Live in Dallas, TX, The Trees, 15.06.1999
Text written by Isaac Powell
Photos taken by Isaac Powell
Where should I begin? Well, I would have to say that June 15th was one of the best days of my life. My friends and I
got to the venue (Trees) at around 8:30. I knew Three Fish weren't scheduled to play until 10:30 but I didn't care, it
was my first time being at this particular venue and I wanted to see what it was like and such. My friends and
I were some of the first people in and we kind of stood around the front of the stage and watched the crew make their
last modifications to the stage. Then I noticed a guy standing at the bar, in a heart beat I knew it was Robbi, because
who else had hair that cool? Needless to say I immediately walked over to where he was, he was standing
at the bar watching the Buffalo Sabers and the Dallas Stars on TV. No one recognized him, he was just standing alone
for the longest time. So, I went up to him and I introduced my self and told him I was looking forward to the show and
that it was going to be the first time to see him live. Then I asked him if he would sign a few things
for me, he of course said sure. So I gave him the case to the Quiet Table and he signed it. Then I pulled out the liner
notes of a Tribe After Tribe album (Robbi used to sing in this band) and he got this astonished look on his face. He
said Wow, I don't even have this record
and then he began thumbing through it looking
at the lyrics he had wrote and then he signed it. I guess he hadn't seen that album in quite some time. Then he signed
it and shook my hand. I didn't want to infringe on his time before the show so I thanked him and returned to the front
of the stage.
David Garza came on at 9:45. Actually he was the big draw for the crowd, being based in Texas and all. So, the crowd
was really in to his music. He played about 12 songs, and about in the middle of the set I knew where I recognized him
from, a Best Buy commercial, it was kind of weird. But I really liked his music. After David Garza's set ended the crew
immediately started taking down equipment and setting up. George Webb Jeff's guitar tech, for Pearl Jam) sat right in
front of me and tuned all the instruments, including the Saz and Oud, they are Middle Eastern instruments, and from
what I understand are really hard to play. When they were finally done setting up the stage for Three Fish it looked
very cool. There were two velvet like chairs in the shape of a star, Robbi's acoustic guitar was in one chair, Jeff's
stand up bass was in the other. There were also lots and lots of candles and several Middle Eastern cloths and
tapestries hanging over the amps and speaker stacks.
Then Three Fish came out around 10:45, I was right smack in front of Robbi, 3 feet away. There was nothing between the stage and us and it was about 3.5-4 feet high, so I was really close. They opened with 'Shiva', it was amazing, I could hardly keep my eyes focused on one member of the band, and I was just turning my head from Jeff (who was on my right) to Robbi, then to Richard and then back to Jeff. Then I realized I was there for the music, so I closed my eyes, 'Shiva' is one of the more moving songs I have ever heard. When I opened my eyes Robbi was looking right at me, and I was looking at him. I was in total amazement. At the end of the song Richard kept I slight drumbeat going and then Robbi started the next song 'Transporting'.
Jeff had been shoeless for 'Shiva', I suppose he was honoring what the song meant to him by taking off his shoes, I
don't know. He put his shoes back on and stood up along with Robbi. It was spell bounding they seemed to be really in
tune with each other, not just musically but spiritually as well. After the song came to an end Richard stood up and
began to walk up to the front, I knew exactly what was next, it had to be 'Tremor Void', and sure enough it was. I
didn't know Richard was a left handed like me, and when he sat down and put this guitar upside down, as lefty's must
do, I said Oh no there is a lefty in the band!
Robbi looked my way and smiled and
Richard smiled, pointed to the guitar and said to the crowd Don't worry its only for one
song.
And an impressive version of 'Tremor Void' followed. It was inspiring to me to watch Robbi play the Saz,
it looks incredibly hard to play.
Then Richard returned to his drum kit and Jeff grabbed a guitar and Robbi was handed a bass, and 'Song For a Dead Girl' followed. This more up-tempo song seemed to draw the attention of most of the crowd. Jeff did some neat stuff with the guitar, he was using a lot of distortions and feed back from the speaker, and traded lines with Robbi singing "I need a miracle." The band kept the up tempo songs going. Next was 'All These Things', it seemed like Richard was unconscious, just wailing away, he is such a great drummer and this song really showed it. Then they stared 'Silence at the Bottom of the Well' (Jeff still on guitar too!). Robbi was singing with so much emotion, and letting his braids fly through the air.
Robbi and Jeff switched instruments and took a breather for a minute. Then Richard started 'My Only Foe'. The whole
experience for me was entrancing, it seemed like they were playing personally for me. Next was 'Timeless', I was
hoping Jeff would play djembe on this song but he didn't, this truly is a beautiful song, and much more so when you
can see the expression on the each of the band members faces. It was sad that the crowd was rude, you could distinctly
hear people talk during this beautiful song, and 'Timeless' obviously means so much to Robbi. After the song Robbi
stood up to the microphone and said something to the effect of This IS supposed to be the
QUIET TABLE, you know well, I guess you have something to talk about since Buffalo kicked Dallas's ass!!!
He then
had most everyone's attention in the club, and then he came back and said Well you know, I
had my money on Dallas.
