June 2008

Pearl Jam | Madison Square Garden, New York 6/25/08

Just what is it about Madison Square Garden that makes it so special? I heard someone pose this question the other day, and it got me thinking. After all, it is just a basketball stadium (and ice rink); there are 29 other NBA stadiums in the country, and countless college stadiums.

But it’s more than just a basketball court. Madison Square Garden has history, and lots of it. Championships have been won and lost, political conventions have been played out and concerts, countless historic concerts have happened. So I think that’s what really separates MSG from the rest. There on that stage the Rolling Stones recorded Get Yer Ya Ya’s Out, George Harrison staged the Concert for Bangladesh, Led Zeppelin played three sold-out shows which made up The Song Remains the Same, Phish headlined New Year’s Eve 1995, and then 1997, 1998 and 2002. U2 has played the Garden 17 times, The Grateful Dead 52 times, and Elton John 60 times. He’s even got his name hung in the rafters next to Mark Messier.

For bands that have a sense of history and a reverence for live music’s past, Madison Square Garden is hallowed ground, a stage to prove yourself, and if you really have the chops, add your name to the pantheon of amazing performances. For bands like this MSG is a star on the calendar, a date to gear up for. Pearl Jam has already entered that pantheon, so their first performances at the Garden in five years were definitely highly anticipated.

Weekly Roundup | Tea Leaf Two-Night Edition

by Justin Ward on Jun 29, 08

in Link Roundup

Last night, I caught the first night of the Tea Leaf Green two-night run here in San Francisco; the Great American Music Hall is the room and it’s a fantastic room for the band and the size of their audience in attendance last night. I was never too cramped and there was room to move around, but it was definitely a full house spread between the main floor and the balcony. Musically the band sounded better than ever, and I had a seriously fun time last night. I’ll be heading out again to catch the second night very soon, so it was time to drop the roundup of the posts we did last week before I go get my dance on.

Phish Friday | The Debut of “Spock’s Brain”

by Justin Ward on Jun 27, 08

in Phish Friday

This week’s Phish Friday post is brought to you by Nate Leskovic, someone that commented on our “Spock’s Brain” PF post with his own story of what that song meant to him. He’s graciously giving us the background today.

While the general nature of Phish’s political views could always be easily deduced, the band steered clear of “preachy” banter and political activism for the most part and focused on uniting through the common cause of good vibes and dancing (the 80s rarity “Dear Mrs. Reagan” being a notable exception). Right-leaning heads felt just as home at shows as anyone. The boys were classy like that.

Why did the band move beyond the omnipresent Greenpeace and Waterwheel tables and throw its support behind abortion rights at the 5/16/95 “Voters for Choice” benefit in the Lowell Memorial Auditorium? I don’t know, but the special show for some 3,000 fans became a special night of debuts akin to the 9/13/90 Wetlands gig or the 6/6/97 Brad’s House party.

Debuts are nice for their moment-in-time-ness, but obviously often lack the true potential the tune will eventually grow into. I do enjoy the pre-Billy Breathes “Free,” which does not yet include its Trey wah-wankery intro and the funk jam drop. However, the original jam segment has only the slightest hint of Trey’s brilliant effects technique he was still developing and it doesn’t go anywhere.

My favorite has to be the “Spock’s Brain,” the quirky/spooky funk tune with intriguing and challenging vocals only played four more times before 2000. I never understood why this was shelved and why for so long. Wouldn’t it have fit in nice with the 97 funk, sandwiched in between a “Wolfman’s” and a “Cities” or something? Trey lets the audience choose its title from “The Plane,” “The First Single,” “Israel” or the obvious winner.

Phish – “Spock’s Brain” (live, 5/16/96) [mp3]

The “Theme,” just rocks without complexity here, minus the heavy textural jam it would soon acquire. It goes into the Page-lead ascending part at the end, but far less dramatically. Though first-timers, you could tell “Free” and “Theme” would become monsters.

Aside from the debuts (which also include the Fish original “Ha Ha Ha,” “Strange Design” introduced as “Ahhh, Page Sing,” and the “Guyute” extract “Glide II”—sometimes referred to as “It’s Time” or “Flip”—that only reappeared in instrumental form on the Billy Breathes outtakes) the “Reba” just plain soars. After developing a brilliant and spacey psychedelic theme at the beginning of the jam that trails off just as you begin to recognize its weight (as if to tease, “Yeah, we’re so good that we don’t care”), it rapidly develops into the usual triumphant fireworks, but with a biting elegance that ranks it as one of the best.

Phish – “Glide II” [mp3]

Summer Camp 2008 | Day One, Day Two Review

by Justin Ward on Jun 26, 08

in Reviews

It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything out of Kane Jamison, the blogger who spent most of his time between classes working on Burning Oak. He hasn’t had much time for blogging lately, but I convinced him to write up a review or two from the Summer Camp music festival that was about a month ago. Let’s all live vicariously through him as he walks us back through all the highlights and festival fun that him and his crew had…

Flaming Lips – Photo by John Benigni

While many of you were enjoying barbecues and donning your first white shirts of the summer over Memorial Day Weekend, I headed over to Chillicothe, IL for my third year at the eighth annual Summer Camp Music Festival. The forecast was grim, the lineup was a distinct change-up from year’s past, and with a new stage and no festival map published, I had little idea of what to expect from this year’s festival. Despite rain, thunder, lightning, tornado evacuations (yes, again), and I think possibly even hail at one point, I managed to stay relatively dry, snap a few photos, and catch a few sets from some bands that I never expected to see at Summer Camp.

