Podcast Summary: Helping Friendly Podcast – "Mt. Rushmore: Possum"
Date: December 3, 2025
Hosts: Brian & Meg (Osiris Media)
Episode Theme: Ranking the four greatest ("Mt. Rushmore") live versions of Phish’s classic song "Possum"
Episode Overview
This episode is a deep-dive into "Possum," one of Phish’s oldest and most-played live songs, as part of the HFPod’s ongoing "Mt. Rushmore" series. Hosts Brian and Meg dissect the song’s history, evolution, and pivotal performances, ultimately selecting the four most iconic live versions. Along the way, they reflect on Phish’s jamming styles, the role of experimentation in "Possum," and how its role in setlists has changed through the band’s career. The conversation is detailed, candid, and laced with plenty of Phish fan camaraderie.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Catch-Up & Preliminaries (01:19–14:07)
- Show Opening: Brian and Meg banter about weather, Phish ticketing for the Sphere in Las Vegas, and life updates. RJ (regular co-host) is mentioned as on hiatus.
- Trey Anastasio Band (TAB) Discussion: Meg shares her experience at recent TAB shows at The Beacon, highlighting the communal achievements of the Divided Sky Fund and how the atmosphere at TAB differs from Phish shows.
- Quote (Meg, 14:07): “When I go to TAB, I just go to see Trey...I love the horn section. I just am always so blown away watching them...It’s just a great experience to go and hear some really fun Phish and TAB songs.”
2. Why Talk About "Possum"? (20:34–28:35)
- Nature of "Possum":
- It’s considered an “entry-level” Phish song: simple groove, allows playful experimentation, but has become more standardized post-1997.
- Early versions were shorter and featured secret signals, with room for teases and audience interaction.
- Song History & Stats:
- Written by ex-member Jeff Holdsworth, debuted Sept 27, 1985, and has been a consistent set closer or encore.
- Played 585 times, averaging every 3.5 shows.
- 22% of versions feature jamming; this ratio is consistent even post-2009 (“3.0” era).
- Importance in Phish Lore:
- Quote (Meg, 21:30): “This is one of the oldest Phish songs…also the last song on Trey’s thesis. Possum is a classic opener or closer or encore…an exclamation point of a song.”
3. Evolution & Dissection of the "Possum" Jam (28:35–36:34)
- Choogle & Crowd Energy: The song’s dynamic was especially powerful in the early 90s, inciting peak energy due to dramatic tension and crowd anticipation.
- Decline in Exploration:
- Early-to-mid-90s versions were brimming with danger and risk; post-1997 renditions tend to be more straightforward crowd-pleasers, missing the unpredicatbility that used to define them.
- Quote (Brian, 27:03): “It is really hard not to have a good time when Possum is on...Sometimes you just need the band to play some choogle and rip it up. That’s what you get with Possum.”
- Comparison to Other Phish Songs: They compare "Possum" to "Antelope" and discuss how songs can leave room for madness and unpredictability within a defined framework.
- Quote (Brian, 29:49): “You listen to, like, 7/16/94 Antelope, and you’re like, my God, this band is just a bunch of mad scientists...Possum is like that.”
4. Mt. Rushmore Selections: The Four Greatest "Possum"s
Segment Start: (36:34)
I. 5/17/1992 – Proctor’s Theatre, Schenectady, NY
(36:50)
- Why This Version?
- Represents the peak of the “secret signals” era (audience games/teases) and seamless band communication.
- Teases include: It’s Ice, Divided Sky, Rocky Mountain Way, LA Woman, China Grove.
- Quote (Meg, 31:30): “This way this plays out...they find It’s Ice, they find Divided Sky, but it’s all very seamless...encapsulates the 1992 sound and energy.”
- Historical Importance: Shows how the band could weave in humor and spontaneous ideas without breaking the framework.
- Quote (Brian, 36:34): “It hangs with Possum while showing you that this band has such quick communication skills, so much humor...”
- [Highly recommended listening for context: 32:57–36:34]
II. 7/13/1994 – Big Birch, Patterson, NY
(39:12)
- Why This Version?
- Extremely wild, psychedelic, and “loses the plot” in the best way.
- Features unusual funk elements, discordant jamming, and a swirling, psychedelic peak.
- Quote (Brian, 41:27): “That show is clinically insane...this Possum really loses the plot in the best way possible...the Evil version of 6/17 and 6/22.”
- Cultural Lore: The second set of this show is considered legendary among Phish nerds for its chaos and masterful segues.
- Quote (Meg, 41:45): "A must have. It has this slight funk to use in the intro that is really different...The crowd is going absolutely bananas."
- [Key detailed commentary: 41:27–45:56]
III. 12/8/1994 – San Diego, CA
(46:49)
- Why This Version?
- Chosen for its dynamic tension and dramatic “silent jam” section; most experimental take on Possum tension-and-release.
