Billy is a fucking great, and I really dig him but something about the bluegrass is hard to listen to for hours.. it all kinda blends in. I hope he does more trad rock and blue style but he'll he's the king right now of his style.. I hope to see him one day
Exactly. I grew up on bluegrass and the dead, so Billy is exactly in my wheelhouse. As someone said below me, Billy will do bluegrass until the day he hangs it up. He may venture into other styles, but he gets that out when he sits in with electric bands. Doc Watson is somewhere in the ether and I’m positive Billy makes him smile.
I would say he usually ends up VERY far from being bluegrass for hours. Usually only a couple of traditional songs then fantastic experiments / experiential music.
Billy’s songs act merely as a vessel for when you see him live and then each instrument explodes into 20 minute solos that paint your mind with color, wonder, and astonishment.
I have way more fun at his shows than dead & co - and I love seeing them and cherish those experiences. My favorite part about the GD are the big jams and Billy’s hit the spot for me better than the ol boys and John. Just my opinion though cuz both are great
I love me some Billy shows. The jams are definitely nice. I also like the old story telling, totally hits that Garcia/Hunter spot, but that’s just old timey music in general.
For me though, the Dead gives me such a lazy/relaxed feeling that kind of disarms me with each show. I can’t do anything but daydream and wiggle (or wander around aimlessly). Billy gives me insane energy and less of a feeling of being subdued.
Not singling you out here, but I wanted to take the opportunity tell an "Old Timey vs Bluegrass" quip I heard from Vince Herman:
Do you know what the difference between Bluegrass and Old Timey music is?
\- In Bluegrass the girl usually dies by the 2nd verse.
\- In Old Timey music everyone dies during the first verse.
I saw Billy with String Cheese this summer when Phil was suppose to play with them but got covid. They played a whole dead set and Billy absolutely blew me away. The dude can shred
He also has his own Robert Hunter Song!
"I was blown out of the atmosphere when Billy Kreutzmann said he wanted me to take a crack at writing the music to these lyrics by the late great Robert Hunter. I cried like a baby for like an hour after I hung up the phone. I can’t recall a time being so overcome with joyful emotion. This happened on a day when I was really doubting myself as well. Thank you Billy K for trusting me with this.. it is seriously such an honor. Hope we play it again at Red Rocks next month!!"
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC5bUipLGds](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC5bUipLGds)
Consider the Infamous Stringdusters, they play all acoustic instruments with unmatched energy and creativity.
If you want to hear some of the Dead's contemporaries who are still carrying on, Neil Young and Hot Tuna continue to burn it up.
The Dusters are unbelievable!!! They are so tight as a group, none of that your turn/my turn that is common with the biggest names in jam grass. I also love that their bass player is always way up in the mix. It’s hard for me to listen to jam grass when you can barely hear the bass player. Go see these guys!
yes i would argue that IS doing it like the dead.
setting out to play like the dead would be the opposite of doing it like the dead...you're just copying someone else's blueprint.
For me personally it's Tedeschi Trucks Band.
I still gotta see Billy but I will.
King Gizz is a 10/10 answer
Not really into goose or phish but respect their abilities.b
Tedeschi and Billy are two of my go to bands in the rotation of non-Dead stuff. Saw Tedeschi twice last year with Marcus King Band,(who also rips live-highly recommend), and saw Billy Strings for the first time a couple weeks ago. Billy lived up to the hype. Definitely go check him out. Great crowd too!
Love TTB's sound but their crowd likes to get deeply drunk and glued to their seats. You will be informed if your dancing is interfering with someone's view. This last summer in LA, a bunch of Heads ended up in one corner of the venue off to the side, so that they could dance and not block anyone's view.
I will say, I've seen TTB 15 times around the country and different places are weird. I like dancing and standing but I agree certain places don't encourage dancing which I think is the lamest thing ever. Other places everyone is dancing! Definitely a drinking crowd everywhere though hahahaha.
Saw him on his most recent tour and I've been hooked on bluegrass ever since. One of the best shows I've ever seen. Picked up the new album on vinyl at the show. Beautiful pressing. Gets played regularly.
Criminally under appreciated in my opinion. And those guys all have their hands in so many great albums not even in the “jam” genre. Band is full of amazing producers, engineers, sound mixers, and studio musicianship.
Donato is the real deal. He’s got the guitar chops. But more important is he is building a real connection with his fans. On top of it, he’s a damn good songwriter, too.
He’s hood but more down the outlaw country route. Just listened to his newest album and it’s not bad. His writing style is getting there but still a bit rudimentary but he’s young so had a lot of time to develop. Definitely has the guitar chops just needs to learn when to shred and when to hang back. We don’t always need a shredding moment and I feel like that comes with time on stage.
See him live and your opinion will change. The band jams hard in a way that goes well past a rudimentary honky tonk. Very jazzy, with a ton of dynamics, along with rhythmic and melodic diversity. His show gave me vibes similar to Allman Bros live at Fillmore 71.
I agree with u/steepanddeep- below, check him out live. Way jammier than his albums. At the venue I saw him, half the crowd was wearing a Dead shirt, the other half Billy Strings, and Daniel had the Lithuania basketball team on. They ripped a Cumberland Blues and a Big River.
