Trey's Ego
Stephen J. Dunn
> >places & less ticket demand] will he get back with phish.
>
> Oh please, Trey's ego my ass.
Trey has a big ego. No doubt about it. Personally, I do not begrudge big
egos to people who DESERVE to have big egos, and Trey certainly falls into
that category. But let us not deny the obvious... Trey has a very, very
big ego.
Let me tell you a little story...
When I was in law school, I played in a beach music cover band. (Beach
music is popular in southern coastal areas, especially in the Carolinas -
it's a little rock, a little country, and all about the favorite local
dance - "The Shag." Remember that song that goes... "You're more than a
number in my little red book..." That's beach music.) Anyway, the band's
guitar player was a great player named Tony. Tony was one of those guys who
could play anything. Even though we were only playing wedding receptions
and country club parties, I would sometimes be so blown away by Tony's solos
that I would forget to come in on cue.
Over the years, the guys in the band and I would exchange musical
recommendations with each other. (They were all about 20 years older than
I). They played Little Feat for me - I played Phish for them. As
musicians, these guys were immediately impressed with Phish and often made a
point to mention that they would not mind if I brought some Phish along on a
long road-trip to a far-off gig. One day, I decided to treat my band-mates
to my favorite Phish tape - the first set of Amy's Farm. We all listened in
silence as Wilson got cranked up. Then, within five seconds of the start of
Trey's solo, Tony said the following:
"Man - that guy's got a huge ego."
Tony knew almost nothing about Phish - never read any interviews or articles
or newsgroup posts - he could hear Trey's ego in the MUSIC. I had never
really thought about it before, but ever since that day I have listened to
the tunes and watched trey with ego in mind... and it's clearly there.
There are a thousand examples, but for the easiest reference just watch
Bitterweet Motel. Not only is the video all about Trey, but Trey even felt
compelled to complain on-camera about a bad review - hence the now-famous
phrase "urinating in our ears."
And now, post-Phish, Trey tours with the "Trey Anastasio Band" and
Oysterhead, a trio of self-proclaimed "alpha-dogs." I am overwhelmed with
the ego-stroking every time I listen to Mr. Oysterhead... "When all else
has been done and said, along comes Mr. Oysterghead... I remember back in
the day when music folk had a lot to say... blah blah blah."
Let us be clear - I think Trey has every right in the world to be an
ego-maniac. He's one of the greatest guitar players of all time. As far as
I am concerned, he is one of the greatest songwriters of all time. (One of
the greatest songwriters, that is, not composers). Trey's ego, like that of
a great athlete, is probably an essential to his performance - you can't
step out in front of people and wail on the guitar unless you KNOW you can
nail it. All the guys in Phish are probably extremely comfortable with
their musical ability. There's nothing wrong with it.
But let's not pretend that Trey does not have a big ego, or that his ego
does not affect the way he lives his life.
Stuart Walker
Stu
the screaming whisper
After watching the Bittersweet Motel DVD, I have concluded that either Trey is
a total dick or the director portrayed him to be that way.
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Kirby Best
movie, then thought better of it, and trey ended up acting like a jackass
for the entire thing. There are some scenes, where it looks like the camera
isn't on him and he acts normally, like the scene in the bus, where they are
talking about playing proud mary like 5 times at the first gig. And he seems
incredibly nice in the interviews, and the guitar lesson, I have heard or
read. I think the problem is the way that the director portrays the band,
and the way trey dealt with movie. At least that's what I have convinced
myself, it's hard to think otherwise.
My $0.02,
Kirby
"Stuart Walker" <disco...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3BEFF972...@hotmail.com...
Larry Penoza
> Trey has a big ego. No doubt about it.
Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the hardest working man in show
bizzniss: EGO-MAN!!!!!
LP
bom.d
not affect the way he lives his life.
