Monday, December 26, 2016

It Was 20 Years Ago Today: Phish, live at the Spectrum, Dec. 28th and 29th, 1996, Philadelphia, PA

     Hello everyone. I hope you enjoyed your Christmas and Festivus celebrations. I surely did but know I am only thinking about one thing, New Year's Eve. The boys said they will be cutting back on touring next year so who knows if they do another NYE run in 2017. But my mind drifts back to another NYE, way back in 1996. So without further ado, here is It Was 20 Years Ago Today, Phish live at the Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA Dec 28th and 29th 1996.
I can't remember who all went to this with me, but I do know a lot of the Devolver crew went. One unfortunate soul told me he was tripping really hard and got stuck in the shotgun seat with Dr. Mike Lerman driving lol. I also remember one of the nights we parked next to some members of Philly area band Splintered Sunlight. When I saw them a few years ago, they had no recollection of our historic encounter.





Dec. 28th, 1996
Philadelphia , PA
SET 2: Makisupa Policeman[1] → Maze, Bouncing Around the Room, Digital Delay Loop Jam The Man Who Stepped Into Yesterday > Avenu Malkenu > Mike's Song Strange Design > Weekapaug Groove[2], The Star Spangled Banner
[1] Key words: “Stink, Stank, Stunk"
[2] Ended with long Page solo.
Makisupa Policeman included the cryptic lyrics “Stink, Stank, Stunk,” which may have been a reference to the theme song in The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Weekapaug Groove ended with a long Page solo. The Star Spangled Banner was dedicated to Kate Smith, who used to sing God Bless America at Flyers’ home hockey games.
You can stream it here
The Split is the highlight of the first set. The Policeman had a cool little Grinch reference thrown in. The intro into the TMWSIY was really good and I forgive them from not going back into it because of such an awesome Mike's. Wow is it good. The Groove also had a cool Coil like ending. And I love any encore with Johnny B. Goode.



Dec, 29th, 1996, Philadelphia, PA
SET 1: Poor Heart > Caravan > Cavern > Taste, Guelah Papyrus, Train Song, Rift > Free, The Squirming Coil, La Grange
SET 2: David Bowie, A Day in the Life, Bathtub Gin The Lizards, You Enjoy Myself Rotation Jam > Sixteen Candles[1] >You Enjoy Myself[2], Harpua[3] → Champagne Supernova[4] → Harpua
ENCORE: Rocky Top
[1] Phish debut; performed solo by Mike on piano.
[2] Vocal jam.
[3] Harpua, Poster, and Jimmy were confronted by the “Über Demon” and the “evil sound of hell.”
[4] Phish debut; Tom Marshall on vocals.
Squirming Coil contained a Sesame Street theme tease from Page. Mike performed the Phish debut of Sixteen Candles solo on piano. Tom Marshall contributed the vocals to the Phish debut of Champagne Supernova as Harpua, Poster, and Jimmy were confronted by the “Über Demon” and the “evil sound of hell.” This show featured the breakout of Caravan, which had been shelved since December 2, 1994 (160 shows).


You can stream it here
I had no knowledge of the song Caravan but it was super cool to pair it with Cavern. The Free was also typical 1996 vintage with Trey playing his mini drum kit. La Grange was a nice addition to the set. I'm sure I wasn't the only one expecting the set to end with Coil. The second set was the best of the run IMO. Bowie opener, the YEM madness, and a Harpua for the ages. And then Marshall sings Oasis was just icing on the cake.
I had a bit of an adventure after the second night. I friend of a friend, Mike, was in town from Cali for a few days and hitched a ride to the show. He had followed the Dead around and was pretty cool. He had some of the best ganja food I ever ate. His banana bread almost had me tripping. Anyway, he ran into an old friend who needed a ride to the suburbs of Philly. Mike offered my services even though I had to get home to try to get some shut eye before work Monday morning. This whole sojourn took a lot longer than I expected and got home super late. Called in sick the next day claiming I got food poisoning from a Lot burrito LMAO.
I hope you enjoyed this trip. The next entry will be about NYE 2016 at MSG!


Dave Kemp
BA American Studies
PhD Rock and Roll


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