Modjeska
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
November 1, 1996
We’ve headed back to 1996 for the 4th volume of Porch Songs. One word sort of sums up this show: WOW! And that was just what Dave had to say as the band took the stage that night in Milwaukee. With such a large percentage of the crowd a little wrinkly from partying all night before at the Halloween show just down the road in Chicago, the band did everyone a favor and started out the set with a “Sleepy Monkey.” After finding their way to and through “Makes Sense To Me” and “Gradle,” “Just Kissed My Baby” provided the perfect launching point for the evening…as if the opener didn’t take care of that itself! After Mikey gave us “Smoke and Burn,” “Happy” and “Wondering,” Jojo continued his Mardi Gras mood…that kept running right through the encore…with a little “Sick and Tired” / “Shake, Rattle and Roll” back and forth that got everybody hopping around for sure. Once JB sensed it was time for some chicken, the boys served up some “Contentment Blues” and a little “Love Tractor” to end what was certainly a wake up call for set two.
With the required seat belt check and a little prayer for the captain and crew, we’re off again with “Airplane” to begin the second half of the night’s journey. After eventually landing on “Aunt Avis” and then finding that quiet space again, Mikey rips into “B of D” …and talk about taking off! Whew! “Jack” comes in right on cue to give everyone a chance to catch their breath, again. Just then, out of nowhere we get a ”Dear Mr. Fantasy” with JB throwing in his originality and Mikey just completely shredding the place and then taking a “where are we now?” break again…just before venturing into “Guilded Splinters”…which just set the tone for the remainder of the show. Returning to “Guilded” after Sunny and Todd did their thing, everyone still had a bit left to go with a meaty “Diner” and then a “Tall Boy” to wash it all down. The encores were certainly approriate with “And It Stoned Me” and “Red Beans” giving the crowd the high five of…”Yeah, boy howdy… that was a great show and we’re not done with Mardi Gras in Milwaukee in November just yet.”
And, thankfully, neither are we! So, as the band had just about finished up its midwestern swing of shows through Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan, it became evident once again that they can hit on all cylinders when the crowd expects it…like that Halloween show in Chicago…and even maybe when they don’t…like this next night in Milwaukee. But for that matter, I can’t really recall ever being at a show where I didn’t think great things were getting ready to happen. And when you combine a room full like-minded people with a band and their unique ability to channel that energy…I guess what you get is Widespread Panic.
Hey, speaking of trying to hit on all cylinders…this show gives us a good example of a Porch Song pick and what influenced it. As I wrote a few months ago describing the series and the potential picks, I’m out there looking for some intersecting points where a certain show deserves archive consideration, but, for whatever reason, it’s highly unlikely that it will be able to get the Multi-Track love. In the case of Milwaukee 1996, I first and foremost looked to the huge amount of support this show has always had from both the fans’ and band’s perspective. I then considered a) the lack of a soundboard copy in current circulation among the tapers and b) what I found to be non-existent MT tapes in the vault. But never one to give up, a thorough vault search did unearth this 2 Track Soundboard recording, and even though it’s not perfect…it does go a long way in documenting a show that was certainly close to perfection. So, enjoy! Feedback is always welcome…and I do listen, so drop me a line at archives@widespreadpanic.com. Thanks for the support!
Order your copy of the November, 1996 Milwaukee, WI show here
one of my top 10 Panic shows. Thank You.
Horace is knockin’ the crap out of the ball with these Porch Songs releases…I think it’s time we have him checked for HGH.
THANKS!!!!!
[...] of archival releases, we’ve already got the release of the fourth Porch Songs featuring an incredible show from Milwaukee on November 1, [...]
Thanks again!
Why couldn’t it have been 10/31? I realize that its a very popular tape, but a crappy sounding one thanks to the poor acoustics of the Aragon. Would have been nice to have a crispy board of my first show.
Oh well, I’ll still enjoy this. Looking forward to some smokers from Fall ‘98 as well!!!
Thanks Horace!!
This show was one of those total hidden gems. It was hard to imagine that they could follow up that Halloween show in Chicago so strongly. We were pretty burnt after a hard nights partying the night before and the drive, I can only imagine the guys in the band were also, but the boys managed to bring us back to life, and put on a stellar show.
