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My tweet about the 1st #phish t-shirt has gained me some phollowers, and since we all need a break, gather round the campfire. I will tell you a story of the old days of the 1980s, when mastodons and jam bands roamed #Burlington #Vermont. (strokes grey beard meditatively) 1/6
I was at UVM and played in bands, most notably (?) Jazzin' Hell, a Dadaist nursery-punk band fronted by cartoonist James Kochalka. Also Lambsbread (see: the band called Death/ Phish setlist - Hunts). Everybody knew each other, so I knew the Phish guys. 2/6
There's an expression in opera called The Fifth Business (See: Robertson Davies), a minor character who turns the plot, i.e., the stable boy who overhears a conversation and warns the hero. That's me, in the Phish world. 3/6
One day I got a call from Trey. He said "(Minor Heretic), you're into that jazz stuff. Who can I go to and learn about real music theory?" I told him, "If you really want to learn about harmony and you're willing to get your ass kicked every day, go to Ernie Stires." 4/6
Ernie had grown up with my dad and I had known him since childhood. He encouraged my musical efforts, and others, and was dedicated to the pursuit and promotion of serious music. Listen to his one album, Samson Riff, for some swing and depth. 5/6
I gave Trey Ernie's number. They hit it off, and Trey learned the western art music theory that was essential to the Phish sound from then on. You're welcome. 6/6
