Can't Get High

The Zoo Crew, those free-spirited DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning "Can't Get High" by Widespread Panic from their 1994 album Ain't Life Grand, firing up the Zoo Freaks in the audience. This track, a cover of a song by the band Bloodkin, stands out for its raw, introspective vibe. Unlike much of the album’s original material, "Can't Get High" was a nod to Widespread Panic’s roots in the Athens, Georgia music scene, where Bloodkin and Panic were close allies. In a 1994 interview with Relix magazine, frontman John Bell shared that the song resonated with the band’s ethos of embracing life’s highs and lows, saying, “It’s got that gritty truth about chasing something you can’t quite grab, but you keep moving anyway.” The song’s inclusion on the album helped it gain minor airplay, a rare feat for a band known more for their live performances than radio hits.

Another tidbit about "Can't Get High" comes from a 2014 post on the fan-driven Widespread Panic Fans Facebook group, where a longtime Zoo Freak recalled a 1995 live show in Atlanta where the band extended the song’s jam for nearly 15 minutes, weaving in teases of Bob Dylan’s “Tangled Up in Blue.” This improvisation, a hallmark of Panic’s live sets, turned the song into a fan favorite for its emotional depth and unpredictability. On X, a 2020 post from the band’s official account celebrated the song’s legacy, noting, “Bloodkin’s words and our strings made ‘Can’t Get High’ a moment to feel the struggle and keep on truckin’.” The song’s recording process was also unique; the band laid it down during pre-rehearsal sessions at John Keane’s home studio in Athens, a space so comfortable they decided to use those takes for the final album instead of re-recording with their producer.

Widespread Panic got their start in Athens, Georgia, in 1986, born from the creative spark of John Bell and the late Michael Houser. The two met at the University of Georgia between 1982 and 1984, bonding over music and playing as a duo around town. Bell, known as “JB,” was already doing solo gigs, but when Houser joined, their chemistry clicked. By 1984, bassist Dave Schools caught one of Bell’s solo sets and was hooked, soon joining the fold. The trio, along with drummer Todd Nance, percussionist Domingo “Sunny” Ortiz, and later keyboardist John “JoJo” Hermann, solidified their lineup. Their early days were spent gigging relentlessly, building a grassroots following through marathon live shows that blended rock, blues, and Southern jam-band energy. Their debut album, Space Wrangler, dropped in 1988, cementing their place in the burgeoning jam-band scene.

Fans can stay connected with Widespread Panic through their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour dates, archival releases, and behind-the-scenes moments. The band’s official website, widespreadpanic.com, is a hub for news, merchandise, and their live multi-track series, like the recent Athens 1998 release. For Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper, fan communities thrive online. The Widespread Panic Fans Facebook group is a lively spot for trading concert stories and setlist debates, while PanicStream offers streaming archives and fan-curated content. These spaces keep the Panic spirit alive, echoing the band’s ethos of community and shared musical journeys.