Beyond The Pond

Hey, Beyond The Pond listeners! We're proud to bring you the first episode of our new Phish podcast,  Undermine . Check out the first episode here and subscribe on  Apple ,  Spotify , or wherever you get your podcasts.  How did a band with no major label from a small city in Northern Vermont become one of the biggest bands in music within a decade? What were the origins of...

In Episode 113 we discuss the last four years of Beyond The Pond, chat about our favorite episodes, run through some top five lists, and say goodbye to this project that’s been very near and dear to our hearts for since its inception in late-2016/early-2017.  Thank you to everyone who listened, engaged, suggested albums, offered criticism, guested, and offered a top album’s list at the end of...

In Episode 112 we look back on 2020 and discuss our favorite albums of the year. In addition, we discuss our honorable mentions, share our favorite live streams of the year, share our listeners top albums of the year, and count down our favorite 20 records of 2020. David’s Top Ten Albums of 2020 10. Bonny Light Horseman: S/T 9. Phish: Sigma Oasis  8. Arboretum: Let it All In  7. No Joy:...

In Episode 111 we discuss the near perfect take on Bathtub Gin from Limestone, ME on August 17, 1997. A melodic and emotive hose jam, it’s a brilliant example of pure playing, musical connection, and Trey-led jamming that, while it doesn’t break new ground for the band, neither has to. The Went Gin is here to serve as a peak moment of connectivity and communal joy over where Phish was, some 10 mon...

In Episode 110 we discuss the wild and expansive take on Stash from November 14, 1995 in Orlando, Florida. A version which seamlessly moves into Manteca and Dog Faced Boy before closing with Stash , it’s a clear example of the musical heights the band had reached by November 1995, and the musical themes they were toying with as they transitioned towards their 1997–1998 peak that would come. ...

In Episode 109 we discuss the hypnotic, groove-driven jam out of first Piper , and later, the debut of the joke soundcheck jam, Guy Forget . A true jam that one can never forget, this represents the last great jam of the 1.0 era, and a testament to how creative Phish was, even in their final few days as a band.  As part of the Osiris Phish podcast ‘October Project’, along with Under The Scale...

In Episode 108 we discuss the atmospheric and oceanic take on Crosseyed & Painless from Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Oregon on October 17, 2014, the Fall Tour Opener. Coming late in a tepid tour opener, the Crosseyed & Painless leaves the song’s main theme for A Major and a hazy jam which both matches the locale & autumnal vibe of the west coast Fall Tour. It’s one of the most under...

In Episode 107 we dive deep into the brief & brilliant peak of 1990’s Britpop, exploring the foundations of the genre, the firework of a peak, the bands that defined it, and the post-Britpop era in popular rock. A true moment in time, we focus primarily on the 1993–1997 peak era to discuss five of the most important bands of the genre, and what led to its evolutionary downfall. In addition, we...

In Episode 106 we pay tribute to Phish’s 2010’s Tradition of closing each summer at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO, highlighting two incredible runs & jams, the Sand from September 2, 2012, and No Men In No Man’s Land from September 2, 2016. The former capped off the best run we’ve ever seen at Dick’s, jamming within the grooves of Sand for 12min before diving off the deep-end...

In Episode 105 we’re joined by Mike’s Song Second Jam Ambassador, Andrew Hitz ( @drewphish ) and composer Don Hart ( @hartmus ) to discuss the wild, excessive, and maniacal take on David Bowie from June 24, 1995 at The Mann Music Theater in Philadelphia, PA. Using the jam as a leaping off point we highlight three composers who provide thematic insights into the music Phish was experimenting with i...

In Episode 104 we’re joined by Matt Dwyer to discuss the history of Genesis & their lasting impact on the origins of Phish across two episodes. In Part II we deep dive Genesis, charting their entire career in four phases — Gabriel, 4 Then 3, Prog-Pop Transition, and Pop Band w/ Prog Sensibilities — and exploring the various influences which guided their ongoing evolution from prog innovators t...

In Episode 104 we’re joined by Matt Dwyer & Tom Marshall to discuss the history of Genesis & their lasting impact on the origins of Phish across two episodes. In Part I, we draw the line between Genesis & Phish using specific examples to showcase the influence Genesis had on Phish, particularly in the songwriting partnership of Anastasio/Marshall. In addition, Matt shares a conversatio...

In Episode 103 we discuss the wide-ranging, forward-thinking, infectious take on Bathtub Gin from the University of Kentucky on November 7, 1996. One week removed from their performance of the Talking Heads Remain In Light , Phish was already applying the lessons of the album to one of their longest-serving jam vehicles. The hints of 1997’s reinvention are hard to avoid now as nearly every BIG jam...