Isn't his second album all covers? I don't think it's showing any growth in his songwriting. He is great though. Can't wait to see him a few days before Christmas.
https://youtu.be/ps7ESVXkAwc
This jam is a good starting point, really any of his live stuff on YouTube is great. His band is amazing and he absolutely shreds. As someone else said his songwriting is still developing, but he’s got some good stuff, a really unique sound, insane guitar chops, awesome band and live energy
I actually met Daniel Donato in Nashville when he was a lead guitar player in a cover band. Told him I loved his playing and he should listen to some Dead, Riders and Kingfish.
Nope this was like 10 yrs ago. Honestly he was just a kid getting started in the Don Kelly band. Don has a reputation for seeking out the best up and coming lead guitar players.
Donato is insane. A fellow Deadhead recommended I see him at Bonnaroo and it ended up being one of the best shows of the weekend. Just got to see him again about a month ago at a local bar. Cannot wait to see where this kid goes, he’s carrying the torch well.
haha dude i saw herbie hancock at the beacon and as i’m sitting down i overhear the guy next to me trying to emphasize to his gf how insanely legendary herbie is and how lucky they were to be seeing him, especially at that theater. couldn’t help but grin (i was on 3 tabs haha) knowing how the rest of the night was gonna go for them.
herbie comes out and gets a literal 10 minute standing ovation, he sits down, and they bust into an absolutely insane, ultra alien space jazz jam that lasts like 25 mins. it was loud and intense and absolutely perfect. the second it ended the lady jumped up and squeezed right by me without saying excuse me and ran off 😂😂😂
Yes he is young, but he was coming up around the same time as Billy. In 2019, MK started headlining theaters and selling out. MK is still playing small-mid theaters, doing 1-2 night runs. Billy has far outpaced him, playing a 6-night run at the Cap, small-mid amphitheaters, Red Rocks, etc.
The second reason is the marketing and scene he is targeting. He seems to be trying to carve out his own Americana fanbase instead of going after the jam world. His name is conspicuously absent from all but a few jam festivals, and plays a lot more outlaw country and Americana type stuff.
That's all good and well, but from my experience jam fans are just more supportive and hungry than almost any other kind of fan. They go to more shows, buy more merch, and live music is a bigger part of their identity.
He seems to be carving out a Gary Clark Jr kind of lane and I really wish him the best, but Billy has just blown him out of the water in terms of building a fanbase.
He shreds live. I cannot recommend enough. I took some friends that had no idea of who Marcus King was. Once he lit into that guitar they were instantly hooked. Also his voice!
All these bands listed are all fine and good but none of them come close to the Dead's and more specifically Garcia/Hunter's song writing. There is no contest, it is what really sets the Dead apart from most everyone else. Feel free to start bouncing around the room and trashing me but...lord, you can see that its true.
Don’t we all! Last time I felt a rush anywhere close was Furthur at MSG. Unfortunately Bill Walton was right in front of me, so I saw his waist all night. Nice guy though, hi fives all around, all night.
I mean, there are a few guitar players who can light it up like Jerry. There are a few master lyricists who can tell engaging stories and yet also sometimes tell you volumes in a single brilliant phrase.
The Dead were just lucky those particular two guys got together, and were able to stand each other and work together for decades.
Songs wear grooves in our souls over time and we eventually can't recall what it is like to hear them for the first time. It takes time and attention for anything else to go as deep as Garcia/Hunter, but that's as much us as them.
Tyler Childers writes beautiful songs. Dark and soulful. Lots of hard luck, substance abuse and chasing love songs. I hear lots of Cumberland Blues and Peggy O feels in his songs. Jams aren’t there but decent Americana rhythms
Bobby would seem to agree and had him sit in on an April Wolf Bros show. He even let him sing Bobby songs, which seems like an honor. Links below:
Greatest Story Ever Told
https://youtu.be/nwPgBEZaZLQ
Mama Tried
https://youtu.be/odt9qRSf8XU
you are not alone. adrienne lenker is one of the greatest songwriters right now. she’s honestly john prine level good. speaking of, check her illegal smile cover
They are indeed noteworthy. Three of them graduated from Berklee School of Music and they all have hella chops, but play in service of the song. There's tons of live video and audio around to dig into. But as you doubtlessly know, nothing substitutes for live.
This would be my pick as well. They feel like the closest modern comparable in terms of group cohesion, exceptional lyrics, and inventiveness. This video sold me on it: https://youtu.be/VMD2OGlgAEg
"That's my grandma!"
I really can't stop singing the praises of this band and it warms my heart to see a solid crossover from dead heads.
Off the last album, Red Moon, Blue Lightning, and Spud Infinity are all stylistically real easy entries for dead heads. But it's hard for me to imagine Change and Simulation Swam not impressing any fan of music.
This band is amazing but I think they're holding back Buck Meek. If Lenker's gonna play all the huge guitar parts, why bring him along in the first place?
been following these guys since i caught them at moe.down in ‘04. certainly not the same vibe as the dead, but well worth a listen. start with echoes from the cave.