Page, Mike Both Confirm Possibility of Phish Reunion

by Justin Ward on Jun 26, 08

in News

I know you’ve seen our posts touting the possibility of Phish getting back together sometime soon, and Page McConnell just issued a statement on Phish.com confirming that the band has begun talking and they’ve agreed to meet a some point in the future. And…”when we do get together, it will only be the four of us, hopefully with no distractions.”

Given the volume of speculation and rumors that have bubbled up recently, I have been asked to make a statement…Here goes.

For me, the last four years have been great. I’ve spent quality time with my family and have watched my daughter grow. I took great pleasure and pride in writing and recording an album. I’m living a healthy lifestyle. I travel as little as possible and I sleep in my own bed. It took a couple of years after the break up to begin talking to my old band mates, but once the conversations began to flow it wasn’t long before the friendships were rekindled. And I can honestly say that I’m closer with all of them now then I’ve ever been in our 20-year relationship.

Recently the conversations have turned toward the possibility of spending some time together. Currently many of us have plans and projects already in the works, most notably Mike, who made a great album and is about to hit the road in support of it. Given that I might not even see some of the guys for the next six months, I would say that the announcement of a reunion is premature. However, later this year we hope to spend some time together and take a look at what possible futures we might enjoy. In fact the only real decision that has been made is that when we do get together, it will only be the four of us, hopefully with no distractions. I am really looking forward to that.

I want to say just a few more things. The prospect of Phish reuniting is something I consider very seriously, and I think about it a lot. And lastly, as always, there is plenty of misinformation floating around. Try not to focus too much on secondhand sources and random gossip. If there is anything real to announce, it will come from the four of us as a group.

Until then,
Page

Interesting timing considering that Mike just spoke with Rolling Stone on the subject:

Gordon tells Rolling Stone. “We’re all just excited about the idea of doing something sometime. I can’t guarantee it, but I’m optimistic.”

Gordo also confirmed that the band met with Steve Lillywhite on the possibility of doing a new album with the band. Fantastic news all around…

A Letter from Page [Phish.com]
Phish Reunion? Mike Gordon Is “Optimistic,” Says Band Met With Lillywhite [Rock & Roll Daily]

Derek Trucks Band | Rolling Stone 100 Greatest Guitar Songs Party

by ryan on Jun 26, 08

in Photo Galleries

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It is easy to see why Derek Trucks was sitting in with the Allmans at 12 and then joining as a semi-regular tour member at age 14. I can definitely understand why Eric Clapton took him on tour in 2006 and 2007. He is, in one word, a prodigy. He makes playing guitar look so easy…nonchalantly finger-picking his way through purposeful slide guitar melodies and solos like it was his…um…job.

His band, the Derek Trucks Band, played a private gig for Rolling Stone a couple weeks back at the Hard Rock Café Times Square. The show was the celebrate the 100 Greatest Guitar Songs list, and the staff chose DTB specifically for this night. As for the set, I thought it was an overall solid show. Highlights were the DTB staple “Soul Serenade” and an encore version of the Band’s classic “The Weight.” Trucks’ wife, musician Susan Tedeschi, added vocals and guitar on a few songs.

DTB is working on a new album due out in early 09. Read on for my photos from the night…

Backyard Tire Fire | 2008 Tour Dates, New MP3

by Justin Ward on Jun 26, 08

in Tour Dates

The dudes in Backyard Tire Fire just got signed and announced their new album, The Places We Lived, due out on Hyena Records on August 26. They’ve got three tracks up on their homepage for streaming and we’ve got the title cut here.

Backyard Tire Fire – “The Places We Lived” [mp3]

There’s a lighter sound coming through on that track that I’m not sure the guys really cut their teeth on yet. They’ve been all about blues stomp and loud rock ‘n roll up until now (for the most part), but then again it’s mostly futile to try and genre-bucket this band judging from the times I’ve gotten to see them live. They’re touring in the MIdwest this summer to support the release, but I’m thinking I need to give these guys a call and see if we can’t bring them out to the West Coast. Read on for the dates, and big shout out to Dodge at My Old Kentucky Blog for getting them setup in Indianapolis.

All Good 2008 | Schedule Announced, No Tough Decisions

by whitperson on Jun 26, 08

in Festivals

The All Good Music Festival has announced its full weekend schedule for 2008, including late-night pre-party sets on Thursday, July 10. Unlike some of its larger brethren in the festival world, All Good has made a point not to schedule any overlapping sets throughout the weekend. So, no tough decisions between big headliners or up-and-comers that you really want to check out.

Good call, All Good; I dig it. Of course, this festival is smaller than the Bonnaroos of the world and a bit more focused on the jam niche. But I think this is a crowd-pleasing move that may help set them apart from other fests. Plus, that late-night Thursday pre-party looks like it’ll be a throw-down.

Speaking of which, early arrival tickets for the Pre-Party are available for $15 in advance and $30 at the gate. Advance weekend passes are available for $139 or by phone by at 1-800-594-TIXX.

Full schedule after the jump…

06.25.2008