Phish Returns this Weekend, but are they Really Gonna Be...Back?

Big Shocker for the topic of the week, huh? Yup, that's right after what seems like an eternity Phish returns to the stage this weekend in their home-court venue or as close as it gets to home, the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, VA. In my younger days (that makes me sound so old), I ventured to Hampton twice, during the 1999 Holiday run and the re-union shows of 2003.

Ah yes, for those fortunate enough to be going - cherish the event and spectacle that it is. For me, each venture was quite the difference in contrast. In 1999, I skipped an exam in college and drove about 95 mph with my good buddy Rou and caught a couple phenomenal shows. Popping my Hampton-cherry was one of the more memorable experiences of my Phish-going days (again, I'm not that old).

Meanwhile in 2002, the experience was much different for several reasons. Well, for one I was no longer a college student and another was the connection seemed somewhat lost for reasons I've often thought about in regards to "post-hiatus" Phish, which I'll touch in just a second. Of course, I had and never have any regrets about that journey - despite that being one of the last times I've seen Phish (sans a Vegas trip in 2003).

The "post-hiatus" Phish experience was different for me on a few levels. As mentioned the connection just seemed a bit distant. I mean it's easy to get lost in the thoughts of "I'm FREEEEEEEE" when in essence in youth, we are free. However, post-college Phish was more like "damn, I'm free for about 48 more hours before I have to get my ass back in that miserable office." Ah, but I digress.

And now the point that many have pointed to in regards to post-hiatus Phish. The music was a bit sloppy. It just didn't seem the same, sure they were rusty, but it just seemed off in a sense. Yes, there were some phenomenal shows during those years, but few and far between from what I recalled as "my" glory years of 1994-1999 (and even earlier). I thought maybe I was just being a snob, but I've felt some reassurance from others that yes, the music was slightly off. Correct me here, just a little off, but certainly not terrible.

So, on the eve of the weekend Phish returns, Rupes and I were discussing just what to expect. For the record, that prick is going this weekend (the fortunes of living in New York). I on the other hand will be stuck on the beautiful sunny west coast, which Phish somehow managed to ignore in their comeback. Bitter, a little. Well, Rupes popped this question to me.

"On a scale of 1 to 10, where do you predict Phish will be? I bet about a solid 5. They have a lot of mediocre material out there that I suspect will be around for good. I don't think I have really loved a new song since Farmhouse that I can think of. Mexican Cousin I love, but that's mainly because I like tequila."

Excellent point. And this really got me thinking? Will they be back, I mean really back? Hmm. My thoughts; I think a 5 to 7 range is a good call. I think they were super rusty last time they came back in 2002. And I also think that they've had to of listened to Coventry and realized they had some MAJOR work to do.

My guess is they've been jamming and practicing more and more with anticipation for this return. Of course, I think they'll have some stale/flat moments, but they'll definitely have some peak moments where you're like damn - that's exactly how I remembered them. It has to be that way...right?

Let's face it, you stop and think about it and compare pears and mangos. The Dead really peaked as a band in '77 - they were pretty solid from '74 through '79 (depending on your preference - sans 76 when they took the year off). However, the "great" shows were few and far between in the early 80's. Yes, there are some solid ones, but not like '77 when almost every show was smoking.

I think you have to go all the way up to the end of 1986 when Garcia finally got healthy again (post-heart attack) and then they seemed to re-energize all over again. My argument is that they indeed peaked again from like 1987-1993. Obviously, things took a turn late in 1993 and by 1994 and 1995 the music was merely "so-so" with some gems sprinkled in there.

So honestly, I see no reason why Phish can't peak again. They aren't that old and they certainly aren't as weathered as the Dead were back then. Plus, they aren't really coming back because they need to support everyone like Jerry and the Dead often felt as an external pressure. Phish is coming back just to come back, because they love playing together.

All "great" bands have to take the time to rejuvenate or re-invent the wheel slightly at some point. I mean the Rolling Stones have been touring forever. There were definitely some down years or even an era of Stones shows, where the band was fucked up or just not in sync. It's the same for most any band out there. It happens.

If we're led to believe that Trey was in fact "effed" up during the first post-hiatus comeback in 2002-2004 it would explain a lot of the sloppy play and lack of original soul the band had. However, now he's proclaimed to be as sober as can be and to be honest, just hearing some of his recent solo gigs, he's definitely got a certain umph or soul back. Maybe it was the drugs or maybe it was just him being burnt out or un-inspired.

There's no doubt it's possible and believe it or not, I think phish has an immense pressure on them to prove their time hasn't passed them by. Personally, I'd pit 1989 Jerry Garcia vs. 1977 Jerry Garcia any day of the week. Both years he was absolutely on fire (imho) and that's a 12 year gap. So, yes I'm very optimistic for Trey to regain his mystique. Am I over thinking the case and shouldn't I just be friggin' happy that Phish is back?

Of course, but isn't critiquing the band and certain shows what makes it all worth while? If you have no measuring stick how can argue over whether the "Bathtub Gin" you heard at the Gorge compares to the PNC "Gin" from 2000?

So, my bold prediction is that by the summer they are in full swing and hitting on all cylinders like the glory days. Just my guess, but I see a new era of Phish starting this weekend and the band once again peaking to the level we always knew and loved.

Cheers to you going if you're going this weekend, I'm definitely jealous. Regardless, you deserve it.