EVERYONE has a big ego... but i don't think trey is an "ego-maniac," as you
put it. lets see... you put on amy's farm, which is pretty old and phish
still had to prove themselves back then and trey was much more pivitol in the
mix. and bittersweet motel doesn't paint a bad picture of trey in my mind...
what the fuck can you REALLY say to critisisim? "oh, he's right, i DO urinate
in my audience's ear... maybe i should stop playing all together...?" no, you
accept the fact that everyone has an opinion and bashing what you don't like is
fun! also, trey didn't edit bittersweet motel, he was just the reluctant star
of the film. and, as far as i know, there is no such thing as TAB... its just
what everyone chose to call the band. and i've read too many interviews where
trey explains phish's concept of egoless (zen) jamming...
Jesse George Quinton
I think Trey was having fun, acting like a pompous jerk in the film just to
amuse himself and maybe an attempt to amuse the other members of Phish or
their crew.
When I watch VH1's Hard Rock Live, especially during "Punch You In The Eye,"
I think that Trey is intentionally monotoning his vocals and missing notes.
Phish has proven time and again that Trey, Jon, Mike, and Page are
pranksters, and it seems to me that Trey in particular saw Bittersweet Motel
and the VH1 appearance as chances to act in a confusing manner for fun, and
to ward off the insipid potential fanbase that Phish might accumulate
through the exposure (i.e. "He's a jerk, who does he think he is ruining
fans' photos like that?").
That said, since my primary means of obtaining high-quality video of Phish
in an informal setting was Bittersweet, I would have appreciated a more
intimate look at all four band-members, and less facetious pandering from
Trey. And Trey - if you're really a jackass, I'm sorry ; )
"Kirby Best" <completez...@home.com> wrote in message
news:9wTH7.509236$j65.12...@news4.rdc1.on.home.com...
> I get the feeling from the movie though, that the boys decided to make the
> movie, then thought better of it, and trey ended up acting like a jackass
> for the entire thing. There are some scenes, where it looks like the
camera
> isn't on him and he acts normally, like the scene in the bus, where they
are
> talking about playing proud mary like 5 times at the first gig. And he
seems
> incredibly nice in the interviews, and the guitar lesson, I have heard or
> read. I think the problem is the way that the director portrays the band,
> and the way trey dealt with movie. At least that's what I have convinced
> myself, it's hard to think otherwise.
> My $0.02,
> Kirby
>
> > >
> > > Trey has a big ego. No doubt about it. Personally, I do not begrudge
> big
> > > egos to people who DESERVE to have big egos, and Trey certainly falls
> into
> > > that category. But let us not deny the obvious... Trey has a very,
> very
> > > big ego.
> > >
Dog on a log
rather than blindly making a comment that will surely stir be into a rage of
backlash at you?
-tal
ganesh
"Jesse George Quinton" <jesse_...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:9sp7u2$s4v$1...@news-feed-1.peachnet.edu...
warren
phish it was more trey led, and now its much less.trey doesnt want to be the
ego driven frontman anymore. he still overplays too much.
warren
"Dog on a log" <dogo...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20011112143204...@mb-dh.aol.com...
phisheadrew
Most people in Trey's position get to the point that its rediculous, I think
Trey is handling it pretty well.. Anybody gets a big ego when lots of people
start supporting what you do.
"the screaming whisper" <trai...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3bef...@post.usenet.com...
BoMaGoSh Yndit
articles
| > or newsgroup posts - he could hear Trey's ego in the MUSIC. I had never
| > really thought about it before, but ever since that day I have listened
to
| > the tunes and watched trey with ego in mind... and it's clearly there.
| >
| > There are a thousand examples, but for the easiest reference just watch
| > Bitterweet Motel. Not only is the video all about Trey, but Trey even
felt
| > compelled to complain on-camera about a bad review - hence the
now-famous
| > phrase "urinating in our ears."
| >
the band around backstage part of the project and that Trey basically had to
move to the center to make up for it. Not that he hated it, or that the
filmmaker wouldn't have decided to focus on Trey anyway. But that was my
understanding, I know not from what source.
