2008 Woodie Awards
Strange Design seeks to re-create the magic of Phish
JOHN BARRETT
Issue date: 7/17/08 Section: Variety
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Although Phish disbanded in 2004, tribute band Strange Design formed this year to carry the torch of the group's legendary live performances. The band will visit Athens for the very first time Saturday, July 19.
"We all followed Phish on tour from middle school through college, playing music at after-show parties or in the parking lots," drummer Adam Chase said.
Taking its name from a rare Phish tune, Strange Design aims to deliver the same musical ethos of its heroes.
"We thought in a sense that Phish's music itself is a 'strange design,'" keyboardist Aaron Levy said. "It's got really cool intricacies, and it can throw some people off upon first listen. But once you get deeper you start to see all the beauty in it."
With Grateful Dead tribute band Dark Star Orchestra around, Chase said there was a need for that kind of experience for Phish fans.
"Our band naturally came together," he said.
The group aims to re-create every detail of Phish's live experience, including replicating its set lists in full.
"Rather than picking our favorite songs, it creates a more accurate feeling for what it was like to be at a Phish show," Chase said.
STRANGE DESIGN
When: 10 p.m. Saturday, July 19Where: Georgia Theatre
Cost: $8 in advance, $10 day of show
Levy explained that covering a Phish show based on an exact set list had never been done before.
"If we were just gonna pick random songs, it would be lacking that extra bit of excitement and anticipation that people always wanted to get from Phish," Levy said.
Since their inception earlier this year, the members of Strange Design have been hard at work learning the entirety of Phish's catalog.
"We all individually practice 30-plus hours a week, and practice the same amount as a group," Chase said. "And that doesn't even count the shows we play, so we're making this a full experience for ourselves to generate the right kind of energy behind it."
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Jim Sneed
posted 7/17/08 @ 12:28 PM EST
if by "magic" do you mean sleight of hand? Like looking like something's happening, but it's really not?
Like thousands of people at a concert, surely it must be good music, right?
Phish is a travesty of a sham of an abortion of music. (Continued…)
John Barrett
posted 7/17/08 @ 1:58 PM EST
You're entitled to your own opinion, but the fact is that Phish changed the face of live music in the 90s and are a monumentally important band. Honestly there are bands I like more than Phish too, but to say they're a "travesty-sham-abortion-sling a bunch of insults together into a sentence" is a bit harsh. (Continued…)
steven
posted 7/18/08 @ 2:26 PM EST
mr. sneed . stop listening to yani.
Jim Sneed
posted 7/18/08 @ 3:05 PM EST
I think Sneed is upset that he doesn't get it, and that Widespread Panic had the chance to be next big thing and FAILED because they have played a total of three notes their entire career
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