^ Welcome, thanks for sharing… Hope you have fun when you finally get to see them haha. I will say that The Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane were the “fathers” of this sort of music among others. But other than that 
good read man. i had very similar story myself–didn’t hear any phish until my sophomore year in high school (2005…oops)
My fiance had her life changed this last weekend, she now “see’s the path ahead of her” much more clearly and simply
good story=) welkum! I’ll be at the deer creek and alpine shows…I, like you, did not get into see phish my first trip to alpine on 08/01/98, but man, I had a great time trying and just soaking in the vibes.
Finally saw them on 07/19/03 and havent missed a deer creek or alpine show since. You are gonna be one happy feller when those notes come to envelope you=)
good tale.
i first saw phish in '96 knowing very little about them (had heard bouncin on the radio). i was extrememly confused/plesantly suprised by what i saw. good times.
Welcome aboard buddy! Hope your first show is as amazing as mine. One word of advice, get to the Bonnaroo show extra early, cuz if you wait to long you will be really really really far away from the band, kinda like your first Alpine experience. That being said, good read and glad to have yet another new member here in OKP land!
Phish changed my hair. It went from nice and short to long and scraggly.
Enjoy your first shows. ;D
Love to hear stories about “first-timers”! It’s always nice to see how music, or one band in particular, can have such an impact on one’s life.
I too remember my first show in '96 (Alpine no less!!). Didn’t know too much about them, except for a couple of tunes. First show, didn’t get either of the songs I knew, but it certainly changed my life.
Can’t wait to read your post after the June shows. Have a blast, soak it in, and enjoy the ride!
It’s great that the love for this band can transcend generations like this. I know people from all walks of life and all age groups that share in the groove. The music truly is timeless.
I too got into phish around 2004, my freshman year of college. I was always into music and went to a lot of shows but, man, phish really did something to me too. I missed the '04 tour in ATL and was to meek to go ticketless to the lot. In retrospect, I’m kinda glad I did miss it. From the tapes I hear and the stories I’ve heard the boys were not on their game. I’m sure I would have enjoyed myself (or perhaps YOU would have enjoyed myself), but, after these tapes, this weekend, OH SHIT! It is on! I’m a Bonnaroo veteran who swore it off, but now I’m going back. It’s amazing what Phish will make me do. Ill be at Knoxville too making a week of it. I hope to see all of your positive faces this summer! Heres to a phresh phamily of old and new!
Just wait til you’re there and those lights go down for the first time.
My first was in 97, and like Paul&Gene I was confused & surprised. I also probably knew less about Phish at that point than you do now. If had as much experience listening to them as you do, my first show would have totally blown my mind.
But, once you see 2-3 shows, you’ll get used to them blowing your mind. Welcome - I’m very excited for you.
Good tale Pat, welcome as well!!!
You will have a ton of fun at Alpine!!! Such a great venue, and the sight of my last Phish show, 06-24-04…I can’t wait till June to see them again…
Just wait till you walk inside and see the lawn…
Great to see fans who fell in love with the band from 04’ and beyond…
weekapat,
please repost after the alpine show. i’d love to hear your thoughts. great post…
thanks everyone for taking the time to read, this is a hell of a board i really like it so far really good vibes goin on. i will absolutly be back with some reviews/stories after these shows. Never been to a roo’ but my brother is going with and hes been to 3 so im sure he will show me the ropes and such, and i know it is a very over populated fest, i will defintly get to the show early as possible and enjoy my very first phish show. 
welcome new pa members, thanks for sharing pat
Will, when did they change my life for ever? LOL!
When I send you stuff 
I am so bad at this game. Never trade with me people. Consider me YEM.
Great post… takes me back. First time I heard of Phish was '95 and I was sitting around a campfire at 4 in the morning and someone there told us the Gamehenge story verbally (word for word as far as I can tell). When school started after that summer, a friend hooked me up with my first tape (back in the day when tapes were still the rage): GAMEHENGE!!! Memorized every song/word/note seemingly. First shows were Deer Creek '96 (now Live Phish #12). Life surely took a turn after that. Now I’ve seen shows everywhere from the Gorge in Washington to The Great Went in Maine and many stops in between.
Definitely repost after you are no longer a Phish show virgin. Can’t wait to read the reply!!! =)
This is good, the Phamily is growing stronger by the day.
No, you got it wrong… My life was changed on 3/22/93! Never YEM
I figured, but I also figured no one would understand my post 