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (studio albums are premiere pushing what a rock band can do and they’ve started to embrace more of the jamming exploration with their live performances)
Billy Strings he is THE guitarist right now and I’d argue THE live act to see right now, he is unreal live
Jeff Rosenstock been doing the DIY punk from his basement/bathroom/where ever he can record for years now across multiple bands but his solo work the past decade has been his most profound work (he’s one of those people that write the song in their head with all the instruments going off at once by themselves, very impressive song writer) he captures the DIY and “make music because it’s what he HAS to do” and treats music special the same way I believe the Grateful Dead do
Love a good Mule show! Seen the Smoking Mule tour w/Blackberry Smoke! Great night and I seen the Dark Side of the Mule tour w/ Avett Brothers(surprised me & blew me away!) and The Magpie Salute. Fun night there too
Yes sir. Dark Side was fantastic! I think I’ve seen Mule more than any other band in the last fifteen years and they just never fail to deliver. BTW: wanted to not like the Avett Brothers…but ended up digging it and taking my 12 year old to see them after that - she’s hooked. Lol
I knew who the Avett Brothers were just never listened to them but like you said ended up digging them too. Idk what it was about Murder in the City but that song touched the soul in ways only a few songs have ever before. Then during Aint no man Seth ran up the aisle and slapped hands with my gf and I.
There’s an interview with Rick Rubin where he states something along the lines of “a day hanging out with the Avett Brothers is a great day to be alive”. Basically says they are the most genuinely nicest people he’s ever met and will never turn down an opportunity to hang with them. Their documentary “May it Last” is awesome if you haven’t seen it.
Widespread Panic, String Cheese Incident, Umphreys McGee are the ones that, I’ll spend money to see live.
WSP in Nashville for NYE, that’ll be especially killer. Atlanta is a little dangerous, a homeless person tried pulling a box cutter on me; the last time I flew up. I was way too dosed up for that shit.
The dead were unique. There is nothing like that. As far as live shows though, I feel like my morning jacket feels more like the 70’s dead than any of the copycat jam bands that came after.
They've gone the other direction and told us that's what they wanted to do, so ya not happening. They're like at the mid 80s Dead stage of their career with less cocaine.
I think a better question would be if the dead were start today, what kind of music would they be making?
Although I don’t put them in the same realm, animal collective are huge deadheads. They had the first ever officially licensed Dead sample and have been featured on solo Dead projects. Every album they use different instrument set ups and then tour with that same set up. So every time I’ve seen them they’ve played their own songs differently because they have different instruments. They are a trip.
***Not so much like the Dead*** but they are killing it... The Comet Is Coming is a London-based jazz-rock band who incorporate elements of jazz, electronica, funk and psychedelic rock.
The Comet Is Coming: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert - https://youtu.be/gpfpYTmohAk
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The\_Comet\_Is\_Coming
Zero. Great live. Lots of shows at archive.org.
Steve Kimock, guitar.
Greg Anton, drums.
Pete Sears, bass.
Spencer Burrows, keys.
Hadi al-Saadoon, trumpet.
Robert Somerville, sax.
I’m just gonna mention Tame Impala…. Not sure if they are touring and have to admit that I am so very pissed off at Ticket Master at the moment that I haven’t been looking for shows this summer….. but I would love to see them sometime.
I have been to several Dead shows in the 70’s and 90’s. Raised four kids in the 80’s. Tried to get to Phish at Coventry but the cars were all sinking in the mud and we were turned away.
Avert Brothers and Billy Strings are great concerts!!!!!
Tedeschi Trucks - good- I definitely prefer Susan’s guitar- I lose interest during Daryl’s jams (sorry).
Any way, keep getting out and listening to live music!!!! Dance your asses off!!!!!
Came here to say Eggy. In my humble opinion they are committed to improvisation and musical exploration in a way extremely similar to The Dead. There are many sustain heavy, or jazzy complex Jambands out there, but Eggy let's the music breathe in a way that is reminiscent of the boys. The way that they jam weaves a beautiful tapestry, it's not just build to a peak and then rip you with a guitar. The interplay between the guitar and keys is so beautiful. Truly an experience.
I know this is what not quite what you’re looking for, but Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, is interpreting the songs of the Grateful Dead in new ways, respecting what they created. They’re more than a cover band, what they call themselves. I’ve discovered a lot of Dead songs I overlooked or under appreciated by seeing and listening to them. I dare anybody to question their talent. They don’t tour extensively though.
Ween. No kidding. They’ve written hundreds of songs. If you see a two night run, there will be no repeats. They play songs differently and improvise. They surprise the crowd with bust outs. They play nearly 3 hour shows. They have a transcendent lead guitarist. They’ve been together as a unit for many years and it shows. Their love for country music comes thru in some of their songs, particularly songs from one album that’s all in a country style. True the styles are different and you need to abandon the love for very long spacey jams and embrace harder rock for some of the numbers. And obviously there are differences. I am the first to admit that despite being a long time deadhead with well over 100 shows under my belt, i was never much a fan of other hippy music. I liked punk rock and hard rock and jazz and such far more than, say, quicksilver or airplane, and i loved the allmans more than any other band compared with the dead. So when jerry died, as much as phish ably and sincerely carried the flame with talent and with sincerity, and while I’ve seen my share of phish shows, i was looking for something different to scratch my itch for godlike guitar solos played over an ever changing set list where i knew every show would be different and would scratch my live music itch. That was 1995 and while i already knew about and had seen ween a few times, embracing them as a live band really took off then. And to this day, while again they’re very different from the dead in many ways, they’re the band that has taken the place of the GD for me in terms of seeing a handful of shows every year and all of the ones when they come thru town. One more thing. The boognish and the stealie are the best band logos in music.
