What can you really expect? You went to Bonnaroo and are mentioning corporate money whores.

I know what you’re talking about and I’ve been to PHISH shows with you before. Plus, do you think that I pay for these shows like that or buy dry goods gear? You know I don’t. I did that whole last tour and didn’t pay for most of the shows. I gave 10 bucks to a door guy in ATL, snuck into Brooklyn, Spac, etc. We even drove a van into Bonnaroo without tickets or paying before that run started. My whole point is to do this shit right.

Some people are gonna want to buy expensive tickets and gear and food etc etc etc. That always happens. I don’t think any of your friends do that. Their ticket price is pretty standard compared to a lot of shit. Whatever, I know you so I know that you have to show a different angle, which I actually appreciate.

As far as this comment “They can do anything they want and do no wrong in the eyes of their drug addled phans”

I think that’s a huge misconception because I’ve never seen a more critical fanbase ever. I’m sure that Katy Perry’s fans are not any where near as discerning.

I went to the Phisharoo (Bonnaroo ’09) and, yes Phish sounds like Phil & Friends meaning they are practicing, and playing crowd pleasers and actually trying. Funny beacause I really am beginning to loathe Phish.

For me it’s too little too late.. I enjoy the lot scene and concerts are always fun (perhaps it’s because I am of that mid 80s generation who didn’t listen to a Phish record until ’98)but Phish specifically pisses me off.

The band are moneywhores (remember the “official bootlegs” that came in it’s own Phish Case Logic?) and they know people will go see them because the Dead don’t exist in any pure form and who will the hippies go to see? But not just hippies,the wide arrangment of dirtybutts you mentioned (druggies, rednecks etc)support the band to the point of underappreciation of the fanbase. They can do anything they want and do no wrong in the eyes of their drug addled phans;
1. $300 show in the middle of nowhere, only rich kids and locals who saved up a weeks pay can go.
2. Absolutely shite ear-stabbing covers of AC/DC and WEEN which folks go nuts for.
3. Ridiculous merch pricing, you know how many rolls I’d have to sell to afford a shirt with town names printed on the back?
4. The crunchiness of the scene is way worse than the hippies portrayed on South Park “Die Hippy, Die”.

To me Phish is a bad arena rock band whose shitty vocals arent complimentary like the Grateful Dead.
My response is that of Peter Griffin watching Paul Riser standup; “someone who has time to fritter away, but not me..”
Phish is only reunited because of the recession.

All said, I would have loved to go to the Gorge shows and Phestival 8. I just can’t afford to be a Phish Phan.