You heard it here first. My Morning Jacket and Phish.
I first had this feeling in 2002 when I was a
young pup, gliding around the country from film festival to film festival, looking for a place to show some films, steal cold
beer and find a couch that didn't smell weird to sleep on. To help keep the gas tank full, I'd cover these festivals
for any film / music magazine that would listen. Here's a clip from Moviemaker Magazine when I covered the Cucalorus
Film Festival in Wilmington, NC that started me on my eventual (and admittedly inconsequential) MMJ/Phish path:
Aside from the standard Opening Night Reception, lunch panels and cocktail hours, unique to Cucalorus
are the party-'til-dawn moviemaker gatherings called "Late Nights," beginning after midnight
throughout festival week. The BYOB events brought together some of indie
rock's finest to join the Cucalorus festivities. Most notable was an amazing 2 a.m. set by Darla Record's
alt. country rockers My Morning Jacket, playing to a standing room only crowd
at the legendary Third Floor, organized by Wilmington pop music legend Fred. Liverpool had John and Paul,
Wilmington has Fred. click here for full article
I sorta forgot about em for a bit and then in 2004, MMJ jumped onto the radar again headlining the amazing Lebowski Fest in Louisville, KY, dressed as characters from The Big Lebowski. They opened their god-damn set with "The Man In
Me"! Bob Dylan / Opening Credits song! Got me thinking about Phish and their Halloween shows, doing covers
and costumes and the whole bit....but nah, not an indie rock band from KY. Then sh*t started happening....By the way,
its things like this that prevent me from achieving any real success in my life, the details, as it were, are the cause and
soultion to all my problems and happiness all at once.
2007: MMJ did a two night run of shows at the 40 Watt Club in Athens, GA called UNDER THE SEA where the venue was set up like the prom
from Back To The Future.
"For all of you who missed your prom back in 1956 or 1986 or 2006 for that matter, we will be hosting
the 1st annual MMJ 2 night prom, March 6th and 7th, at the fabulous, prom-ready, 40 Watt Club in Athens! The first time we
walked thru those hallowed 40 Watt doors we said to ourselves, 'this place looks perfect for a prom!' And now the
dream will be a reality. The theme is a futuristic/retro under the sea vibe - costumes (tuxes, suits, robots, mermaid and
lobster costumes, anything prom/ocean related) are not only encouraged - they are MANDATORY!!! NO ONE will be admitted without
proper attire!** There will be cake, balloons, fishnets, classic cars, chaperones, spankings, and a whole lotta shakin goin
on - 2007 style upin this bitch ya'll. Come prepared to dance the night away, and make up for all the proms you missed...
- My Morning Jacket
Bad ass, right? Then the press started pouring in about this indie rocker
band that jams and stole the show at Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza. Fast forward to Bonnaroo 2008 and My Morning Jacket
got the coveted midnight slot. About an hour or so into the show, Jim James said "we'll be right back, gonna
take a very short break". A set break? 2 sets! I've had it! And so the ever growing list....
MMJ
Are The New Phish
1) MMJ are playing Madison Square Garden on New Years Eve, a distinction Phish held throughout
the 1990s
2) All MMJ shows are 2 sets
3) MMJ have a list of irreverant cover songs, just like a certain Vermont
band
4) They jam alot
5) Their light show is all weird and tripped out for the college kids
6) There are
inside jokes/song titles printed on bootleg t-shirts sold outside MMJ shows
to be continued....
The Man In Me - My Morning Jacket - free mp3 (Live from Lebowski Fest 2004, Bob Dylan cover)