And then the drunk Dallas fans showed their approval. Then Jeff grabbed his fretless
bass. Robbi began 'Laced', and Jeff came right it with the awesome sound of the fretless. The fretless bass has similar
qualities to that of a human voice, at least to me, it was tremendous to see Jeff go to work. When Richard came in
with the drums it was really incredible. A smiling Robbi and Jeff gathered around the drums and kept the song going for
an extended jam.
Again the band took a minute to catch their breath. Jeff kept his fretless and Robbi was handed an Oud. He started to fiddle around with it, and then gave Richard a nod. Richard began the hypnotic beat of 'Myth of Abdou', and Robbi started playing the Oud, his fingers were moving so fast, it defiantly is one of the hardest instruments to play. Jeff sang the repeating chant with his eyes closed, he was really recluse all night. I think he realizes that most people that are there for Three Fish are actually there to see him, but he wants people to focus on Robbi and Richard. For example, he didn't introduce himself, only the other guys in the band. Actually I don't think I saw Jeff with his eyes open much during the show, he was just totally into the music. I can't stress enough how well they all played together. They are a unit whose sum is far greater than its parts, and I think that's what Jeff wanted the crowd to see. On the next song, 'Once In a Day', they band had an extended jam once again. Richard was just thrashed away on his drum kit. When the song was finished Robbi stepped up to the microphone once again, and asked the crowd if they could feel the music, I definitely could, as well as the passion in every word and every note played.
A unique version of 'All Messed Up' was played. Some the lyrics were changed and towards the end of the song parts of 'Zagreb' were intermingled, to give the song a totally different feel. And before I knew it Three Fish were done with the song and off the stage. After a few minutes Jeff came back on stage and I over heard him telling his guitar tech that they were going to play 'Resonate'. The rest of the band came out and once again Robbi then thanked the crowd and said they were going to play one more. Resonate was beautiful, but the shocking thing was that Scott (I don't know his last name, he was at the keyboards and played the djembe, but Robbi called him the honorary fourth fish) played the guitar on this song. He sounded quite similar to Mike McCready, who played on the album. Resonate was really a great song to end with. The band left the stage after saying their thank yous, and Jeff threw his pick into the crowd. With the atmosphere now reaching its peak, they were gone. What a great show, but the night wasn't over.
Afterwards I went to the side of the building and waited for the band to come out. I could see Richard inside drinking
a beer and relaxing. I expected people to want to talk to the band or at least get the their autographs, but there were
a hand full of fans out side waiting on the band. About 5 minutes passed and Robbi came out along with Richard. What
few fans were there got their autographs and left to find Jeff. So basically it was Richard, Robbi and I standing there.
So for about 45 minutes we stood there and talked. It was like talking with friends of many years. They both
agreed that the best part about touring was meeting all the different people and seeing all the different sights. They
are both down to earth individuals.
Richard talked about his drum kit, how he got it custom made in Taos New Mexico and that there was something that more magical about playing on that kit because of its origin. I asked him if he would sign the Quiet Table for me, and we got into a conversation about the Fastbacks. He offered me a taste of his drink, how could I refuse? He said he had mixed it himself and he called it 'deep magic' or something.
I found out that Robbi's braids have been in for 10 years, and he pointed to the lone braid at my bangs and said that was the way his started. He just kept adding more and more, and they became matted. He asked me for a light, he was smoking an imported brand of cigarettes, I suppose they were South African =). We talked about Dallas, art, just about anything and JFK's assassination. The site were he was shot was right down the street from where we were. Richard said he wanted to go jogging that morning but it was too eerie, because it was where JFK died. Then this woman and this guy out there (I think they were w/ the band cause they seemed to know the band pretty well) lit up this huge joint and Richard took a hit and passed it to me! I really wasn't expecting it, but I took a hit anyway. I passed it to Robbi, he made I comment about feeling like Bob Marley, I didn't get the full comment cause I was coughing =).
Robbi And Richard started talking to the other people I was with. So I figured this was a good time to step away. I
went around to the front, and sure enough I found who I was looking for, none other than Jeff Ament. He was talking
to some fans and was just walking away when I got up there, and right before I said hi, this girl butted in and asked
Jeff if he wanted to go to Dennys (a restaurant). Jeff was really polite and said he had things to take care of. And
then she started to get annoying and asked him if his underwear were the same color as his shirt, I laughed and shook
my head at her but Jeff was nice and said no I think they are just normal underwear. Then I introduced myself as a big
fan and said that if he had a minute, his signature was the only one I needed, he said sure thing. He already had a pen
but I handed him mine, he said jokingly as he was signing the album my pen isn't good enough
huh?
He asked me my name, then I thanked him for coming to Texas, and he said a tour
just isn't a tour if you don't go to Texas.
Then I gave him a proposal, I asked him if he wanted to trade hats,
he said that the that my hat was great but he was wearing his 'tour hat'. So I said in the same tone he used earlier
My hat isn't good enough, huh?
He laughed and then he thanked me for coming to the
show and shook my hand. He started to walk away and got about 4 steps and turned around said sorry, because he still
had my pen, and insured me that we wasn't trying to steal it.
It was so meaningful to me because all three members of the band extended their hands before I extended mine, it was like they wanted to shake my hand, they were totally humble individuals. Well, it was an amazing night, and everyone that I took with me was totally impressed with the show and the fact that the members of the band came out to talk to the fans.
