Sober Jam Band Scene

Student mini documentary on the sober jam band community - focused primarily on Phish.

[@renewalofmind2266]

7/24/24 was my first Phish show sober. Had a great time. Awesome show!

[@shannon.426]

Thank you for this! We need more content and conversations about this, especially as the Divided Sky Foundation grows and more people in the community become sober curious but feel challenged to take that leap.

[@FeralHoneyBadger]

I have only seen Phish sober , 57 shows so far! Best time EVER!

[@DFitzTube]

Keep it up!!

[@FeralHoneyBadger]

I just did a count. It's actually 61 shows all sober! :)

[@benlash7358]

Thank you for posting this. I stopped going to see Phish in 2015 because my addiction to coke and alcohol had spiraled out of control. Now I have been sober for a little over 3 years and I am so grateful that I can go see them again now sober. Looking forward to Vegas and Denver ❤

[@bcp5296d]

taking coke at a phish show post 2013 is not a good idea. The band is much slower

[@CelticYogi]

Been sober a year now. In Nashville in October 2018, night 2, CK's ballet of lights opened a new portal for me. I was hypnotized. Transfixed. A stillness came over me as Phish meandered through the jam section of what song I can't remember. It doesn't matter. My soul received a shiny new badge that night and I'll always remember that feeling.

[@philrow9652]

10 years clean the music has never been better!

[@ryankartheiser855]

Big Red has been sober and we all are very proud!

[@linderama6591]

My "drug" is the combination of getting lost in the music and dancing. That is all I need.

[@johnflynn2109]

Fuckikng loser

[@carolinadewell3400]

That’s all I need to :) It’s a beautiful thing.

[@Budsport_TV]

When I went to my first “real show” it’s was Umphrey’s McGee at The Egg in Albany NY, early to mid 2000’s. I was so hyped to finally get to see one of my favorite bands rip on stage while high as a kite. We were Jake side just a couple rows from the front and there was this older guy dancing in front us us. He looked real wild… like someone who might be on or have drugs. So when I had a free moment to talk with him I shot my shot and asked him if he had anything or knew where to get some. His response lived on in my brain forever since. Me: You know where anything is at? The Guy: The Drugs Are On The Stage Man!!! Ended up doing that show sober. Saw the biscuits a few weeks later & I got fucked up out my mind and continued down that path for years. Crazy enough my “bad fish” the guy who introduced me to the devil was my neighbor. He was a longtime dope head who had a longtime roommate. The dope head was destroyed mentally from his time in the service. He was a gunman on a tank who undoubtedly had to do and see some horrific things. The funny thing was that his best friend and long time roommate was a hardcore phish fan. I’m talking this dude went to hundreds of shows - ALL SOBER! It was the wildest thing. These two old heads living together. One who looks like an army man but was a dope head and the other who looked like a complete wook yet was sober. That roommate was my first introduction into the sober jam scene. What up Hurricane if you’re out there and reading this! 👋 Fast Forward 15 years and now I’m over a decade sober from all that hard stuff and have no problem going to a show “California sober.” I still like smoking a joint and watching the band but I don’t need to be blacked out to enjoy myself. Took many years of hard work and realizing that you can have fun a jam show without dropping a tab like the gentleman said in this doc to get there tho.

[@tcgar1]

So well done! You did an awesome job capturing the essence of this scene. Sober Rat & Phell since '95! Much Love!

[@craigparrott305]

Thank you so much for posting. I too met my lovely wife through the Phellowship. We still have phun!

[@rodneyhirscher]

Absolutely love this, thanks for putting this out! One show at a time....

[@jez443]

I’m lucky that substances were never an issue for me. Been to shows high and sober and both are great. Music is powerful on its own. I question people who don’t think it’s possible to enjoy a concert sober. To me that means they never were really there for the music…..

[@Budsport_TV]

We all know that feeling of “needing more shots of tequila” to be able to enjoy the band lol.

[@seanmacdonald8476]

Lol, that fluffhead drop was not a coincidence. Happy to be sober and an active phish phan!

[@marygrayjohnson2985]

😏😏😏

[@carolinadewell3400]

Mary Gray Johnson yeah that was a nice touch

[@pondlakamoon9787]

Thank you for sharing this! See y'all at Alpine!

[@Summernightsandneonlights]

AALLPPIINNEE VVAALLLLEEYY !!!

[@jaimesinger6500]

Incredible. Great job!!

[@linderama6591]

And there is nothing better than being on the same sober wavelength as the band.