In Episode 102 we chat about the effortless funk that emerged from Kill Devil Falls on July 31, 2015 in Atlanta, GA. One of the original debuts of 3.0, Kill Devil Falls never indicated its ability to jam with such ease and expansiveness ahead of its 22min Set II opening masterpiece midway through Summer 2015. Celebrating its fifth anniversary in just a little over a week, we invite you to take a s...

In Episode 101 we’re joined by a fantastic DJ and massive music collector, Wade Wilby for a lively discussion on the drumming of Jon Fishman, the larger breakbeat history & culture, and how Phish has incorporated breakbeats into their sound. According to Wikipedia, “The most likely origin of the word “breakbeat” is the fact that the drum loops that were sampled occurred during a “break” in the...

In EPISODE 100 we’re joined by our friend, one of our biggest supporters, and one of our musical heroes, Tom Marshall, to celebrate 100 Episodes of Beyond The Pond, and take listener questions to dive into our musical past & honest musical takes. It’s a fun episode that summarizes everything we’ve been working towards these past three years. We hope you enjoy & thank you all for your love...

In Episode 099, we look back on the first half of 2020 and discuss our favorite albums of the year so far. In addition to our Top Ten Albums of 2020 so far, we’ve compiled a list of our Honorable Mentions. It’s been an insane year so far, but the music produced has been excellent, and many of the musical breakthroughs we both had last year have spilled over in 2020’s first half.  Dave’s Top T...

With everything happening in America in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, we felt it necessary to step back and discuss our thoughts, as well as how we're communicating racism and the constant pursuit of equality in our country to our kids. We also felt it important to acknowledge that we haven't done enough as podcasters to highlight the music of black artists, especially those who are up a...

In Episode 098 we chat about the languid and mysterious version of Ghost from May 22, 2000, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, NY. To do so, we’re joined by Robert Ker (@bobbker /@phish2000at2020) to chat about the larger themes around the jam & run, plus dive deep into the worlds of krautrock & early-aughts NYC. An almost entirely Mike-led jam, it extends onward through minimal ch...

In Episode 097 we deep-dive one of our favorite bands of all time: Pavement. To do so, we bring on one of our close friends & returning guest, PJ Rudolph ( @axillapt3 ) to chat about the band’s lasting legacy, our favorite records, the fantastic solo work of Stephen Malkmus, and their connections to Phish. PJ joined us in Episode 074: Remembering David Berman , and we were stoked to have him b...

In Episode 096 we discuss the longest and wildest take on Backwards Down The Number Line from Phish’s Summer 2009 Tour Finale at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, NY. We’re joined at the top by Dr. Kevin Finkel ( Episode 088: Broadway Phish ), anesthesiologist at Hartford Hospital, to discuss his experiences on the front lines of COVID-19, before letting him forget about wor...

In Episode 095 we discuss the infectious and groove-driven jam off Gotta Jibboo from February 20, 2003 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. A relentless example in hooked-up candy jamming, this Jibboo feels plucked out of Summer 1998, or an example of the joy that emitted from Fall 2013, dropped here, unexpectedly, in the dimly lit era of 2.0 Phish. Try all you might, I dare you to forego...

In Episode 094 we discus the blissful & ethereal jam off Led Zeppelin’s Ramble On from August 12, 1998 at Vernon Downs, NY. A classic example of the Brian Eno Ambient Style of jamming that had infused Phish’s sound throughout Summer 1998, this is a gorgeous, late-Set I summertime jam that we cannot get enough of right now.  Songs featured in this episode are: Quiet Sun: “Trot” Them Crooke...

In Episode 093 we discuss the wild and experimental jam off Funky Bitch on November 22, 1994 from Columbia, MO. Deep in the heart of November 1994, the band leapt off a Jon Fishman mistake into a 25 minute jam that helped to define the larger goals of the era.  Songs featured in this episode are: Mosses: “TV Sun” Tortoise: “TNT” Steve Mason: “Lonely” — — — In addition, we discuss two new 2020...

In Episode 092 we are joined by Washington Nationals Closer & World Series Champion, Sean Doolittle to chat about Phish, Baseball, and much more in a wide-ranging, two-part interview. Sean is a huge music fan who found Phish over the last few years and has become a great ambassador for the band throughout the majors. In addition, he’s also incredibly thoughtful athlete who champions a number o...