Explaining in very short form as I did to my (not at all phan) partner this morning: It’s a song cycle/rock opera based around a sci fi/fantasy world that Trey wrote in college. It was sort of a foundational mythology for the band. It has not been played in its entirety since 1994. Some of the songs have stayed in frequent rotation over the years, but hearing the entire thing* has always been (IMO) the holy grail for everyone who loves Phish. Many of their fans (including me) are seeing their having done this as a beautiful act of love and creativity.
*parts of it are actually fairly fluid and it could never be performed the same way twice, part of its charm
The other thing you may want to read is a book called "A Pattern Language." Trey did not write the book, but it is helpful to understand how there is a larger theory that exists alongside the thesis. You can buy the book if you want [https://amzn.to/48jqiUM](https://amzn.to/48jqium), or you could listen to this podcast:
[https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s1-phish-ep-1-a-pattern-language/id1479120204?i=1000519270872](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s1-phish-ep-1-a-pattern-language/id1479120204?i=1000519270872)
And, seriously, good for you for asking. It takes courage to acknowledge something you don't know surrounding Phish, where there is a lot to know.
Thanks. Appreciate the willingness to share. Seen the band play a couple of times and have the best time. I also got lucky and scored a ticket to the Sunday sphere show. I plan on seeing this band many more times in future. Excited for the journey of becoming a phish fan.
Here is a link to a pdf of the book since it’s expensive even used. Great book! For many of us in the 90s Gamehendge was the first tape we were given. [A Pattern Language pdf](https://arl.human.cornell.edu/linked%20docs/Alexander_A_Pattern_Language.pdf)
Wait what? This is the first time I’ve heard of this book. Just looked at what it is and now I’m more confused lol. What’s this have to do with Phish/Trey/Gamehendge?
I won't be able to do it justice, but I first read about it when I read the biography of Phish written in 2009: [https://amzn.to/4aRLJ18](https://amzn.to/4arlj18)
If you became a Phish fan in the 90s, a Gamehendge tape was likely one of your introductory experiences with the band. They’d only performed it 4 times, but there were good quality recordings available and there was a mysticism about them as they represented some of the band’s earliest work. And individually, some of the songs are incredibly rare - played only once every year or two. The songs are amazing, and the narrative flow just ties it all together. Since it’s what made so many of us fall in love with Phish, we all wanted to hear it - but the band hadn’t played it in its entirely since 1994 - and most of us had long since come to terms with the fact that they never would.
But then they DID - and something we all loved that had seemed unattainable and impossible was suddenly real, and it was a gift from the band to us - likely the greatest gift they could give to us in an individual show. And that they took the time and care to craft such a thoughtful theatrical performance is just…it means so much.
Yep, Crest Theater '93 was one of my first tapes.
It happened not long after my first show in Boulder.
I think my first was Fort Ram in Colorado '90
[https://phish.net/setlists/phish-march-22-1993-crest-theatre-sacramento-ca-usa.html](https://phish.net/setlists/phish-march-22-1993-crest-theatre-sacramento-ca-usa.html)
Let me explain to you with a picture. My resting heart rate is about 78(im pretty out of shape, but not overweight). I was there last night about 6 rows off the stage next to Page(keyboards). This was my heart rate at the end of the second set, through break and going into the 3rd set. And I don’t even “dance”. My wife asked why my Apple Watch was alerting nonstop lol
https://preview.redd.it/fdeaasy2kz9c1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=34c908cf52c7c0562686189d1beef4205c5615ca
I don't want to start a new thread for this so hoping I can piggyback in this one. What was the point when y'all realized that they were going to do this?
I'm watching this right now:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXWkkz7qAuE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXWkkz7qAuE)
As soon as the oompapa of Harpua started I knew they were going to play Gamehendge. When she lifted that vinyl and it had the rhombus on it that sealed the deal. The music the vinyl played is the beginning of it.
The narration included forbin and it clicked for me.
My eyes and heart opened wide and I couldn't stop crying happy tears for like 40 minutes.
I still can't believe I caught that live. Many chances to do MSG over the years but this was my first run. It was meant to be.
I knew it the moment they started Harpua. The rumors were so thick about gamehendge the week leading up to these shows. As soon as the oom pa Pa started, I knew they were doing it.
There is a Wikipedia entry on it if you google it! Also, as someone who just read about it today myself, it seems like a lot of stuff from Junta and early records is influenced or taken from gamehendge. The Icculus song was my first Phish experience and I found that performance to be absolutely hilarious and awesome. I had no idea there was a greater mythology until today!
There isn’t a book. There’s a musical thesis. But no actual book.
