This gets brought up once a week, so try searching the forum

Dont give them a show? They'll make more fun of you. Start with rift or hoist or billy breathes and if that doesnt go over well there is no hope

Don't give them a show, take them to a show. Problem solved.

Don't convert them. If they're too dense to even give them a shot then they aren't worth it. The less people who are into Phish, the better.

Name a style and Phish has it covered. If they're into metal, play 'em a mean Carini. If it's country, try Poor Heart. Prog: Reba. Classic rock: Jim. Reggae: Hood. Electronica: 2001. Etc etc. Sounds like they've already made up their minds though, so good luck.

I've given up. I've tried to share the source of my happiness with others. It's their fault if they don't want to open their minds to it. It doesn't hurt me - only them. It's just a shame that they're missing out on such a vast ocean of fantastic music.

you just have to know who will take the bait and jump. a friend of mine from paris came and we went to nye and she wants to go on tour now!

Perfect "Intro to Phish" show.
You may want to skip Set 2 Track 1:

9/14/11
Set 1: http://www.sendspace.com/file/pvrzt4 205MB 320mp3
Set 2: http://www.sendspace.com/file/amf10n 206MB
lossless:
ph2011-09-14a.zip > > http://www.sendspace.com/file/nmw2rl 281MB
ph2011-09-14b.zip > > http://www.sendspace.com/file/6dzmde 264MB
ph2011-09-14c.zip > > http://www.sendspace.com/file/8ev68a 235MB
ph2011-09-14d.zip > > http://www.sendspace.com/file/bucv53 168MB

I'm sure we all had this problem. A few people are open minded but most would rather use what little knowledge of the Phish Hippie stereotype to make stupid jokes. If your friend isn't completely cynical and closed minded, and likes rock and roll music, than there'a a good chance that he will start to like them.

You don't need drugs. Send him some playlists on spotify or something. I always suggest for a basic first timer to listen to studio albums so they can hear the instruments and lyrics better. Then move into some live and whatever else. Some people just don't want to start listening to new music unless its just a pop hit they hear on the radio and commercials over and over.

I started listening to phish when I was 9 at camp. The only music i really heard before that was a lot of Billy Joel and then some queen and michael jackson. When I heard them at camp i became hooked without even understanding the realism to phish. The first song I heard was Reba. The composed section after the 2nd chorus is what made me a true believer. I think the composition element of Billy Joel (billy the kid, root beer rag) and the changes in Scenes from an Italian Restaurant that made me instantly notice it in Phish and become hooked. Also since I was young I enjoyed the silliness of some of their lyrics.

I think if your friend actually is a fan of music and doesn't just listen to Top 40 when he's in the car than get him to Listen to some songs. I'm sure you can make a playlist of stuff you'd think he like. (leave out Time Turns Elastic)

I have a friend who has never been to phish but is a huge DMB fan and he came to 12/30 this year. Halfway through the first set he leans over to me and says "Bro, I've been to 45 Dave shows....This is better than all of them". So like I said, as long as your friend like Rock n Roll and forgets all the outdated Grateful Dead stereotypes that have carried to phish than he might get into it even enough to goto a show. Depending on how old he is you can't guarantee he'll ever be a true head but you never know.

@ivy_light said:

Take 'em to a show and dose 'em.

I can attest to this. It's more like brainwashing when you do this though.

I just went through the same thing with family during the holidays. My brother from Chicago and I were out at my folks in Arizona, I'm 43 and he's 50. He likes classic rock and 80's music, so I figured he might enjoy the band he so often pokes fun at me about criss-crossing the country to see annually. So while drinking one night I put on one of the Dicks '12 shows, which are like GOSPEL for me (I can't listen to that run enough) and he found it boring. I was soooooooo disappointed because I want to fly out to Chi next time Phish is in IL, WI, or IN and take him and his partner and actually thought since Dicks is so beyond AWESOME he could share in the groove with me. No such luck.

In my opinion, I think it is best to avoid trying to convert with anything live from Phish, especially mid to late 90's. Instead, I opt for studio first. I have received the best remarks from potential converts when I put on Farmhouse, Nectar or maybe the first Trey band CD's while at parties or small gatherings. IMHO, non-heads just can't get into the extended jams until they can learn to appreciate the shorter studio efforts.

Just what we need....another "How do i convert my friend" thread...

Here is the answer. You DONT try to convert anyone. People either like phish or they dont. There is no magical playlist....no perfect CD or song that is going to change their mentality.

Just let it go. you do you....let your friends do themselves (hehe).

Sorry for getting on your case, OP. its just...well...enough is enough with these threads.

@careful_w_that_axe_Miller said:

12 step "Tough Love" Phish conversion

1. determine what music they like
2. invite them over
3. offer a beverage
4. secretley dose their beverage
5. lock them in the closet
6. increase temperature in closet to 97 degrees
7. blast the music they like into the closet for 3.5 hrs
8. after 3.5 hrs reduce temperature to 72 degrees and...
9. begin playing phish
10. Let them out while playing 2001 after 6 hrs
11. smoke a joint and give them water
12. check vitals

Something will happen.

^lol yea prolly

step 6 seems excessively cruel and unusual.

but substitute fruit juice for water and i'm down.

Some people just don't and won't get "it". We are all lucky that we have the advantage and key to life with Phish. We found "it" or "it" found us and there is really no other explanation imo.