Just as 12/30 is a reliable date for an absolute smoking show in anticipation of NYE, 11/2 has a track record of putting out some heaters after a lubricating Halloween performance (see '96 Coral Sky and '98 Dark Side of the Moon for reference). The Bangor '94 show has provided some really awesome officially released tunes. Foam (on Live Bait 9) features some really great rhythmic play, tension, and above-standard dynamic drive, arguably bookending the song's golden era along with the legendary 12/14/95 performance. Possum (on Live Bait 19) plays with a cool Spencer Davis jam that prevails even into Trey's solo. But even after this motif is abandoned, the band takes off down that road, recklessly mowing down whatever vermin may scuttle in their way. Trey's shredding is on another level for this one, and there's some really excellent departures from the standard solo structure as the band approaches the peak. Of course, the mighty ALO Tweezer packs a heavy-ass punch. This version is in many ways the spiritual predecessor to the Bozeman 11/28/94 Tweezer that would follow, notable for its numerous, diverse sections and crazy creative Type II jamming. Just scrub through the song a few minutes at a time and you could trick any unfamiliar party into believing they're hearing totally different jams.

Outside these official releases, the show features a stellar first set that includes a spirited Suzy Greenberg with a fun Stairway tease in Trey's solo, a blazing Maze that burns white hot with dissonance and fury (Fishman is fucking ballistic), a cool Stash unique for its departure into major mode territory, and a kick-ass Mule with some awesome collaboration between Page, Mike and Trey. Second set is mostly carried by Tweezer and Possum, but the rest of the tunes are nonetheless delivered with that special Fall '94 gumption (especially Mango Song).