Thursday, 5 Jun 2008
I’ve spoken very little of my college days following Phish from city to city for weeks at a time during my summer sabbatical. While I was very much the opposite of what many would consider the typical Phish fan, I definitely enjoyed the music before inevitably burning out on the group because I listened to nothing but them for about two solid years.
That being said, I think the demise of Phish actually opened up the gateway for a large number of people who, with no single band to hold the torch and keep their attention, were forced to branch out into all sorts of genres, thus making for a better overall live music scene.
Former Phish bassist Mike Gordon is embarking on a solo tour including a stop at the Majestic Theatre in Madison on Wednesday, September 3rd. Though he’s most famous for his contributions to the aforementioned jam band kingpins, I have to say I’ve found some of his finest work in the collaborations with guitarist Leo Kottke. Perhaps you’ve heard and enjoyed Clone and Sixty Six Steps as well. Thoughts?
Tickets: $20 Advance / $25 Day of Show
On Sale: Friday, June 13th
Myspace: Mike Gordon
Find MP3′s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic
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June 5th, 2008 at 7:23 am
Mike has quietly turned into one of the best bass players around. Starting with the later Phish years, and continuing into his various solo projects and, as you said, his collaborations with Kottke, his playing and songwriting have both improved tremendously. Whatever this new project ends up sounding like, the fact that it’s Mike guarantees that it’ll be interesting.
Thanks for the notice – out of curiosity, is there a page with info on this and other MG shows? I didn’t see it on his Myspace or mikehyphengordon.
June 5th, 2008 at 10:15 am
if that doesn’t get ya goin’, i don’t know what will. However, I will still patiently wait for that OTHER big announcement
June 5th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
I did a lot of the same back in college. Went to 50 or so Phish shows from ’96-’00. Also wasn’t the typical fan, I guess, as I was mostly into Pavement, Beck, Modest Mouse, Ween sorta stuff at the time and had no interest in the drug scene. Haven’t kept up with the band or its members at all since the hiatus.
June 5th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
To answer my own question: Mike’s tourdates are up at his Myspace, http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=54309393
Including an appearance at Outside Lands in SF
June 6th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
I couldn’t agree more with the first two paragraphs on your post…Phish breaking up was a gateway drug for the music scene in general. I firmly believe that Bonnaroo 2002–and most subsequent festivals–would not have happened had Phish still been touring. As much as I love them, their time was up. They (or at least Trey) just don’t have it anymore and I hope the recent reunion rumors are false.
June 6th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Interesting to hear others that weren’t the standard issue Phish fan. I also had no interest in the drug scene but absolutely loved Phish (still do). I still have over 400 burned Phish CDs sitting under my bed. I still pull them out about once every few months, but after they disbanded and I finished college, I got into the “indie” scene and don’t follow jambands at all.
I saw Gordon and Kottke at the 2nd Bonnaroo. It was an interesting show but nothing amazing. I think it would have been a lot more enjoyable in a setting like the Pabst vs. 95 degree heat outside.