Fakeful Dead: Phil and Bobby Go Furthur

Grateful Dead members Phil Lesh and Bob Weir have formed a new band called Furthur with drummer Joe Russo, Dark Star Orchestra’s “Jerry” – John Kadlecik and RatDog members Jay Lane & Jeff Chimenti. The group will make their debut performances at the recently renovated Fox Theater in Oakland on September 18-20. The GDTS TOO mail order starts on Saturday so read here for instructions in you’re interested in checking out this lineup.

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There’s lots of interesting observations to be made about this lineup. First, it appears Phil and Bobby have gotten over the tensions that kept them apart for years. Also, Kadlecik plays in the most successful Dead tribute band of all-time and this is a big set of gigs for him but if this group plays more shows will it hinder DSO from touring? Finally, it’s surprising that Russo, who wasn’t exactly happy with the exposure that touring with Mike Gordon and Trey Anastasio of Phish gave him, would sign up to play with members of the other huge jam act. Hopefully for his sake people don’t start calling out for Franklin’s Tower at Duo shows.

What remains to be seen is whether the band will play any shows beyond the Fox run. Rumors have been circulating lately that Phil had a hold on the Nokia for his traditional November Philathon. Will those shows be with the lineup he’s toured with the past few years or with this group of musicians? I guess we’ll find out soon enough, but it sure doesn’t look like The Dead will be touring this fall.

What do you think of this lineup? Leave a comment to let us know…

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12 Responses

  1. I find this whole thing pretty interesting as Phil and Bobby have really taken to the Jerry songs over the years – with mixed success and have sort of tried to distance themselves from being a nostalgia band.

    Guess the bottom line is fans really want to hear “Jerry” singing those songs.

  2. For all practical purposes, every reincarnation of the Grateful Dead, other than the Dead itself, since Jerry’s death has been a “cover band”. Even when you have one or two original members it still is a cover band, but as long as you know that going into it and just enjoy the music for what it is, it will be a good experience. All of these people that say, just hang it up don’t seem to get that. Good for these guys and I hope to catch them down the road.

  3. This should be an interesting project. There will be more The Dead no that Billy quit the band. Nice to see Bobby and Phil have patched things up. Lets hope they keep the tempos UP.

  4. The dead is not a cover band! Obviously it’s not the grateful dead, hence the name change. The music never stops!
    Bobby and phil just got it together, give ’em time…

  5. Now THAT is more like it. I always thought they should mine a Dead cover band to get a guitar player who can do Jerry’s part like Jerry (I prefer that to using Warren, even though Warren is great I would rather hear someone who plays like Jerry than someone filling in for Jerry; just my opinion). If you remember, the DSO guy even sounds like Jerry when he sings. This should be closer to the Grateful Dead sound than anything they’ve created to this point, except for the fact that Mickey and Billy won’t be there, but using one of the drummers from Dark Star Orchestra, plus Joe Russo along with Jeff Chimenti and Jay Lane will bring the music back to life in a way it hasn’t breathed since Jerry died. I’m all for this lineup. These should be some killer shows. I wonder how nervous John from DSO is going to be come showtime?

  6. without a doubt, this furthur was the most majestic musical experience i’ve had in 14 years chasin the dragons tail. jerry and “the dead” are gone, sure, but the material continues its journey, whatever the band is/was is only the conduit. stop the hating. do you find it just as ridiculous to go hear the word of christ at church even though he’s dead, please bother them…

  7. I followed the Grateful Dead since 1977 and heard DSO live for the first time in 2008. The minute I heard them I thought why won’t the new Dead bring John Kadlecik into the fold? He will take this Furthur. I’m thankful it’s happening. Let it grow…this is not an experiment.

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