Joe Russo’s Almost Dead is a cover band of sorts that takes some of the tunes of The Grateful Dead and allows them to flow out of their collective beings into a sound pool for some of the most involved fan-base there ever has been. When these five cats get toGether in this form, the momentary surprises are many and way far out. The five are: Joe Russo, Dave Dreiwitz, (friend of the program) Marco Benevento, Scott Metzger & Tom Hamilton. Each bring an incredible individual force to this JRAD scene. While Joe has been a big part of Further and played with members of the Dead, this band brings as much of themselves to the “cover” of the Dead (and a few other bands) to reform a sound and a feeling that is recognizable and exciting. JRAD has been touring and securing itself on the festival scene while constantly bringing more ears along for the ride and us in Madison are lucky to welcome them here on February 18th at The Orpheum.
I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to talk to Joe before they land here in Madison. We spend time getting to understand what dialect and language each individual brings to this group and the fun and energy that causes in a live setting. We talk about how they add the skins to the spine that is the vast songbook of The Grateful Dead, and how much of the show is based off improvised segments within that skeletal system of sound. Joe attests that this project might have started off with the idea of a one off and you can hear a little of the amazement in his voice when talking about how long the pulse has been thumping. Hearing Joe speak about the times they have had to call in a sub or two off the bench (including Oteil Burbridge) is really truly a sincere appreciation of brothers. To my brothers and sisters, please enjoy this chat.
PHOTO BY Timothy Dwenger
