NYS Music 2024

Tag: JRAD

  • Joe Russo’s Almost Dead Set Sail at Pier 17

    Amidst a backdrop of New York Harbor and skyscrapers, Joe Russos Almost Dead (JRAD) returned home with an impressive declaration. The New York originals hit the stage at 6:15pm sharp on Friday, September 6 and Saturday, September 7 for back to back sell out shows to no surprise. It was another day at the office for the quintet, as this show marked their second visit to The Rooftop at Pier 17.

    “Gotta Serve Somebody”, rang out to kick the weekend off. The audience would agree in saying Mr. Dylan would be proud. Tom Hamilton (Guitar and Vocals) came out swinging, delivering an electrifying solo that made the floor shake. Marco Benevento (Keys, Synth, and Vocals) as usual had infectiously positive energy as he laughed on, smiling from ear to ear like a mad scientist watching a creation thrive and prosper.

    With classics “Music Never Stopped”, “Estimated Prophet”, and “New Speedway Boogie”, the audience got their classic dead fill well before the first set ended. The second set featured several bust-outs including “Foolish Heart” and “Alice D Millionaire”. Closing with fireworks both figuratively and literally, the band encored with Them’s “Gloria”, the perfect cliffhanger to end the evening on. Scott Metzger (Guitar and Vocals) stood out here, as he did at many other points during the two nights. Masterful precision on the fret board, raw, powerfully passionate vocals, and great respect for the material of which he is deservingly trusted with.

    After an outstanding first set on night two, attendees were gifted a special treat – a sit in featuring Lee Ranaldo, formerly of Sonic Youth. At first, only accompanied by the band leader Joe Russo (Drums, Percussion, and Vocals), rain began trickling in as the duo embarked upon a tribute to Ned Lagins, “Seastones”. A composition of deep ambient space as Mr. Ranaldo alternated between a synth pick up rig, xylophones, and using what seemed like a violin bow on his guitar. The rest of the group joined the stage not long after. With rain coming down harder, the band nor the audience paid it any mind, as it all seemed quite fitting. They gracefully transitioned into “Dark Star,” with Lee taking lead on vocals. JRAD’s guest proved no stranger to Grateful Dead aura, seamlessly joining the fold, elevating the show to an unanticipated but greatly appreciated height.

    With the bar set very high, the rest of set two featured numerous heavy hitters in the famous catalog of music. The arrival of “Terrapin Station” was an important stop of the evening before the audience would erupt once more. The iconic piano melody played masterfully by Benevento, Pink Floyd classic, “Pigs (Three Different Ones)” was up next. Ha-ha’ing all unison, the endeavor unfolding could make one take notice as to what makes JRAD the epic force it continues to be.

    In a world where Grateful Dead cover bands are in abundance, there are the ones that stand out and the ones that don’t. JRAD is in a league entirely of their own. Touring around the country quite frequently, they leave no stone unturned, both in musical style and energy. Led by Russo, whose ability behind a drum and percussion kit could make one’s jaw drop, him and his bandmates function like co-pilots, flying and landing an epic plane.

    One faux farewell later and with Mr. Ronaldo back on stage, “Morning Dew” was the closing designated number. As the band played on, the audience took it all in one last time in almost complete silence. Going out with a strong force of momentum, they bid their audience goodnight. While the band must have been rightfully exhausted, the same could not be said about the audience. The house appropriately played “This Must Be The Place” from The Talking Heads to which the concert venue became a dance floor. Their tour will resume nationwide in early October.

    Joe Russos Almost Dead – Rooftop at Pier 17 – September 6, 2024

    Set 1: Gotta Serve Somebody, The Music Never Stopped, Estimated Prophet, New Speedway Boogie, Hot Lanta, Shakedown Street

    Set 2: New Minglewood Blues, Foolish Heart, Brown-Eyed Women, Alice D. Millionarie, Feel Like A Stranger, Atlantic City, Casey Jones, Playing In The Band

    Encore: Gloria

    Joe Russos Almost Dead – Rooftop at Pier 17 – September 7, 2024

    Set 1: My Brother Esau, Rueben and Cherise, Let It Grow, Help on the Way, Slipknot! , Fire and Brimstone, Cumberland Blues

    Set 2: Seastones, Dark Star, Where’s Sly? Lady With A Fan, Terrapin Station, Greatest Story Ever Told, Pigs (Three Different Ones), Jack Straw

    Encore: Morning Dew

    joe russo's almost dead pier 17
    joe russo's almost dead pier 17

  • Sunshine Daydream: Peach at The Beach Rocks Atlantic City

    The Peach Music Festival just had their first “Peach at the Beach” at the Showboat Resort in Atlantic City. Although it was not at the usual Montage Mountain venue, this venue also had a waterpark, reminiscent of the festival people have grown to love, with familiar faces and favorite jams filling the air.

