Episode 2 - Convince Me To Like... PHISH!
In Episode Two, Phish fanatic and SUPER FAN, Brian Bavosa, who has seen Phish live 454 times(!!), professes his love for Phish and defends the Vermont four-some against the quick-witted and hilarious Tim Harrington, the singer and front man of the legendary indie-rock outfit, Les Savy Fav.
THE GUESTS
THE SUPER-FAN
brian bavosa
A note from PHISH SUPER FAN Brian on the band:
"Phish to me is simultaneously the most communal, yet individually personal aspect of my life.
Phish is juxtaposition: dark, uplifting, beautiful, funky, rocking and soul searching - in every show.
But these days what keeps me coming back is that I love sharing experiences with like minded people, while also seeing a band that is incredibly talented and mirrors many aspects of what being alive - in Music and Life is all about."
BRian’s super fan Phish playlist
Commentary on Brian’s Super Fan Playlist in his own words:
"Slave to the Traffic Light" - My favorite Phish song, and one of their earliest compositions, that has stood the test of time over the band's 36+ year history. Often closing a set or show, the gentle, delicate thunder of this song culminates in a euphoric peak and release that is the perfect ending to a Phish show and experience. It offers the perfect juxtaposition of the darker jams and wildness that often ensues prior throughout a show - the ultimate end of the road, leading home, after a long journey.
"Lifeboy" - Arguably my favorite Phish lyrics written by Tom Marshall, longtime band lyricist, and childhood friend of Phish front man, Trey Anastasio. A true introspective, spiritual song of sorts, this tune always hit me right in my soul and reminds me that there is a bigger picture for all things. A very personal tune.
"Chalkdust Torture" - One of Phish's most well-beloved tunes, "Chalkdust" is a breakneck rocker that Anastasio has often said is his favorite to play live. Referencing the "torture" of sitting in a classroom, this song is an energetic jolt of electricity and always a fun reminder with the song's chorus: "Can't this wait 'til I'm old? Can't I live while I'm young?!"
"Rose are Free" - A Ween cover song debuted by Phish in the legendary Fall tour of '97, this version from the "Island Tour" is without a doubt the best, and longest, version ever played. It show's Phish's patience, jamming abilities, and is an amazing remembrance of the band at one of their creative, high water marks.
"Simple" - Another Phish anthem, Simple starts with one of the most recognizable guitar lines in the band's repertoire. Mixing another Phish trademark of some non-nonsensical lyrics, along with other lines that every fan recognizes, such as "We've got it Simple, 'cause we've got a band!" This version from the famed "Baker's Doen" run at Madison Square Garden in 2017 - a 13 show residency with zero repeats - is one that goes well outside the song's typical structure, and enter true bliss territory. A fantastic version.
“Cities" - "Berkeley jam" 8.6.10 - "Cities," a cover of The Talking Head's tune, absolutely drips into a plinko-funk excursion this night at the storied Greek Thatre in Berkeley.
"Free" - Live in Brooklyn - "Free is arguably" the quintessential Phish song, especially from, a lyrical perspective, expressing a sense of letting go and leaving things behind. This version of "Free" is a crunchy, guitar led version that perfectly captures the band's sound on what was billed as their final tour ever (at the time), Summer 2004. A go-to version for many fans, this one is razor sharp and dark at times.
"Suzy Greenberg" > "Darien Jam #1" - LivePhish 9.14.00 - My favorite version of "Suzy Greenberg" - this one from Darien Lake, which is basically a giant, white circus looking tent, next to an amusement park, breaks the mold and features some funk and start/stop jamming.
"Weekapaug Groove" > "Sea and Sand" - Live at Madison Square Garden New Year's Eve '95 - Often referred to as THE greatest, single show the band has ever played, New Year's Eve '95 at Madison Square Garden (the band's first of now countless NYE's at the Mecca), this version of "Weekapaug Groove" goes completely Type-II and strays from the original, bouncy bass lines into a percussion heavy orbit. After some deep, exploratory jamming, the band settles into the second-ever version of The Who's "Sea and Sand," which was debuted two months earlier on Halloween '95, as their "Musical Costume." These "costumes," in which they cover complete albums by other artists as part of their Halloween shows. Yet another reason this band is more creative and unparalleled when it comes to breaking new ground and imagination.