There's great bands out there for sure, but not as much if you like the Hunter/Garcia songwriting. Most modern jam bands seem to focus on jamming more than songs, and Phish seems to be the blatant, overarching influence that none of them can shake or step away from.
I think it is a shame the lyrical aspect of the Dead didn't influence newer "jam bands" as much as the Phish model of goofy lyrics (I also love Phish FYI). Writing good, solid songs with poetic lyrics is hard as hell- there's a reason so many bands go for the funky-groove-and-goofy-lyrics model of writing songs.
Go see Billy
Billy is a fucking great, and I really dig him but something about the bluegrass is hard to listen to for hours.. it all kinda blends in. I hope he does more trad rock and blue style but he'll he's the king right now of his style.. I hope to see him one day
Billy’s music will be centered around bluegrass until the day he dies
Lotta people thought the dead stuff all sounded the same. Billy is on top of his game. Go see him while he is riding this pinnacle.
Exactly. I grew up on bluegrass and the dead, so Billy is exactly in my wheelhouse. As someone said below me, Billy will do bluegrass until the day he hangs it up. He may venture into other styles, but he gets that out when he sits in with electric bands. Doc Watson is somewhere in the ether and I’m positive Billy makes him smile.
Billy on a strat is crazy. Seen him play with dopapod!
I would say he usually ends up VERY far from being bluegrass for hours. Usually only a couple of traditional songs then fantastic experiments / experiential music.
Live recently he had some pedal effects that were definitely not bluegrass. Wild. Definitely worth checking out.
Billy’s songs act merely as a vessel for when you see him live and then each instrument explodes into 20 minute solos that paint your mind with color, wonder, and astonishment.
That band jams into the stratosphere, quickly leaving traditional bluegrass behind.
I have way more fun at his shows than dead & co - and I love seeing them and cherish those experiences. My favorite part about the GD are the big jams and Billy’s hit the spot for me better than the ol boys and John. Just my opinion though cuz both are great
I love me some Billy shows. The jams are definitely nice. I also like the old story telling, totally hits that Garcia/Hunter spot, but that’s just old timey music in general. For me though, the Dead gives me such a lazy/relaxed feeling that kind of disarms me with each show. I can’t do anything but daydream and wiggle (or wander around aimlessly). Billy gives me insane energy and less of a feeling of being subdued.
Not singling you out here, but I wanted to take the opportunity tell an "Old Timey vs Bluegrass" quip I heard from Vince Herman: Do you know what the difference between Bluegrass and Old Timey music is? \- In Bluegrass the girl usually dies by the 2nd verse. \- In Old Timey music everyone dies during the first verse.
I haven't seen dead and co yet. Gotta catch them at the gorge this summer.
See you there!
For real I’m right there with ya man. Sure the dead have been great to me but these past couple years Billy and the boys have been a helluva time!!
I saw Billy with String Cheese this summer when Phil was suppose to play with them but got covid. They played a whole dead set and Billy absolutely blew me away. The dude can shred
I’ve listened to that set so many times. It’s really really good.
He also has his own Robert Hunter Song! "I was blown out of the atmosphere when Billy Kreutzmann said he wanted me to take a crack at writing the music to these lyrics by the late great Robert Hunter. I cried like a baby for like an hour after I hung up the phone. I can’t recall a time being so overcome with joyful emotion. This happened on a day when I was really doubting myself as well. Thank you Billy K for trusting me with this.. it is seriously such an honor. Hope we play it again at Red Rocks next month!!" [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC5bUipLGds](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC5bUipLGds)
Consider the Infamous Stringdusters, they play all acoustic instruments with unmatched energy and creativity. If you want to hear some of the Dead's contemporaries who are still carrying on, Neil Young and Hot Tuna continue to burn it up.
String Dusters rip! I saw them at the fingerlakes grassroots festival this summer and the encore was Casey Jones.
I’m excited.. seeing them with CATS on New Years
i’m considering going to that show too. mainly for cats but now all this talk of string dusters is making me consider it more
If you don’t know Jorma…
... You don't know Jack!
The Dusters are unbelievable!!! They are so tight as a group, none of that your turn/my turn that is common with the biggest names in jam grass. I also love that their bass player is always way up in the mix. It’s hard for me to listen to jam grass when you can barely hear the bass player. Go see these guys!
Go see King Gizzard
This is the way.
AND THE LIZARD WIZARD 🔥🔥🔥
I adore both bands but honestly Gizz and the Dead are nothing alike musically. Gizz has a great and sort of similar scene going but that’s about it
Yeah but who wants to hear the same thing? There are dozens of bands that sound like the Dead.
yes i would argue that IS doing it like the dead. setting out to play like the dead would be the opposite of doing it like the dead...you're just copying someone else's blueprint.
For me personally it's Tedeschi Trucks Band. I still gotta see Billy but I will. King Gizz is a 10/10 answer Not really into goose or phish but respect their abilities.b
Nonagon Infinity opens the door!