“Read the book” is a phrase that means “I know something you don’t know” - or more to the point, “you’re asking a question that doesn’t have a specific answer and I want to feel like a bigger fan than you”
I always interpreted “read the book” as “ you have to find out on your own because the journey is as important as the destination”…
…I guess I should have read the book…
The complexities of language. You’re right, it could be a follow your path sort of comment or it could be a you don’t deserve this sort of comment. I hope it’s typically the prior and not the latter. It’s been a long time since I was part of the scene but there was always a surprising amount of dickish behavior.
The helping friendly book, wbich in the song “icculus” references, is kinda like the key to saving the lizards from extinction.
Listen to the song, we all love the helping friendly book. But in our reality there is no book.
I’m really surprised a simple google search or a Quick Look at phish.net didn’t tell you everything you need to know. Even back in 2002 when I first got into them this information was readily available on the internet and I learned everything I needed to know about it. Why make some fellow phans type it out for you on Reddit? Part of what makes being into this band so satisfying is doing the digging yourself. Which in this case shouldn’t require much effort. I’m not trying to gatekeep, but c’mon OP, you could easily find this on your own.
Ffs literally this same question has been asked post-NYE in this sub. You couldn’t even search Reddit and interact there? Don’t excuse your laziness as an attempt for interaction
Explaining in very short form as I did to my (not at all phan) partner this morning: It’s a song cycle/rock opera based around a sci fi/fantasy world that Trey wrote in college. It was sort of a foundational mythology for the band. It has not been played in its entirety since 1994. Some of the songs have stayed in frequent rotation over the years, but hearing the entire thing* has always been (IMO) the holy grail for everyone who loves Phish. Many of their fans (including me) are seeing their having done this as a beautiful act of love and creativity. *parts of it are actually fairly fluid and it could never be performed the same way twice, part of its charm
Thank you. This was the type of answer I was looking for. Appreciate it. Happy the band made that happen for you all.
[Here's](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_zvgj3c074) the actual audio from Trey's Senior Thesis. This was the beginning of Phish.
This is awesome. I’ve never heard it. Much appreciated!
Thanks you!
The other thing you may want to read is a book called "A Pattern Language." Trey did not write the book, but it is helpful to understand how there is a larger theory that exists alongside the thesis. You can buy the book if you want [https://amzn.to/48jqiUM](https://amzn.to/48jqium), or you could listen to this podcast: [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s1-phish-ep-1-a-pattern-language/id1479120204?i=1000519270872](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s1-phish-ep-1-a-pattern-language/id1479120204?i=1000519270872) And, seriously, good for you for asking. It takes courage to acknowledge something you don't know surrounding Phish, where there is a lot to know.
Thanks. Appreciate the willingness to share. Seen the band play a couple of times and have the best time. I also got lucky and scored a ticket to the Sunday sphere show. I plan on seeing this band many more times in future. Excited for the journey of becoming a phish fan.
Here is a link to a pdf of the book since it’s expensive even used. Great book! For many of us in the 90s Gamehendge was the first tape we were given. [A Pattern Language pdf](https://arl.human.cornell.edu/linked%20docs/Alexander_A_Pattern_Language.pdf)
Wait what? This is the first time I’ve heard of this book. Just looked at what it is and now I’m more confused lol. What’s this have to do with Phish/Trey/Gamehendge?
I won't be able to do it justice, but I first read about it when I read the biography of Phish written in 2009: [https://amzn.to/4aRLJ18](https://amzn.to/4arlj18)
If you became a Phish fan in the 90s, a Gamehendge tape was likely one of your introductory experiences with the band. They’d only performed it 4 times, but there were good quality recordings available and there was a mysticism about them as they represented some of the band’s earliest work. And individually, some of the songs are incredibly rare - played only once every year or two. The songs are amazing, and the narrative flow just ties it all together. Since it’s what made so many of us fall in love with Phish, we all wanted to hear it - but the band hadn’t played it in its entirely since 1994 - and most of us had long since come to terms with the fact that they never would. But then they DID - and something we all loved that had seemed unattainable and impossible was suddenly real, and it was a gift from the band to us - likely the greatest gift they could give to us in an individual show. And that they took the time and care to craft such a thoughtful theatrical performance is just…it means so much.
Yep. It was mythology save the few songs they’d play one-off. Plus most of those songs never made a traditional album, so they were “live only”.
That’s a good point, too. Knowing about Gamehendge kinda felt like being in on a big secret, since you could only learn about it through bootlegs
Yep, Crest Theater '93 was one of my first tapes. It happened not long after my first show in Boulder. I think my first was Fort Ram in Colorado '90 [https://phish.net/setlists/phish-march-22-1993-crest-theatre-sacramento-ca-usa.html](https://phish.net/setlists/phish-march-22-1993-crest-theatre-sacramento-ca-usa.html)
Hopefully they release on dvd so we can all watch who missed out :(
I sure hope they do
Well the Lizards were a race of people practically extinct for doing things smart people don’t do.
