), then Wolfman's Brother (8:59), then Rift (6:11). They weren't even half done. CIRCUS STYLE MAYHEM. Faced people, tweekers by the speakers...it was all at the Circus Tent. By the way, the lights are fucking bomb at that place. CK5 utilizes that tent to the best of his advantage. Killing it, winning, whatever. Undermind (8:28) was unbelievable and Ride Captain Ride (5:35) set the place on fire. RCR was the 11th in history, and only the second since 1999 (Amherst 2010). It's Ice (7:29) actually made things hotter and it > DOG FACED BOY (2:21, only the 4th of 3.0)! It didn't end there. Brian and Robert (3:36) > the first 46 Days (7:56) of 2011. Limb x Limb (8:02) then Character Zero (7:34). 14 song heat. 14 songs. Bust-outs, jams, pop offs, circus freaks, circus lights. Set One had it all. What the fuck were these guys planning for Set Two. MAYHEM.

   Set Two opened with the BEST Golden Age (9:19) ever. PERIOD. Cactus was popping off so hard I thought he was going to blow holes in the tent. Golden Age > Mike's (7:43) > Fast Enough For You (6:54, only the 5th of 3.0) > the sickest Weekapaug Groove in YEARS. Weekapaug had Golden Age teases right off the bat and continued throughout. As the lights beamed and the smoke began to drift across the stage Phish blasted into the spaceship and took off towards What's The Use (5:35), which melted > a hypnotic Theme From The Bottom (8:15) that sounded like they were singing under water...as if that wasn't BOMB enough they > a groovin' BDTNL (8:24) > 2001 (8:45) that came close to the 2001 launch off in Camden 2010. After Trey noodled a little Happy Birthday the band engaged in full-force decapitation. At one point the band was PLAYING 2001, GOLDEN AGE, AND WHAT'S THE USE AT THE SAME FUCKING TIME. No, not a segue. No, not a tease. THEY WERE PLAYING THEM AT THE SAME TIME. Don't believe me? Listen again. This EPIC 2001 > Harry Hood (12:14) to close the set. The encore was GTBT (6:20). With the exception of a minuscule little fog-filled break between Weekapaug and What's The Use - and it was a VERY SHORT BREAK - that set basically read: Golden Age > Mike's > Fast Enough For You > Weekapaug > What's The Use > Theme From The Bottom > BDTNL > 2001 > Harry Hood. Everything spacey, groovy, sinister, deep, dark, evil, funky...whatever you want to call it it was. Mike popped off so badly that I saw people literally losing their fucking minds. Even the giant overweight security was flustered by shows end with all the break-dancing going on around the handicap section. It was mayhem. The lights were bouncing off every angle of the tarp, the music sounded unbelievable, and the energy was contagious. Darien Lake made Mansfield look like a tour opener.

   So now we tread on to Camden, where we all know what to expect. The air will be stifling, the lots will be clackin', and the Gordo will make the Ben Franklin shake. Expect that shit. And don't even come near me with a nitrous balloon, I will pop it. And if you think you're doing anything about it, you'll find one Phish phan a lot less peaceful then you'd expect. Picture a white Mike Tyson with tour kicks and hat pins. Consider it a warning. If you're not an idiot and you don't make scumbag thugs rich off a 10-second high, you have nothing to worry about. Ya'll heard it here first. Camden, here we come. We can't wait. Can you?

- Trigger Treinta Uno

Trigger31.com

Thanks to LivePhish.com for song times & Phish.net for set list help. Just for clarification, set list help implies memory confirmation, i.e., fact-checking. We hear shit no one hears and we're usually right - but we also want to make sure we're not hearing things that aren't there! ;)

Take The Last Train From Clarkston...All The Way To Cincinnati

   My crew liked the idea of a tour blog, but my more logical friends had the same opinion: [You're] NEVER going to be able to keep up with a daily blog, especially the way we roll. Well, they were half right. I haven't been able to keep up with it every day - the actual blog section anyway - but I have proved them quasi-wrong by keeping the blog going. In other words, I actually got past the preview, actually followed through with the Bethel blog despite my absence, my crew's entire absence Friday, and the fact that I was at least 20 miles a connection to the outside world. And I stayed true - even after Night One in PNC when I thought for a few minutes "Not only am I going to struggle remembering anything tomorrow, but I don't take notes, and we're constantly traveling" - I was clear-headed and writing on the way to suburban Detroit. But as you've noticed, I've taken to writing the reviews in chunks, and that'll be the plan for the remainder of the summer and beyond. So we'll review the mid-week shows, then the weekend shows. Let's roll...

   It was Mike's birthday. It was the first Cacto birthday show since 1989 at the Wetlands Preserve. By the way, do you remember that place??? Holy shit, that was the SICKEST small venue in the country. It closed ~2000 (and I'm not surprised) and left a huge NYC void in the jamming community. The owners run that place Brooklyn Bowl, but there's no way it has the swagger the The Wetlands had...anyway. We spent three hours traveling 60 fucking miles from Detroit to Clarkston, but were relieved when we found a back dirt road in town that led us right to the gate...right next to that pathetic excuse for a ski hill. Do people really bother riding that chairlift 200 feet to the top of that hill? I thought Alpine Valley was a joke, but his "ski hill" took the cake. Sad ski hills or not, DTE was BOMB. Security was cool, the police were absent, the phans were polite and excited, and the weather was unbelievable. 70 degrees and crisp - a real nice break from the 85-90 degree humid lots from PNC. But that heat returned very quickly - in the form of a grey suit vest and Modulus popping. Those assholes went on 10 minutes after ticket start time, so we missed the first half a Wolfman's (10:47), despite walking in the venue at 7:45. Funky Bitch (7:06) followed, then standard versions of Sample (5:30) and NICU (5:32). The birthday celebration began with a classic Groove: Mike's (9:25) > Hydrogen (3:03) > Weekapaug (9:59). It raged. The Mike's gets progressively darker every time they play it. Poor Doobie, despite numerous shows he can never get Tela (6:58)...which was beautiful and  > into Chalkdust (10:43). We finally got the Wedge (7:28) we've been waiting to end the set. The place was buzzing as we all sand Happy Birthday to Mike at the start of the Second Set. Maybe it was the birthday wishes...maybe it was the vest...I'm not sure, but what ensued was FUCKING MAYHEM. DWD (24:54) > Fluffhead (16:41) > Bowie (16:31)...WHAT?!?!?!?! Dude, are you fucking kidding me???ONE FUCKING HOUR!!! DWD is always mayhem, but the Fluffhead was POPPING OFF. Gordo had his shit turned up to 11, Spinal Tap style, and it was GROSS! We got a very short break with Waste (6:31) before they > 2001 (6:30) that had Sex Machine and Super Bad teases THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE FUCKING THING > Cavern (5:47). CHEESE AND CRACKERS!!! MIKE IS 46!!! AAARRRGGGHHH!!! The encore was GTBT (7:25) and despite a $5000 fine for the first 5 minutes over, and a $10,000 fine for every minute after that, they went over. Of course they did. They love us, and that $50,000 they probably spend after royalties and fines is chump change to them. You guys do realize how fucking rich they are right? I don't mind keeping Phish rich, but I NEVER SPEND A DIME IN THOSE VENUES. SUPPORT YOUR LOT PEOPLE, IT'S BETTER FOOD/BEER/ETC. ANYWAY.

