9-19-99 -- Irvine Meadows, Irvine, California

Date: Fri, 24 Sep 1999 15:15:46 EDT
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: 9/19/99 Irvine Review
 
9/19/99 Irvine Meadows, Irvine CA
 
Thoughts on Irvine: Orange county is notorious for its right-wing
conservatism.  I'm glad i don't live there, I know many people who grew up
with the Orange county mentality..it's not a pretty sight.  Besides the Cop
Parades that marched up and down the square, there were yellowjacketed staff
busting people...I heard there were 8 arrests and that was right after the
lot had opened!  Parked right across from me was a friend whom I had met
through another frined but didn't recognize at the Santa Barbara Phil and
Friends show.  This time, it was certain and he marched right up to me...I
had recognized him by this point.  We hung out, talked...got a good feeling
going before the show.  All in all, I didn't think the lots were bad at all.
They were quite mellow and pleasant.  We started off with seats dead center
and at the top of the Loge section.  The sound was great, but Trey's guitar
was definitely louder than it had been before.
 
Set I: NICU-A great opener...got us boogeying right away.  I love the feel of
this song.
Funky Bitch-Well, it's Funky Bitch...groovy as always.
First Tube-Again?  Who would have thunk that we would see a brand new song so
many times.  Oh well, tight as ever and fun to dance to.
Gotta Jiboo-Seeing as this was also a Gorge faded memory, it was nice to hear
it again.  This song feels great...and so does...
Heavy Things-I thought they were going to play Maze, Trey was playing that
high note on his guitar...but to my delight, they did Heavy Things.  This is
a real fun song and made me think a lot...about some heavy things.
Farmhouse-I think I went to the bathroom again...I like this song...why can't
it hold my attention?  In the bathroom line I ran into a client of where i
work...cool guy, was nice to see him and our rendevous reminded him to call
me for tapes.
Stash-Holy Stashes!!!!  This was another really nice Stash.  I don't know
what else to say.  This review seems to be really lacking so far.  I
apologize.  It was a very intense set closer though.  And as usual, the
lights were fantastic.
Hello My Baby-One more!!  Good.
 
Set II: Twist Around-This Twist kicked the Gorge's ass!  I'm pretty convinced
that they caught the bad vibe up at the Gorge.  I really got into this Twist
and it really raged.
Sand-I love this song, but Mike's bass was not as loud here...so the groove
was a little looser on our end.  Not as jammed out as Shoreline, but a nice
version anyway.
Velvet Sea-Yay!!!  What a beautiful song with beautiful words.  We were so
excited to finally get a Velvet Sea, unfortunately, I think Trey's volume
provided a distraction for the band and it was very sloppy.  My ears would
cringe every once in a while when the feedback became too much to bear.
Still a nice song though.
Squirming Coil->-Another?  Wow!  Page had some great understated piano work
here, very simple and melodic.  Provided a nice segue into...
Loving Cup-Okay, the Stones drive me nuts.  I actually detest this song,
especially the chorus.  Lucky for me, Phish jams.  And they jammed the crap
out of this song.  If a Stones tune was going to be our last...well, I
wouldn't have been ecstatic.  Luckier for me...
Down With Disease-Thank you Phish!!!  A weird beginning, as if they had just
decided to play it.  It rocked hard though.  A standard Disease...being
stellar of course...but some intense jamming towards the end, it was really
jumping and I love watching Trey taking care of that jumping urge.  I thought
"waiting for the time when I can finally say..." was a much better ending to
this chapter of our odyssey, and perhaps a hidden mesage to me as well.
E:Guyute->chuckle
Date: Mon, 03 Jan 2000 01:09:05 PST
From: Tara Rooney [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Review For You :-)

Hey-

Irvine, CA  9/9/99:

My friend and I had just moved out to California from New York.  We left
behind many chillin' friends and really disliked CA a lot.  A girl we had
just met told us about the show and we made it our priority to get there.
We did, and it was the closest thing to home that we had encountered so
far.
  Yeah, Irvine sucks but only they could make us feel like we were with
old friends.  They also played two of our favorites.  I'm just happy we
were there.

Tara


Date: Thu, 23 Sep 1999 16:28:30 -0700 (PDT)
From: Greg Kuchar [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Review - 09/19/99

What a night...This was the final show of my west coast run and the Boys
provided me with memories that I will look back at for many years to come
and...smile, smile, smile...