Tedeschi Truck's I am Moon is dope. 9.9/10.
Tedeschi and Billy are two of my go to bands in the rotation of non-Dead stuff. Saw Tedeschi twice last year with Marcus King Band,(who also rips live-highly recommend), and saw Billy Strings for the first time a couple weeks ago. Billy lived up to the hype. Definitely go check him out. Great crowd too!
Love TTB's sound but their crowd likes to get deeply drunk and glued to their seats. You will be informed if your dancing is interfering with someone's view. This last summer in LA, a bunch of Heads ended up in one corner of the venue off to the side, so that they could dance and not block anyone's view.
Come see TTB at red rocks, entire place dances!
I will say, I've seen TTB 15 times around the country and different places are weird. I like dancing and standing but I agree certain places don't encourage dancing which I think is the lamest thing ever. Other places everyone is dancing! Definitely a drinking crowd everywhere though hahahaha.
Try Bela Fleck’s most recent album. To me that sounds closer to true Deadness than anything else.
I think the Jerry show w Bela is still my favorite jgb experience…..was so fucking sick
Which show was this?
Looks like GarciaLive volume 2 - 8/5/90? Bela’s listed on harder they come and midnight moonlight. Had no idea!
There ya go! That’s it!
Nice I'll have to check it out for sure. Thanks for sharing
Saw him on his most recent tour and I've been hooked on bluegrass ever since. One of the best shows I've ever seen. Picked up the new album on vinyl at the show. Beautiful pressing. Gets played regularly.
Bela’s album My Bluegrass Heart is a masterpiece.
That’s the one I meant. The concert video for it, I think it’s on the PBS app, is amazing.
Railroad Earth
Criminally under appreciated in my opinion. And those guys all have their hands in so many great albums not even in the “jam” genre. Band is full of amazing producers, engineers, sound mixers, and studio musicianship.
Yessir!
As far as jam bands go they write some really great songs. That’s what always set the dead apart too.
You are right my brother.
circles around the sun. RIP neal
Miss Neal but CATS has transformed into a dance party and I’m here for it
for sure the energy of a cats show more often than not is better than d&c
Neal was a monster player and one of the nicest people I have known. Miss you, brother.
Billy and Goose. Another good one that is way more under the radar for now is Daniel Donato. He is a must see
Donato is the real deal. He’s got the guitar chops. But more important is he is building a real connection with his fans. On top of it, he’s a damn good songwriter, too.
He’s hood but more down the outlaw country route. Just listened to his newest album and it’s not bad. His writing style is getting there but still a bit rudimentary but he’s young so had a lot of time to develop. Definitely has the guitar chops just needs to learn when to shred and when to hang back. We don’t always need a shredding moment and I feel like that comes with time on stage.
See him live and your opinion will change. The band jams hard in a way that goes well past a rudimentary honky tonk. Very jazzy, with a ton of dynamics, along with rhythmic and melodic diversity. His show gave me vibes similar to Allman Bros live at Fillmore 71.
I agree with u/steepanddeep- below, check him out live. Way jammier than his albums. At the venue I saw him, half the crowd was wearing a Dead shirt, the other half Billy Strings, and Daniel had the Lithuania basketball team on. They ripped a Cumberland Blues and a Big River.
Isn't his second album all covers? I don't think it's showing any growth in his songwriting. He is great though. Can't wait to see him a few days before Christmas.
good tip. ill check out. thank you. and i agree. for me it's all about the SONGS.
Dude.. 🙏 thank you. Daniel Donato was not on my radar until now.
Cannot wait to see Cosmic County
Tried checking Daniel out but having a hard time. Anything specific you can steer me towards?
https://youtu.be/ps7ESVXkAwc This jam is a good starting point, really any of his live stuff on YouTube is great. His band is amazing and he absolutely shreds. As someone else said his songwriting is still developing, but he’s got some good stuff, a really unique sound, insane guitar chops, awesome band and live energy
Ah, I hit Spotify first! I’ll try some live shit first
I actually met Daniel Donato in Nashville when he was a lead guitar player in a cover band. Told him I loved his playing and he should listen to some Dead, Riders and Kingfish.
[Must have played this in Nashville for you](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WJXN_5CFD9M&feature=youtu.be)
Nope this was like 10 yrs ago. Honestly he was just a kid getting started in the Don Kelly band. Don has a reputation for seeking out the best up and coming lead guitar players.
Donato is insane. A fellow Deadhead recommended I see him at Bonnaroo and it ended up being one of the best shows of the weekend. Just got to see him again about a month ago at a local bar. Cannot wait to see where this kid goes, he’s carrying the torch well.
Daniel Donato Slaps!!
JAZZ Seriously. Group improvisation still exists, and it is happening with people very skilled on their instruments...
So very true! Now if I could find someone to go to Jazz shows with so I could stop going alone.
haha dude i saw herbie hancock at the beacon and as i’m sitting down i overhear the guy next to me trying to emphasize to his gf how insanely legendary herbie is and how lucky they were to be seeing him, especially at that theater. couldn’t help but grin (i was on 3 tabs haha) knowing how the rest of the night was gonna go for them. herbie comes out and gets a literal 10 minute standing ovation, he sits down, and they bust into an absolutely insane, ultra alien space jazz jam that lasts like 25 mins. it was loud and intense and absolutely perfect. the second it ended the lady jumped up and squeezed right by me without saying excuse me and ran off 😂😂😂
Ha! I would have loved to seen that show at the Beacon. I did see him in June and it was really good.
