The Deadpod

We return this week to the plains of Kansas for the second set of the band's July 4, 1990 performance at Sandstone Amphitheater. The band comes back as the sun dips down and treats us to a couple of their newer songs, starting with 'Victim or the Crime'. They lighten the mood with a fine 'Foolish Heart', which flows into one of my favorite Brent tunes, 'Just a Little Light'. Knowing this was one o...

On this sweltering Fourth of July weekend, I've decided to travel back to another sweltering Fourth—July 4, 1990 at Sandstone Amphitheatre in Bonner Springs, Kansas. With temperatures well over 100 at showtime and no roof over the seating area, this was probably the hottest showtime I'd ever experienced. For me, it was a deeply memorable night: not only the last time I'd see Brent before his tragi...

This week's Deadpod features the Grateful Dead's second set from June 4, 1978, at Campus Stadium, University of California, Santa Barbara—a show that captures the band in a confident and fluid late-'70s mode. The set opens with a lively "Samson and Delilah," followed by a nicely rendered "Ship of Fools" that provides an early contrast in mood. The improvisational core begins with "Estimated Prophe...

This week's Deadpod takes us back to sunny California for a Sunday show at the University of California, Santa Barbara, on June 4, 1978. This is their first show in about a month following the excellent Spring tour, and the band sounds like they're in great spirits—evidenced both by the between-song banter and the upbeat performances throughout the set. A somewhat unusual pairing opens things up,...

This week's Deadpod features the second set from June 6th, 1992, a performance that captures the Grateful Dead's late-era mix of looseness, drive, and exploratory spirit. The set opens on a joyful note with "Iko Iko," before shifting into a spacious "Estimated Prophet" that leads into a rare second-set "The Same Thing." From there, the mood turns inward with a heartfelt "He's Gone," setting up the...

  This week's Deadpod comes from a listener request, as we head to Buffalo, New York, and the Grateful Dead's performance at Rich Stadium on June 6, 1992. It's firmly in the early '90s period, with Vince Welnick on keys and the band leaning into a more polished, modern sound while still drawing on their deep songbook. In this first set we get a very '90s opener with "Touch of Grey" into "Greatest...

This week's Deadpod continues our visit to Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, as we present the second set from May 8, 1981. After last week's well‑played opening set, the band comes out strong here with a big "Shakedown Street" into "Samson and Delilah," then digs deep with "Terrapin Station" flowing into a wide‑open "Playin' in the Band" and on through Drums and Space. Ken...

For this Memorial Day weekend edition of the Deadpod, we're traveling to Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, for the Grateful Dead's spring tour stop on May 8, 1981. This is early‑'80s Brent Mydland era, and the band sounds sharp and energized: Jerry's in good voice, Brent's keys add color and bounce, and the rhythm section keeps everything moving with plenty of drive and nua...

This week on the Deadpod, we travel to Nassau Coliseum on May 14th, 1980, for a second set that finds the Grateful Dead settling confidently into the early Brent Mydland era. The band sounds relaxed yet focused, blending that familiar late‑70s drive with a more expansive, textural approach.   The set opens with the cool, pulsing groove of "Feel Like a Stranger" and flows into a beautifully unhurri...

The Dead have a long history of great Spring performances, and 1980 was no exception. This week we go to Nassau for the May 14, 1980 show at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. This was the first night of a three‑show run, with the last two nights later compiled on the 2002 "Go To Nassau" release, leaving this opening show as the odd one out from the official catalog. This show comes short...

This week's Deadpod takes us back to Pasadena, California, and the Rose Palace on May 10, 1969. This is a fierce, high-energy slice of early Dead, complete with a few rough edges from the road. "Hard To Handle" and "Morning Dew" both run into technical trouble, with the band's frustration coming through loud and clear, but the real centerpiece here is the long psychedelic run from "Dark Star" into...

Saturday night in Chi-town brings us a second set that opens with the soon‑to‑be‑released "Touch of Grey," delivered in a tight, confident reading. A funky "Man Smart (Woman Smarter)" follows, with Jerry and Brent locking into some lively interplay that keeps the energy high. "Terrapin Station" then unfolds and the band shows their trademark virtuosity, taking us on a vibrant, narrative‑driven rid...

This week's Deadpod takes us to the first Midwestern stop since Garcia's coma, and it seems clear that Jerry is determined to show the fans that he is back and kicking! Following the 'Hell In A Bucket' opener, Jerry delivers a resounding 'Sugaree' with plenty of sparks and flourishes. Bobby's 'New Minglewood Blues is nicely paced - especially brimming with Brent's B3 contributions. The 'Loser' tha...