My friends and myself got to the lots around 4:20 (coincidence?)...The lot
was quite cool...except for the undercover cops running around busting
kids everywhere.  There was a crew of about 10 undercover cops running
around...they didn't fit in too well...so it was easy to "see" them
quickly. However, I did see them bust a few kids in the lots...Why can't
all of the lots be like Chula Vista?

I went into the show around 7:00 PM...I got my seat and found familiar
faces all around.  I love how mailorder provides tickets in blocks...for
example, I sat next to the same guys for the Boise, both Mountain View and
the Chula Vista shows.  My seat was first row in the "Orcestra"
section...so I was a bit elevated above the "Pit" area...basically I was
eye level with the Boys. Why does Page just stare at people in the crowd?  
I would watch him just look at people for a few minutes at a
time...frankly, it was kinda freaky...but ofcoure...quite cool too.

As for the show...my feeling is that anytime a show begins with NICU, it's
definitely going to be a "happy" show...(See the fist night at the Gorge
this past year as a good example of what is not a "happy" show...True, the
show was amazing...but it just had that "evil" quality to it...i.e.  What
was with their intermission music?  It was that spoken word piece with
statements like..."What are they doing under there?")  From there, they
busted out "Funky Bitch", "First Tube", "Gotta Jibbo", "Heavy Things",
"Farmhouse", "Stash" and "Hello My Baby".  The hightlight was definitely
"Stash"...amazing.  The first set was short...but quite sweet.

When the Boys came back onto the stage for the second set...I noticed Mike
put on his burgandy t-shirt and pants.  (He was wearing his orange shirt
and blue jeans to start the show.)  The second set started off strongly
with a jammed out "Twist Around".  Then, we got "Sand", "Wading in a
Velvet Sea", "Squirming Coil", "Loving Cup" and "Down with Disease".  The
encore was "Guyute" and "Character 0"...honestly, I was a bit disappointed
with the song selection from this night...however, they obviously enjoyed
playing these songs which is fine for me...  It's amazing...I saw "Down
with Disease" four times this past tour...and all four times they ripped
it! So, it's not so much the tunes...but the jamming.  However, it would
have been nice to get my "Reba"...which they played in Arizona...DUH!!!

The show all around was another excellent show, but average using the
Phish grading system.  I met alot of first timers there...and all came
away with a great experience.  I had a great time that night as well...I
met and danced the night away with a beautiful girl that magically
appeared and disappeared into the night after the show.  Are you out there
Catherine?

In conclusion, I went into the show with a smile on my face...and left the
show with even a bigger smile on my face... WHAT A NIGHT!  Now, I am
preparing for the NYE show in Florida.  I have my plane ticket, my show
ticket...so bring it on!  See everyone in Florida.

Peace,

Greg Kuchar
Las Vegas, NV

Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 17:07:11 -0700
From: Mark Allen Rath [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Irvine Review
 
Hands down, the best smelling venue in the nation.
 
Mark A. Rath
Thermal, CA

Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 14:03:07 -0700
From: Josh Heydorff [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Irvine
 
 
Prolgue;
 
       Lot Sucked!!!!!!! I HATE O.C. shows, They are cramped, stressful,
and Security needs to be back handed.  If you NoCal heads think you hate
L.A.( I don't know why), try going down to South O.C. ,It'll really piss
you off! The only reason I paid for a show at Irvine was because it was
the Phabulous Phoursome, otherwise Forget it.  I hope they never play
here again, The vibe, and venue was terrible compared to the night
before, but I did meet some wonderful people, which always happens at
Phish Shows.
 
SET I:
NICU Opener!!!!!! Hells yeah, Love this Tune, into FUNKY BITCH!!!!!! it
seemed that that the band Knew last night was special, and was trying to
match/or beat it.(It didn't happen, not even close). Then Second
TUBE!!!!!!!!( WOW< the Highlight of the 1st set)  Then Jiboo, love this
little tune, great chorus. Set 1 wided down with Ragtime Gal, I wish
they would have picked "Bill Bailey", but still, how many bands can bust
acapella like they can?
 