[@luvjammin04]

It’s pretty easy to remain sober too when a tall can of beer costs over $20.00 at most venues.

[@jamieharr4459]

My drug is playing music. Im sober when I play. .I definitely do the "research" at shows still though..🤷🏻

[@paulmoser8872]

Sober at Jam Band shows for over 30 years now. Find your space, close your eyes, climb into the music and dance like no one is watching...rinse, repeat.

[@charlesm.waltzer5371]

If you have to explain to civilians, I find the best analogy to use is to inform them that you are fan. And everybody knows a real fan follows their team to whatever venue they play on their schedule, whether attending or viewing and listening on a device. And than we meet and hang out with others that also follow the team who are Happy, Joyous and Free!

[@digitalrudimentor]

this is awesome

[@williestackson5720]

I attend all my shows sober. I can easily get lost in the music without the effects of Drugs or Alcohol. I am not going to judge what other people do.The Jamband scene does not judge. They accept all kind of people. I enjoy waking up the next morning without a headache and being able to remember every single note form the night before. HAPPY HOUR HEROES - (fans of moe.) THE DIGITAL BUDDHAS (fans of The Disco Biscuits) MUCH OBLIGED (fans of Umphrey’s McGee)

[@absolutelypositively]

You forgot the originals: Wharf Rats

[@namuhtsuj4025]

Sober since October. Going to my first Phish show in June. The video is uplifting but the comments are even more so. Excited to see Phish and excited to still be lucid afterwards.

[@jkaznosky]

This should be pushed out there. I have always thought the idea of Wharf Rats, Phellowship, Happy Hour Heroes is wonderful. They way that I look at it, many of these players are not getting high or are sober now, so it shouldn't be that strange for there to be fans that are sober.

[@jamesknowles370]

I have heard about this. Personally, I quit "touring" in 2006. I was more of a widespread panic fan, but I saw phish many times. I stream to listen, I still like all the music. I like flower and some beer. I do not like the crowd. not because they are bad people, they are good people. I freak out when there are too many people at the events. too expensive and I do not want to go to jail.

[@yosefz8751]

If you think of it trey himself is part of the phellowship

[@absolutelypositively]

Trey was more than likely a BIG part of fans on the brink to take the plunge into phellowship.

[@whatwouldhousedo5136]

Phellowship rocks! I could never attend the set break meeting though- don't want to lose my spot on the floor! I've only seen 4 Phish shows wasted, every other one has been sober. I don't remember anything much about 9/9/99 or the Gorge that weekend, but I remember everything about my sober shows. Luckily for Cypress, I did partake however I chose to stay relatively straight so I would remember it. Coming up on 16 years sober now. Great video!

[@SoulAlive]

I don't know why but this video made me cry 😂😭 I've been sober for 7mo. I've been to a couple shows sober. It's a gift to me to hear others showing that it can be done and we're not alone ❤

[@mikesmelon5714]

I really appreciate you posting this. I have been to hundreds of (Phish) shows since 94 but was not in a good space for most of them and I have been sober for 10 years but I could not imagine life without Phish. I have a better time sober at shows now although I go to a lot less and most of my tour buddies didn't make it through to the reunion('09) so I am solo at most shows. I have seen the Phellowship table for years but was just not aware bc I usually show up after lot and keep to myself. Thanks for all you do.

[@michaelmitchell2183]

It's been about 560 days since I last saw Phish, and I've been sober for 538. 7/10/19 with be my first (of 81 shows) sober and mentally fit to handle the demons that used to block me.

[@Goodguy-cf2uf]

Nice!

[@lawrencesales8702]

I went sober in time for summer tour 1997. I enjoy them sooooo much more sober.

[@brendandady5052]

Love this!

[@d.thorpe2046]

this was very well made and interesting. Thank you.

[@ahtnamasnworb]

I love this ❤️❤️❤️

[@kaitlynrauch3454]

I refuse to let me being sober ruin my time.

[@jerrylives2278]

7 years alcohol free in a few days! Not a drop

[@Etcher]

I'm only getting into the whole jam band thing. I live in Europe and while I watched many shows out of my mind I have never attended one stoned. Because I have never attended one. Great music though.

[@sharkskeepmoving495]

Check out the disco biscuits, Pnuma trio, and sts9

[@jamieharr4459]

Can you still have the fun Wilson

[@Summernightsandneonlights]

Goose, Moe , Dark star Orchestra, Rock on !

