Trey Busted: Does This Mean No Spring Tour?
Just picked up from LiveMusicBlog.com and Phish.net:
Trey Anastasio was arrested this morning for “DWI - Drugs,” “Third-Degree Aggravated Unlicensed Operation,” and “Seventh-Degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance.” [Phish.net]
Picture from SmokingGun.com.
I’m not sure what to say. I mean it was apparent that the guy had a prescription drug problem just from reading interviews that last few years, listening to recordings of the final 2004 tour, or a number or rumour-mills like PhantasyTour.org’s forums.
After listening to recordings and hearing reviews of the Fall 2006 tour he just finished though, and reading the most recent interviews, it sounded like the guy had his stuff together for the first time in awhile. He had set up a respectable band that the fans approved of for once, was playing great, and overall just seemed a lot happier at 10,000 Lakes Festival 2006 this last July than he did during the Fall 2005 Tour.
The full text from Phish.net:
Trey Anastasio was arrested at 3:30 this morning in Whitehall, NY, for “third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and DWI - drugs” (Burlington Free Press), mugshot and all.
He “was observed to be under the influence of a narcotic substance … had a suspended driver’s license in New York and allegedly was found with an assortment of prescription medications including hydrocodone, Percocet and Xanax, which were prescribed for another person” (Times Union).
Trey was driving a black 2004 Audi sedan when Whitehall Police Patrolman Andrew Mija observed him crossing into an opposing lane. Trey failed several field sobriety tests, but passed a breath test for alcohol. He reportedly told Mija that he’d smoked hash and consumed some prescription pills. His license had been suspended for not responding to an August 1998 ticket for driving 84 mph in a 65mph zone in Chester. (PostStar).
He was released to a friend, picked up his car from a towing company this morning (and drove off in it, despite the license suspension, according to the PostStar), and is scheduled to re-appeare on January 10th. (See also, WNYT.com.)
Several accounts quote his November 2005 interview discussing how the band let their guard down in 1998 about keeping “hard drugs” away. By that account, things not only degenerated to the point of a two-year (10/7/00 - 12/31/02) hiatus, but became worse afterwards, resulting in the band’s 2004 breakup.
Further Coverage:
TheSmokingGun.com
Phish.net
LiveMusicBlog.com
Burlington Free Press
The Post-Star
Times Union
WNYT
Today just got a lot more depressing.
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December 16th, 2006 at 5:05 pm
Pardon the plug, but here’s a solid recap of yesterday’s action:
http://www.glidemagazine.com/hiddentrack/?p=163
More importantly, though, I think people are taking this WAY too seriously. Nobody has ever driven with some prescription drugs (or something even more illegal) through a town that loved to pull people over? We’re all hypocrites.
December 16th, 2006 at 5:17 pm
Agreed, I don’t think it’s that big of a deal from a legal perspective, and just like Jerry with freebase he’ll probably get off with some benefit concert and a fine. I think the issue more so to me is that he’s a better musician when he’s off the meds (I’m sure you saw some of the Phinal Tour). The other thing is, I don’t think Trey is to far off from the point where Jerry got, where the drugs take over. It’s not a huge jump.
Anyways, good call on the E! coverage, I was wondering what lyrics I could work into the post but then spaced it.
December 17th, 2006 at 3:14 am
Trey needs to learn to hide certain things in the secret stash space located in an obscure elsewhere location in the automobile. Okay? Note to self?? K Thanks Bye. :-)
December 17th, 2006 at 3:25 am
Sing it with me, people!…
“The trunk in your car…
is the place…
where the drugs go, when you’re on the road.”
December 17th, 2006 at 5:52 am
Oh man…. “contact” rips?… kinda cheap shots right man?
Fair game I suppose though…
December 18th, 2006 at 6:26 pm
OK…you guys lost me on all the above. but, I’m certainly bummed to hear this.
This guy, when he’s on, is just a master at his craft. I’m not surprised he has a substance problem at all, but he has written lyrics that are right up there with the poets of the ages. He’ll be a poet of your time 30 years down the road.
So, I hope he gets better. I wish him well, and health, and recovery. Brilliant people have problems too, but it doesn’t negate their contributions. So wish him well, and don’t judge anything. I try to do that, but I often fail.
dad
January 4th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
He’s about the biggest idiot I’ve ever heard of!!!!!!!! A huge dumb-ass!!!!!! What the hell was he doing w/ all that on him at one time inthe freaking car driving? Idiot!!!!!!!!!!!!! No sympathy here. Everybody likes to have some fun, But you can’t be stupid about it, ever! That’s when you let your guard down and someone gets hurt or _busted_!!!!!!!!!!! I don’t care how he plays, Not very cool!!!!!