Hear Phish’s Playful ‘Funky Bitch’ Soundcheck From San Francisco Fillmore In 1998
A soundboard recording of the band’s lone performance at the venue recently surfaced.
By Scott Bernstein Nov 3, 2022 • 7:42 am PDT
A previously uncirculated soundboard recording of Phish‘s surprise concert at The Fillmore in San Francisco on October 15, 1998 recently surfaced. The crispy source also includes the show’s soundcheck featuring a loose “Funky Bitch” complete with a jam on The Beatles classic “Lady Madonna.”
Tickets for the show at the 1,351-capacity venue were put on sale just an hour after Bay Area radio station KFOG announced Phish would be coming to The Fillmore. A note on Phish.net details how tickets were distributed:
This “under the radar” show was never formally announced by Phish. San Francisco radio station KFOG leaked word of an upcoming “surprise announcement” two weeks before the show, telling Phish fans to tune in on Saturday morning for details. The 11:00 a.m. announcement was that tickets would be sold at noon the vacant Pier 32, prompting a mad rush of fans to the waterfront. Of the several thousand who arrived, roughly four hundred lucky people were able to buy vouchers entitling them to a pair of tickets.
Phish made their lone visit to the historic theater a few days before performing at the Bridge School Benefit Concerts, held at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California on October 17 and 18, 1998. The quartet warmed up for the show at The Fillmore by running through “Funky Bitch.” Guitarist Trey Anastasio and keyboardist Page McConnell each threw down solos to ready their gear.
Anastasio inserted hints of Lennon/McCartney’s “Lady Madonna” towards the end of “Funky Bitch” and his bandmates followed along for a quick vamp on the 1968 single. A short bluesy jam brought the soundcheck to a close. Listen to the soundcheck below:
Phish kicked off the concert proper with a sprawling “Ghost” that spanned over 16 minutes. Other highlights include jam chart-worthy versions of “Wolfman’s Brother,” “Gumbo,” “Reba,” “Prince Caspian,” “Birds Of A Feather” and “Harry Hood.” The newly surfaced recording can be downloaded in FLAC format via MEGA.nz and Google Drive or through an Etree torrent.
Stream the recording on YouTube here:
[Hat Tip – @StormyPodcast]
Loading tour dates
Advertisement
Set 1: Ghost -> Water in the Sky, Wolfman's Brother, Gumbo > David Bowie, Brian and Robert, Reba [1] > Character Zero
Set 2: My Soul > Chalk Dust Torture, Roggae, The Moma Dance, Wading in the Velvet Sea > Prince Caspian > Frankie Says, Birds of a Feather, Lawn Boy, Harry Hood
Encore: Dirt, Limb By Limb
This âunder the radarâ show was never formally announced by Phish. San Francisco radio station KFOG leaked word of an upcoming âsurprise announcementâ two weeks before the show, telling Phish fans to tune in on Saturday morning for details. The 11:00 a.m. announcement was that tickets would be sold at noon the vacant Pier 32, prompting a mad rush of fans to the waterfront. Of the several thousand who arrived, roughly four hundred lucky people were able to buy vouchers entitling them to a pair of tickets. Prior to Brian and Robert, Trey said that Fish used to hate the yellow light and that Fish used to have a list of things that he hated, adding that every time they found out something Fish hated, they’d always do it (prompting Page to tease HYHU, which Fish also hates). Fish added that he hated the vowel “ooo” (the crowd responded with “ooo” noises). Trey said the only way to overcome something you hate was to face it head on. Trey then had Chris Kuroda shine a yellow light on Fish for Brian and Robert. Reba did not have the whistling ending. Hood contained a tease of Aaron Coplandâs Fanfare for the Common Man. After the show, some fans were given a poster (later for sale from Phish Dry Goods) and a bumper sticker (saying: âWeâve just come from Phish at the Fillmore. It was nice.â).
