Joe Russo’s Almost Dead treated fans to a welcomed performance at Seattle’s historic Showbox Theater on August 10, 2018, coming to Seattle for the first time since their formation over 5 years ago.
JRAD‘s jam-fueled take on the Grateful Dead’s music has led to praise and deep rooted fan loyalty, and now, members Marco Benevento, Dave Dreiwitz, Tom Hamilton, Scott Metzger and Joe Russo had a chance to meet some of their already impressive West Coast fan base.
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead took the stage at the sold-out Showbox, and cheers erupted as notes of Foolish Heart crept out of an opening jam. From there Benevento led a transition into a powerhouse New Minglewood Blues where Metzger took charge of vocals and the band delivered a tight, jam fueled tune that set the mood for the evening.
The first set led into Cats Under the Stars, followed by Bob Dylan’s Tell me Momma, into a heartfelt Loser. The set ended with a rendition of Stranger that might as well have been a resume for what this band can do. Wow. With Hey Bulldog teases, a crushing Frankenstein tease, and Voodo Chile teases, this was absolutely the gem of the first set.
Second set started off with a fun Woman are Smarter that danced into China Cat, garnering an eruption of cheers and applause. China Cat led into a notable Viola Lee Blues that had the whole place on fire, then back and forth from Viola to China Cat in a way that defines what Joe Russo’s Almost Dead is all about.
After the half-hour China/Viola masterpiece, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead dove into a deep jam and resurfaced with an I Know You Rider sing along that had the sold-out Showbox grinning from ear to ear. And if that wasn’t enough, the boys went into a moving Let it Grow that took us all to church to end the second set. They encored with Touch of Grey, the perfect ending to Seattle’s first night with Joe Russo’s Almost Dead… now how about a three night run?
Showbox Theater
Seattle, WA
2018-08-10
SOLD OUT
Set One (9:08PM – 10:27PM)
Jam ->
Foolish Heart ->
New Minglewood Blues
Cats Under The Stars ->
Tell Me Mama @ >
Loser >
Feel Like A Stranger #
Set Two (10:35PM – 12:24AM)
Drums ->
Man Smart, Woman Smarter ->
China Cat Sunflower $ ->
Viola Lee Blues % ->
Jam ^ ->
I Know You Rider ->
Jam & ->
Let It Grow *
ENC:
Touch Of Grey
@ – With A Marco Solo
# – With a “Hey Bulldog” (The Beatles), “Frankenstein” (Edgar Winter Group) and “Voodoo Chile” (Jimi Hendrix) Jams & Teases (Band)
$ – With a “Hey Bulldog” (The Beatles) Tease (Band)
% – With a China Cat Sunflower Jam (Band)
^ – With a “Rock and Roll” (Led Zeppelin) Tease (JR), multiple “Spoonman” (Soundgarden) Teases (TH, JR, Band)
+ – With multiple “Spoonman” (Soundgarden) Teases (TH, JR, Band)
& – With a Let It Grow Tease (JR)
* – With “Smooth Operator” (Sade) Teases (MB & TH)
Pre Show / Set Break Music: Costello’s Motwown Mix
Walkout Music: Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana & Romeo and Juliet – Dire Straits
Poster: New Antlers By Aaron Powers
Don’t forget to check out JRAD’s Free Audio Collection on Archive, their Merch, and their Tour Schedule.