 
SetII
 
    I really wanted to hear PYITE, I figured that it would show up as
the 2nd set opener, but no, Twist instead.  Wasn't even thinking of this
for an opener, but it seemed to work.  I moved during Velevet sea, and
began wandering around up to the Grass, when Squirming Coil!!!! Yes!! I
haven't heard a good Coil for a while, and I thought it to be the best
time, to sit, pack, and puff.  Then, Oh my God !!!!! LOVING CUP  I
thought I heard it at the end of Coil, and then, there  it was, I
flipped out,  The O.C. tenny boppers next me looked at me like I was
retarded or something, I was thinking to myself; "Don't you little
bastards have school in the morning?" still, the cup flowed!!!
 
ENCORE:
 
    Guyute-Character Zero.  While I like these two songs a bunch, I was
really hoping for something spectacular (e.g. 10/29/98- Greek Theatre
Page singing "Something" by The Beatles) But instead, I left early, beat
the crowd out of the place, and scored a fat Lot shirt, and grinded on
Good 'ol Lot food prepared by Cute Hippie Girls (which by the way, there
were TONS of cute hippie chix there).  All-in-all, a good show, but not
a GREAT one, but with Chula Vista the night before, and Phil at
Shoreline, the Boys may have been a bit tired. However, CHRIS KURODA IS
AWESOME EVERY NIGHT!!
 
--
Josh Heydorff

 
Date: Thu, 23 Sep 1999 15:00:15 -0700
From: John Warner [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Irivine
 
HaHa Ha Ha Ha Ha  See that is why Irvine sucks!!!!!!!!!!!  Oh and next time
you try a stage dive at a phish show I hope you break your neck.  The naked
guy in the terrace really took the cake for me that night what a hoot. Ok
show though I got to see alot of Trey stuff that I hadn't gotten a chance to
see last spring.  well must get back to work wish I was headed to Texas
right now
 
c ya soon
 
john

Date: Wed, 22 Sep 1999 15:36:10 -0700
From: Pittsburgh - Patrick Wenzel [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: 9/18/99 and 9/19/99 shows
 
When I awoke on Saturday morning and checked Friday's Shoreline setlist,
I quickly became nervous that the two shows I was about to attend may be
anti-climatic after an appearance by Phil Lesh. Wow, was I wrong though.
The Chula Vista and Irvine shows were yet another display of Phish's
musical brilliance and really showed how loyal the band is to their
Phans.  Chula Vista was simply the most intense experience of my life,
sitting in the second row, watching Trey's face as he played. During
Tweezer it seemed he was almost laughing at the crowd because they kept
us engulfed in the rhythm for so long. Each song in the first set became
more and more mesmerizing until they finished off with an upbeat Rocky
Top which was the first time I was even able to catch my breath during
the show.  Amazing! The second set was equally  breathtaking, a
compilation of chords, lights, and voices.  Being in the second row was
a definite highlight for this rendition of the Meatstick as it was easy
to see how much fun the band was having up there. The beautiful drunk
girl in the purple dress that just wanted to touch Trey was hilarious to
watch, but I was more impressed with the first woman on stage who went
right up to Mike and started chit chatting. All in all a fun scene on
stage.  This was definitely a show that true Phish followers had to
appreciate because of the intense jams and the amazing energy of the
band together on stage. I thought Contact as the encore was an excellent
change of pace from the rest of the show and anytime you see a show open
with Tweezer and finish with Tweezer, you know you've seen something
special.
 
The Irvine show was planned perfectly to coincide with the Chula Vista
The Irvine show was planned perfectly to coincide with the Chula Vista
show. I felt like they came out with a really upbeat performance to
reward their followers for showing them so much respect the night before
as they went through jam after jam delivering what I believe to be one
of their best shows ever (the Chula Vista show).  Irvine had the feeling
of Phish throwing out treat after treat into the crowd, the whole
evening was truly eye and ear candy.  The entire first set kept the
crowd uplifted and dancing, I particulary enjoyed the spacey feeling
that First Tube brought over the crowd. Also, I can't imagine a better
way to end the first set, during Stash, the music really brought the
crowd up and down until they teased us with the maybe so or maybe not
lyrics and dropped into a jam that really tickled all your senses so
that you could really feel that something was stashed away at the end of
it. I would have been happy with the way Stash ended, but when they
gathered at the front of the stage and sang Hello My Baby, I really felt
rewarded.  The second set was even better with unbelievable renditions
of Loving Cup and a high paced Down With Disease to end the show. The
encore of Guyute and Character Zero continued the upbeat style show, its
always nice to hear some whistling. I was a bit surprised to see people
running up on stage, although they didn't interfere with the band, I'm
sure they broke some people's concentration on the music, but what can
you do.
 