   The grimy sex scene from the 2001 in Detroit made it's way to Cuyahoga Falls, too. We'll get to that in a minute. The weather was right back to being shitty - if you live on the VT border like I do - with upper 80's and high humidity, but hey, at least it's not rain and tornadoes. Security was sweet for the second night in a row, which really sets a scene, and the cops were concerned with traffic only as they let us party responsibly. Responsibly...I could barely write that without feeling like I was trying to sell shit to a pig farmer. We walked 300 miles into the venue and were immediately treated to heat. By the way, I talked to Mike and he promised us a Clone. KDF (9:14) opened the show, then a rocking Guyute (11:10). We were Fucked in the Face for 2:19 before > a RAGING Foam (10:31). A quick pause then Ocelot (11:23) before the sex references were busted out again with a MONSTER Rocket In My Pocket (4:58). That song IS THE SHIT! Back On The Train (8:24) > Guelah Papyrus (7:00)...so sick...then the never-more-than-5-minutes-anymore-because-Phish-can't-stand-you-pit-people-screaming-it Tube (4:49) > Run Like An Antelope (12:03). Antelope had Streets Of Cairo teases and the usual Esquandolas nonsense. Set Two opened with crowd energizer Birds of a Feather, followed by...ugh...Possum. Then the roof ripped off with the debut of Steam...which was steamy to say the fucking least, which > Piper > only the sixth Lizards of 3.0, and the first since Amherst. Ahh, eternal joy and never ending splendor. And that was just the beginning. Sneakin' Salley Through The Alley (6:58) > Blossum Jam (6:04) > Harry Hood (3:47) > Have Mercy (2:39) > Harry Hood (3:47). Dude, we could barely handle it! Salley was BOMBISH with Manteca teases...the jam was EPIC...Hood was classic with Have Mercy and Lizards teases...and Have Mercy had ME IN TEARS. Sing it with me now..."HAVE MERCY ON US GOOD PHANS...THAT DIED THAT NIGHT...CAUSE PHISH POPS OF...HAVE MERCY ON US GOOD PHAAANS AND GUIDE US, WE PRAY TO PHISH".  Wow. Character Zero ended the set and had Smoke On The Water teases and Slave (10:43)ended the show. Dude, Cuyahoga is where it's at! What could Cincinasty have in store???

   Cincinnati was hot as shit, humid as shit, was on the smelliest river ever, and had security telling us we couldn't put on our sneakers at our cars. Apparently if you have a roller coaster ticket you can grill. If you wear Nike's, a fitted hat with pins all over it, and look like you don't even have to die trying to get rich, you're not allowed to chill. No matter, we're here for the music, and we got that in fucking spades. AC/DC (7:16) > PYITE (8:19) > Bathtub Gin (11:30) > Taste (9:22) to open the show. Man, here we go. A breather in Lawn Boy (3:41) followed before everyone got their Mound (6:51) on. It was sick...unless you went to Gordon shows and saw it all the time. Just kidding, it was super sick. One of the best Jibboo's (10:40) in a long time > into the Reba (11:44) we've ALL BEEN WAITING FOR. No whistling...I think that's done forever. Next was phan favorite Fee (w/ megaphone, 7:18), which > BDTNL (9:33) to end the set. FIRE. ABSOLUTE FIRE. More lumpy heads with a  Carini (4:58) Second Set opener, which > Tweezer (12:04, w/ Crosseyed and Painless teases) > Free (7:13). Security, get the fuck out of here you annoying little shit. We're raging and there's nothing you can do about it!!! The roof blasted off the place after that monster segue with a RAUCOUS Crosseyed And Painless (7:49) > Light (10:34). FUCKING HEAT. Boogie On (5:45) > Julius (8:34), YEM (20:18) ended the set. Maybe the best set of Phish yet, even after this monstrous weekend. The encore was a boner beater with Loving Cup (6:00), but of course it  > TweepriZe (4:05) so everyone left pumped.

   So everyone is basically chomping at the bit to get to the shows now, and for good reason. Mike was a preseason choice for MVP and he's delivered on every occasion. Trey is a Jedi. Fishman has every fucking phan buying blue shit with red circles on it. Page sounds like he and Josh Groben were hanging out in the off-season. In other words, mid-season form is already here and we're not even 50% done. WE STILL HAVE THE SOUTHERN RUN TO GO!!! WILL WE EVEN SURVIVE THAT LONG?!?!?! We're back home tonight baby, and we couldn't be more pumped. To my MA peeps, we'll see you in two hours. Medics, get the beds ready and ambulances warmed up. People are going down tonight.

-Trigger Treinta Uno

Trigger31.com

Thanks to LivePhish and Phish.net for the set list help, and to my new best friend Sweny for letting us use the Nissan!


Matty Fractal, we're still thinking of you brother! Hurry up and get better so we can roll!

