Fink's Travels

Before giving some thoughts on last night I would like to expand something from my previous post. I said that during an out there melt that "this is where we lose the women". I am very good friends with and know a lot of women that get Phish/get IT. I travel with some of them. However there are more women (girls?) that don't understand Phish. They will be able to dance and sing along to some songs (sample or bouncing) but it isn't in their blood and their soul like the rest of ours. A deep and dark and dirty and out there melt isn't going to convert any non phan girls until they have had that moment where we finally got IT. There is a reason that the line is out the door at the men's room during set break while women walk in and out no problem. My apologies to the women that do get IT, much love and respect to all of you beautiful phish loving women.  I flew into Vegas mid-afternoon Thursday. It's always fun boarding plane and talking story with fellow...

I woke up Wednesday morning a bit nervous and anxious....later that evening Phish and the Giants would be colliding right next to each other in the heart of San Francisco. Two of my biggest passions in the world. Two things that have made me who I am. Two of the things that I (probably) care too much about. Two communities that I am a proud part of. Two logos that appear on more of my apparel than anything else. Two things that have helped me bond with friends and family. And the result of one would have an enormous impact on the other.  I started the day by grabbing a burger with Chuck for our one meal of the day (or so I thought). He's been a great host and I have really enjoyed my time hanging in inner sunset with him...what a very cool part of a very cool city. We stuffed our faces with burgers, onion rings and a vanilla malted milk shake - fuck it, if there was ever a day to live life to the extreme it was today. We then walked over to the viewing deck of the de Young museu...

My day was super mellow but productive - productive by catching up on sleep. Other than the standard one meal a day while on tour (a great, cheap, filling meal at Chucks local inner sunset diner) I didn't do much. Finally headed over to the venue to dump some tickets. I saw big crowds begin to gather....for the World Series viewing party at the civic center park across the street from the venue. The combining of giants fans and phish phans was destined to be an interesting commingling of people. Whenever phish crowds mix with non-phish crowds, I am always reminded of the fox show in Atlanta in 1994 when we walked out into the middle of Freaknik...the African American spring break that spiraled so out of control Atlanta eventually had to shut it down. That night I think the Freaknik people were more freaked out by the Phish folk than the other way around. Anyway, Lance and I went into the waterwheel event at 4:30. One of the things I love most about Phish is the community and it w...

My thoughts on this show will be more personal for this experience. For a better recap of the show and a different take on last night by a much better writer than me be sure to check out my specially requested review by  Paul y.  http://phishcoventry.blogspot. com/…/phish-setlist-102714-sa… After a couple of hours sleep, a flight to San Francisco and a giant coffee, I spent the off day at game five of the World Series (because why wouldn't you). Saw some phriends (doing tour the right way) at the game with the same Idea and we were all fortunate to witness one of the greatest pitching performances of all time. I was with  Jeanine ,  Kira ,  Barry  and  Cindy . At the end of the game I started to tear up and take it all in - what a beautiful way to end one of the greatest weekends of my life. I attempted to DVR the moment in my mind. What a special memory to always have.  We had a mellow Monday in San Francisco including some delicious dim s...

Every day that I wake up and get to see Phish is a special day. Better said, every day that I wake up has the potential to be a special day (and fortunately for me quite a few of them are), however when hopping out of bed knowing I am about to see phish basically guarantees that it is going to be a beautiful day. Yesterday when waking up (even hung over from the previous nights LA shenanigans), I had an extra special feeling as I was about to see Phish in my hometown for the first time since 2003. I was also feeling a bit anxious as I had lots of things to take care of to try and make this Phish experience a special one for the people that I was hosting....86 tickets, approximately 1/3 of whom were seeing Phish for the first time. I always want Phish to bring it but I had an extra desire for a good (and accessible for the unfamiliar) show.  We had a big crew meet up and pregame at Old Town Mexican Cafe. It was fun and festive as everyone was getting in the spirit. It also kicked of...

