This remnant will be replaced soon. The FAQ is back, with a new design! I heard they once decorated the stage like an aquarium? For the NYE run (12/28-31/93), the band used a "new stage designed by Chris McGregor, who has worked with West Coast eccentrics the Residents." (Boston Globe, 12/31/93) The stage set resembled an aquarium. In a rectangle around the floor of the stage itself was a rim of black with a broken outline of the glass aquarium walls, a bit higher in the corners and more open across the front and sides; a similar rectangle hung above and outlined the top of the aquarium. Behind Mike and Trey, at center back of stage, was a large clam. Surrounding the drums and keys were large (paper mache? Styrofoam?) replicas of coral, aquarium plants, gravel, etc. Eight or so fish hung from the rafters down into the "aquarium". At the close of the second set, the band changed into diving outfits as the vocal jam died down. Trey announced "We're going on one last adventure" and they left stage. During the break, the PA played not the water-related tunes (Take Me to the River, Red Rain, Here Comes the Flood, Black Water, The Flood) of earlier setbreaks, but new agish noises and bubbling water. To start the third set, the band, in wet suits, entered the aquarium from a platform above, "diving" in, exploring, and entering the clam, which by this point had opened. Once all were in, the clam shut, rose 10 or so feet into the air, opened, burped, counted down the last 10 seconds of the year, and shot lights and confetti into the air, at which time the band returned (sans wetsuits), entering from stage right. The aquarium set has not been used since 12/31/93, presumably due to the expense and hassles of transportation and installation, though much to the chagrin of many who enjoyed it and many more (esp. on the West Coast) who couldn't make it to that NYE run. The aquarium from the 1993 New Year's Eve run and the Hot Dog from 12/31/94 are rumored to be stored in Fishman's basement, as of the end of 1995. There is a photo of the setup at the official site. (Thanks to Mark Mezrich.) "To laugh often and love much; to win respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; To earn the approbation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty; To find the best in others; To give one's self; To leave the world a bit better, Whether by a healthy child, A garden patch or a redeemed social condition; To have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."" -- Ralph Waldo Emerson" This page last updated February 03, 2007. All contents © 1992-2007 Ellis Godard. All rights reserved.