I'm Back In The Saddle Again: Holmdel Review

   The ambient heat matched the buzz coming into Holmdel Tuesday night as we rolled into the lot. Coming off a great weekend in Bethel, NY the band was fresh, tight and already blowing people down. The heavily guarded PNC lot was pretty weak, but the usual suspects were pedaling the usual wares - got another fly High Gear hat to put on ice so I was satisfied. The recognizable food vendors kept everyone full and drunk – great job guys. Lots of sunburned ‘heads out there - people, when it’s 90 degrees and you’re drinking alcohol all day and ingesting dehydrating drugs all night I have two important and potentially life-saving suggestions for you: WEAR SUNSCREEN AND DRINK FUCKING WATER!!! Don’t even claim you do, I see your ratty disheveled faces looking like you’re desperately searching for the medic tent. Follow these rules you’ll have mad bread to break up, if not, 24 years on the wakeup. Oh yeah, Biggie was talking about lot, ya’ll didn’t know? Recognize. Anyway…

    (Note: Sorry, no song times for 5/31/11 – possibly later) My first live Phish tune in exactly five months was Chalkdust Torture – how fitting. An absolutely appropriate – for me anyway – Roggae followed. The circus IS the place for us, and we DO love the shiny music that descends from overhead. Then the shore and sand references started pouring in as we sat a few miles from the Jersey Shore. By the way, I saw Snooky on the lot…that’s not true. PYITE ripped through our ears as everyone prepared for liftoff. Moma Dance > Rock ‘n’ Roll (sick), Sand (dedicated to “Max”), Tube (everyone, STOP screaming that every chance you get!!!) > Divided Sky. HEAT. And that includes Trey fucking up Divided Sky so bad that at one point he gave up and asked the crowd to hum the guitar part. I love interplay, and I don’t mind Trey fucking up, but I wish it wasn’t during the Gamehenge songs, especially Divided Sky. That song has serious spiritual meaning for me, and Trey seems to fuck it up often. Nothing like those mid-90’s, huh??? Anyway, Character Zero ended the set.

Set Two is the type – Type II to be exact –of shit that that keeps people hungry. After Midnight kicked off Set Two (reference to the curfew, perhaps?), which > into Holmdel Jam #1, a seriously thick fucking jam. A swampy Possum followed before we were treated to a yet another ocean reference (the ocean was fucking freezing) and the second monster jam of the night as the boys dropped a Drowned > Holmdel Jam #2 bomb on our heads. Maze followed this bombish jam before we all got a breather with the lovely Dirt. Set Two ended with a monster YEM that included Cactus-induced It’s Ice teases. Cactus also took over the encore and set the place on Fire. Holmdel, Night One. Hot outside, hotter inside. But every person leaving that venue planning to return Wednesday knew the band was just getting warmed up.

    The temperature was down a bit, but the humidity way up Wednesday as we rolled off the LBI beaches into the venue. Rain threatened the lot scene and lawn boys, but spirits were juiced while newbs abound. Pockets of rain showered the lot off-and-on as the meathead NJ State Troopers ‘roided their way through the lots taking beers and kicking asses, and it looked like they were almost out of taking beers. So much jealousy, such envy. I would be jealous and envious too if my best shot at a rocking scene was a Toby Keith show. I can just see those cops getting drunk and swaying to Bomb The Taliban. A certain NWA song comes to mind…

1st Tube (8:01) kicked off the Wednesday show as we raged the 12^th row. A STFTFP (7:22) followed, which still has people talking. I’m telling you, almost all these Joy songs all have liftoff potential…except Joy, coincidentally enough. A real strut-worthy Camel Walk (6:05) was followed by a bouncy Heavy Things (6:04), which led to a 10-and-a-half-minute Jibboo that really set the tone for the remainder of the set into Set Two. We hated on Wilson for 4:17 > Seven Below (8:07) > Kill Devil Falls (8:01). FUCKING HEAT. You know when KDF kicks off, those two sick guitar chords that scream right before the groove starts? I have a powerful dance move for that part, which includes me holding my arms up, almost like I’m signaling ‘touchdown’, and forcefully bringing my elbows back to my rib cage. It’s powerful and I’m not small. Well unfortunately some poor girl decided that was the moment to dip under my side to try to get around me – bad move. I elbowed her in the head so hard that I almost knocked her out. If you’re reading, again, I apologize (she was fine, and smiling seconds later).  The take-home message? Stay the fuck away from me. Axilla I (3:30) followed the hot segue, which > a Split Open (12:08) that could have been a bit better as we’ve been starved for Splits lately. Suzy (7:36) closed the set.

Set Two brought the pain. Maybe literally for some lawn folks as the sky opened up dropping rain and lightning all over the venue. Regardless, Phish brought the pain to every phan lucky enough to witness a RIPPING Tweezer (13:12) > the debut of No Quarter (10:04). DUDE, IT WAS ONE OF THE SICKEST SEGUES EVER. IT WAS ONE OF THE SICKEST COVERS EVER. IT WAS ONE OF THE BEST MOMENTS EVER. PAGE FUCKING NAILED IT. HE FUCKING NAILED IT. I CLOSED MY EYES AND THOUGHT IT WAS 1973. I OPNED THEM AND THOUGH PLANT HAD LEARNED PIANO AND GONE BALD. PHISH! AAARRRGGGHHH!! FUCK!!! Lumpy heads ensued for 6:19 > Piper (way too short at 6:02) > Twist (8:55, SICK) > Ghost (deep, dark with No Quarter teases) > BDTNL (10:55, OUTRAGEOUS, also w/ No Quarter teases). You have to read that again: Tweezer > No Quarter, Carini > Piper > Twist > Ghost > BDTNL. Seven songs. Seven degrees of heat. I wasn’t at Bethel, but I don’t care. That was the highlight of the summer so far. If it weren’t for the tornadoes that ripped through our neighborhoods at home in MA, and the fact that some of our phamily dogs were in the middle of the damage in their kennels, it would have been the most jubilant time of the summer so far. Fortunately everyone we know is safe, but our thoughts go out to those affected. But as far as Phish goes, Wednesday was HEAT. Show of Life (5:58) > TweepriZe (3:59) ended the wild show, leaving people scrambling to make Detroit plans.

So here we are, 130 miles from Detroit and Gordo’s birthday show. I don’t know what to expect other than the fact that it’s going to be mayhem. I’m thinking Weigh, Clone, a Groove, maybe some Meat…it’s going to rage. If one the most popular nerds in history isn’t born outside of Boston 46 years ago our entire lives are different. Think about that as we sing Happy Birthday to one of our favorite people as he walks on stage tonight.

Let’s do this.

- Trigger Treinta Uno

Trigger31.com

Thanks to LivePhish & Phish.net for set list help.

The Cook Gave Me the Recipe: Vicarious Bethel Woods Review, Night Three

   After the fire crews put out the fires that burned Bethel Woods to the ground Saturday night, the band returned for one last go in historic Bethel, NY before moving on to Holmdel, NJ. Although Sunday night didn’t measure up to Saturday’s fiasco, the show still rocked, the scene simmered in the 90+ degree heat, and the band closed out one of the best weekends in recent memory.