Ones phish experience is a combination of the music and the environmental factors. Today was a beautiful combination of an incredible phish show and incredible phish experience. After driving back from Santa Barbara, we had a nice dinner at the fish market before turning in early for our off day. I spent time with the dogs and really enjoyed waking up in my own bed (for the third of four times this tour!) knowing I was seeing Phish play that night. What a treat. Back to the experience....we organized a 50 person bus to take us from San Diego to the forum and back. It was a beautiful shit show. At locken this year Jaclyn and Valerie taught me all about slapping the bag of wine. The wine made its way up and down the bus aisle. People were in a festive party mood. We had a great driver who pretty much let everything go. I controlled the music both to and from the venue....being the organizer has its perks. Prince Loring park sessions 77 FTW. We partied hard on the way to the show, the mi...

We spent the day hanging at the beach. It was a perfect southern California day, sun was shining, water was glistening slow breeze was blowing. After a bit of an off night 10/21, perhaps Phish spent the day outside and took advantage of the lovely day because they came out and played their best show of the tour to date. We arrived early and ended up in a great spot in the third row.  Soul Shakedown was a perfect opener given the history of the Santa Barbara Bowl, Bob Marley and the official Phish picture posted of Trey looking at Marley from night one. The wedge is always and enjoyable number and Undermind hit the spot. Tasty Jesus, the start of the water theme with a well executed ASIHTOS and strong close with Melt and Walls of the Cave. I think Walls is a great set closer - Trey added some extra mustard to the end of the song and left the stage with a shit eating grin on his face. This was easily the best first set of the tour and one of the best first sets of the year. The bo...

After a beautiful drive up the coast featuring stellar views of the pacific we rolled into the picturesque town of Santa Barbara. Featuring one of my favorite wine regions to the East (home of the film Sideways) and the longest stretch of coastline to the west, Santa Barbara is a super cute Southern Californian town promoted as the American Riviera. Our crew is gathering in numbers as the tour rolls on. With an early start time we walked a mile from the main town to the show. It is a surreal walk to the venue through the streets of SB. A few turns and all of the sudden in the most residential of neighborhoods we came upon the Santa Barbara Bowl. It has a red rocks like climb to the venue (granted at sea level) to a beautiful, old school amphitheater carved into the hills...right next to million dollar mansions. We lingered and took in some beautiful views of the pacific from the top of the venue and then settled into our seats for the show... The first set starts with a relatively ...

Small crew (Jar,  Lisa ,  Jaclyn Hirsch  and Tessa) for the show but also got to spend some time with  Brian  and  Blaine  for his first hometown show ever. Tickets were everywhere outside - Tessa is 2 for 2 on miracles thus far this tour. Pretty awesome view of the space needle walking in next to park. We settled into our seats mike side and had a perfect view of fishman drumming. Its amazing to watch the robot work. First thing I not iced when the show started is how awful the sound at key arena is. Old venue, has an echo. Meh. The only banners hanging in the arena are the Seattle Storm - a sad reminder of of OKC stealing the Sonics. Trey was in a (too long) t-shirt and lol like he just woke up...typically a good sign. Cavern and the obvious Wilson had the place rocking early and trey was in a great mood. Standard first set Moma...but then the energy was sucked right out of the building. Line, sugar shack (trey just throwing mike a bone or something)...

Our crew was small for this run... Lisa ,  Jaclyn , JAR, Kasey and me. We lined up at 5:40 and went in right as doors opened. We ended up in the second row with plenty of dance space. First set started slow (waiting all night tour opener? Fuego songs will still be in heavy rotation). Then the boys found their groove with a nearly flawlessly played Reba. Then Roggae and maze also played well. Maze had trey and page g oing back and forth. Carini was solid, very reminiscent of the AC carini from 2012. Mid second set meh but saved by twist, an awesome xeyed and hood. After the set ended, Trey looked at me and did a double take them acknowledged my first time worn shirt. Picture below. Trey was in a good mood, loved the 3 song encore w funny story about how sleeping monkey was Pages favorite song and included the audience sing along for the final frame. Loved how they played in that nice west coast patient way. Trey was having fun, boys were tight. Very solid tour opener Ina. Cool town....