Both venues were absolutely beautiful to watch a show at, with the
mountains and city lights in the distance behind the stage at Irvine
taking the cake. Sure security was tight at Irvine, compared to the
carefree attitude in the parking lot at Chula Vista, but seeing Phish
with the Irvine background is still very cool.  I think both venues know
more about the Phish crowd now and can relax a lot more the next time, I
mean drugs are one thing (and they are going to be there no matter what
security does) but the overall feeling of happiness and peace that
follows Phish is undeniable and arguing and fighting is really not an
issue as most everyone just wants to meet new and interesting friends to
philosophize with.
 
It was very moving to watch these two shows, Phish really showed its
versatility throughout the two evenings.  From amazing guitar riffs by
Trey, simply mesmerizing bass lines from Mike, fantastic sounds from
Page's keyboards, and some truly amazing beats set by Fishman, to the
amazing voices that each of them can use so well, they showcased all the
talent they possess in a two show span.  It is nice to see a band whose
members really enjoy each other on stage and can project that feeling
onto the crowd as well. It really makes you feel like you are part of
the show and that Phish truly cares how you are doing out there.
Unbelievable!!!!!!!
 
~ Pooldecked

Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 11:41:15 PDT
From: Todd Merriman [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Irvine Review
 
Sunday came along and I was pretty beat up from the Friday show in Shoreline
and Saturday in San Diego.  But after the Chula Vista show (the best of the
three IMO), I was ready to put on my rally cap and finally see a show in my
own backyard.  I had to wait for a buddy of mine cruising down from LA who
didn't show up until after 6 and who then proceeded to run out of gas on the
405.  We coasted into a gas station, got a tank, and rolled out again.
Redemption was in his hands.  He is forgiven.  Sharp driving and a great
parking job.  Kudos, Chris.
 
I feared the show last night wouldn't measure up because of it being (a)
Irvine (not the best venue soundwise, though it seemed alright last night),
(b) the follow-up to the wonderful Chula Vista show, and (c) the fourth show
for the guys in as many nights.  But a little NICU always gets the party
started.  That's what it kind of felt like tonight.  Just a little party
music. The new Trey tunes, which the first set really showcased, are really
good, for the most part.  I particularly like Heavy Things.  I read an
article in the LA Times and it sounds like the band really wants to make a
watershed album next time around (recording October-November).  They have a
good starting point.  Heavy Things sounds like a good album title to me.
Good visual.  Sorry, enough Nonsense.
 
Although I liked the first set, it wasn't, by any means, spectacular.  I was
very happy after set break to get a Twist Around opener.  Hadn't heard it in
a long time.  Really pleased.  Sand's a great new jam tune.  Didn't know
what it was at the time, but was really into it.  Next came Wading, which
everybody seems to knock.  It's as if Phish isn't allowed to write a good,
straight-forward rock tune or ballad.  Every thing's got to be charted and
heavily composed to be pleasing to the ears of fans.  I disagree.  Wading
may be a bit schmaltzy, but that's some of its charm, and, besides, its very
melodic and has great harmonies.  Always acceptable to me.  I was really
scared when Squirming Coil came on.  One because I had heard a pretty good
version of it a couple nights before, and, two, because I was afraid this
meant a short set.  Page went into the solo (which wasn't quite as inspired
as Shoreline) and I was saying to myself, "Give me Loving Cup.  Just start
in on it out of the solo.  Don't let it end so soon!"  Page was with me.  He
hit the first chords and the band wailed!  I've never heard the Stones do
it, but I can't imagine that even they can rock it out like Phish does.
Trey just explodes on this tune.  I was very happy!  Set one done--no!  Mike
fires up DWD.  A great, startling finish.
 
Encore was solid.  Guyute was fine and Charcter Zero thrashed around pretty
good.  I've seen them close sets and shows alot with this tune.  You can
tell Trey likes to tear his old Languedoc up on this one.
 
All in all.  A good show. But a good show by Phish is hundred times better
than an excellent one by any one else, eh?