            AC/DC (7:43) blew the doors open Set One Sunday night, but was followed by relatively standard versions of Sample (5:00), Rift (6:40), Ocelot (9:25), and Ya Mar (7:31). The band finally launched into something non-standard with a deep, dark version of Timber (Jerry) (6:47) > Ok Kee Pah (1:44) > Suzy (6:24) > 46 Days (8:08) > 20 Years Later (7:56).  31 minutes in the sauna. You loved it. A horrifically short, in my opinion, Curtis Loew (4:54) was followed by a ten-and-a-half-minute Antelope that included enough Curtis teases to satisfy those displeased with Loew’s length. Got to love the teases.

            A much expected Mike’s Groove opened the Second Set as Mike’s (9:41) > Simple (10:57) > Weekapaug (5:20). The Simple was epic and Weekapaug included a muffled Fishman intro beat that started as the boys finished jamming Simple and led right into Weekapaug. We’ve heard much better ‘Grooves, but the Simple was sick. A Meatstick (Japanese) (6:39) fooled a few phans, as some expected bigger things after Trey’s guitar tech came on stage for some business. Either way, Meatstick > Fluffhead (14:32) > Joy (5:38) was good enough. So in typical fashion, just when some diehards started to think “after what we got last night, these standards don’t surprise me” the band blasts off into a 2001 (7:16) > Light (9:26) > Slave (12:03) that delivered just what most of wouldn’t have expected to end a standard Sunday night show. EPIC. Although 2001 was on the short side, and perhaps forced (???), the 9+ minute Light, the latest launching pad, into a 12+ minute Slave pulled everyone right back in. How dare these guys get everyone filthy fucking sweaty again after everyone had just dried off? Well, next time don’t dry up you pussy. If you’ve learned one thing since 1983 it should be that these guys are unpredictable. And the last 30 minutes of Set Two proved that…once again. These guys are the shit. THE FUCKING SHIT.

            I’m somewhat surprised that Phish didn’t close the show with a Hendrix tune (despite a previously-played Bold As Love), the same way Woodstock closed 43 years ago, but 1) that would be perhaps too predictable, and 2) it wasn’t Woodstock. But still, in an opportunity often saved for Zeppelin, The Beatles, and Hendrix, I was surprised they didn’t choose Hendrix. Instead they chose the ‘Stones and ripped through a five-and-a-half-minute Loving Cup that > into TweepriZe (4:06), the perfect closing moment to a weekend that started with Tweezer. Local Masshole acquaintance “Giant Fishman” (as we’ll call him to conceal his identity…unless he wants to be named ???) jumped on stage an ran across untested all Fishman-dress-wearing-80’s-Pro-wrestler-physique of him. Security even let him stay for the rest of the show (DISCLAIMER: I’m not suggesting it’s OK to storm Phish’s stage, nor am I condoning it, nor am I claiming any other venue would allow this…IN OTHER WORDS, DON’T TRY THIS AT YOUR HOME). Either way, it was supposedly funny as hell and he’s a great kid who obsesses about the boys just like the rest of us. Right on “Giant Fishman”!

            So the boys closed out Bethel in the same way the opened it – en fuego. The buzz is building to threshold-breaking limits as the band rolls into Trey’s home state for the first mid-week run in Holmdel. I sit on a (delayed) 100+ degree plane waiting for this over-priced, snotty-crew-controlled US Airways flight to bring me to Philadelphia, where we will begin our Holmdel invasion plans, and despite the incredibly annoying, hot, miserable situation we’re in now on this stationary plane, we couldn’t be happier. Enough vicarious reviews, it’s time to get dirty.

The captain just came on the loudspeaker: “We’re ready for take-off, we’ll be in Philly in 45 minutes”…that’s my queue, because I’m ready for liftoff, too. I’ll see you pholks in Holmdel. Have my drink ready.

- Trigger Treinta Uno

Trigger31.com

Thanks once again to Miguel Cocisneros for help with last night’s review and Phish.net & LivePhish.com for set list help.

The Cook Gave Me The Recipe: Vicarious Bethel Woods Review, Night Two

    Dude is a word my boy Miguel Cocineros uses a lot. Our crew jokes about the hundreds of ways he can use "dude", primarily because the word represents 20% of his lexicon. I'm not suggesting he's dumb - in fact, he's pretty smart - but he uses and abuses this word more than anyone in history. But I've known the guy for 11+ years, so interpretation comes quickly. This 'dude' was clear: Where the FUCK do I begin?!

    I love Theme (9:24) for many reasons. Like Bowie and Maze Theme opens with a trance-inducing drum beat that's not only immediately recognizable, but also belongs to a song powerful enough to get everyone going - immediately. And like Bowie, Theme, although certainly structured, leaves the door WIDE open. Fires were lit immediately in Bethel Woods. So before we launch into this Cocineros-inspired/witnessed/written-through-the-eyes-of review, you should probably sit down. A standard but thick NICU kept the blood flowing as the band decided to twist heads from necks for the next 70 minutes. A middle-of-the-woods-in-a-farm-dominated-area Cities popped off, probably to keep the everlasting musically-induced sarcasm going, and it was the perfect stretch routine for the following celestial event: Halley's (12:02) > Runaway Jim (8:38). Cocineros on Halley's: "dude, it was a fucking 12 minute space demon". Enough said. The groove stuck through a Jim, and after a few seconds break they popped off 19 straight rockin' minutes of personal favorite Gumbo (4:42) > Quinn (6:14) > LxL (8:17). Now don't take any offense here phans, but LxL is a crew joke between us. Not that LxL is a bad song, in fact, it's great on a few levels, but I've seen it over 30 times, which according to guru David Steinberg, the only reason you folks know your stats through Phantasy Tour, is a statistical rarity. In other words, in 128 shows I should not have seen LxL 30+ times. Lets put it this way: I'd rather hear something else. So when Cocineros said "dude, even the LxL was fucking sick..." I knew exactly what we were in for. I assume tickets are disappearing as I type. A too-often-looked-past Horn (3:57) followed the 19-minute sweat session, and the horns were sounding off for what will become an instant summer highlight. A 15-minute Gin closed the set, but this "crazy", "chaotic" (MC) Gin contained instrumental Golden Age teases that morphed into full-on Manteca teases, which jammed right back through to Gin. Holy shit. I AM FUCKING LOVING THESE MANTECA TEASES! CACTUS POPPING OFF!! WHAT THE FUCK!!! AAAAAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!! PHISH!!!!! AAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHH WE FUCKING LOVE IT!!!!!!

