After cancelling their Red Rocks show that was scheduled for early June, Joe Russo didn’t think he would get to bring his Grateful Dead Project, JRAD to Colorado in 2021. Fortunately that changed recently and the band will take the stage at the 1stBank Center for the second time.
Well that was one for the books. While Joe Russo’s Almost Dead is consistently one of the most exploratory and compelling bands on the scene, they always seem to push their limits for the Colorado faithful and this year was no different.
While Telluride Bluegrass Festival is the granddaddy of music festivals in Telluride, The Ride Festival, now in its seventh year, has quickly become recognized for a diverse lineup and past heavy hitters such as Pearl Jam, Beck, and Widespread Panic. This year’s edition leaned a bit more on the jam band end of the spectrum, featuring headlining sets from The String Cheese Incident both nights of the festival.
In stark contrast to the last time JRAD was supposed to play Red Rocks, the weather on Thursday as the show approached was a perfect late Summer Colorado day. The lots were hopping early, and the show was very obviously the go-to pre-party for the annual “Phish Dicks” Labor Day celebration across town at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. As Phishheads and Deadheads rubbed shoulders in the amphitheater, to say the energy and anticipation was high would be an understatement – the place was buzzing.
On this episode of Noise Behind The Sound Eric and Gary welcome back Tom Hamilton from Joe Russo’s Almost Dead and American Babies. The guys talk about JRAD’s second chance at Red Rocks this summer, what its like to play Jerry Garcia’s guitars, Tom’s work on the new American Babies album and more.
Not only does this quintet play tight and vicious versions of some of the most complex songs in the Grateful Dead’s repertoire, but they play them with a rawness & energy absent from the stage since the “Live” Dead era. More importantly, all of the jams are wild and incredibly adventurous.
On this episode of Noise Behind The Sound Eric and Gary welcome Dave Dreiwitz, bass player from Joe Russo’s Almost Dead and Ween. Dave talks about how he’s fallen into the world of The Grateful Dead, some of his jazz heroes, and the need to surrender to the Boognish when Ween hits the stage. Don’t miss Dave with Joe Russo’s Almost Dead when they hit the stages of Red Rocks and The Ogden this weekend.
On this episode of Noise Behind The Sound the guys welcome back Joe Russo and review Almost Dead’s big 2016, discuss their exciting Red Rocks announcement, and talk about the resurrection of Russo’s electrifying project with Marco Benevento, The Duo, and what may lay ahead for them. Joe Russo’s Almost Dead returns to Colorado this week for a run of three shows!
A packed house was ready to get their UMerica on and celebrate 4th of July weekend with jamband juggernauts Umphrey’s McGee and Joe Russo’s Almost Dead at America’s favorite outdoor concert venue. After a stellar Saturday night, expectations were high but there were nothing but smiles and good vibes on The Rocks and the sold-out crowd was treated to a dazzling display of masterful playing by both bands.
On this episode of Noise Behind The Sound, the guys are joined by Joel Cummins of Umphrey’s McGee. Joel and the guys discuss Umphrey’s history at Red Rocks, this year’s epic two night run with Dweezil Zappa and Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, and how the band keeps things fresh for their fans. Joel and Gary then get into some Chicago Cubs talk before Joel give his best Marc Brownstein imitation.