I was thinking about this. We know know that break up was caused by drugs and the whole thing getting too big. But review the shows in the 9 months before the breakup. There was IT and the shows at the end of the summer tour which most phans will say is good solid playing. There was the 20th year fall tour which had some great shows in it, and then the New Years Run which kicked ass. Most of these shows were great. then there was Vegas, which has always struck me as a low point for Phish. There were some highlights of the run though. Anyway it seems like this was the first substandered run in almost a year, and then following it was the breakup anouncement. Was this the straw which broke the cameles back to cause the breakup?^
It’s quite an interesting theory. I do agree that summer 2003, IT, and NYE showed that band still had the potential to play well. I honestly have not heard much at all from Vegas 04, nor do I plan too. It just doesn’t strike me as something to listen to, and well, maybe it made the band think twice about things. I just don’t know. :-/
Yes! I think the Vegas shows did. They sounded horrible and the scene was even worse. Those Vegas shows, if not the straw that broke the camels back, they were at least the begining of the end. Who knows when Trey made his mind up, but I remember that alot of people were already worried about them in Vegas. The crew didn’t want the boys there.
This thread has reaffirmed my desire to never go to Vegas.
Vegas is fun fluffybunny. You should make it out here sometime.
I do agree with ghost and gamecat that there were some low points. Trey totally fucked up DWD, among others. His voice was shot and sounded horrible. I heard it was a cold but you could tell Trey was living it up out here. I don’t think the shows made them break up per se, but I do think the scene was out of control. Trey didn’t help himself by coming out here and having a big party.
Overall, I thought the third night was really good. You might want to check that one out.
In some sick way, I actually like the shows where they’re clearly off and there’s only one or two highlights. I don’t think I’d pay money to hear the Vegas run, but I’m morbidly curious about bad Phish shows. I still want to hear the Amsterdam 96 show.
oh god…
in some way that just made me laugh pretty hard. thanks
Oh, don’t say that! You have to go once. It’s the best playground for adults.
Just don’t bring your band there when your all burned out.
I recommend going for a 3 day weekend. You don’t need more then 3 days in Vegas. Especially for your health. 3 days, 3 nights, and get the hell out.
I think I may have mentioned this a while ago, and I don’t even remember where I heard this…but I heard a major contributing factor to the breakup was phans’ comments about how shitty the vegas run was on phantasytour…like i said, i have no idea if that’s true…but I heard Trey read some reviews calling him out on how crappy he played…saying he lost IT and whatnot…I just hope Trey sticks to reading this board in the future if that is true.
Let’s think; what does Vegas have?
Casinos: a place to waste your money
Strip Clubs: it’s like teasing a homeless person with food, just not good
Shows: there might be some good ones, but there are shows in other places
So Vegas is 0 wins 2 losses 1 tie
Is there anything else worthwhile in Vegas?
^ … I’m sure Marley will have something to say about this! Give it to em Marley!
We do have great restaurants, great weather, former mafia lawyer for a mayor, plus it is now the plastic surgery capitol of the world. That’s very easy on the eyes, if you know what I mean.
(.Y.)
I love las vegas! It’s definetely entertainment central for me.
not to mention 24 hour booze, and you can carry it on the street!
I remember dying of laughter Halloween 98 after seeing all the wookies staring at the slots and giggling uncontrollably at the pretty lights and sounds. Talk about entertaining!
Is he still going to cut people’s thumbs off for grafitti? That crazy fuck…what scares me about Vegas is the whole 20 years for posession rule…That’s what makes me not care if I ever go to Vegas for a concert.
Back to the point: I have those shows in case anyone is interested.
Solid, yes. But have you seen the dvd? Trey was obviously already pretty strung out at that point.
I personally think Trey was considering it after the anniversary run in late Nov-early Dec of 2003. I saw Trey perform w/ Dave Matthews and friends just before Christmas in 2003 and on the bootleg I have he says to Dave on stage during the acoustic set and before they did “Waste” He says to him that he wants to do the part with “don’t wanna do anything where I don’t know when to stop.”
i was on the floor all three nights for those shows. I’d agree that the first night is unlistenable, but the next 2 I really enjoyed, especially the 2nd set of the 3rd show…