   Those who survived the first set were treated to the <10 song sets that we die-hards obsess over. Seven song set list to be exact. And of course there is NO DENYING a DWD (15:34) Set Two opener...BUT WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU DO WHEN THE WHOLE FUCKING SET IS A FUCKING SEGUE. LET ME REPEAT: WHAT THE FUCK!!! AAAAAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!! PHISH!!!!! AAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHH WE FUCKING LOVE IT!!!!!! I can't even write this...I'm shaking...why are two of my best friends getting married this weekend?! Why aren't they obsessed with Phish?! When is my wife going to read this and say "Trigger Treinta Uno, we talked about this. I miss Phish, too, but we agreed not to complain." When is she going to realize that I stole the rental car, left the wedding resort, and stranded her in OH, 9 hours from Bethel and her ride for the rest of tour? When am I going to snap back to reality and realize that I'm not going anywhere until tomorrow night when we invade Holmdel? Now. So let me get back to reality here, in which "here" is one of two resort computers with internet as I sit in beautiful Logan, OH. Shoot out to all you Loganites...if you exist.

   DWD > Free (7:11) > BDTNL (12:09) > Makisupa (7:34) > Hood (12:37) > Cavern (4:33...yeah, I know) > Bowie (13:26). Take a muinute if you need it....

...OK, you good? I tried to get details out of my (sober) friend, but Cocineros could only say "dude, it was fire...what can I say, they sound fucking tight. By the time you get down here to NJ it's going to be mayhem." The BDTNL was predictably sick and groovy as I've said many times this is one of their best new jams (along with Light, in my opinion). Makisupa got the blood boiling as the boys started carrying on about "this is _________'s house" until they finally got it right revealing that it was in fact Mike's house. We already knew that. Mike's always been on the deed, but he took over the mortgage in 3.0. He's rich, bitch, and that house is his forever. By the way, Trey apparently claims 'House' is his favorite show. That show absolutely sucks, but then again, so does television. A rare-ish middle-of-the-set sick Hood followed Makisupa, which segued into a way-too-short Cavern. I hope you took my advice and took care of your shoes...you must not have been because the band had to remind you, too. Apparently you got the message too quickly though, because they were done in under 5 minutes. I wish you people had been a little slower...oh well, it's early. A predictable but groovy Bowie ended Night Two, which no doubt is sparking conversation nation-wide. Maybe you should start looking for tickets to those shows "no one is going to" now. I'm just saying. A Day In The Life (5:19) closed the show and the phans left the increasingly wild scene buzzing like a bunch of bees. And for good reason. From the space funk, to the demonic jams, to the early teases and monster segues, it's clear: I WAS WRONG. They ARE popping off already. 

    This ain't McDonald's, but I'm lovin' it...and so should you. This is why we do it, and we're getting exactly what we asked for. ALREADY.

Hold on folks, we're in for a ride. 

- Trigger Treinta Uno

Trigger31.com

Thanks to Miguel Cocineros for the concise but energetic review and for making me consider getting my wife and ditching this...never mind. (JK, we love you Rob & Nicole -  congrats by the way!)

Thanks to LivePhish.com & Phish.net for set list help.

Matty Fractal, we're thinking of you brother! Get well and we'll see you much sooner than expected!

The Cook Gave Me the Recipe: Vicarious Bethel Woods Review, Night One

Note: Unfortunately due to a phamily emergency, we were not able to attend Friday night's opener in Bethel Woods. Because of this unforeseen event the first show review will not offer the same insight as subsequent reviews, however, our crew has righted the ship once again and Sunday's review will be as originally promised. Regardless, I plan to offer my opinions of last night's show. PLEASE feel free to comment on the scene, venue, or show.

    One of the things  people hate most in life is being wrong; I know I loathe it. Some of our readers might remember me saying that although Bethel would be off the chains in terms of scene, atmosphere, etc., I made the relatively bold statement "don't expect much from the boys this weekend, rarely do they ever pop off within the first night or two." Well that could be true if you don't consider a TWEEZER OPENER POPPING OFF! FUCK!! The place must have exploded. From what I've heard and read, they sound tight. Speculation is running wild that the boys must have been rehearsing...a lot. And that's EXACTLY what we wanted to hear. No warming up, just popping off. One complaint: I hate <10 minute Tweezers. Did I just bitch after the first song? You ain't got to lie Craig, you ain't got to liiiieeee - you agree.

   No matter because My Friend segued from Tweezer in a scene that must have had at least 10,000 people saying "Dude, are these guys fucking serious? Tweezer > My Friend...it's going to be a SWEATY summer". The band must have sensed the cries of heart-pumping joy, because the boys let their sympathies be know with Poor Heart. A horribly short but phan favorite cover Roses Are Free blasted out of Poor Heart, which was followed by Funky Bitch, just to make sure the ladies were feeling the love. Then the roof caved in. Wolfman's > Walk Away...what are they doing? Dude, this is the FIRST FUCKING NIGHT!!!! Unreal...especially the Streets of Cairo tease in Wolfman's.

   Stash got the lighters popping as people wiped the sweat from their Walked Away fractured domes, then the crowd got to relax with the cherry-popping custie favorite Bouncing 'Round The Room. Good, at least EVERY song wasn't raging right off the bat. The set rounded out with one of my newish favorites, Kill Devil Falls, which must have been HEAT at 13+ minutes...fucking HEAT (no, not the basketball team, but while we're on the subject I fucking HATE them...Dallas in 6). Anyway, in a move many 'heads probably eventually expected at Bethel, Phish closed Set One with Bold As Love, a favorite cover by the man that closed out Woodstock 43 years ago.

   Set Two opened with Carini. This is the band telling us they want us to a start fighting in the pit. They demanded lumpy heads and then got Back On The Train to take us to Funkytonk. After a nearly 17 minute burner the band decided some of their phans still needed to shed some pounds so they launched into a 9-minute Boogie On Reggae Woman..that never ended...HEAT...Boogie > Waves (13:50) > Caspian (7:33) > CROSSEYED AND PAINLESS (12:03) > Wading (7:35) > Possum (8:58). Holy shit. Call some of those choices predictable...call the Caspian middle lame...maybe you can't stand Wading. It doesn't matter. What you got if you went was ONE HOUR of HEAT. If Crosseyed didn't buckle your knees then just go home. Now.

    A standard 'Coil closed the set of what looks like the best opener of 3.0. But just when you thought you might be safe from changing your shirt for the drive home, Julius blasted the encore ears. No brother was sleeping during this fiasco. This is why we do it folks, for the heat of the moment. Every moment. Every show...unless you encounter a phamily emergency.