Date: Thu, 23 Sep 1999 11:56:18 EDT
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: (no subject)
 
Just wanted to say that coming from NYC to see CA shows was very exciting
for
me until I saw the Irvine show.  Chula Vista was probably one of the coolest
venues Ive been to so far and the show rocked.  THe Irvine show definetely
could have been better.  I understand that it is hard to kick ass every nite
for these guys but Coil and barber shop songs should be removed from the
rotation completely.  If the band is tired there are plenty of easy songs to
be played.  These types of songs were cool in 94 when I started touring but
now they dont do much for me.  I guess every song cant be perfect.  That
wasnt the worst part though.  I think that if kids cant handle themselves in
the lot after the show, then mommy and daddy shouldnt let them tour.  Whats
up with the fighting?  Also I couldnt walk 15 feet w/o some kid trying to
sell me green triangles.  I like to trip just like the next guy but if I
tell
you Im not interested that doesnt mean that you have permission to follow me
around the lot.  Some other guy got mad at my friend because he wouldnt give
him a drag on his cigarette.  HERE COMES THE GOOD PART.  After all was said
and done, I still have faith in people because we lost our rental car key in
the lot and a girl derssed up like an angel came up to us and told us she
handed it in to security.  I would like to give 1000 thanks to this great
person who saved our asses.  May only good things happen to you.

Date: Wed, 22 Sep 1999 07:30:38 EDT
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: I was at the Irvine show...
 
This is how I feel about Irvine and on the other hand the show..
Orange co. really bites as far as the lots & cops & undercovers go, even
last
summer It was  hard to handle. But this fall was  really bad, they were
everywhere!!!! horrible *But the vibe In the show was really great. Some
people were into it more then others but we all had fun. seeing people jump
on stage an run around, We were all there for a good time .. but the younger
children there should calm down, no stage diving please! I love to dance &
groove to the jams & sing along with the band.. hey that is why they shine
the damn lights on us all! And If I want to Yell Hoot An Hauler I can damnit
.. don't look at me like a Phreak or go ahead. Hell I don't care. I am A
PHREAK. & I love Phish I have only been to 10 shows & this one was great!
but
I think Chula Vista took the taco.. & I made it to the Shoreline shows also
and they were great as well.. I don't predict Phish, I have fun with them I
don't Like to jinx myself with what I want to hear & what they are going to
play next or if they didn't play a certain song.. I simply  am there &  wait
to be surprised an then dance in delight or sway in the melody.. Phans  also
need to look out for eachother in the Lots! be homies no matter what. Look
out & be there for one another. most of you know this but we all need to
keep
it up~
Lisa
 
Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 21:19:36 EDT
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: irvine meadows show
 
My name is rasti, --
 
        I dont understand what people are talking about with the phish show
being lame. lame is east coast pnc bank over the summer, a bad scene is is
oswego airforce base. they were intensly hot shows with very tired
performers. this show was by far one of their most on point shows of the
year. that sxand was tight and curious the entire way through, there opening
in the second set wazs questionable but I will take. I aam not about to
claim I can figure out the methoid to phish's madness in terms of song
choice, hell what is the ghost album all about? that fown with disease was
the best I have ever seen and I love all of their debuting material. it was
a solid show. as for the scene. OC is nopt that bad. I had never been there
before and I did not have bad vibes at all. the people were great, I saw
very few yellow jackets, and there were drugs beer and vending to be had by
all. .
 
yes, I was dismayed to see people throwing shit. but they were simply
intense, phish got the crowd jumpin dispite what all these naysayers are
saying. the proof is in the pudding, if phish did not spark that crowd with
an intense show, why else would people be throwing things, jumping on stage
and dancing , or leaping off the stage trying to float? the outlets for this
energy were wrong, but the energy was there, thank you phish, you are the
best.


Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 18:46:58 EDT
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Irvine show
 
the Irvine show was my first phish show of many more I hope...who ever told
the people to not throw things or act crazy... get the hell over it...who
are
you to tell anyone what to do...if they dont mess with the band then leave
them alone, and this is exactly why I dont like OC cuz people like you make
us look like pretentious bitches and jerks...get over your self.  The show
it
self was great for my first show...I definately had an amazing time, yet I
could feel the orange county touch to the show which majorly sucked...being,
security was exreemly lame and I found my self avoiding people in yellow
jackets all night...way too many cops, way too many arrests...I mean I
havent
been to other shows but im assuming orange county has got to be a pain
interms of parking lot busts and hauling people off to jail who are just
trying to have a good time in the middle of a show.  At one point security
cleared the isles from the dancing masses of people and I think its
rediculous that during this kind of show rules like "no dancing in the
isles"
would be enforced. I think Phish would want everyone dancing in the isles...
:)  my point is...orange county is lame...the music was awesome and i cant
wait till my next show SOME WHERE ELSE!  :)

Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 10:35:20 -0700
From: "Powers, Mike (MAV)" [email protected]
To: "'[email protected]'" [email protected],
     "'[email protected]'" [email protected]
Subject: 9/19/99 Irvine Meadows, Irvine, CA review

9/19/99 Irvine Meadows, Irvine, CA
I: NICU, Funky Bitch, First Tube, Jiboo, Heavy Things, Farmhouse, Stash,
Hello My baby (1:01)
II: Twist Around, Sand, Wading In A Velvet Sea, Squirming Coil, Loving Cup,
Down With DiseaseE: Guyute, Character Zero
 
 
It's Monday morning....the west coast tour is over and it's back to the real
world once again for me....thought i'ld post some Irvine thoughts.
 
Phish in Orange County...who would've thought.  I didn't think that the boys
could fill Irvine Meadows, but the place was packed.  I came into this show
not expecting too much, but ended up pleasantly surprised.   The crowd
seemed reved up from the start which surprised me for a southern cali
show...must've been all of us east-coast transplants that have moved out
here!  It actually felt like a genuine "fall" show despite being in the LA
area....Anyways, I had a feeling we'ld get an NICU opener and thats what
started things off.  The NICU brought cheers and everyone was fired up.
Funky Bitch came up next.  Funky Bitch seems to be a regular in the # 2 slot
this tour so far.  Solid version and everyone kept moving.  Next up was the
start of the Trey mini-show of the nite...First Tube!  Saw this in Vancouver
and at the Gorge earlier, but this one took off!  The crowd was rockin'
during this one and Phish seemed to be really peaking early in the first set
with this First Tube.  Then came Jiboo.  In about the the 3rd row there was
a girl with a great "Gotta Jiboo" sign.   This Jiboo continued the groove,
everyone was locked in.  Heavy Things followed.  This tune is a fun one.  It
kept up the positive vibe of this first set and seemed like a great recap of
all of this new Trey material that have been playing on this west coast run
so far.  Farmhouse was up next.  This tune has definitely become a 1999
regular...i've loved it since i first saw them do it on Conan 2 years ago.
Then came a ripping Stash....started off really mellow, but then they tore
it up!  I caught two great Stash's this tour...Irvine and Vancouver...The
crowd was in tune with this one...the energy was flowing.  Phish closed it
off with the old acapella of Hello My Baby...the boys had smiles on their
faces the whole time.   Good solid first set, kind of short like San Diego
was...but really enjoyed the Trey song mini run in the middle of it.
 
Set break took awhile...the crowd was anxious.  Twist Around fired up set
2...another regular of 1999, but then came Sand.  This song is going to be
(and somewhat is already) a BIG song...didn't think this one was as strong
as the Gorge's, but it still rocked.   Wading in the Velvet Sea slowed
things down though...love the song, but thought it brought a lot of the
set's momentum to a halt.  Squirming Coil followed...another suprise song
placement-wise for me.   Loving Cup rocked though.  They seemed fired up on
this one, still too early to close a set though with it.  A little delay jam
followed with Down With Disease kicking in right after.  I wasn't really
expecting a DwDisease at Irvine, but hell I'll take it.  Good version, but
nothing too spectacular. Seemed like a short second set.
 
As for the encore, I would have preferred 2 other songs than what they
played...Guyute used to be fun for me, but I'm getting a little tired of
seeing it every other show in '99.  Two idiots from the audience jumped on
stage (reminding me of the fact that this was a southern Cali show indeed)
during this Guyute...nice tackle job Brad!   The boys seem to laugh it off
and then kicked in a Character Zero closer....nothing to be excited with.
 
Overall a good show to close off the California and West Coast run with.  I
think I enjoyed the first set better than the second.   The Phish vibe was
definitely shining at Irvine Meadows last nite and they seemed more
energetic than they did at San Diego. Irvine was the big show # 60 for me
and I was happy with what they gave me (other than the encore)... Oh well,
it's been an interesting 1999 with Phish so far and I'm still trying to
figure out this new sound of their's...my fall run is over now and it's time
for a break....Next up is NYE...what I would give to be at those
Portland,=ME shows in December though!  Have fun east coasters...    
-mike powers  

Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 09:53:07 -0700
From: Ricky [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Grow Up!
 
