Bluest Tape

This week, The Bluest Tape takes a trip through the looking glass — and down the rabbit hole — for a Halloween recap that’s as musically rich as it is delightfully strange. Harvey and Jeff reconnect fresh off a Memphis weekend for Jeff’s son’s bar mitzvah (with a party at Dr. Nick’s House, no less — yes, that Dr. Nick, Elvis’s doctor!) before diving headfirst into the latest Widespread Panic Halloween blowout.From Elvis lore and raccoon etiquette to Panic’s fully realized Alice in Wonderland–themed Halloween show in Savannah, this episode covers everything from family milestones to jam-band mythmaking. The guys are joined by longtime Panic fan and writer Aaron Stein, who authored the viral fan essay decoding the literary and lyrical threads behind the band’s 2025 Halloween setlist.Pre-Guest Catch-Up: Memphis, Music, and MadnessBefore Aaron joins, Harvey and Jeff share stories from Harvey's Memphis trip — Jeff’s son’s bar mitzvah, the legendary Dr. Nick house party (complete with a racquetball court, Elvis pinball machine, and polite raccoons), and a mix of fall show chatter.There’s plenty of Halloween talk too — Billy Strings’ marathon sets, Goose’s Hulaween appearance, and the perennial joy of jam bands leaning into the spooky and surreal. The Main Event: Alice in Wonderland Comes AliveThen comes the deep dive with Aaron Stein, a veteran of the Spreadnet era who returned to the Panic fold and penned a scene-stealing breakdown of the Alice in Wonderland set. Together, they unpack how nearly every song choice — from Gradle to Free Somehow — fit the story arc with uncanny precision.Highlights from the conversation include:How Panic built an immersive Alice in Wonderland world, complete with mushrooms, teapots, costumed rabbits, and trippy transitionsThe brilliance of subtle choices like Impossible, You Should Be Glad, and Free Somehow — each lyrically tied to Alice’s journeyWhite Rabbit as the show’s recurring motif, threading through the night before finally exploding in full at the endEaster eggs galore — from Who Are You to Greta > ConradThe rare and fitting bust-outs (Free Somehow, Crazy, Riders on the Storm) that deepened the themeAnd, of course, that perfect finale: Red Hot Mama > White Rabbit > Red Hot Mama — the Queen of Hearts brought to life, Savannah-styleThroughout, the guys and Aaron trade memories of past Halloween themes (Wizard of Oz, Dreams) and marvel at the band’s growing intentionality — how Panic has turned their Halloween tradition into a full-blown art form.Links & ReferencesAaron Stein’s “Alice in Wonderland” Set Narrative: Panic Halloween Breakdown PDFWidespread Panic official site: https://widespreadpanic.com/Everyday Companion (setlist archive): http://www.everydaycompanion.com/Hometeam.fm (live recordings & streams): https://hometeam.fm/

Welcome back to The Bluest Tape! Fall energy is officially here — crisp nights, cozy vibes, and plenty of Panic talk to warm the soul. This week, Harvey and Jeff kick things off by recapping the latest runs, setlists, and seasonal show anticipation before diving back into our conversation with author and longtime jam-scene journalist Mike Ayers, discussing his book Sharing the Groove.If you missed part one, go hit Episode 140 first — then come right back, because this second half is loaded. Mike re-joins us at 01:05:24, and we pick up right where we left off: deep in the world of 90s jam bands, scene lore, the post-Dead landscape, and the obsessive joy of tape culture and musical memory.Before Mike Joins…Harvey and Jeff start the episode catching up on fall shows, livestream moments, and that annual Milwaukee magic. There’s talk of setlist arcs, covers popping up in unexpected spots, and where the band is vibing right now.We get some fun reflections on recent Panic runs — great weather, great crowds, and that uniquely kind Milwaukee energy that always shows up strong. There’s also some speculation on Halloween in Savannah: costumes? themes? the eternal Red Hot Mama debate? It’s all on the table.A little life update too — travel plans, kids growing up (shoutout to the bar mitzvah planning energy), and juggling the very real jam-fan calendar vs. parent calendar thing. We feel that one.Mike Ayers, Part 2: Jam Scene Heart & MemoryOnce Mike rolls in, the conversation opens up into:Why the early 90s jam moment felt lightning-in-a-bottleHow mainstream labels never quite knew what to do with bands who built real communities instead of singlesScenes inside scenes — from Panic to God Street Wine to Hatters to acoustic hookah??The emotional fabric of traveling for music, and why that heartbeat still mattersTape culture as a living archive, not just nostalgiaWhy Mexico runs, Milwaukee pilgrimages, and small historic rooms like the Cap still feel sacredMike reflects on the jam world’s past and future, drops a few theories (some sentimental, some spicy), and reminds us why this music still pulls us in decades deep. The band-to-fan-to-place connection? Still unbeatable.By the end, we’re swapping Dave Matthews memories, laughing at our own encyclopedic pre-2000 Panic knowledge, and loving every minute of the trip down memory lane.Links & ReferencesWidespread Panic (official site)https://widespreadpanic.com/HomeTeam.FM (live show archive / stream hub)https://hometeam.fm/Everyday Companion (setlist archive)http://www.everydaycompanion.com/Mike Ayers — Sharing the Groovehttps://www.sharingthegroove.com/Nugs.net (official live recordings)https://www.nugs.net/widespread-panic/"From the Earth to the Moon" film referencehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_the_Earth_to_the_Moon_(miniseries)Coming Up NextWe’ve got a Fall ‘95 deep-dive cooking with a special guest — and yes, Jeff has been waiting for this one. Stay tuned, and get your tier lists ready.