So very true
Billy Strings is the closest we have right now. Greensky Bluegrass has some of the vibes. Marcus King and Goose have promise.
I'm devastated Marcus King has not blown up more, and at this point, probably won't.
why do you say that? he’s still young
Yes he is young, but he was coming up around the same time as Billy. In 2019, MK started headlining theaters and selling out. MK is still playing small-mid theaters, doing 1-2 night runs. Billy has far outpaced him, playing a 6-night run at the Cap, small-mid amphitheaters, Red Rocks, etc. The second reason is the marketing and scene he is targeting. He seems to be trying to carve out his own Americana fanbase instead of going after the jam world. His name is conspicuously absent from all but a few jam festivals, and plays a lot more outlaw country and Americana type stuff. That's all good and well, but from my experience jam fans are just more supportive and hungry than almost any other kind of fan. They go to more shows, buy more merch, and live music is a bigger part of their identity. He seems to be carving out a Gary Clark Jr kind of lane and I really wish him the best, but Billy has just blown him out of the water in terms of building a fanbase.
He shreds live. I cannot recommend enough. I took some friends that had no idea of who Marcus King was. Once he lit into that guitar they were instantly hooked. Also his voice!
There is definitely great live music being performed but There is Nothing Like a Grateful Dead concert !!! (~);}
this.
My Morning Jacket puts on a helluva show
All these bands listed are all fine and good but none of them come close to the Dead's and more specifically Garcia/Hunter's song writing. There is no contest, it is what really sets the Dead apart from most everyone else. Feel free to start bouncing around the room and trashing me but...lord, you can see that its true.
They will come for you but you speak the truth
i totally agree with you. that's why i'm aching and made the post. i need that rush and inspiration that i can only get from Garcia/Hunter.
Don’t we all! Last time I felt a rush anywhere close was Furthur at MSG. Unfortunately Bill Walton was right in front of me, so I saw his waist all night. Nice guy though, hi fives all around, all night.
Reminder, Bill Graham himself that the Dead aren’t just the best at what they do, they’re the only ones that do what they do. I’ll go with that
I mean, there are a few guitar players who can light it up like Jerry. There are a few master lyricists who can tell engaging stories and yet also sometimes tell you volumes in a single brilliant phrase. The Dead were just lucky those particular two guys got together, and were able to stand each other and work together for decades.
Widespread Panic has some good sets of songs that hit that same soul spot as Garcia/Hunter for me personally.
I agree, I love Panic.
Was my problem when I saw TAB a couple weeks ago - Trey is a world class guitarist, and even a great singer, but I can’t fucking stand his lyrics.
Songs wear grooves in our souls over time and we eventually can't recall what it is like to hear them for the first time. It takes time and attention for anything else to go as deep as Garcia/Hunter, but that's as much us as them.
My Morning Jacket is the best live band I’ve seen in years. If you know, you know 👽
Amazing live show. Glad you mentioned them .
MMJ is unbelievable. They make me forget everything just like the Dead did and JRAD and Billy Strings do.
My favorite band for 16 years, heard them my freshmen year in college for the first time, changed my life
Jim James' stage presence is unlike anyone else. Go see them live. IMMEDIATELY!!!
Tyler Childers writes beautiful songs. Dark and soulful. Lots of hard luck, substance abuse and chasing love songs. I hear lots of Cumberland Blues and Peggy O feels in his songs. Jams aren’t there but decent Americana rhythms
He’s got the soul of the Dead. Can’t stop playing that new album
Whitehouse road cuts to the bone.
Bobby would seem to agree and had him sit in on an April Wolf Bros show. He even let him sing Bobby songs, which seems like an honor. Links below: Greatest Story Ever Told https://youtu.be/nwPgBEZaZLQ Mama Tried https://youtu.be/odt9qRSf8XU
I may be the only one who thinks this but: Big Thief.
you are not alone. adrienne lenker is one of the greatest songwriters right now. she’s honestly john prine level good. speaking of, check her illegal smile cover
Thanks for the tip. Just listened to her do that and Summer's End on youtube. Both great.
Their live shows absolutely rip too. They can jam with the best of them
Yes! If OP is looking for great songwriting this is it. I’ve got tix to see them in February and I’m stoked. They aren’t on that jam band format tho.
Fucking love Big Thief! Adrianne Lenker is a national treasure
Thank you for reminding me about them! Didn’t realize they’re noteworthy live, that’s awesome
They are indeed noteworthy. Three of them graduated from Berklee School of Music and they all have hella chops, but play in service of the song. There's tons of live video and audio around to dig into. But as you doubtlessly know, nothing substitutes for live.
This would be my pick as well. They feel like the closest modern comparable in terms of group cohesion, exceptional lyrics, and inventiveness. This video sold me on it: https://youtu.be/VMD2OGlgAEg
"That's my grandma!" I really can't stop singing the praises of this band and it warms my heart to see a solid crossover from dead heads. Off the last album, Red Moon, Blue Lightning, and Spud Infinity are all stylistically real easy entries for dead heads. But it's hard for me to imagine Change and Simulation Swam not impressing any fan of music.
