This is dope af, but I gotta say it cracks me up how each band member has a unique character. Like, the singer is the shaman, the lead guitarist is the southern preacher, the other guitarist is preppy, the bass player is Ice Cube, and the drummer is Lars Ulrich’s dad 
the drummer is Lars Ulrich’s dad
Holy moly that’s spot on!
So, I know there’s nothing quite like Gizzard, but if I said that some of favorite live songs are Iron Lung, Hypertension, Magma, Hell’s Itch, Ice V, and the rock version of Theia (etc.) — do that suggest other bands that I might like?
Phish.
Phish
sounds like…
But, yeah – people have suggested Phish before. I haven’t really found something by them yet that really clicked with me, but I should try again.
The weird and trippy vibes your song list invokes suggest that earlier albums might be the place to start. Junta, Rift, Hoist, maybe Story of the Ghost is what I’m thinking.
OK — thank you! That sounds more like my thing.
I’m a huge phish fan, but their albums mostly underwhelm imo. They are a live band. Aside from Billy Breathes the production value is meh, and there’s barely a studio version that is superior to almost any live version.
Thankfully there’s countless live releases.
If you’re curious about live Phish… 5/8/93, the entirety of set 2, may be a decent entry point if for no other reason than it covers a lot of the styles that are hallmarks for the band. Maybe something will resonate with you?
Its somewhat early in their career and they were playing shows with a ton of gizzard-esque youthful energy back then. The second set is mostly a large, free-wheeling “segue-fest” with a large variety of material that ranges from intricate compositions (The Squirming Coil, Its Ice), easy-breezy numbers (The Horse > Silent In The Morning) energetic jammed out grooves (David Bowie, Mike’s Song, Weekapaug Groove), all while weaving in references to some classics like the Allman Brother’s Jessica, and traditionals like ‘Have Mercy’, ‘Crossroads’, and ‘Amazing Grace’. Amazing Grace that starts off a capella (without microphones! turn it up!) but then moves into an electric rendition of the song that incorporates elements of Weekapaug Groove.
…and you can just skip over Big Ball Jam. The band throws out 4 large balls into the crowd and each band member jams along to the behavior of each ball as the crowd plays with them. Fun concept that doesn’t really translate to tape very well… kinda have to be in the room.
93 Phish is pinnacle of excellence
