Not that we need more affirmation that a future Phish reunion is inevitable, but Mike Gordon sure is giving it.
The bassist who will tour this fall behind his recent solo album The Green Sparrow, recently spoke with the Colorado Daily newspaper.
"The rumors are true, but it's loose for right now," he said of a prospective Phish reunion.
"We'll play together again at some point. There are no plans now," Gordon said brushing off spring tour rumors. "But it would be for something that was a 'big deal.' We've been talking about doing it again. It wouldn't be as something nostalgic, it would be to re-invent ourselves."
Re-invent themselves? Now this is all starting to sound interesting. I don't even know how Phish would re-invent themselves? Play 2 minutes songs as opposed to 20? Any ideas?
My Trusted MOGs
Well, in 1997 they managed to do it, but it was all down hill from there. They premiered like 13 new songs and revamped dud's like "Wolfman's Brother" into funk gems. I think they came back very vital then. I'd be interested to see them "re-invent" themselves though, but it would probably fall on an unreceptive audience though, since everyone would want things to be the same.
I know this from experience. I was at the Halloween show in 96, and the grumbling of the audience was rificulous. People complaining about not knowing the album, and wanting to hear stuff they knew. It was one of the best shows I've ever seen, but the majority of people had never heard "Remain In Light" (myself inclluded), and seemed unreceptive.
But I did see them in Dublin and England at the start of summer tour 97, and it was unreal. They can do it, but will the fans let them?
My Trusted MOGs
i got NOTHING to say about Phish but man -- what an awesome photo!
that dude doesn't look like a member of a jam band... he looks like a neo garage rocker, right down to the white belt!
seriously... that is one fantastic photo
My Trusted MOGs
I met him at the airport on my way back from the Rothbury Festival over the 4th of July weekend. Super nice guy, a little strange, but very cool. I wanted badly to ask him about this, but I showed restraint and went back to my sandwich.
My Trusted MOGs
I saw him at The Residents show in ATL a couple years ago, and was about to go up and just say "Hi and thanks" but he was on his Cell, picking his nose with the hand I would have shaken, so I just let him be.
My Trusted MOGs
Contra -That was Vegas, right? My first show was Halloween the year before, in Chicago. And you are right. When they put out the Story Of Ghost back in '98 ...it was darker and more funk driven. God, I loved it! So spookey. I guess more than anything that quote about "re-inventing themselves" really stirs my curiosity.
My Trusted MOGs
Nope, Atlanta. Last concert at The Omni, ever. got knocked down a mnth later (I think). Yep, 98 was their pinnacle - Their "Who's Next/Live at Leedes" if you will. I actually think Billy Breathes is their best offering for an accessible album (why? becuase it's only like 40 minutes - the length an album should be!), but Ghost is good too.
Favorites will always be Junta, Lawn Boy, and Nectar since those were the first I heard that got me into the band.
My Trusted MOGs
I'm the most excited guy in the room. But I do hope that they can manage to exist sucessfully in an era where the musical landscape has changed drastically.
They've ALWAYS said that they didn't want to be a nostalgia act, like the Allmans, or Skynerd, or a dozen other touring bands out there now. It's always been said that if the music isn't 100 percent and vital, then it's not worth making. Hopefully this little hiatus has rejuvenated them and I look forward to listening to what they will collectively bring to the table in 2009.
My Trusted MOGs
While Ghost was the spookier one, Billy Breathes is my favorite. It's such a chiller. I'd recommend it to anyone. Just writing this made me jones for Prince Caspien and Swept Awaaaaaaaaay.
My Trusted MOGs
Duuuuude...it's spinning on my iTunes. "Free," that was a favorite at shows. WOW!!! I haven't heard it in ages. AMAZING
My Trusted MOGs
Seriously, everytime I hear it I think "Man, I got pull this album out!"
I'd like to see them go the Explosions in the Sky route, maybe focus less on the lyrics (which non-Phish people always seem to dislike) and work more on the music and builds that they were so great at. I love the possibilities in music of the sort of post rock, soundtracky bands like EITS and Tortoise. I think they could be a viable player, and bring along the non-hippy element.
My Trusted MOGs
I am only at "Character Zero" and my face is melting off.
My Trusted MOGs
I'll have to check deezer for it...
My Trusted MOGs
i just want them to get into that buildup groove that they used to...a jam that was going somewhere if you will. Towards the end of their 04 tour there wasn't any direction. Hopefully this rejuvenation will bring a sound that we haven't heard before, i just hope they dont go the STS9 route and play with mac computers on stage the entire time.
summer tour is coming, i've started packing and next halloween will be the shizznizzle. What album will the cover? Exile on Main Street, The Last Waltz? I dont know
My Trusted MOGs
they should do "exile." i bought that album after i heard them cover "loving cup." i could see them also covering a white stripes album.
My Trusted MOGs
so many things to say here.
Halloween shows are incredible. Never missed one. And when people bitched about not knowing Loaded they gave everyone a big FU and played Dark Side of the Moon the next night! That's pretty amazing. Remain in Light was unbelieveable.
97 was great. 96 was great. 98 was great. Millenium in Cypress was out of this world. Listened to Scents and Subtle Sounds from 7/30/03 last night and it was incredible.
Their later stuff took new directions and the fans didn't respond well to it. I do think they will have people who don't like the re-invented phish whatever it may be but I personally hope they don't listen to them and create the art the way they see it.
Summer 09?? BRING IT!
My Trusted MOGs
Fuck! I'm almost done typing my article about Mike Gordon. It should have been up days ago but I've been swamped with other projects that slowed my finishing it down.
The problem is that it already has the exact same title as the one in the Colorodo daily that just came out. The "exact" same title.
"Mike Gordon: PHISH out of Water"
My girlfriend thought of it, so I think I'm going to use it anyway.
My Trusted MOGs
How weird. It's the whole great mind's think alike thing... Can't wait to read it.
My Trusted MOGs
"We'll play together again at some point. There are no plans now," Gordon said brushing off spring tour rumors. "But it would be for something that was a 'big deal.' We've been talking about doing it again. It wouldn't be as something nostalgic, it would be to re-invent ourselves."
That is music to my ears. In taking musical improvisation on the big stage to a new level over the years, I look forward to the next "re-invent" phase.
Phish were at their best when they paid no attention to what other might think of what and how they were playing. In particular, as soon as Trey started listening to the naysayers, their motivation and creativity went down a bit and things unraveled.
My Trusted MOGs
and contrabandwidth.....I was at the 96 Atlanta show and I got it...the music left me no choice but to see the rest of the tour. It was a jaw dropping musical experience for me.
My Trusted MOGs
Charley-
I'm glad that you are looking forward to reading it but it's incredibly long and it's liable to piss some people off.
As long as no one takes the title:
"Mike Gordon: All Things Reconsidered"
I'll be all good
My Trusted MOGs
OBAMA - would be a good reason to get back together.
phisheads for OBAMA!!!!!!!!
My Trusted MOGs
Charley-
My Article has actually been up for a few days now but wasn't posted on the main page this time. Maybe I should have categorized it under
"Artist: PHISH" instead of "Mike Gordon" but it was probably not posted up there because it was a little too jaded.
My Trusted MOGs
arggghhh - that was for your pirate picture
My Trusted MOGs
My Trusted MOGs
dead c- it all comes full circle now!
My Trusted MOGs
ahhhh