"The Bluest Tape #140: Sharing in the Groove with Mike Ayers - Part One"In episode 140 of The Bluest Tape, hosts Harvey Couch and Jeff Kollath sit down with author Mike Ayers to discuss his new book "Sharing in the Groove," which chronicles the jam band scene from the mid-1980s through 1999. This is part one of a two-part interview.Topics Discussed:Harvey's upcoming Goose shows at the Palace in Louisville (episode recorded on the eve of the concerts)Confirmed plans for Harvey and Jeff to attend Mempho Fest together - their first Widespread Panic show togetherMike Ayers' personal journey into the jam band scene starting with the Grateful Dead in '93, Phish in '94, and Panic shortly afterThe organic growth of the scene through different regional hubs: Vermont (Phish), New York City (Blues Traveler, Spin Doctors, God Street Wine), and the South (Widespread Panic, ARU)Book Discussion Highlights:Why the book ends at New Year's 1999/Y2K as a natural bookend to the decadeThe "Island of Misfit Toys" philosophy - bands that didn't fit the traditional music industry mold but built devoted followingsHow bands circumvented traditional pathways (radio, MTV, Tower Records) through touring, taping culture, and word of mouthBill Graham's crucial early support of Blues Traveler, getting them on bills with Allmans and Jerry Garcia BandKey Insights from Mike:Record labels judged success on album sales when these bands' strength was live performanceSpin Doctors' "Pocket Full of Kryptonite" was out 9 months before label support, sparked by a Vermont radio programmer's letterThe DIY mentality was "very punk rock" - bands just did it, stringing together tours creativelyCollege Scene Analysis:Fraternities booking bands with substantial budgets ($5,000-$10,000 per show)Universities had "use it or lose it" booking budgets that bands strategically targetedBands would route tours mixing bars, frat houses, random quads, and small venuesUpcoming:Part two of the Mike Ayers interview in the next episodeMempho Fest coverage with both hosts attendingRecommendations:Harvey: Truckin' 76: The Big Rig Adventure Game - a board game recreation of Smokey and the Bandit - www.plaay.comJeff: "The Runarounds" on Amazon Prime - teen band drama with great power pop soundtrack and classic rock referencesPrimary Recommendation: "Sharing in the Groove" by Mike Ayers

In episode 139 of The Bluest Tape, hosts Harvey Couch and Jeff Kollath welcome back friend of the pod Sam Holt for a deep dive into the legendary Summer 1995 tour, complete with a snake draft of their favorite shows and Sam shares some insider stories from crew member Chris Rabold.Topics Discussed:Sam's recent tour with JoJo Hermann in Colorado (Winter Park and Denver at Ophelia's) with full band setupUpcoming Sam Holt Band shows: August 7-9 weekend and Charleston/Athens datesThe evolution of setlist creation in 1995 - when Widespread Panic figured out the art of pacing and dynamicsTechnical discussion of Mike Houser's rig: Soldano head with Mesa Boogie cabinet combinationWrestling talk including AEW's current success and classic matches from the territoriesSummer '95 tour context: 22 shows from Minneapolis church steps to Toledo quarryTechnical Insights from Sam:Mike Houser's guitar setup evolution Setlist creation process with Mike having the biggest hand in writing them downStories of guest guitarists playing Mike's guitars (Warren Haynes, J.J. Cale, Eric Carter)The infamous Alpine Valley show opening for Bob Dylan and Phil LeshCommunity Support:Shoutout to JT Lucasi of Home Team Graphics who lost his shop in recent North Carolina floodingGoFundMe and auction efforts to support JT's recoveryShow Highlights to Check Out:7/29/95 Jackson Hole radio show with JB's solo acoustic Hatfield rap7/22/00 Columbus "parking lot show" at Brewery District PavilionRecommendations:Wrestling: "Queen of the Ring" Mildred Burke biopic featuring Jim CornetteMusic: Any of the drafted Summer '95 shows for prime examples of the band's evolutionEpisode Closer:Space Wrangler encore from 7/28/95 Park City, Utah (Wolf Mountain)

