Joe Russo's Almost Dead
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About Joe Russo's Almost Dead
Joe Russo's Almost Dead is Marco Benevento, Dave Dreiwitz, Tom Hamilton, Scott Metzger and Joe Russo. We're a Grateful Dead cover band.
"Not only does this quintet play tight and vicious versions of some of the most complex songs in the Grateful Dead's repertoire, but they play them with a rawness & energy absent from the stage since the 'Live' Dead era. More importantly, all of the jams are wild and incredibly adventurous. Russo's a beast behind the kit who's in the peak of his career. Metzger is a criminally underrated guitarist who has a chameleon-like ability to alter his sound to compliment any situation. Dreiwitz's intensity is unmatched by anyone, while Benevento spouts these crazy tones and layers of sound that mix the best of what each keyboardist in GD history brought to the band. Finally, add Hamilton, whose voice and biting leads help push this ensemble over the top." - Scott Bernstein, Jambase 9.12.13
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD), a five-member band, made their debut at Brooklyn Bowl in January 2013.1 What was initially a single performance soon became a regular occurrence.2 The group, which leans heavily on the Grateful Dead’s vast catalog, puts its own spin on these well-known songs using a mix of improvisation and teamwork.3 They're known for their lengthy jams, seamless changes, and a collaborative energy that brings new life to familiar tunes.3
Grab your Joe Russo’s Almost Dead tickets on AXS to see their engaging performances live.
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead’s Background
After its initial performance, audience enthusiasm and circulating recordings led to additional shows for Joe Russo’s Almost Dead.2 In its early years, the band performed only seven shows across its first two years.1 Over time, the group settled into a more consistent rhythm, building its identity through live exploration rather than traditional studio releases.1
The lineup — Joe Russo, Marco Benevento, Dave Dreiwitz, Tom Hamilton, and Scott Metzger — remains central to the band’s identity, with the five-member configuration serving as the core of the band.3,4
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead’s Awards
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead hasn’t built its standing around trophies. Instead, their recognition has come from critics and long-form features that track the band’s evolution.1 Writers often point to JRAD’s improvisational elasticity and the way its live sound keeps shifting.3
- Relix – 10-Year Retrospective (2023): In Joe Russo’s Almost Dead: A Serendipitous Decade feature, Relix revisited the band’s first ten years and its path from a 2013 debut to a durable live project.1
- Glide Magazine – Critical Recognition (2025): Covering shows in Sacramento and Oakland, Glide called the performances “a wholly new auditory experience.”3
- All Good Now Festival – Spotlight (2025): Glide Magazine included JRAD in its coverage of the All Good Now festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion.5
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead’s Biggest Hits
Rather than chart-driven singles, JRAD is known for expansive live reinterpretations of the Grateful Dead songbook.2 Their most recognized performances come from extended improvisations documented in major live reviews.3
- St. Stephen (2016): Originally released by the Grateful Dead in 1969, this psychedelic-era staple became an extended improvisational centerpiece as a cover during JRAD’s Sacramento performance.3
- All Along the Watchtower (2014): Written and first released by Bob Dylan in 1967, the song has become a rock standard, and JRAD used it as a high-energy pivot within their set.3
- Shakedown Street (2013): Released by the Grateful Dead in 1978, this groove-driven cover track showcases JRAD’s rhythmic precision and collective interplay.
See Joe Russo’s Almost Dead Live
A Joe Russo’s Almost Dead concert centers on collective interplay and extended improvisation.3 Multi-set formats allow songs to evolve organically across a performance.1
Secure Joe Russo’s Almost Dead tickets on AXS to experience their dynamic sound.