As for the infamous quote -- watch that scene again closely. It's clear
from Trey's comments to the rest of the band that the filmmaker ASKED HIM
about the bad review -- though the question (like most other questions
asked) was edited out since the interviewee restates the question. So he
was compelled only by the fact that it was a question and he tried to answer
it.
| > And now, post-Phish, Trey tours with the "Trey Anastasio Band" and
| > Oysterhead, a trio of self-proclaimed "alpha-dogs." I am overwhelmed
with
| > the ego-stroking every time I listen to Mr. Oysterhead... "When all
else
| > has been done and said, along comes Mr. Oysterghead... I remember back
in
| > the day when music folk had a lot to say... blah blah blah."
| >
| > Let us be clear - I think Trey has every right in the world to be an
| > ego-maniac. He's one of the greatest guitar players of all time. As
far as
| > I am concerned, he is one of the greatest songwriters of all time. (One
of
| > the greatest songwriters, that is, not composers). Trey's ego, like
that of
| > a great athlete, is probably an essential to his performance - you can't
| > step out in front of people and wail on the guitar unless you KNOW you
can
| > nail it. All the guys in Phish are probably extremely comfortable with
| > their musical ability. There's nothing wrong with it.
| >
| > But let's not pretend that Trey does not have a big ego, or that his ego
| > does not affect the way he lives his life.
|
I think trey has a better perspective than a lot of people about himself.
Does he think he's a damn fine musician and able to play with just about
anyone? Well, yeah. I think it takes a fair amount of self-assurance to go
out on stage in front of a crowd like Phish's fans. Is that the same as a
big ego? It takes a lot of guts to go out on stage before tens of thousands
of people, particularly when you don't even have a setlist, particularly
when you are trusting in your ability to jam out successfully night after
night, knowing that people will give you a thumbs up or thumbs down based
(often) on a comprehensive knowledge of your other jams. But at the same
time I don't see him as a guy who sits and pontificates or always pretends
he knows best. He seems awfully inclusive. And he rarely fails to give
credit to everyone else he works with.
mgerber
> what everyone chose to call the band.
Hmmmm....I saw Trey and his band on 3 different occasions this past summer.
But since Trey never officially named the band anything else I guess by
default we have "The Trey Anastasio Band" or TAB for us internet savvy
folks. After looking at the mail order tickets, they just say Trey
Anastasio as well....I guess we will get a definative answer when Trey and
his band release thier studio album.
later,
Mike
Dog on a log
super-ego!!!!!!
-tal
p.s. its well deserved ;)
Z
> and the VH1 appearance as chances to act in a confusing manner for fun, and
> to ward off the insipid potential fanbase that Phish might accumulate
> through the exposure (i.e. "He's a jerk, who does he think he is ruining
> fans' photos like that?").
why the hell would he want to do that? i aggree with the having fun
part, but i can't imagine anyone in their right mind saying "i'm going
to act like an ass, so that people won't listen to my music"
-Z
--
"If you get confused, just listen to the music play"
Jesse George Quinton
influx of kids at shows, or drunken frat guys, or screaming girls, or bad
drugs, etc. Enjoying such a close relationship as we do, perhaps this
sentiment has worn off on the guys in the band from listening to phans at
shows backstage and reading posts here on rmp. Phish has proven that they'll
go to great lengths to please the fans, and I believe that they would even
sabotage a chance at greater exposure in order to preserve the special
family vibe that permeates the lots and the venues. It is my belief that
Phish, and namely Trey since he is the mastermind and principal songwriter
as well as de facto publicist, orchestrated their slow rise to fame through
careful planning and well-placed stunts. Also contributing to this
phenomenon were the decisions not to take a certain gig or whore the band
and the fans just to make more money. Trey and Phish, imho of course, are
very aware of their position in popular consciousness, and the opportunity
for global domination. They showed great restraint by bowing out at what
some consider the top of their game (albeit financially, not musically),
coincidentally at a time when they were poised for the greatest media frenzy
of their career. Basically, I made those outrageous claims because I believe
them; that Trey couldn't care less about the people who don't get it, and
that he's much more concerned with his own wishes and that of the existing
fanbase.
"Z" <art...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:18a9973d.0111...@posting.google.com...
Canarsie
> a total dick or the director portrayed him to be that way.
I think the director saw it that way, and went with it, because Trey
is in love with himself.
Muffmere21
peace
mike