Bluest Tape

Ending of One, Beginning of Another: NYE Run at the Fabulous Fox The New Year’s 2018 run at the Fabulous Fox Theater is in the books. While many of you are probably already looking towards Panic en la Playa in a week-plus, we decided to take a look back at what was a pretty solid three show run. We saw the return of some old favorites, some supreme setlist creativity, and, no surprise here, some damn fine picking from the boys. It wasn’t a flawless run by any stretch, though strong overall. We were both especially impressed by the selections from the 29th and 30th, so much in fact that Harvey actually says nice things about “Bear’s Gone Fishing.” Thanks for tuning in again this week and we promise to try and keep “dad talk” to a minimum in the coming episodes. And buy the new Bluest Tape t-shirt Links below go to whole show streams from Panicstream. 29 December 2018 - Atlanta, GA - Fabulous Fox Theater Fishwater > Bear’s Gone Fishing > Papa’s Home > Fishwater Source: DPA 4021s (ORTF, center, ~50 ft

Assuming y’all survived Christmas and such, it is now time to look ahead to Panic’s return to the FABULOUS Fox Theater in Atlanta, GA. The band is saddled up and ready to ride for three nights at the legendary old movie house, and the Bluest Tape has your pre-show soundtrack all mapped out. Harvey and Jeff clearly missed each other since they again talk way too long about various topics, but eventually they get to the music, expertly curated by Harvey this week, who again brings hyperbole and boldness to the table. This week, we present two shows from the band’s first run at the Fox in 1996, followed by a guest laden segment from 1997, and close it out with highlights from nights two and four in 1998. Guests include Kevn Kinney, Jeff Mosier, David Blackmon, and Derek Trucks, among others. Oh, somewhere buried in the middle of all this, Jeff drops that he and his wife are expecting #2. WHAT?!?! Links below go to whole show streams from Panicstream. 29 December 1996 - Atlanta, GA - Fabulous Fox Theater Fe

It’s A Wonderful Pod: Puttin’ a Bow on 2018 Bonus Tracks and Deep Cuts Let’s bring good ol’ 2018 to a close in style with a selection of bonus tracks, which in our case means “shows we really dug and never found the chance to play ‘em this year, or they were in an episode that got cut for one reason or another.” In the case of these four selections, we think the wait was WELL worth it. After Harvey and Jeff get caught up with their lives and holiday plans, they charge headlong into a ripping performance from Tipitina’s in 1996, followed by some more Paris 98 heat, including a really cool and unique “Space Wrangler” intro and outro. Jeff follows up with bonus tracks from an aborted “Travelin’ Light Tour” episode that - no surprise here - highlights MORE sandwiches from that great tour. If the band could bear the July heat in Mississippi, so can you; if the band can put up with ANOTHER Carrot Top sit in, so can you. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and Merry Whatever Else ya buncha freaks! Enjoy! Li

“Settle Down, What Do You Think This Is, a Rock n Roll Show?” Classic Openers, Part 2 Let’s close out the openers show in style, with five burners from days gone by. Harvey kicks things off with his second and third picks, “Send Your Mind” from the great Van Morrison, and a return to the well (so to speak) with a nice “Little Kin” opener from the essential March 1996 show in Johnson City, TN. Jeff comes back with the first of his final two selections: a stellar “Pleas” delivered in front of a rowdy, whiskey-bottle tossing crowd on fraternity/sorority row in Starkville, MS. Jeff then engages in some (probably incorrect) hyperbole by claiming 8/6/00 is the best show from summer 2000 just because he really like the “Holden Oversoul” opener and that “Quarter Tank” from the second set, but whatever, its just like, his opinion, man. Harvey brings some sanity back to the pod with - ADDITIONAL HYPERBOLE ALERT - maybe the best single song in the history of the Bluest Tape. Yep, it’s that kind of episode, folks,

"I'm Surprised Nothing Got Broke" 14 shows in 14 days, part 2 Ted Rockwell returns for part 2 of our conversation on the 25th anniversary of the October/November 1993 tour. We play some fantastic music, including perhaps the greatest Garrie intro of all time: "Please help me in that respect, Thank You!"; a fantastic stretch of music from the Big Potato State; and a sublime encore from Eugene, Oregon. Come along for the ride as we listen to a band firing on all cylinders. But before we get to the music, Jeff and Harvey discuss Halloween festivities in Memphis, Midway, and Las Vegas and also get on our soapboxes and discuss the importance of voting, especially in the mid terms. Links below go to whole show streams from Panicstream. 29 October 1993 - Jackson, WY - Grandroom, Snow King Center I'm Not Alone > Fishwater Source: SBD 30 October 1993 - Nampa, ID - Civic Center Ain't No Use > Time Is Free > Worry Source: SBD 2 November 1993 - Eugene, OR - EMU Student Center Ballroom Dream Song > Swee