[@Summernightsandneonlights]

Thats cool. More power to them. Ive been fucked up for 40yrs.l prefer rolling on some good molly or goomers but thatz just me. What ever blows your hair back ! . Lol

[@samj2066]

Wow this is awesome! Way to go Mary Grizzzz

[@NickCooper74]

Phell here. The Wharf Rats saved my ass at HSMF 2011. Love Phish, love music, love life, love God, love sobriety, love my Phamily.

[@DekeRadio]

I'll be 50 years old this year. I have never even tried a drug that wasn't OTC or prescribed to me. I've been going to Phish shows since 1996. For me, the high is the atmosphere and the music. It's a place where people can truly be themselves. If people want to indulge themselves, more power to them. I don't judge them. It's not for me.

[@xWhizard]

really good

[@suave969]

I've never done a show sober. I've been sober a few months now, and I think by summer I'll be ready to handle it. I still regret paying so much for MSG tickets and blacking out and not even remembering the shows.

[@carolinadewell3400]

MC Pajamalamadingdong I was sober for about a year before I went to a phish show. The first few are a little awkward but you’ll find your groove. Like Trey says you find a new mojo ;)

[@I_do.not_fearyou]

0:41 her: it's not the same show like any other band you can imagine The grateful dead: am I a joke to you?!

[@presidentlesh6284]

Trey is a jedi!

[@samj2066]

I like Phish sober or fucked up. They’re the best

[@philrow9652]

the music is the drug

[@CappyKitty]

CAMP CLEANSKY (Clean and Sober Fans of Greensky Bluegrass)

[@ericsmith7462]

It can be done! Gamehendge can be found!

[@andrewdyke5561]

Ive only seen phish sober

[@therealrobstark2916]

Check out Hum Ripple y'all!

[@bmorehobo]

Ha. I know the random drunk person at the table thing. I work Head Count, and we get that every show.

[@jam3407]

If your newly sober and drugs are a serious issue for you it's a dangerous atmosphere

[@craigparrott305]

Agreed. That's why we stick together. like penguins in Antarctica

[@jam3407]

Good luck to you stay strong

[@alecholderfield]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@AbdulRahimGreen]

Love love love this...i was shown a Jam Band called Umphreys Mcgee when I was still in high school and was first in recovery by a guy who is also still in recovery. I was a little punk and was into rap and wanted to be a little thug so I didnt really get it. However, it planted a seed. I relapsed after 6 years and used for 4. Now Im coming up on a year clean again but as I grew up I got back into live Music (actually good live music, that is). Now I absolutely love bands like SCI, Phish, UM etc. I'm all about the live experience and doing it clean. Would love to connect more with others in recovery that are into live music as well. Thanks for sharing!

[@joecosas]

"Waste" | Cover by Joe Cosas & Evelyn Wesel | kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3iscoaQZs5si5I Beautiful Mary Gray. Thanks for putting this together and posting this! I've only seen a couple Phish shows (despite being a big phan), but I can totally relate to experiencing them previously in an altered state and currently seeing them clean and sober. This really makes me want to see a show - I hear the band's performing exceptionally well right now! Anyways, here's something a friend (another avid sober Phish phan) and I put together that I thought you would enjoy! Btw, she started a business (Recover T) that helps people in recovery that's doing really well :)

[@SKIADK]

“It’s like Disney land for drunks and addicts”..... fluffhead

[@READERSENPAII]

Amphetamines like mdma have ruined the scene for me. Even as someone who partakes in the occasional "out of body experience," I've found that my critical listening skills are completely inhibited when using any substances at all. Also my ability to retain any sort of memories of being the in the moment are ruined on most substances. Edit: cool video btw. I enjoy people getting out there and going with the intention of actually getting something from the music.

[@Wayzor_]

Phish. Love the band, love the songs, been a fan for years. But like all Jam Bands the fans are the fucking problem. They preach individuality - as long as you're dressed like everyone else in the crowd. And sober is the last thing I want to be around these tools.

[@toddswartz3510]

Sober jam bands....seems awful.

[@1997Ghost]

sober phish fans are the worst.

[@ryankennedy2952]

No u

[@MrBINGEBOY]

Stopped listening to phish when trey got sober.

[@marygrayjohnson2985]

Sick dude

[@ryankartheiser855]

I’ll never stop listening to Phish. They are the best

[@alphaq6585]

Being sober is lame

[@TheGabrielberki]

Ur lame

[@namuhtsuj4025]

Yeah self improvement is shitty. You’re right. I hope three years later you realize what a dumb fucking comment this is.

[@ryankennedy2952]

I’m sorry you feel that way