i always mean to post this and i always forget. I always mean to correct people and show them proof, but i get sidetracked. but i remembered this time. I have had enough. it is time to set the record straight.

i know there are a lot of you out there that love the bluegrass-folk-esque cover of Snoop Dogg's "Gin and Juice." You downloaded it, probably during the period of musical freedom and unrest when Napster was free, under the understanding, based on the name of the song, that you were downloading a cover performed by a big-time band. A name you recognized. Someone you already liked. Phish, O.A.R., Dave Matthews, Blues Traveler, Nickel Creek. Phish was the most popular. So popular, in fact, that everyone believed it was Phish and in the collective mind, there was no challenging that fact. If the masses are all wrong, but are wrong together, then inside that group, all think they are right. This is the case of this song.

Sure the song is fun and brilliant and awesome for white suburban kids to roll down the windows of their BMW and sing out the gangsta lyrics with a southern twang as they drive out of the mall parking lot. But this is not Phish's cover. Nor is it Dave, Blues Traveler or any of those other bands that the Napster liars told you it was. (that always pissed me off, when someone gave a song the wrong title or artist because they had no idea what the hell they were talking about)

so here is the revelation. here is the true band behind the now-famous cover of "Gin and Juice." the band is called The Gourds and they are from Texas. They say they have always thought about taking hip hop songs and covering them. Feeling the liberation and hilarity that is inherent in a white Texan singing lyrics like "Yeah, so we gonna smoke an ounce to this, G’s up, hoes down, while you muthafuckas bounce to this"

i know this is like trying to swim against the current in a raging stream. everyone has had that song for so long and it has always said "Phish - Gin and Juice (Snoop Dogg Cover)" and they will not easily swallow the truth. Something that you thought you knew must be true, since everyone else has the same thing. Collective stupidity does not change the reality of truth. And the truth is that Phish did not record that song you downloaded.
Am I ruling out Phish every having covered that song? No. In fact, if i were them and had a shred of intelligence and business knowledge, I would start covering "Gin and Juice" at all my concerts. That would solidify the belief that Phish really did record it and there would be no more room for complaining or contesting. and The Gourds would be completely shunned and rejected and forgotten, even though so many people know their song by heart. It wouldnt be right for Phish to do that, but it would be brilliant business and marketing. then again, it isnt right for them to get recognition and attention and fame for a song they didnt record.

oh well. such is life.

so there it is. the truth. do with it what you will. go change the label on that MP3 you have. go check out some of The Gourds stuff on their website. Pay a little homage to the artists who brought you such enjoyment in your car on those summer days, yet got no recognition for it.

go here for more on The Gourds and the recognition that was stolen from them by Napster idiots. Click here for The Gourds website.


any and all comments or responses are welcome at boofydb@yahoo.com