    The waterpark sets were mainly DJs including DJ Logic, aside from Dogs in a Pile, who played a funky set for all of the waterpark attendants. The Dogs are quickly solidifying their place within the jam band scene. This set included a masterful “Ship of Fools” and even a cover of Phish’s “Tube.”

    peach at the beach

    The main stage opened up with some reggae vibes from Mykal Rose of Black Uhuru. This featured a different, palette cleansing sound, which was quite different from the other music, yet lively and exciting.

    peach at the beach

    Next up for Peach at the Beach was Karina Rykman who played some tracks off her new album Joyride. The set was filled with high peaks, bass bombs, and lots of jams.

    Trouble No More played “Eat a Peach”, a great nod to the Allman Brothers roots of this festival. Highlights included “Blue Sky,” “Melissa,” and “Mountain Jam.” Taz’s guitar playing as a frontman just continuing toi get better with age.

    Dogs in a Pile took the stage with a memorable set, putting the crowd into party mode. The set included their hit “Trunk Run” which references Atlantic City within the song, encoring with a face melting “Fire.”

    After a longer break than expected, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead took the stage at 9:30 as opposed to 9 and played one long set as opposed to the advertised two. This proved to be rather disappointing but the band played an absolutely stellar set filled with genre-bending experimentation and mind-blowing peaks.

    JRAD opened up with “Scarlet Begonias,” a Deadhead favorite, but this group makes it clear that they are much more than a Grateful Dead cover band, pushing the music to new heights and making their unique sound prominent. The set also included a masterful “Estimated Prophet” and a jammed out “Playing in the Band”. They finished with “Uncle John’s Band.”

  • Dancing in the Beach: JRAD at The Stone Pony 5/17/24

    Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD) paid homage to their Jersey roots with an unbelievable spectacle of a show at the legendary Stone Pony in Asbury Park. The show included Stuart Bogie sitting in on many songs, notably during “Eyes of the World.”

    The first set started off with a classic Bluesy Dead song “Good Morning School Girl”. The set included an extensive “Fire on the Mountain” and a beautiful “Eyes of the World”. The band ended the set with one of my absolute favorite renditions of “Dancing In the Strets”.

    It was so good JRAD started the second set at Stone Pony with the same jam. The “Music Never Stopped” that followed was equally as groovy and kept the vibe going.

    What followed was a beautiful medley of Deadhead favorites including “Help on the Way”, “St Stephen”, “The Wheel”, and even “Uncle John’s Band” done in pristine JRAD fashion.

    Most of the band is from New Jersey, the show is in the Jersey shore, so proper homage was paid with a double Bruce Springsteen encore. This band was truly born to run!

    JRAD – Stone Pony – May 17, 2024

    Set 1: Good Morning School Girl, Touch of Grey, Silvio, Fire on The Mountain, Eyes of the World, Dancing in the Street

    Set 2: Dancing in the Street, The Music Never Stopped, Help on the Way, Slipknot!, St.Stephen

    Althea, The Wheel, He’s Gone, Uncle John’s Band

    Encore: Rosalita, Born to Run

  • CashorTrade Partners with The String Cheese Incident and JRAD For Pre-Sales & Ticket Drops

    The leading fan-to-fan social ticketing platform, CashorTrade, has revealed their new collaborations with Joe Russo’s Almost Dead and the String Cheese Incident. These band partners are an effort to keep tickets in the hands of fans for two forthcoming concert runs, and also to enhance the company’s fight against ticket scalping. 

    Dusty and Brando Rich, founders of CashorTrade.org

    As String Cheese Incident are getting ready to perform their most anticipated three-night performance at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in July, CashorTrade held a pre-sale on Thursday, February 1 through CashorTrade.org.

    Additionally, the platform has also announced their collaboration with Joe Russo’s Almost Dead to make tickets available for the band’s forthcoming performance at The Fillmore in Charlotte, North Carolina on February 8.

    CashorTrade proudly defines itself as the world’s only social network where fans can buy, sell and trade tickets at face value. The Vermont-based company was launched in 2009 through the efforts of Brando Rich and his older brother Dusty, who are passionate music fans. Their website includes the pre-sale feature as part of their continuous effort to help artists and guarantee fair ticketing procedures. By bypassing the middlemen and online ticket resale marketplaces, artists can establish direct connections with their fan base through their website.

    “CashorTrade is thrilled to partner with The String Cheese Incident and JRAD to empower fans and combat scalping in the live music industry. Our mission has always been to prioritize the fan experience and provide a platform where tickets are traded ethically and securely.”

    Brando Rich, CashorTrade co-founder

    With more than a million followers on its social media, website, and app, CashorTrade has made a name for itself as a reliable spot for fans to exchange, buy, and sell face-value tickets. With its headquarters located in Vermont, the company employs thirty passionate music lovers and is getting ready to release its next-generation software, which will improve the ticketing experience for both artists and fans. 

    For more information about CashorTrade and the upcoming presale, fans can visit CashorTrade.org.