All I can say is how grateful I am that you are putting these shows out…another solid pick for sure. Being there I agree to the quality and intimacy of the show. For me, this is why this show was chosen….While Halloween was great — this was a real treat. Keep up the great work Horace!
The darkest Guilded intro ever! Listen as Mikey sneaks up on the crowd at the begining. Dirty Panic…
Thanks Horace!
indeed a great show. Fall 96 was chock full of em.. The Madison 10-25/26 – 96 are epic as well. as is 11-7 …
Wee
One of the first “tapes” I traded for. Still one of my favorites. Thanks!
Pat Goodwin’s 1st show!!!
Great pick sounds great, but why is it called number 4 isnt this 5
Wow, I can’t get enough of the Mikey years…Of course I have to get this disk, as it was our first Panic show! I think I long-hair-whipped all the kids around me that night in the pit.
MONROE, LA 10/14/96. not many people know about this one. a very different kind of show.
Thanks so much for releasing this show. This was my 21st Birthday run which was the following night in OH. I remember I took a vegiterian friend with me who was not into panic much and when Contentment was played it was so funny. Of course she made her….ahhhh yuck, but the smiles from her after those shows and many more were thanks to these monumental shows. Thanks again Horace for not forgeting us midwest freaks. Keep the love spreadin’!
I’m actually kinda upset that this show is getting released as, those who know, this show was probably not only the best show ever, but an underground secret. Those who were there (Milwaukee?) know what I am saying. Mikey? It is not humanly possible to play that fast, that intense, for that long. And JB? Who stuck a quarter in this guy! “Thank you Milwaukee, this was good! THANK YOU FOR FREAKING OUT WITH US!”
Dig it babies!!!! Time for some bisquits!
This is a great show. What a great intimate theatre. The place was going nuts the entire show, Mikey was on fire! It truly was a great treat, after Chicago. Thank you Horace!!
To top it off, they never played the Modjeska again! 2nd show ever, and I thought i was hooked after Madison 10/25!?!
After my first show at the Arragon the night before. Some brave friends of mine from Colorado, made the decision that we should take a Greyhound bus up to Milwaukee for another, before heading back to rado ’cause we could not get enough after Halloween . Well, it was the right decision for sure hands down ! So, After my second show at the Modjeska I was completely “PANICATED” ! Solid Spreadneck I am today…..Thanks a million !!!!
Fall 96, what a great tour. made Ann Arbor and both nights in Madison, really looking forward to this gem. thanks for making Porch Songs happen Horace, mucho appreciado.
Oso Rojo in San Clemente, CA
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Oct. 31st 1997 !!!!! listening to the best AUD out there and a SBD WOULD BE THE BEST EVER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!PLEASE PLEASE!!!
Horace,
I can not tell you how much I–as a member of the generation of panic fans who never got the chance to see Mikey in action (my first show was in 2005)–appreciate opening up this amazing show to me and my friends. While I never saw Mikey, driving around listening to the archive releases gives me the opportunity to relish in the heat that Mikey brought in the 1990s. The chance to listen to this show on the way to hearing Jimmy tear it up in Myrtle is a win-win combo that I will not soon forget. Horace, you have succeeded again, and what a treat it is!
This was my first show! One that will always be in a special place in my Panic heart. Thanks for pickin this show. What a crazy show.
Definitely a heater, ‘96 was full of them after the sit n ski tour. Check out little rock in ‘96…talk about smokin’
My first show! My Dead tour friends from Milwaukee had been trying to get me to check out the band for years…….I was hooked pretty quickly that night to say the least. Thanks Dan and Jill for turning me on to this life changing music, and thanks Horace!
Any time Pat, I sure opened up a can of worms with you!!
I grabbed this show as soon as I heard you had it. This was a smoker! I brought many of my Deadhead friends with me to show them how awesome Panic shows were, and they did NOT disappoint. All of my friends are Panic fans now, partly due to this night, in Mil-town. This is ‘Classic Panic’,
Happy Birthday JB.