The lead track to the Violent Femmes’ 1983 eponymous debut album and by far their most famous song, “Blister in the Sun” has appeared in three Phish shows to date. The first was on 4/12/92 when it was quoted during the "YEM" vocal jam. On 7/26/97 in Austin, TX, Mike began teasing “Blister in the Sun” during “Harry Hood” and the rest of the band picked it up quickly. Trey made a game attempt at the first verse of the lyrics, but his ear-to-ear grin, laugh, and shrug indicated it was probably best to bail, and the band settled quickly back on “Harry Hood.” “Blister in the Sun” was next spontaneously offered in the middle of “Scent of a Mule” at the raging 7/9/98 gig in Barcelona, Spain. Skipping only one verse, this more complete and inspired version is but one nugget in a bouquet of amazing musical offerings from this night. 

These two bands are no strangers, as Phish took its first tour of Europe in June 1992 as the opening act for the Violent Femmes. Violent Femmes was also one of the contenders for the Halloween cover album for Festival 8 before falling victim to the knife.

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