Recording on July 7th, 2025, hosts Harvey Couch and Jeff Kollath cover Harvey's emotional Red Rocks experience, updates on the post-Panicstream landscape, and their continued exploration of the evolving jam band scene.Topics Discussed:Jeff's recent Wisconsin trip and encounter with friend of the pod Marq SpustaJeff's review of Eggy at Overton Park Shell in Memphis - comparing them to "5/8ths speed Phish" with surprisingly slow guitar workMajor update on Home Team FM taking over Panic show streaming, sourcing music directly from the Archive.org instead of compressed MP3sHarvey's third Sunday-only Red Rocks experience, getting emotional during "Wonderin" and "Last Straw"Detailed breakdown of Red Rocks setlist featuring Chuck Leavell's guest appearance and the debut of "Comfortably Numb"The band's 75th show milestone at Red Rocks and Ted Rockwell's effusive praise for the Jessica from night twoDiscussion of Billy Strings show at Rupp Arena and the Dead-like scene surrounding his toursRed Rocks Show Highlights:First set: Driving Song > Pilgrims > Driving Song, WranglerSecond set: Pigeons > Pleas, Conrad, Dead Flowers (Stones cover with Chuck Leavell), Ribs and Whiskey, Surprise Valley > Tie Your Shoes > Surprise ValleyEncore: Comfortably Numb (Pink Floyd debut), End of the ShowTechnical Updates:Home Team FM now streams panic shows with lossless audio sourced from Archive.orgMultiple source options available for new shows 24/7 live radio stream featuring panic influences and live materialPersonal Moments:Harvey's emotional reaction to the "mass of humanity" visible from Red Rocks upper seatsMeeting Ted and Lisa Rockwell in line before the showReconnecting with Georgia friends and their 21-year-old daughter who's now a touring companionHarvey's youngest son insisting on going to Billy Strings after missing the emotional first nightRecommendations:Jeff: Agitation Free (German kraut ock band from 1975) - "if you like the Dead, Allmans, Phish, this is right up your alley"Harvey: Jakob Berger - TikTok baseball announcer impersonation channel https://linktr.ee/jakobbergerArchive News:New official release: Murfreesboro 4/28/01 from the crew era

In this early summer edition of The Bluest Tape, hosts Harvey Couch and Jeff Kollath discuss their recent Goose experiences, address significant news in the Widespread Panic community, and share insights about the evolving jam band scene.Topics Discussed:Summer camp activities for the kids and Harvey's upcoming Red Rocks trip (Sunday show - their 75th performance at the venue)Major news about PanicStream's founder being arrested in a multi-agency sting operation and the community's responseEmergence of new platforms like Home Team FM to fill the void left by Panic StreamJeff's experience at Goose's show at The Factory in Chesterfield, Missouri, including unexpected crowd demographicsHarvey's family trip to see Goose in Indianapolis at Everwise Amphitheater at White River State ParkAnalysis of Goose as both an entry point and comfortable destination for jam band fansDiscussion of how Goose's approach to covers appeals to their audience demographicReflections on seeing bands in their ascendancy versus established legacy actsGoose Show Highlights:St. Louis: Mississippi Half-Step cover, BMW and suburbs observations, hippie pep talk about living life with no regretsIndianapolis: "Give a Time" for the kids, Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" cover, fantastic "Tumble" closer that had Harvey's youngest son hooting and hollering while recording with his phoneVenue Reviews:The Factory in Chesterfield: Premium entertainment destination with Four Hands Brewery, Top Golf, and excellent amenitiesEverwise Amphitheater: Great outdoor venue in White River State Park where Widespread Panic will play in AugustCommunity News:Discussion of the importance of decentralized archives and community-driven preservation effortsComparison to other bands' approaches to their musical archivesPersonal Moments:Jeff's encounter with the helpful hippie: "You got to live life with no regrets, man"Harvey's son getting his first face-melting moment during "Tumble"Family trip to Dot's Tavern in Wisconsin, established 1948Recommendations:Harvey: Ocean Gate documentaries (Netflix version preferred over Max)Jeff: Continued Karen Reed trial coverage (NOT GUILTY!)Closing Tunes:June 18, 1996 show from Zoo Theater in Cincinnati featuring "Sleepy Monkey > Airplane" and "Do What You Like"Notable Quotes:"You got to get into it, man. Put that down and get up... You got to live life with no regrets." - Random hippie to Jeff at Goose show"It's much more of a blank slate than what panic is, than what fish is." - Jeff on Goose's appeal"There wasn't a point during the goose show where it's like, there's no point in this." - Jeff comparing to other jam bandsThe episode explores themes of community, generational change in music scenes, and the comfort found in discovering new bands while maintaining connections to longtime favorites.

