Joe Russo’s Almost Dead is on its way back to the Bay Area.
The acclaimed Grateful Dead tribute act — featuring bandleader Russo on drums as well as bassist Dave Dreiwitz, keyboardist and longtime Russo collaborator Marco Benevento and vocalist-guitarists Scott Metzger and Tom Hamilton — is performing a two-night stand, Oct. 24-25, at the Fox Theater in Oakland.
And, in true Grateful Dead fashion, many of the fans who attend the first night will also show up at the second gig as well. That’s dedication (or, if you will, “Deadication”), but also a sign that these fans understand that each JRAD concert is unique. That’s in large part because the band — also following along the Dead’s “Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion)” — drastically changes up the setlist from night to night.
Also, while some GD tribute acts strive to stay as true as possible to the Dead’s sound — with the valid goal of trying to conjure versions of songs that closely mimic what Jerry Garcia and company might have played — JRAD goes up the opposite direction and chases the music wherever it may take them.
The result is exciting, unpredictable and thoroughly fun. Bay Area Deadheads who have yet to acquaint themselves with JRAD should definitely take this opportunity to hear what the band has to offer.
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead showtime is 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $78.15, ticketmaster.com.