   So now things are getting back to normal for our crew and we'll be in partial attendance for Night Two - and we couldn't be more pumped after Night One. The show is back on the road. Again we apologize for the short, insight-lacking review of Night One, but phamily comes first. Come back tomorrow and check for a review of Night Two. Thanks for reading!

The boys are back in Town.

- Trigger Treinta Uno

Trigger31.com

Thanks to Phish.net for setlist help, and You Know My Esteez for the effort - see you soon.

1st Leg: The Beast Coast

   One could argue I could not have come up with a more cliche rear windshield title for my first blog. As a seasoned hater I despise the phrase seemingly most associated with touring with our beloved Phish, and my reasons are completely snobbish. The phrase reminds me of other cliche terms like "newb" or "wook", whether appropriate or not, which could serve as further evidence of my snobbish attitude towards things I deem lame. Before you judge, I'm not alone; but before I attempt to justify mine or my peer's aforementioned attitudes, the "Little Man Inside My Head", or Limmy (last name 'Intuition') as he'll be known whenever referenced, reminds me that I was once the very thing I attempt to ridicule. Ahhh, maturity. What a ridiculous state of mind we pretend to achieve in our later years. I think the true definition of maturity should be: finally coming to terms with who you are, and not giving a shit what others think about it. But that's another blog, because we've gone Phishin'.

   The First Leg of 2011 Summer Tour (ST11:1) begins in Bethel, NY, the same geographical area where the original - and ONLY one worth acknowledging - Woodstock took place in 1969. What a great way to kick off a summer of Phish by being reminded of our predecessors and the birth of a counter culture that traveled far and wide to see music, among other things. While you're there think about the original Woodstock, the surrounding rolling farms, the socio-economic state of the country at the time, the Vietnam War, the sacrifices, the strength, determination, and spirit of the people that made said sacrifices and made the counter culture movement possible. It was these people and their families living in that time that set the blueprint for the musical, socio-economic, and cultural anthrosphere we take for granted today. Sure, our current state might seem to parallel those times with gas prices, war, and political strife, but remember, that generation proved that these obstacles can be overcome. It may seem cheesy, but take that minute to think about these things as you enter the Bethel area, it's worth the feeling of gratitude. Anyway...

Memorial Day Weekend (5/27-29), Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel, NY

   The first three shows of ST11:1 kick off in historic Bethel for the first time, but certainly not the first time in New York - Phish has played in New York 20 times since the start of 3.0 alone.  Expect the atmosphere to be busting as Phish begins another summer of touring after a six month break, the band sets into their comfortable little niche in upstate New York, and the crowd soaks in the scene that represents a microcosm of what went down 43 years ago. As for the music, I wouldn't expect much the first weekend, save maybe Sunday. Rarely do the boys start popping off within the first night or two. Regardless, it's the beginning of Phish tour. In seven day the lights go out, the boys walk out on stage, and Trey noodles to make sure he's in tune. Liftoff. 

5/31-6/1, PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ

    The first mid-week shows of ST11:1 belong to Holmdel, NJ and the infamous - depending on perspective - PNC Bank Arts Center. Phish hasn't rocked out one of their "home town" spots in a minute - 5, 725, 440 minutes to be exact; it's been over 10 years since Phish set Holmdel ablaze. The last show Phish played PNC (6/29/00) featured a gem First Set (Funky Bitch > Wilson, LBL, Drowned > Rock 'n' Roll), and a crazy Second Set with Birds > Catapult, Sand, and a Meatstick > Cities > Walk Away > Antelope > Frankenstein that had Pete Carini chasing fans off the stage, leading to raucous alternate lyrics in Meatstick. Shit show. PNC always rocks. Period.

6/3 DTE Energy Center, Clarkson, MI
6/4 Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls, OH
6/5 Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati, OH

   The second weekend run of ST11:1 brings us through the recently tortured Detroit, be it economically or sports-ly, and into the beautiful Ohio Valley. Phish has only played the Motor City twice in their long career, most recently at the Cobo Center. That Fall Tour 2009 opener seems relatively standard on paper, but I'll take (1) AC/DC, Foam, Kill Devil Falls, It's Ice, Horn, 46 days, Bowie and (2) DWD > Free > Waste, Mike's Groove, Cavern any day. "Standard shows" need to be put into perspective, and I'm betting no one in Detroit was disappointed in this opener. Expect Gordon's birthday show to get Michigan phan's motors going...sorry. All bad puns aside, as Fall 2010 Tour seemed to indicate, Phish loves to bring life to hurting towns. Expect nothing different in ST11.
   On Saturday night the band revisits Cuyahoga Falls, OH for the second straight summer. I've never seen a more esthetically pleasing amphitheater. Last summer the band ripped the roof off on the first note of The Band's "Look Out Cleveland" and never looked back. A ripping Curtis Loew was followed by a getting-darker-by-the-tour Mike's Groove. The Second Set opened with a Rock 'n' Roll > Hood > BDTNL that left the crowd begging for a break, which the band granted with 20 Years Later. The Second Set did fizzle out a bit, but we raved the entire ride to Hershey about the aforementioned segue. Oh, Ohio.
   The second weekend of ST11:1 wraps up in Cincinnati at the Riverbend Music Center, Phish's first return to the 'Bend in over 10 years. Lets hope we get another burner like the '00 crowd received weeks before Phish's first hiatus: (1) Mike's > Simple > TMWSIY > Avenu Malkenu >  Weekapaug; (2) Killer unfinished It's Ice, Sand, Guyute > BBFCFM, Drowned. Lets put it this way: Phish plays only five "Midwest" shows the entire summer. This can be resolved in a simple equation: MI + OH(2) + Chicago(3) = Heat.

6/7 Comcast Theater, Mansfield, MA
6/8 Darien Lake Center for the Performing Arts, Darien Center, NY

   The second set of mid-week shows brings us - at least our crew - back home to Massachusetts for the seemingly  annual 3.0 Great Woods...err...Comcast Theater show in Mansfield. Rumor has it Phish tried to book Mansfield for two nights, but was denied because of a prior commitment, hence the head-scratching bolt to Darien Lake, NY the following night. No matter, this is "home town week" and we're happy with anything. Mansfield 2010 was a personal favorite of mine, if not for anything other than my several year Camel Walk chase had finally ended (no, I wasn't in Philly in '09...don't remind me). Any way you look at it Phish rocked Gordon's home state with a Lit 'O' Bit debut opener, followed by my long-awaited Camel Walk, a sick Divided Sky and Kill Devil Falls, and a Dr. Gabel debut. The second set featured a chest-ripping Mike's groove and a Sneakin' Sally > Light > 46 Days that probably left several fans dead.
   The last Darien Lake show in 2009 featured a dedication of How High The Moon (last played 710 shows ago) to Les Paul, who had died earlier that day. The show also featured Dinner And A Movie, a fan favorite. I liken the Darien Lake show to the roller coasters outside the amphitheater...you can figure that one out. Still...Wednesday...many tickets left...rager.

