Joe Russo's Almost Dead

Joe Russo's Almost Dead (JRAD) is a beloved jam band supergroup that reimagines the vast catalog of the Grateful Dead through a heavier, more improvisational lens. Fronted by drummer Joe Russo, the band features a lineup of accomplished musicians including Scott Metzger, Tom Hamilton, Marco Benevento, and Dave Dreiwitz, each bringing their own pedigree from other notable projects in the jam and rock scene. Rather than simply covering Dead songs note-for-note, JRAD takes an exploratory approach, stretching songs into extended psychedelic jams that often surprise longtime Deadheads and newcomers alike.

What sets Joe Russo's Almost Dead apart is their willingness to push the source material into unexpected territory, often incorporating unpredictable segues, unusual song pairings, and a rock-forward energy that distinguishes them from more traditional Dead cover bands. Their live shows are known for being high-energy and unpredictable, with setlists that vary night to night, making every performance a unique experience. Since their formation, they've built a dedicated following within the jam band community, becoming a fixture at music festivals and venues that cater to fans of extended, improvisational live music.

The band has garnered respect not just from Grateful Dead fans but from the broader jam band and improvisational rock community for their musicianship and their reverence-meets-reinvention approach to one of rock's most iconic catalogs. Their performances offer a chance to experience the spirit of Grateful Dead music filtered through a fresh, dynamic, and often unpredictable lens.