"Tweezer" - 2.28.03 - A top version of the band's most exploratory song, this "Tweezer" from the mini, winter tour of 2003 is simply peak, upon peak, upon peak, and harnesses the band's raw energy and power. A true all-timer. Just listen and feel alive during this one!!!
"Possum" > "Can't Turn You Loose" - 12.29.97, MSG - For many newer fans of Phish, many could complain that "Possum" would be played too often in the 3.0 era. For me, I will never complain, often thinking back to the rip-roaring, sing-along versions from the '90's that absolutely brought the house down, with white lights illuminating the crowd, and 15,000 fist pumps in the air simultaneously. This version offers that breakneck pace and leads into a jam of "Can't Turn You Loose," most commonly known as the Blues Brothers theme.
"Taste" - 7.22.97, Walnut Creek, NC - A first set closer from this show, this is an example of the the music - and weather - playing the band. An epic, driving rainstorm, complete with monstrous thunder and lightning strikes come dangerously close to the venue, but not while allowing the band to channel Mother Earth's kinetic energy into a powerful, punctuation point in this "Taste."
"Ghost" - 7.6.98 - Prague - "Ghost" is a Phish song that was born in '97 to two parents of ooey-gooey funk. By the overseas, European tour of '98, the band could recreate their sound and this tune into anything they wanted. This version from Prague in '98, has the band rumored to have drank absinthe, and features some of the most ridiculous guitar shredding from Anastasio that I've ever heard. This version is the definition of RELENTLESS and is the band just fuckin' blowing the lid off the Lucerna Theatre, for a smaller than normal sized audience at this point in their career. (There's also a great YouTube video my buddy Ethan Schwartz shot of this version that worth's checking out - incredible energy).
"Fast Enough for You" - Rift (Studio Album, 1993) - A very underplayed (these days), and extremely underrated song in the band's catalogue, "Fast Enough for You" debunks the myth that all of Phish's lyrics are silly, and can't write good songs. This studio version features Gordon Stone on pedal steel adds just enough ambiance , and along with a patient, yet soaring guitar solo form Anastasio, gives you all the chills you need.
"You Enjoy Myself" - Chicago' 94 (6.18.94) - Probably the most classic and well-known Phish song in the canon, "You Enjoy Myself" was one of the first masterpieces Anastatsio ever wrote (or rather, composed). This song simply needs to be heard each and every time, and showcases the different changes, styles, soaring guitar solos and complete shredding, and technical abilities of the band as a whole, ending with a whole lot of silliness. Yup, Phish is a nutshell.
"Harry Hood" - A Live One - "Harry Hood" is another old-school, classic Phish tune. Named after the Hood dairy mascot, who resided on a building near the band's college house in the '80's in Burlington, VT, "Hood" is a song that never disappoints, and is another example of how the band patiently builds into a soaring crescendo that simply feels like your soul gets shot out a cannon. After all, "You can feel good about Hood!"
THE HATER
TIm Harrington
Some biographical information on Tim taken from Wikipedia
Tim Harrington has been the lead singer of New York indie rock band Les Savy Fav since they formed while together at Rhode Island School of Design in 1995. He is notable for his energetic stage performances which often include multiple changes of clothing and performing in his underwear. He describes his style as "acting entirely by my own desire and what moves me. I've always felt like the only real people I'm particularly trying to entertain are the rest of the guys in the band and myself". He fronted a video series called "Beardo" on Pitchfork Media.
Harrington has also been a professional designer, illustrator, and fine artist since 1996, creating a range of "bummer postcards" and illustrations, including the sleeve art for Les Savy Fav albums. He launched a line of textiles and patterned products with his wife Anna called Deadly Squire. In May 2013 HarperCollins' Balzer & Bray published his interactive children's picture book called "This Little Piggy", which was described as a "humorous, fresh take on the nursery rhyme ‘This Little Piggy,’ featuring drumming, dancing, and superhero toes,”.