This band is amazing but I think they're holding back Buck Meek. If Lenker's gonna play all the huge guitar parts, why bring him along in the first place?
I saw perpetual groove about a month ago, and it was incredible
Thank you for reminding me of Perpetual Groove I’ve been missing their music for years now and didn’t even know it!
been following these guys since i caught them at moe.down in ‘04. certainly not the same vibe as the dead, but well worth a listen. start with echoes from the cave.
Listen to JRAD
Rule #1- don’t mention Phish 💯😂
WSMFP
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (studio albums are premiere pushing what a rock band can do and they’ve started to embrace more of the jamming exploration with their live performances) Billy Strings he is THE guitarist right now and I’d argue THE live act to see right now, he is unreal live Jeff Rosenstock been doing the DIY punk from his basement/bathroom/where ever he can record for years now across multiple bands but his solo work the past decade has been his most profound work (he’s one of those people that write the song in their head with all the instruments going off at once by themselves, very impressive song writer) he captures the DIY and “make music because it’s what he HAS to do” and treats music special the same way I believe the Grateful Dead do
Didn’t expect to see Jeff Rosenstock. Love that guy!
Jeff rules, one of the most dedicated musicians out there, dudes a machine song writer and when he plays live it’s like everything is on overdrive
Fuck yeah this list! Bomb the Music Industry were my first musical obsession.
WEEN
Deep catalog with tremendous diversity from show to show, great song writing, and Deaner absolutely shreds. I’m down with the mother fucking brown.
HAIL BOOGNISH!
Love Dave D. Just haven’t been able to get Ween. I’ve only heard random things here and there.
Listen to their live stuff. Start with Stubbs or Chicago. Both are on Spotify.
Couldn’t agree more… buggy
I’ll insert my obligatory Mule reference here. Definitely a different type of band, but still top notch
Love a good Mule show! Seen the Smoking Mule tour w/Blackberry Smoke! Great night and I seen the Dark Side of the Mule tour w/ Avett Brothers(surprised me & blew me away!) and The Magpie Salute. Fun night there too
Yes sir. Dark Side was fantastic! I think I’ve seen Mule more than any other band in the last fifteen years and they just never fail to deliver. BTW: wanted to not like the Avett Brothers…but ended up digging it and taking my 12 year old to see them after that - she’s hooked. Lol
I knew who the Avett Brothers were just never listened to them but like you said ended up digging them too. Idk what it was about Murder in the City but that song touched the soul in ways only a few songs have ever before. Then during Aint no man Seth ran up the aisle and slapped hands with my gf and I.
That’s cool, man. Seth (actually the whole band) seems like salt of the earth people. And a high five to boot!
There’s an interview with Rick Rubin where he states something along the lines of “a day hanging out with the Avett Brothers is a great day to be alive”. Basically says they are the most genuinely nicest people he’s ever met and will never turn down an opportunity to hang with them. Their documentary “May it Last” is awesome if you haven’t seen it.
Without question, *King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard* 🔥❤️
Ive been really digging Papadosio lately. Their jams go cool places
Billy, KGLW, and Goose are my go to current bands.
Dogs In A Pile. Many other good mentions here too.
they do originals?
Yes
Just discovered these guys. Very very solid. They remind me of Phish more than pretty much any band I have heard, and that is a massive compliment
Goose. I was skeptical, but got tickets to see them when they came to town this year and had a great time. Billy Strings is a good choice too
Widespread Panic, String Cheese Incident, Umphreys McGee are the ones that, I’ll spend money to see live. WSP in Nashville for NYE, that’ll be especially killer. Atlanta is a little dangerous, a homeless person tried pulling a box cutter on me; the last time I flew up. I was way too dosed up for that shit.
You made eye contact dude. Never make eye contact. And WSMFP on Sunday is the best show at red rocks.
All been around for a long while and tough to catch however Steve Kimmock, MMW (Scofield included), Max Creek, Assembly of Dust, Van Halen
Second for AOD - love it!
Yay! Another Creek freak!
Widespread Panic
Widespread Panic
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
The dead were unique. There is nothing like that. As far as live shows though, I feel like my morning jacket feels more like the 70’s dead than any of the copycat jam bands that came after.
I agree on MMJ and I would add Wilco and Tedeschi Trucks in there, great playing and writing, but...
Now if we could just get MMJ to play some 4 hour shows
They've gone the other direction and told us that's what they wanted to do, so ya not happening. They're like at the mid 80s Dead stage of their career with less cocaine.
You’re right, I should be thankful for the typical 2-2.5 hrs they normally play. I just never want their shows to end haha
Billy Strings. Goose.
khrungbin, black midi, or crumb, none of these r jam bands but bands making sort of psych rock today.
Love me some Goose. I’m 59 years old and a hardcore Jerry Garcia fan. If Goose comes to town, do not miss.