 They open with a bouncy "Man Smart (Woman Smarter)" before Jerry brings out one of his more poignant ballads, "To Lay Me Down." The introspective mood continues as Bobby rolls into "Lost Sailor," but things pick up speed as he moves into "Saint of Circumstance." Drums and Space follows, slowly building momentum until Phil drops a huge bass bomb leading into "The Other One" — the jamming, psychede...

We roll into the Spring Tour of 1982 on this week's Deadpod, visiting Rochester, New York, where the boys always seemed to play a great show—and this one is no exception. They open with a jumping "Alabama Getaway" that slides into a tight "Greatest Story Ever Told." From there the feel shifts from an easy‑rolling "Dire Wolf" into a bluesy "C C Rider." The band takes flight on a soaring "Bird Song"...

Nassau Coliseum, March 12, 1992 — and the second set is where the real action is. Bobby charges out of the gate with a muscular 'Saint of Circumstance' that rolls straight into a gorgeous 'Ship of Fools', with Vince's backing vocals elevating the whole thing. Then comes 'Corrina' — percolating along until Phil takes the wheel and steers them into a reprise of 'Playin' in the Band' from the night b...

This week's Deadpod drops us into the Spring 1992 tour, catching the band at the Nassau Coliseum for a rockin' first set that showcases both Phil Lesh and Bruce Hornsby — in what would turn out to be Bruce's final tour with the band. The set runs a bit short, but that was pretty typical for the latter-day Dead. No matter — the band is in fine form. Phil kicks things off leading the charge on 'Grea...

This week on the Deadpod, we've got the second set from the Grateful Dead's Mardi Gras show on March 3rd, 1987. After the parade winds through, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band joins the boys for a loose and funky "Iko Iko." It takes a minute for everyone to sync up, but it's all part of the fun — you can feel how much they're enjoying themselves. The set really kicks into gear with "Saint of Circumstan...

This week we return to the post-coma Dead of early 1987 - this show took place on March 3, 1987 at the Kaiser Convention Center in Oakland. I happen to think the band, and Garcia, shows a real rebound here and hope you agree. The opening 'Quinn the Eskimo' is a perfect way to elevate the crowd's mood, and Jerry does a fine job on the vocals.. it flows into a nice 'Greatest Story Ever Told ' and Je...

This week on the Deadpod, we roll into the second set from the band's show at Pauley Pavilion, UCLA, on February 21, 1982. The set kicks off with a lively China → Rider that flows effortlessly into a spacious Estimated Prophet. The jam here has a jazzy, relaxed vibe, with Bobby laying down some especially tasteful rhythmic textures. Eyes of the World follows — played at that brisk early-'80s tempo...

Today we head back to February 1982 and the Pauley Pavilion at UCLA for a fine‑sounding tape of a very tasty Grateful Dead set. They come out of the gate with a wonderful Shakedown; Brent and Phil are all over this one, and it makes for a perfect opener. A gritty New Minglewood Blues follows, with Bobby leaning into the slide work here and again later on Little Red Rooster. Jerry is in strong voic...

  Welcome to this week's Deadpod! We're diving into the second set from the Grateful Dead's homecoming performance at the Oakland Coliseum on February 26, 1990 — the middle night of their Mardi Gras run. The boys were clearly thrilled to be back in the Bay Area, and that energy radiates through this exceptional set. The pre-drums sequence is absolutely stellar: nearly 30 minutes of Scarlet > Fire...

As we roll into February this week's Deadpod comes from the second night of the Mardi Gras run of 1990. I think the boys are in good spirits here and we have some nice treats here in set one, with more to follow in next week's second set.  Bobby opens with 'Hell In A Bucket' and you can tell how much he enjoys delivering it. Following a nice 'Peggy-O' we get another spirited Bobby number with a re...

This week I decided to go back and pick up this second set from the band's performance back on January 16, 1970 at Springer's Inn in Portland Oregon.   This recording has some issues - especially during the first two numbers - the Cumberland Blues is cut both at the start and the end, and Me & My Uncle is cut at the start. I've included both out of a love of completeness and because they still sou...

  Honoring Bob Weir 1947-2026    This week on the Deadpod I want to conclude my presentation of the Ratdog performance that took place back on November 2, 2000 in Columbia Missouri.  I'll let the music speak for itself, and hope that you enjoy this recording. I was lucky enough to meet Bob and the band this evening and the show has always had a place in my heart.  Fare thee well, Ace.     Bob Weir...