So much is this so familiar. My buddy and I had each seen a handful of shows, but this was the first time we put together a real run: 7/3-7/9 and 7/23 for good measure. The night before 7/3 my cousin and I got drunk and beat the piss out of each other for kicks. I walked around the whole tour with a black eye and disapproving looks from friends.

The music on 7/3 was undeniable. Great versions of chalk dust and gumbo. The antelope is one of the best I’ve ever heard. How can four dudes make this much racket? 7/4 features a second set-opening Ghost->Slave which I think is on a live bait somewhere. MASSIVE fee opener on 7/8 in Virginia Beach. The mikes groove from 7/9 is definitely on a live bait. And of course 7/23 was one of the defining sets of the summer tour, complete with big cypress announcement. You bet your ass my cousin and I were there
The piper from Oswego also belongs in the pantheon of ‘99 jams. This time does get knocked for being fairly sloppy, and deservedly so (it was readily apparent through body language how tired they were. Try also takes a break in Piper to mention that they’re going to play the longest chord in the world: the EEEEEEEE chord. Right bud. Message received), but damn If they didn’t put together some really good music on their way down the hill into hiatus.
Just a really fine time to be 21 years old and on tour with our favorite band.