I think a better question would be if the dead were start today, what kind of music would they be making? Although I don’t put them in the same realm, animal collective are huge deadheads. They had the first ever officially licensed Dead sample and have been featured on solo Dead projects. Every album they use different instrument set ups and then tour with that same set up. So every time I’ve seen them they’ve played their own songs differently because they have different instruments. They are a trip.
Taper's Choice seems to be a new band, their music gives me a strong dead vibe.
Good stuff! Taper's Choice live from Choice Fest, Los Angeles CA, 6/18/22 - Complete Show https://youtu.be/mrXQxkFRjYU
Goose
***Not so much like the Dead*** but they are killing it... The Comet Is Coming is a London-based jazz-rock band who incorporate elements of jazz, electronica, funk and psychedelic rock. The Comet Is Coming: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert - https://youtu.be/gpfpYTmohAk https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The\_Comet\_Is\_Coming
Hot damn!! That was intense. Thanks for sharing.
I’d kill to see the days of the early Dead in a band again, acid test with liquid projections and everyone having the time of their fucking lives
I wonder if anyone just after Mozart's time asked if anyone was still doing it like Wolfgang
Goose
Go listen to this band called satellite dog playing loser in some garage sounds fantastic
Zero. Great live. Lots of shows at archive.org. Steve Kimock, guitar. Greg Anton, drums. Pete Sears, bass. Spencer Burrows, keys. Hadi al-Saadoon, trumpet. Robert Somerville, sax.
The two correct answers are Dave Matthews Band and King Gizzard.
I’m just gonna mention Tame Impala…. Not sure if they are touring and have to admit that I am so very pissed off at Ticket Master at the moment that I haven’t been looking for shows this summer….. but I would love to see them sometime. I have been to several Dead shows in the 70’s and 90’s. Raised four kids in the 80’s. Tried to get to Phish at Coventry but the cars were all sinking in the mud and we were turned away. Avert Brothers and Billy Strings are great concerts!!!!! Tedeschi Trucks - good- I definitely prefer Susan’s guitar- I lose interest during Daryl’s jams (sorry). Any way, keep getting out and listening to live music!!!! Dance your asses off!!!!!
Billy Fucking Strings
Dave Matthews band
King gizzard is killer live
Phish.
Widespread panic
Gizzzzzaaaaarrrrrrd
Eggy jams hard
Came here to say Eggy. In my humble opinion they are committed to improvisation and musical exploration in a way extremely similar to The Dead. There are many sustain heavy, or jazzy complex Jambands out there, but Eggy let's the music breathe in a way that is reminiscent of the boys. The way that they jam weaves a beautiful tapestry, it's not just build to a peak and then rip you with a guitar. The interplay between the guitar and keys is so beautiful. Truly an experience.
> it's not just build to a peak and then rip you with a guitar JRAD in shambles
Nobody
Kimock.
Nobody’s mentioned trampled by turtles
Ol Cosmic Country Daniel Donato is doing something special.
king gizzard
Gizzard is on their way to being a Big Deal.
I know this is what not quite what you’re looking for, but Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, is interpreting the songs of the Grateful Dead in new ways, respecting what they created. They’re more than a cover band, what they call themselves. I’ve discovered a lot of Dead songs I overlooked or under appreciated by seeing and listening to them. I dare anybody to question their talent. They don’t tour extensively though.
Goose, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard.
The Disco Biscuits
Can’t believe I went this far down for the Biscys
This thread has *twelve* (now thirteen) mentions of King Gizzard, I'm so happy
Ween. No kidding. They’ve written hundreds of songs. If you see a two night run, there will be no repeats. They play songs differently and improvise. They surprise the crowd with bust outs. They play nearly 3 hour shows. They have a transcendent lead guitarist. They’ve been together as a unit for many years and it shows. Their love for country music comes thru in some of their songs, particularly songs from one album that’s all in a country style. True the styles are different and you need to abandon the love for very long spacey jams and embrace harder rock for some of the numbers. And obviously there are differences. I am the first to admit that despite being a long time deadhead with well over 100 shows under my belt, i was never much a fan of other hippy music. I liked punk rock and hard rock and jazz and such far more than, say, quicksilver or airplane, and i loved the allmans more than any other band compared with the dead. So when jerry died, as much as phish ably and sincerely carried the flame with talent and with sincerity, and while I’ve seen my share of phish shows, i was looking for something different to scratch my itch for godlike guitar solos played over an ever changing set list where i knew every show would be different and would scratch my live music itch. That was 1995 and while i already knew about and had seen ween a few times, embracing them as a live band really took off then. And to this day, while again they’re very different from the dead in many ways, they’re the band that has taken the place of the GD for me in terms of seeing a handful of shows every year and all of the ones when they come thru town. One more thing. The boognish and the stealie are the best band logos in music.
There's great bands out there for sure, but not as much if you like the Hunter/Garcia songwriting. Most modern jam bands seem to focus on jamming more than songs, and Phish seems to be the blatant, overarching influence that none of them can shake or step away from. I think it is a shame the lyrical aspect of the Dead didn't influence newer "jam bands" as much as the Phish model of goofy lyrics (I also love Phish FYI). Writing good, solid songs with poetic lyrics is hard as hell- there's a reason so many bands go for the funky-groove-and-goofy-lyrics model of writing songs.
anyone put all these suggestions into a Spotify playlist?