This is the show where I GOT IT!! This was my fifth show, and my fourth of the week. I was up in Arcata, and then the two GAMH shows, but I was either drunk or hungover for those three shows. The Catalyst show got me. I was pretty burned out and tired, and still a little sick from drinking too much on the 17th, but I got electrified and energized when they took the stage. I think the crowd had a lot to do with it. The Catalyst was either sold out, or close to it. I remember it was pretty full, and the crowd was in great spirits. I think that threw me off, since I had never seen more than about 200 people at their shows up to this point.
The rather excellent SBD has circulated for years, so I won't go into detail about the show itself (it rocked!), rather I want to explain how my attitude toward Phish shifted from thinking they were good, but not going anywhere to thinking they might be the best unknown band in the world.
The definitive moment came when Fish's mom came out and played vacuum on Terrapin. Seriously. That's all it took. With Fish's insistence that she keep going, I was blown away that these guys would have one of their moms join them, and then show so much love toward her for jamming on a vacuum cleaner.
It was a turning point for me. Maybe the alcohol poisoning finally worked its way out of my system and I saw and heard them clearly, but at that moment, I felt like I was hearing an amazing band. As tired as I was, I did not want the Hood to end, and I tried to get everyone to get them all back on stage for a second encore after GTBT.
After this show, I wanted to see them as often as I could. Hell, I think I may have entertained the idea of moving to Vermont.