Whatever possesses people to throw stuff on stage is beyond me.  As
someone who comes from Orange County I am very disappointed in the
behavior that was displayed at the show last night.  People watch the
fuckin show and enjoy the music!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Rick

Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 09:53:12 -0700
From: aric_mayer [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Irvine, 9/19
 
Once again Phish had a mediocre show in the Los Angeles area. The Dead
often sucked here too, lots of speculation as to why? I didn't like the
UCLA show, or the Wiltern, or the '97 Venutra. The '98 appearances at
Ventura and the Greek were good, however, so I was hopeful, but Irvine
was only so-so.
 
It was Trey solo material all around. NICU was fun, Funky Bitch and
First Tube were "phoned in" as my pal put it, the band seemed draggy,
maybe they were feeling 4 shows in a row. Jiboo was fun, Heavy Things
was tight, but that chorus of "HOO HOO, WAH AHHHHH" is just too cheesey
for me. Nice placement of Farmhouse, it is catchy. Stash got very
complex and interesting. But closing the first set with a barbershop
tune? Typical of the tone of the first set - "we're tired, how are you?"
 
Set II was better, but spotty. Twist and Sand were good, had moments,
not stellar. I like Sand the best this night out of all the new stuff.
Velveeta Cheese is such an ordinary song. If they want to play a good
ballad, why not kick down a nice TELA??? And then Squirming Coil? Ugh.
Badly placed, they missed a change, and Page's solo was uninspired,
especially compared with the Gorge...
But they closed the show LARGE!! Loving Cup rocked my world, we danced
and spun out of the venue - it was great. And the Disease was sick too.
Mike was feeling it, and Fish pushed it so fast at the end it seemed
Trey had trouble fumbling out the words! Very exciting, the house was
rocking. Guyute was tight, still liked the Gorge version better (flying
tortillas help so much), but it was darker here. Character Zero was a
fantastic closer, big and screaming rock and roll. I left feeling a buzz
from the crowd, from smiling and dancing, but a little bittersweet.
Tough to top the Chula show, c'mon!!

Date: Tue, 21 Sep 1999 23:55:52 EDT
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Irvine
 
I heard of Phish from a friend of mine...he told me that the music was kind
of like the Grateful Dead....since they died recently, I figured that this
was close enough...Being that I love Pearl Jam and Candlebox, I knew that
Phish would rock...We had a few beers in the parking lot and couldn't
believe all of the unusual people.  Some guy with long dreadlocks asked me
if I wanted to take the Pot.  But I said no way...that shit shrinks your
balls. We got there about two hours early and took our seats right away.  
The band came out and everyone started cheering.  All of a sudden I was hit
in the head with a neon glowstick.  I was shocked that I didn't recognize
any of the songs from the radio...how did all of these people know the words
to the songs?  I tried to start a mosh pit to the third song but no one
joined in. Late in the concert, I climbed up on stage and attempted a stage
dive but no one floated me...what was the deal with you fans?  I was really
disappointed and would never go to another show again.  I hear that Kid Rock
is coming soon.....see you there!!!!!!


Date: Wed, 22 Sep 1999 11:39:35 -0500
From: Joe O'Toole [email protected]
To: "'[email protected]'" [email protected]
Cc: "'[email protected]'" [email protected]
Subject: phish
 
i read your review on phish.net just now.  this is a joke, right?!  tell me
your not serious.  a pearl jam, candlebox (what's that group doing now?
probably nothing!) and kid rock (who is that guy?  oh wait, that's that
idiot who has no musical talent) fan doing at a phish show.  you should have
been thrown out of the show.  even if you were under the impression that
phish was like the grateful dead, you should not have been there.  oh,
you've never heard their songs on the radio?  well here is why:  THEY DON'T
PLAY PHISH ON THE RADIO.  Top 40 stations like the ones you listen to don't
know what good music is.  Maybe you should start going to Ricky Martin,
Brittany Spears, and Backstreet Boys concerts. You might know some words to
the songs.  Please tell me that that was all a joke. Maybe your mocking the
idiots that sometimes stray into a phish show from time to time.  Or are you
really one of those idiots?  nevertheless, I'm going to the Ames show next
week.  I won't be looking for Candlebox or Pearl Jam.  Why not? Because they
aren't touring!  Nobody cares because they suck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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