Show NotesIn episode 136 of The Bluest Tape, hosts Harvey Couch and Jeff Kollath discuss summer activities, recap Widespread Panic's recent Chicago shows, and share a detailed interview with legendary taper Charles Fox recorded several weeks prior.Topics Discussed:Summer plans including family camps and upcoming Goose shows in Indianapolis and St. LouisDetailed recap of Widespread Panic's three-night run in Chicago featuring guest appearances by Billy Strings and Jerry JosephJeff's deep dive into George McConnell-era shows, specifically a 2003 Tallahassee performance, and reflections on that transitional periodAnalysis of how the George era might have been viewed differently if it had been shorterDiscussion of current ticket prices and venue challenges at Chicago showsTribute to Sly Stone, who passed away recentlyCharles Fox Interview Highlights:Charles's evolution from DAT trading in college to becoming one of the premier audience tapers in the sceneTechnical discussion of recording equipment, from Shep's tube microphones to modern Sound Devices recordersThe importance of positioning and the "sweet spot" for optimal recording qualityHow taper wives play a crucial support role in protecting equipment and managing crowdsStories from memorable recording experiences, including sneaking gear into Rolling Stones and Jazz Fest showsHis approach to distribution via Archive.org and maintaining multiple backup copiesIntroduction of his teenage son to the taping worldTechnical Gear Discussion:Evolution from external preamps and DAT recorders to integrated Sound Devices unitsBenefits of 32-bit recording and modern windscreen technologyThe art of discrete recording for venues that don't allow tapingRecommendations:Harvey: Karen Reed trial coverageJeff: "90 Day Hunt for Love" reality showNotable Quotes:"When this show starts and they start playing Chilly, I don't know how many people were in that venue, but it's there were like 25,000 fucking people in that. Like, they lost their gourds." - Jeff on the energy of 2003 shows"I don't know how they could be any better than they're currently playing right now." - Charles Fox on the current state of Widespread Panic"Sometimes you think it doesn't get better, but it's gotten smaller, it's gotten better sound." - Charles Fox on recording technology evolution"I usually have a kind of a scale, you know, where I recorded in Nashville, I probably have this similar game to start with at the first night of Charleston." - Charles Fox on his recording approachThe episode showcases the deep technical knowledge and dedication of the taping community while providing insight into both the current state of Widespread Panic and reflection on the band's transitional periods.

In episode 135 of The Bluest Tape, hosts Harvey Couch and Jeff Kollath catch up on recent Widespread Panic performances, share their revelation about audience tapes, and host a special segment with Mike McClure (IG @guesstheyearshow) from the "Guess the Year" podcast.Topics Discussed:Recent Widespread Panic shows at Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville, featuring guest appearances by Daniel Donato and Jarrod WalkerThe revelation that Charles Fox's audience recordings provide a superior listening experience compared to soundboard recordingsAnnouncement of Widespread Panic headlining Mempho Festival in Memphis this October with Father John Misty, Leftover Salmon, Galactic, and other notable actsHarvey's experience seeing My Morning Jacket during their five-night residency at the Palace in LouisvilleJeff's proposal to find and discuss the top five Widespread Panic shows from each era of the bandNew music releases including Goose's latest album and Widespread Panic's Athens '98 releaseA discussion about the Sphere venue in Las Vegas and concert experiences thereGuest Segment:Mike McClure from the "Guess the Year" podcast joins to discuss Grateful Dead fandom, music eras, and the art of discerning years by soundA friendly competition where Harvey and Jeff try to identify the years of three Grateful Dead performancesDiscussion of the crossover between Grateful Dead and Widespread Panic fansInsights into the evolution of the Grateful Dead's sound through different erasRecommendations:Jeff: McKay's used media stores in Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga - https://www.mckaybooks.comHarvey: "Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kid Influencing" documentary on Netflix - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ6H2QyeWAEMike: Nick Paumgarten's article "A Fan's Notes on the Super Bowl" in The New Yorker - https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/03/10/a-fans-notes-on-the-spectacle-of-super-bowl-weekUpcoming Guests:Marq Spusta, Widespread Panic poster artist who created artwork for their latest album and singlesNotable Quotes:"I had a breakthrough on listening to this era of widespread panic... it's audience tapes." - Jeff on the superior sound quality of Charles Fox's recordings"Let's start to compile a list of the five best shows in each era of the band." - Jeff proposing a new segment for future episodes"The search for those moments is why we do this, why we follow bands around the country." - Harvey on the thrill of live music experiencesFollow The Bluest Tape on social media for updates on upcoming episodes and guest appearances.Links:Guess the Year: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/guess-the-year/id1649273235BT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BluestTapePodcast/BT Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bluesttape9773BT IG: https://www.instagram.com/bluesttapepodcast/