“No Fuss, No Muss” 14 shows in 14 days, part 1 We've been away for a few weeks (we wanted to give everyone a chance to get caught up on back episodes and listen to all the recent shows the band has been playing). Harvey and Jeff do a quick update and discuss some first thoughts (and hot takes) on the band's Halloween run in Vegas. Then Harvey is joined by good friend of the pod, Ted Rockwell, to discuss one of the classic runs of the band's history, the 14 shows in 14 days in 13 cities through the West in October/November 1993. Ted gives some great insight, as always, on this run and we include some pretty fantastic playing. As always, Ted and Harvey go really long, so we split this into two parts. Expect part two soon! Hope everyone had a spooky Halloween, ya freaks! Links below go to whole show streams from Panicstream. 21 October 1993 - Lawrence, KS - Liberty Hall Diner > Mercy > Chilly Water Source: SBD 26 October 1993 - Vail, CO - Radisson Ballroom A of D > Love Tractor; Just Kissed My

...and you are gonna be happy from now on! Classic Openers, Part 1 This week, we bring you the first of six episodes focusing on classic Panic openers, closers, and encores. Harvey has come up with a complicated mathematical formula that guided us through the fantasy football-like snake draft allowing us to determine what we think are ten of the best classic or traditional (but not THE BEST) Panic openers of all time. Jeff kicks it off with another trip to NOLA for a great segment from Halloween 99 (including “Todd Speaks!), while Harvey takes his shot with Van Morrison and Vic Chesnutt covers. Jeff closes out the episode with “A of D,” a frequent instrumental opener and another selection from Fall 1999. During the episode, we talk about setlist placement (tired of that yet?), if Harvey would ever hit the bathroom during an opener, and we give Harvey the chance to tell everyone why he doesn’t like “Surprise Valley” or “Travelin’ Light.” Fun times! Links below go to whole show streams from Panicstre

We Gotta Go, Thank You Very Much! Flip the Bird Encores! No matter the version of Panic, we have ALL been there. A killer setlist, badass playing, and a great post-drums just leaving you wanting more. You even stay standing and clap for the band to come back for the encore - that’s how excited you are. The band comes back, the crowd pops, the energy is high, and...and...and...Nobody’s Loss? Why the hell didn’t they just hit the lights, play “Wonderful World,” and send us all home? Yep, that’s right, we finally dive into the wonder that is the “flip the bird” encore, a term coined by Harvey that identifies a single song encore that tends to be a bit lacking either in performance, duration, or song selection. This week’s picks reflect include some excellent examples of post-drums from 1996, 1998, and 2000, followed up by even better examples of a band either up against a curfew or one that’s so worn out, they just want to get back on the bus and watch some “The Andy Griffith Show” reruns. We think we pick

Fear and Loathing in Nashvegas So, here we are, 71 episodes in and, finally, Harvey and Jeff have seen Panic 3.1. We have complained, we have criticized, we have rationalized, and we have waxed poetic about the distant past, but in this episode, we finally come clean: we cool with Panic 3.1. The last three night run in Nashville was a good one and Harvey has a full recap from the second night and from the Sam Holt Band show on Friday night, too. Some good stuff for you this week - some great stuff from Saturday night, including a massive “Drums > Barstools” second set opener, and the weekend closer, a great “Low Spark” and “Puppy Sleeps” encore. Enjoy! Links below go to whole show streams from Panicstream. 01 September 2018 - Nashville, TN - Ascend Amphitheater Little Lilly > Climb to Safety; Drums > Barstools and Dreamers, Machine > Travelin’ Light, Cotton Was King, Bust It Big, Second Skin > Jam Source: FOB/DFC Schoeps CCM4V’s>Lunatec V2>Sound Devices 722 (24/44) by Z-Man 02 September 2018 - Nash

The Irrelevant Four 2018 College Football Preview Last year, we did the expected, giving you a top four for the College Football Playoff, and added to it with special guest Mark Schlabach. This year, with the help of the Phil Steele (we discuss if he is, in fact, a real person) college football preview magazine and Wikipedia, we highlight four (highly irrelevant) bowl games and choose four great shows to make up for the (irrelevance). We start off in 2001 with a sleeper 1st set pick from May 2001, a sly “Driving Song” sandwich from beautiful Boise, head back to May 2001 with an epic Jazz Fest night show throwdown, and close it out with a couple of rarities from Albuquerque, NM in 1992. And yes, Jeff gives his final four picks since Harvey is apparently looking forward to a college basketball season that will see his beloved Cats lose in the first weekend to Bethune-Cookman. Jeff (who does not like the Cats) likes Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, and Wisconsin (such a homer!). Links below go to whole show