6/10 Susquehanna Bank Center, Camden, NJ
6/11-12 Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD

   I can barely contain myself as I write a preview/review of the third batch of ST11:1 weekend shows. We return to Camden-Merriweather, the site of the best Phish of Summer 2010, if not all of 2010. If you felt you were a scorned Phish fan, perhaps copping an attitude towards 3.0, but desperately seeking the feelings you forgot, the Camden-Merriweather run of 2010 had to make you a born-again Phishfan (say it fast, it sounds like christian...don't steal my obsolete shirt idea). If 2010 was any indication of things to come, I suggest making sure your brain is securely fastened within your skull, because you might lose it. David Bowie kicked off the "Mason-Dixon Line" run last year and it set the tone for a rowdy weekend. Not long after Bowie we were treated to a rare 2.0/3.0 Uncle Pen, and a drop-legged Boogie On, followed by a thick Gumbo > Timber(Jerry) > I Didn't Know. The first set ENDED with Birds, Bouncing, an unfinished Reba, and Phish's debut cover of Rover, the classic Zeppelin tune. As if that wasn't enough, Phish launched the second set with face peeling versions of DWD > Crosseyed > Nothing > 20 Years Later > Hood > Fluffhead > Julius. Wow. Just for good measure they ended with YEM and encored with Bug. 

   Everyone was still breathing heavily when they entered Susquehanna Bank Center for night two, but that didn't stop Phish from pressing on, not during the anniversary of Michael Jackson's death. WARNING: If you have a weak heart or are an overly emotional person, especially when considering Phish, I would advise you skip the next section. Miguel Cocineros, one of my closest Phish homeboys, nearly lost his shit with the first chord out of Trey's guitar. I was a bit slower than he, but by the 4th or 5th chord I was equally excited: Alumni Blues (222 shows)! Then > Letters To Jimmy Page (587 shows...debated)!! They followed this historic segue with BBFCFM, which set the place on fire. As the initial mayhem subsided the band grooved along through some classics and debuted Free Man in Paris. The second set opened with the best Chalkdust Torture in years. We labored then grooved then straight got down through Prince Caspian > Heavy Things > Alaska as the beat morphed into 2001. Something was in the air. Phish had just ripped through a thick Alaska jam and showed no signs of slowing...this 2001 had an epic feel. Then the sky fell. I had considered blaming psilocybin for the "Wanna Be Startin' Something" teases I thought I was hearing Trey noodle until seasoned veteran and good friend Matt Grosik turned to me and said "I told you they would bust out MJ". Bust out they did. The 10+ minute 2001 featured Wanna Be Startin' Something, Billy Jean and Thriller teases throughout, and thrilling doesn't come close to describing it. From Trey figuring out the melody and mixing it in, to Cactus REFUSING to let the Billy Jean bass line die long after it could have, to the sheer energy of 20,000 heads grooving to the man they grew up listening to - it was magic. Pure magic. 

   Buzzing is an understated way to describe the atmosphere around the Merriweather lot before Saturday night's show after what went down in Camden. For the second year in a row Phish opened with Crowd Control, perhaps in reference to the herds of drunken quasi-southerners that flock to Merriweather every season. A somewhat standard but rocking show ensued, with gems such as Kill Devil Falls, the debut cover of Aeroplane Over The Sea, BDTNL, 46 Days, Rock 'n' Roll, Fast Enough For You, Tweezer and more Zeppelin love with Moby Dick teases and a GTBT encore.
   The next night was a key example as to why one should NEVER MISS A SHOW. Sunday night's show opened with the first Walfredo since 1.0. Mellow Mood followed and it was on. Divided Sky and Tela satisfied the Gamehenge junkies while Ginseng Sullivan satisfied the hillbillies. Brian & Robert followed by Antelope ended the set. All was well. In Set Two Phish erupted: Wilson > Meatstick (Japanese) > Saw It Again > Piper > Ghost > Jumpin' Jack Flash > Saw It Again > Contact, YEM, E: Fire. Read that again if you have to. I should probably remind you they teased Saw It Again through the entire set. Now read it again. Yeah.

   Wait a minute, this is supposed to be a preview as well. OK, why would we expect 2011 to be any different? Bombs go off on the Mason-Dixon line.

6/14-15 Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Alpharetta, GA

   The band returns to Alpharetta, GA , the site of last summer's epic 4th of July weekend shows, for the final set of ST11:1 mid-week shows. Opening night in Alpharetta '10 delivered the first Character Zero opener in history. It also took the pit sign craze to new levels, which seemed to dictate many of Phish's choices the remainder of the summer right through the fall. Destiny, Rift, McGrupp, Gin, Mountains in the Mist, NICU, Gumbo, My Sweet One, STFTFP, Strange Design, Sanity, Antelope set the First Set tone. A slightly over-played but always craved Rock 'n' Roll opened the Second Set, which was followed by Tweezer and several other jammy standards. Sleeping Monkey preceded RepriZe to close the show. 

   An obligatory Independence Day Star Spangled Banner followed by head favorite launching pad PYITE got the pot boiling. We lost our minds on the first few chords of Colonel Forbin's and no one rested until Lawn Boy (Forbin's > Mockingbird, Camel Walk, Ocelot, Heavy Things, My Friend > Lawn Boy). Lawn Boy was every one's dip in the pool, but Bowie and Jibboo sweat the place right back up. Second Set things began to unravel...inside my brain. DWD > Piper > Ghost > Waste. As if this wasn't sublime enough in itself, Phish decides to crank it up a notch by lighting this fuse: Julius > Mike's > Tela, Harpua > Killing In The Name > Harpua > Weekapaug. Huh? Has anyone ever seen a mosh pit? Really? OK, well have you ever seen a mosh pit at a Phish show? I doubt it, and that's what attendees witnessed on July 4th, 2010. No one was punching each others brains out though - Mike's bass took care of that. I've experienced many things in 128 shows since 11/30/97, but I have NEVER experienced anything like that mid-Mike's Groove scene, before or since. It was beautiful and powerful. And hilarious. I mean, I still question whether I really saw tie-dyes, Birkenstocks, dreads, and quartz crystals MOSHING. But we did. Venues become the places of legend, and when you tear down a place from the get-go, there's no place to go but...up. I expect the band to continue to rage Alpharetta as long as they go there. Lets just keep the fireworks to a minimum though, huh locals? This isn't a SEC football game, it's a Phish show, which requires eyes and ears to fully enjoy. No offense, I'm just saying.

