Drummer Joe Russo likes to play jazz. Weird, wonderful, experimental jazz. But Russo also likes to play straight-ahead rock, psychedelic rock, Americana, and more. Just about the only band that scratches every music itch is the Grateful Dead.
Drummer Joe Russo likes to play jazz. Weird, wonderful, experimental jazz. But Russo also likes to play straight-ahead rock, psychedelic rock, Americana, and more.
With his eclectic interests, just about the only band that scratches every music itch is the Grateful Dead. But it’s still surprising that Joe Russo’s Almost Dead tribute project has lasted 10 years.
“It’s kind of insane that this is still a thing,” Russo told the Herald with a laugh.
Russo started the band on a lark, a one-night-only event, but fans wanted more, and more, and more. Over a decade, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead has grown from club dates to 5,000-seat venues – JRAD performs at Leader Bank Pavilion on, Aug. 12.
As a kid in the ’80s, Russo dug the heavy and hard stuff: Zeppelin, Sabbath, Iron Maiden, KISS, and Rush.
