I told several friends during Sunday night’s Goose show at the Palace Theater that I didn’t intend to write up anything about the show; I didn’t feel qualified to do so (namely because I don’t really know their catalog very well).
Yet, here I am, in a sense.
It’s like a few of them were daring me to rip them.
Spoiler: I’m definitely not here to do that. And this is not a review of that show.
I started this blog to, among other things, share and help promote music that I love; I have no interest in publicly tearing down artists who put their work out there for the world just because I like another band more.
I’m happy for all my friends whose souls are soothed, energized or inspired by any particular performer.
I know that joy.
And I know what it feels like to lose my marbles over an incredible band (for me Phish, King Gizz, Billy Strings, Mcbaise, have done that, to name a few).
The last thing I want to be is too close-minded to even give a band like Goose a chance.
It sounds all too much like the contingent of Grateful Dead fans that hated on Phish back in the 90s; I’m forever grateful to both bands for the profound impact they’ve had on my life – through the music itself and the amazing friends I have found through the music. And on the other hand, I’m guessing many of those Negative Nancies were just having a reaction to perceived overhype of Phish at the time.
Everyone has different musical tastes.
Jamband fans need to remember, myself included, that the point of the music is not competition.
You can love any number of groups or not.
There’s so much negative crap in this world; Tearing down another man’s (or woman’s) musical treasure is a waste of time.
We (including me) can all do better.
One highlight for the writer was seeing and feeling the love many of his friends have for Goose.
A lot of people really love Goose. And even though I’ve only seen two hometown Goose shows that another friend and also big fan of the band has told me were basically nowhere near the best Goose shows he’s attended, I can still see why many love them. There’s a lot of talent on stage, and Goose is willing to take the chances necessary to find some bliss.
That friend suggested to me that the band “hated” Minnesota because they’ve played better this past weekend; I countered that Goose was on their fourth show in as many nights – be thankful you’ve gotten to see them at their best.
Anyone who’s heard me talk about Goose knows I feel they’ve been overhyped. It’s not fair to blame them for a few annoying fans. And maybe my problem is I haven’t seen them near their absolute best. I know plenty of people that absolutely loved Sunday’s show, by the way.
But that, along with what might be intended as well-natured trolling and my willingness to take the bait, has made it harder for me to keep an open mind about them.
I did feel like skipping Sunday’s show, as I was coming into town two hours before showtime.
I’m glad I went.
I had to fight through negative feelings because a certain friend relentlessly telling me (and anyone who will listen that his two favorite jam bands are better than mine). That’s also not Goose's fault.
This friend is definiltey the biggest Goose fan I know, but his troll game only serves to send people the other way.
Fans of other jambands are the most likely to become fans of a band like Goose, but the type of peeing contest that has been taking place the last few years over the likes of Goose, Billy Strings, King Gizz (three bands that have emerged) in particular, only serves to polarize people. That sounds too much like the crap our political system has devolved into.
Let’s not do that.
I’ve been trying to turn a buddy onto King Gizz(ard and the Lizard Wizard), a band with an impressively deep catalog with wide-ranging styles. This friend, a Phish and Goose fan, has been patient with me, and I think I might have found the song (“The Land Before Timeland”) that could open door to him.
Or not.
Or maybe he just needs to see them live to understand their magic.
Or maybe he’s just never going to be a Gizz fan.
That’s OK; I’m thankful we already share a love for several bands.
I’ve tried hard not to oversell Gizz to him, which is hard for me because I don’t know of any band that's blown me away like this weird psychedelic band from Down Under. But they didn’t click for me until I saw them live (a show that one member of the band acknowledged had some special sauce).
And I have been losing it over bands for a long time.
I know about overselling music. There was the time I talked up the Trey Anastasio/Khruangbin LOCKN’ sit-in a few years back to a few buddies. They definitely weren’t as impressed as me; and I’m guessing they might have liked it more if they just watched it without me fluffing it.
I probably ruined it for them.
Or maybe it wasn’t as good as I perceived.
Another buddy, who happens to have caught hundreds of Phish shows and is a big Khruangbin fan, thought the whole thing was just too awkward; I would agree it started out a little uneasy, but I think some cool stuff happened later in the set. And Khruangbin doesn’t really jam in the first place.
They were willing to take a chance, and I’m glad that they did. That’s what improvisation is all about.
Of course, we’re all entitled to our opinions.
I definitely have mine. Many of the criticisms I’ve had of Goose could easily apply to the band whose jams I love the most, though most of my issues stem from over-exuberant fans like my one friend.
I liked a lot of what I heard Goose do in St. Paul on Sunday night; any band that jams has to take chances to break through to find magic, and not all improvisational journeys lead to those moments we’re all hoping to experience.
Let’s all remember to be kind (and I’m pointing the finger at myself as much as anyone), as Mickey Hart reminded everyone on July 5, 2015.
Mickey Hart reminded everyone to “Be Kind,” in his parting words at Fare Thee Well in 2015. It’s great advice that certainly applies here.