In 1996, my friends and I went to the Clifford Ball... it was to be my second show. At the time, I had never dabbled in psychedelics. I had studied much about them, and I knew that a multi-day fest with many, many hours of Phish would be the perfect opportunity to give it a whirl. 

We each popped two hits an hour before the first set of the second day. The next thing I knew, the tufts of grass on the ground turned into a symmetrical hexagonal latticework. The clouds were fractal kaleidoscopes that were constantly moving. I had no idea what was going on... none whatsoever.  But Punch You In The Eye is what sent me into the eye of the storm. 

This was my second show, and I did not know this song at all. Having heard an unfamiliar "My Old Home Place" had been bad enough, but at least it seemed like no one else knew it either. But when they did PYITE and everyone yelled "HEY!" I felt utterly uninformed and out of place in a sea full of knowledgeable veterans. And every time I'd think I knew the rhythm so as to dance, the beat would change, further confusing me. 

And then they did the Landlady right in the middle, which was finally a song I knew!!! But no sooner did I enjoy it than it was back into the insanity of PYITE. That portion of the set was incredibly disturbing. Sheer alienation. But as the set went on, it gave way to a host of classics that soothed my soul: Fee, Maze, Suzie, Sample, and Lizards... I thought I was in heaven. You're probably thinking I was kidding about the time travel part. Fast forward three years to Big Cypress. 

Once again, thousands gathered that sunny afternoon on the first set of the festival's second day. I was particularly more sober this time. But when they busted into PYITE, I remembered Plattsburgh vividly. I felt much more seasoned this time (I know like all the songs).  As I was grooving though, anticipating the first verse, I noticed a particularly spun out fella standing right in front of me. He was trying to catch the beat, but it was very hard. And when everyone yelled "HEY!" he turned around and looked scared shitless. At that moment it all clicked into place. I saw myself in that guy, just three years removed. 

However long we've been with Phish, there was a point when it was all brand new to us. You ever wonder why they still do Bouncin' so much???  Because every Bouncin' is always someone's first Bouncin'.  So when we criticize newbies, we should just remember when that was us (some consider anyone who first saw Phish post-1990 to be a newbie). 

People will come after us, and many have come before us. August 16/17 was the date of the Clifford Ball (1996), the Great Went(1997) and the Woodstock Music and Arts Fair (1969). We've got a great thing going here that we did not start. So keep it up, keep it real, and spread some of that love around.

 - Mojo Hamilton