Out of the Left Field A Year of Unexpected Jams All due credit to faithful listener of the pod Chad Coates for suggesting the theme for this week’s episode. Way back in November, Chad sent us a list of “unexpected jams,” extended versions of songs or super long “>” buried in a setlist that, on paper, might look a little sleepy. Chad picked some sure fire winners for us from the year 2000 - he has some other suggestions, too, and we definitely think we will go back to this well again. Come for the jams, stay for the in depth break down of Elvis Tribute Artist competitions and the Asheville, NC beer scene. Front to back, this is a winner of an episode! Links below go to whole show streams from Panicstream. 04 May 2000 - N. Myrtle Beach, SC - House of Blues Sharon > All Time Low Source: Schoeps MK4V > KC5 > M222 > NT222 > Sonosax SX-M2 > Apogee AD1000 > HHb by Charles Fox 24 June 2000 - Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheater Pigeons Source: SBD > Hanson Footage > DVD @ 16/48] + [AKG 481 > Lunatec V2

This week we bring part two of our conversation with Panic fan/taper/guitar tech/guitarist Sam Holt, who shares additional stories from his time with the band and lets us in on what he’s been up since parting with the band. Check out a sublime “Heaven” from the encore on August 5, 2006, followed by an excellent run of songs from August 10, 2006 featuring a couple of “OTPs” (Only Time Played) - a Sam Holt original and a Michael Houser solo track. Closing out the show is a run of songs from the Sam Holt Band that we think you will really enjoy. We cannot thank Sam enough for sitting in with us and we hope you have liked these episodes as much as we have. We hope to have him on again soon and don't forget to check out the Sam Holt Band at the Exit/In in Nashville on 8/31 and 9/1 after Panic. Buy tickets here Links below go to whole show streams. 05 August 2006 - Portsmouth, VA - Harbor Center Heaven 10 August 2006 - Cuyahoga Falls, OH - Blossom Music Center Travelin' Man > Traveler’s Rest > Vacation > C

Lagniappe #5 We’re taking a brief respite from the Sam Holt Chronicles to give you a taste of one of the better shows from the Travelin Light Tour of Summer 1998. The tour featured some inspired playing, some interesting setlist experimentation, and a ton of special guests almost every night. This one, from Jackson, Mississippi has all of those things in spades and is a particular favorite of ours. We feature a very nice post-drums segment and an intense encore with the guys from Galactic (RIP Houseman) and longtime Panic friend, George McConnell. Play it loud - this is a good one! Links below go to whole show streams from Panicstream. 26 July 1998 - Jackson, MS - One Jackson Place Wish You Were Here, Ophelia, Proving Ground > Big Wooly Mammoth > Proving Ground; Encore: Dear Mr. Fantasy (w/George McConnell), Use Me, Fishwater (w/Galactic) Source: AKG 483>Lunatec V2>GP ADC-20> DA-P1 (by Jamie Syrek)  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Holt Chronicles, Part 1 Many thanks to our very special guest this week, SAM HOLT. That’s right, the guy that has lived the dream of so many Panic fans - fan, taper, guitar tech, MEMBER OF THE BAND. Sam jumped on the bus back in 1989 and has never left it. He is to thank for a pile of tapes of the early days of Panic - some stories of which he shares with us - and heavily documented the classic years of 1995-96. Sam joined up with the band as a guitar tech in summer 2000 and stayed on after Mikey’s passing, eventually becoming lead guitar for two weeks in August 2006. Sam lets us in on a bit of behind the scenes baseball, talks about setlist creation, and talks extensively about the band’s archival release of 9/28/95 from Knoxville, TN which Sam personally selected. This is one great episode - hope you all enjoy it! Links below go to whole show streams from Panicstream. 28 September 1995 - Knoxville, TN - Tennessee Amphitheater Let’s Get Down to Business, Holden Oversoul 02 August 2006 - Louisvi

Lagniappe #4 Celebrating a silver anniversary We’re taking a break from our regular programming this week. But this week’s lagniappe is a little different. Harvey goes solo this week and celebrates the 25th anniversary of his very first show, back when he was just a young buck. A 1993 HORDE show from the Municipal Auditorium in New Orleans, Louisiana. This show is not in circulation digitally, so he dusted off his 3rd generation cassette, captured it, did a little hiss removal, and here it is in its entirety in all of its imperfect glory. The filler on the old cassette was Allgood’s set from that HORDE show, so we’ve included their set closer as the outro music this week. We’ll be back next week with a great show with a very special guest. 18 July 1993 - New Orleans, LA - Municipal Auditorium Diner > Pigeons > Better Off, Pilgrims > Love Tractor, Get up Early in the Morning (w/Chan Kinchla and John Popper), Fishwater (w/Chan Kinchla and John Popper), E: Porch Song, Makes Sense to Me Source: Un