6/17 Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Charlotte, NC
6/18 Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion, Raleigh, NC
6/19 nTelos Wireless Pavilion, Portsmouth, VA

   The final set of weekend shows finishes ST11:1, and to start we'll have Carolina on the mind. North Carolina that is, and let me start with this quick message to all those planning to attend. I contacted both of the venues in Charlotte and Raleigh and got this information directly from the venue staff: All local woman are required to wear sun dresses.
   Friday kicks off in Charlotte, and last year's Charlotte show peeled wigs off. Buried Alive opener...these shows should come with a warning label... > AC/DC, Vultures, Wolfman, Back On The Train, Wedge, Mexican Cousin, Stash, Sparkle, Chalkdust. Rager. We had phamily in the first row. We were in the 10th. Kuroda wouldn't take the shirt we'd been trying to give him the whole tour. The locals kept telling us that we were in the "new Phish mecca" (i.e., not the northeast). The south was rising again. We were just getting started. We were Drowned for 46 Days to open Set Two, and what seemed like 20 Years Later, we got the first Lizards in over a year. ST11:1 Mosh Pit 2 began with Carini, which > Fuck Your Face (1,413 fucking shows!!!) > 2001. Jesus, dude. You said it, man. The best comment of Summer Tour '10 came from a guy in our row, also from Massachusetts:

To Miguel Cocineros and me: "Hey, were you guys at the last Fuck Your Face at Nectar's in 1987?"

Us back to him, confused: "No..."

Him: "NEITHER WAS I!!!"

It was classic. At that moment, every Phish fan from later years was suddenly connected to Phish fans past. The legends, the stories, the Pharmer's Almanac blurbs, the tapes, the dream that someday you'd be lucky enough to hear one of those legendary allusive songs. That was that day for many of us. (Side note: lets pretend for a minute they didn't play FYF 100 times during the subsequent Fall Tour.) The set ended with YEM, which included  Proud Mary and Get Back vocals. They kept the Beatle theme going through the encore with A Day In The Life. Just like Alpharetta, we're dying to get back to this place.
    We tread on to Raleigh for Saturday's show to the legendary Walnut Creek Pavilion. Like our beloved Great Woods in Massachusetts, this fine venue, one of the best on tour in my opinion, has had it's name forsaken for a corporate entity. Comcast holds our venue hostage, Time Warner yours. Regardless, the atmosphere never changes. The First Set opened in 2010 with the second Llama of 3.0 (at the time), followed by Roses Are Free, Kill Devil Falls, Time Loves A Hero (127 shows), Alaska, Water In The Sky, Runaway Jim, Moma Dance, Divided Sky, Cavern. Heat - and I'm not talking NC, because it was unseasonably cool. BDTNL - one of the bands best newer jams - got the Second Set rolling, followed by a Haley's > Light (killer), Fluffhead > Have Mercy (189 shows - epic), and Light It Up Or Leave Me Alone (181 shows...light it up) > Free. Wading, Coil, and Suzy Greenberg left some of us feeling limp until Phish encored one of the best Boogies in band history. The take home message? The south is where it's at.
   The First Leg ends in Portsmouth, VA the site of the first official sell out of ST11:1. The nTelos Pavilion is small, but its potential is huge considering the fire Phish set there last summer. The first set featured many standards on steroids as well as the debut of Cold Water, a Tom Waits cover. If the Second Set of the 2011 First Leg closer is anything like the crowd got in the Second Set from the 2010 Portsmouth show, we're going to be chomping at the bit for SuperBall IX July 4th weekend. Wilson > Seven Below > 46 Days > Idea (Phish original debut) > 2001 > Simple > Joy, Taste, Theme > Day In The Life. Portsmouth, Virginia. Who knew? A TAB heavy encore included Heavy Things and First Tube. More math: Small venue + east coast + last show of the leg = Cardiac arrest. You've been warned.

  Most of us would admit we weren't really convinced until Summer Tour 2010. Correct me if you know I'm wrong, stay in denial, or just pretend it's all great all the time, but lets get real: Phish fully morphed into Phish again during Summer Tour 2010 and they haven't looked back. Trey returned to his roots belting out blissful, piercing solos while opening musical gateways, and subtly laying down perfectly appropriate melodies; Fishman regained his form; Page, the seemingly ever present steady figure through hiatuses past, fills as well as ever; Cactus is pricking ears and making them bleed. And while we're on the subject Mike "Air" Gordon is now the MVP of this band and the MVP is popping off. Get used to it.
   So the excitement for Phish Summer Tour 2011 is at a fever pitch, and for good reason. Summer Tour 2010 put things back into perspective. Bust-outs abound and the teases and jams part of every show. Why wouldn't Summer Tour 2011 be any different? Why wouldn't it be better?? So get ready for another summer of Phish tour traveling from city to city, conducting negotium umquam on lot, and guessing at and preparing for that first note. What will it be? It's the question that drives most of us.

   As of right now there is one week left until ST11:1. I can barely handle it. We're ready and we'll be there, Headstock shirts poppin', hat pins blingin', dance moves perfected. We'll see you there.

- Trigger Treinta Uno

Trigger31.com

(Special thanks to crew contributors Colonel Phortin, Miguel Cocineros, SeriousLeigh, and Henry The Third for memories, reminders and suggestions & to phish.net for setlist help)


All images taken by author unless otherwise noted.


I would appreciate feedback on the first of hopefully many useful, informative, thought-and-debate-provoking, and completely useless blogs. Please feel free to send any comments, questions, or constructive criticisms to triggertreintauno@gmail.com or comment on the Blogger site directly. I suppose nonconstructive criticism is OK, if you're an asshole like me. My credentials: I'm a non-traditional graduate student studying geomicrobiology and micropaleontolgy, have played and studied sports for 28 years, and have been on Phish tour since 1997. Science, sports, and Phish. This is what I blog about, this is what I know. I consider myself an expert on all three subjects. People have refuted my expertise on all three subjects. You be the judge. Thanks for reading.