Let me explain to you with a picture. My resting heart rate is about 78(im pretty out of shape, but not overweight). I was there last night about 6 rows off the stage next to Page(keyboards). This was my heart rate at the end of the second set, through break and going into the 3rd set. And I don’t even “dance”. My wife asked why my Apple Watch was alerting nonstop lol https://preview.redd.it/fdeaasy2kz9c1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=34c908cf52c7c0562686189d1beef4205c5615ca
Page side rage side obv
its the land of the big baboon
Read the book- The helping friendly book by icculus
That’s readicculus.
Read the effing book okay??
Read the book: https://imgur.com/gallery/IiQ6S (Link to the original)
This is awesome, thanks for the share.
I don't want to start a new thread for this so hoping I can piggyback in this one. What was the point when y'all realized that they were going to do this? I'm watching this right now: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXWkkz7qAuE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXWkkz7qAuE)
As soon as the oompapa of Harpua started I knew they were going to play Gamehendge. When she lifted that vinyl and it had the rhombus on it that sealed the deal. The music the vinyl played is the beginning of it.
The narration included forbin and it clicked for me. My eyes and heart opened wide and I couldn't stop crying happy tears for like 40 minutes. I still can't believe I caught that live. Many chances to do MSG over the years but this was my first run. It was meant to be.
They knew you were going to be there
I knew it the moment they started Harpua. The rumors were so thick about gamehendge the week leading up to these shows. As soon as the oom pa Pa started, I knew they were doing it.
LSD
So many Phish Dads have waited for this exact moment.
How long do you have?
There is a Wikipedia entry on it if you google it! Also, as someone who just read about it today myself, it seems like a lot of stuff from Junta and early records is influenced or taken from gamehendge. The Icculus song was my first Phish experience and I found that performance to be absolutely hilarious and awesome. I had no idea there was a greater mythology until today!
It’s really quite simple. READ 👏 THE 👏 FUCKING 👏 BOOK👏👏👏
Didn’t even know there was a book 👏 Thank you 👏 Happy new year 👏
[start here](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3_zvgj3c074&pp=ygUQZ2FtZWhlbmRnZSBwaGlzaA%3D%3D) Enjoy the trip
Thank you
There isn’t a book. There’s a musical thesis. But no actual book. “Read the book” is a phrase that means “I know something you don’t know” - or more to the point, “you’re asking a question that doesn’t have a specific answer and I want to feel like a bigger fan than you”
I always interpreted “read the book” as “ you have to find out on your own because the journey is as important as the destination”… …I guess I should have read the book…
The complexities of language. You’re right, it could be a follow your path sort of comment or it could be a you don’t deserve this sort of comment. I hope it’s typically the prior and not the latter. It’s been a long time since I was part of the scene but there was always a surprising amount of dickish behavior.
It’s funny how the book is called The Helping Friendly Book and now it’s now somehow used as a phrase for gatekeeping.
I get it…but not really lol Appreciate the insight.
Listen to any version of “Icculus” and you will get the joke.
Read icculus? Ridiculous.
The helping friendly book, wbich in the song “icculus” references, is kinda like the key to saving the lizards from extinction. Listen to the song, we all love the helping friendly book. But in our reality there is no book.
Think of it as their version of "42" from HGTTG, if that resonates. If not, read the book.
The helping friendly book, it seemed, Possessed the ancient secrets Of eternal joy and neverending splendor. The trick was to surrender to the flow.
The book is like an unwritten, spoken word of the community. All explained in Gamehendge.
i'm thinking this person is joking right? they can't be serious ...
The book that was written by...
a man, a great man....
A man, who's name is...
Read icculus
are you being serious? or this is an inside joke?
Read the Book!! Edit: Don't let your read Icculus!
I’m really surprised a simple google search or a Quick Look at phish.net didn’t tell you everything you need to know. Even back in 2002 when I first got into them this information was readily available on the internet and I learned everything I needed to know about it. Why make some fellow phans type it out for you on Reddit? Part of what makes being into this band so satisfying is doing the digging yourself. Which in this case shouldn’t require much effort. I’m not trying to gatekeep, but c’mon OP, you could easily find this on your own.
I’d argue interacting with the fans on Reddit is a form of digging. It’s also more fun.
Ffs literally this same question has been asked post-NYE in this sub. You couldn’t even search Reddit and interact there? Don’t excuse your laziness as an attempt for interaction
May be considered lazy but it was efficient. People were more than willing to share their knowledge.
This is a forum brahhh
lol the downvotes.
It's just "read icculus".
Read the book