Jeff (Actually) Hearts Panic v3.0 A Very Special Episode of The Bluest Tape This week, we recap the weekend that was at Mud Island in Memphis, TN. Jeff and Harvey had both planned on attending the shows and giving you the hard-hitting, accurate analysis that you all have grown to love over the past year, but alas, it was not to be. Jeff, however, did go to the show on Friday night, and, SURPRISE, he LIKED it. That’s right, faithful listeners, Jeff actually LIKED the show. Hell, he’s not even gonna complain about ‘Steven’s Cat!’ It was a stellar weekend of performances and setlists - the band really is bringing it with this new concept of doing weekend runs and experiences as opposed to longer tours. We’ll dive deep into the whole scene at Friday’s show, including some pointed commentary on ‘lot shirts,’ talk about the Saturday show (check out the 2nd set and encore!), and leave you with a reminder that while Panic 3.0 is potentially growing on us, we are still - and will always be - Panic 1.0 partisans

“We’ve Been Having An Exquisite Time!” Random Show Closers Well, after the success of our “Random Openers” show we decided to run it back (sort of) with “Random Closers.” We debate the differences between 1st set closers, 2nd closers, and encores, recall some of our favorite closers from days of yore, and share the (somewhat) famous story of the Deer Creek 2001 show where a pre-show storm turned the sky a purplish-green color. For all you amateur meteorologists out there, that ain’t good. Music-wise, we start off in April 1995 with a tipsy JB bringing the good on “And It Stoned Me” and “Holden,” jump forward to a killer “Stop-Go” closer from July 1997 (pay attention to the jam at the end), and then two selections from 2001. Hope you enjoy and take a drink if you had Goran Ivanisevic in the pool for “first male tennis player mentioned on the Bluest Tape.” Links below go to whole show streams from Panicstream. 04 April 1995 - New Haven, CT - Toad’s Place And It Stoned Me, Holden Oversoul Source: SBD

Way Out West First Leg of Summer 2001 June 2001 was a big month for Widespread Panic. They released their final studio album with Michael Houser, Don’t Tell the Band, and embarked on a mighty fine summer tour starting way out west in California. This week, we talk about the first handful of shows from this tour, with stops in San Diego, LA, and a return to Paolo Soleri in Santa Fe. Tune in for the music - including a great version of “Coconut,” a killer guest spot from War keyboardist Lonnie Jordan, and “Don’t Be Denied” (nuff said) - and stay for Jeff’s stories about living in Cox’s Creek, Kentucky with some random forestry students. Quite a time, indeed! Links below go to whole show streams from Panicstream. 13 June 2001 - San Diego, CA - Navy Pier Coconut > Stop Breakin’ Down Blues > Vacation Source: Neumann AK40 > LC3 > KM100 > AD-1000 by Andrew Rakow 16 June 2001 - Los Angeles, CA - Wiltern Theater Chilly Water Source: FOB AKG 481 > M148 > modSBM-1 > DA-P1 > D8 17 June 2001 - Los Angeles, CA

Setting the Tone Random Panic Openers We have all had that moment at a Widespread Panic - when the lights come down, the crowd noise goes up, and in your head, your mind is spinning with the thought of “What are the boys gonna kick it off with tonight?” Sometimes, the band will start it off nice and slow and ease the crowd into the night; other times, they will just smack you in the face with a 2 x 4’ and you are just along for the ride at that point. This week, we look at four shows with ‘random’ openers, featuring songs that ended up in the first slot only a handful of times, or just once. We start way back in 1987 with the only “Feelin’ Alright” opener, and then jump ahead to the 1990s with strong - and rare - showings from Paolo Soleri in New Mexico (1996) and the American Theater in STL (1999). Closing it out this week is probably one of top “HOLY S&%T” moments in the band’s history, the historic “Sweet Leaf” opener from the first night of NOLAWeen 2000. Good thing the UNO Lakefront Arena is we

More Sandwiches! Travelin' Light Tour 1998 We've done a lot of celebrating the 20th anniversary of things recently: the historic 10 night Paris run; the release of Panic's first official live album, Light Fuse Get Away; and the record-breaking Panic in the Streets. So it only makes sense that we move on to the 20th anniversary of Panic's big summer tour in 1998, the "Travelin' Light" Tour - Panic's first summer tour headlining sheds across this great country! So instead of giving the traditional 20th anniversary gift of china to our dear listeners, what do you think the boys from Bluest Tape give here in episode 60? Sandwiches. We first touched on Panic's sandwich artistry way back in episode 25. But as Jeff dug through the first run of shows of the Summer 98 tour, he was struck by the frequency and uniqueness (is that a word?) of the sandwiches. So we return to make a second run at the topic. This week we check out some great stuff from the first couple weeks of that tour in Southern California,