- Hosts discuss how this version showcases Phish balancing tightness with risk-taking.
- Quote (Meg, 47:44): “The tension in the intro to this version, I think, is the best tension of any Possum. It is stressful in the best way.”
- Brian on evolution: “This is that marriage between the tightest band on the planet and the most experimental band on the planet.”
- [Segment to hear the analysis: 46:49–54:36]
IV. 10/11/1995 – Chandler, AZ
(55:28)
- Why This Version?
- Represents the transition to the late-90s: still powerful, but this marks the last “magical” Possum era.
- Features “You Don’t Love Me” and “Johnny B. Goode” teases, a sharper guitar tone, and wild, careening peaks.
- Quote (Brian, 58:15): “This version specifically represents...we are full-blown powerhouse ’95 Phish but playing with that frenetic, zany energy…”
- End of an Era:
- Post-1995, Possum became a way to energize a crowd — not a vehicle for deep improvisation.
- Quote (Brian, 61:39): “After 1995, yes, Possum can be played and be one of the best parts of a show. That’s not going to happen past 1995.”
- [Segment for context: 55:28–62:10]
5. Reflections on "Possum" and Phish Setlist Trends (62:10–65:30)
- The Loss of Experimentation: The intro “mystery” of Possum is gone in recent years; the risk and curiosity that once made it a must-see is now largely absent.
- Quote (Meg, 62:10): “What I always loved about Possum was the intro was always so...you never knew what was going to happen. And I think that loss of curiosity is...makes it just feel like a song that maybe you could go to the bathroom in the beginning of and be back for the peak.”
- Room for Revival? They note that other “classic” Phish songs have been revived in new jams, and muse that Possum could one day return to its unpredictable roots.
6. Listener Engagement & Closing (66:07–End)
- Rushmore Recap:
- The Four Possums: 5/17/92, 7/13/94, 12/8/94, 10/11/95
- Listeners are invited to share their own favorites and debate their picks.
- Heads-up for Next Week: The next episode will focus on “Slave to the Traffic Light.”
- Meta: Noted that this might be the “narrowest Rushmore spread” so far (all selections are from a tight time window where the song peaked).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments with Timestamps
- On Song Evolution:
- (Meg, 25:30): “What makes the early Possums so good are these intense dynamics, where the tension just builds so much that when they finally pop that cork, it’s just...the crowd...they just lose their minds.”
- On the 7/13/94 Possum:
- (Brian, 41:27): “That show is clinically insane...that Possum really loses the plot in the best way possible.”
- On Missed Opportunities & Fandom:
- (Meg, 55:28): “I feel like I’m trolling my 18-year-old self...I was at this show and I have no memory of this show and I feel like it just continues to mock me for not remembering it.”
- On the Modern Possum:
- (Brian, 65:33): “When Possum starts...there’s going to be the groove, there’s going to be the chugal...But what we’re talking about here with these versions...that’s definitely missing.”
- On Hopes for Phish:
- (Meg, 65:39): “It would be nice if we could do it again. Let’s get weird in the beginning. Let’s just do it. Do some weird shit for Brian Brinkman. He likes that stuff.”
- Summation and Listener Challenge:
- (Brian, 66:53): “These are our Rushmore. We’re going to chisel it into the stone...Write in to us...We’d love to debate this going forward. We’d love to hear your favorite versions, because we all ultimately want to know what versions move you, what we may have overlooked here.”
Time-Stamped Guide to Key Sections
| Timestamp | Segment | |------------------|-------------------------------------------| | 01:19–14:07 | Banter, updates, and TAB/Divided Sky Fund | | 20:34–28:35 | Why talk about "Possum"? | | 28:35–36:34 | "Possum" jamming & setlist evolution | | 36:34–46:49 | Mt. Rushmore: Picks I & II | | 46:49–55:28 | Mt. Rushmore: Picks III & IV | | 62:10–66:07 | Reflections, current role of "Possum" | | 66:07–68:55 | Recap, listener questions, next episode |
Mt. Rushmore: The Four Greatest Possum Performances
- 5/17/1992 – Proctor’s Theatre, Schenectady, NY (32:57–36:34)
- 7/13/1994 – Big Birch, Patterson, NY (41:27–45:56)
- 12/8/1994 – San Diego, CA (46:49–54:36)
- 10/11/1995 – Chandler, AZ (55:28–62:10)
Final Thoughts
This episode is an essential listen for any fan who wants to understand Phish’s improvisational ethos and how “Possum” served as a bellwether for the band’s playful and risk-taking side. It’s a passionate, detail-rich discussion that balances musicology, fan experience, and nostalgia. The challenge is thrown out for modern Phish: Bring back the unpredictability that once defined "Possum" and keep the weirdness alive.
Next Episode: Mt. Rushmore: Slave to the Traffic Light.