Shred Is Dead | 2017-12-01 | Be On Key Psychedelic Ripple, Denver, CO [AUD]

It’s #TaperTuesday! Let’s celebrate with some #freemusic courtesy of Shred Is Dead!

The Grateful Dead catalog is no stranger to tribute acts and often times they come with a nuanced take on the music; infusing different genres to breathe new life into old classics. Bands such as Jazz Is Dead and Grass Is Dead have pretty clear implications on their interpretations of the music. Shred Is Dead provides a lens not often used to interpret The Dead’s songs but one that once seen executed, seems to fit perfectly. Jazz and bluegrass lend themselves well to the Dead’s music because both styles were very much a foundation of the band’s original sound; but where Shred Is Dead excels is through lifting the music to unknown territory through intricately fast shredding – something The Dead was not very well known for but a style that lends itself beautifully to something The Grateful Dead were masters at…peaks. It is refreshing to hear a ripping solo full of fuzz and guitar tapping over a tune like “Scarlet Begonias”. The band clearly gels well together as their improvisational moments were extremely impressive – shifting through ideas with brilliant communication. Each member filled their role by adding to the soundscape without being overpowering; tempo shifts were executed flawlessly with Jay Lane’s tight playing following Marcus’ guitar work no matter where it went. Todd “Octo” Stoops’ keyboard work helped frame many of the most poignant moments of the evening through nuanced playing that filled the more spacial moments and drove the more direct. Jay Burwick’s bass work provided more backbone to Jay Lane’s already impeccable playing and once again seemed to innately fit around Marcus’ playing. The band brought a new take to a catalog well loved and known to all without forcing too much of a spin to alienate listeners. If you’re a fan of JRAD because of the energy they breathe into the tunes, you’ll love Shred Is Dead.

Shred Is Dead | 2017-12-01 | Be On Key Psychedelic Ripple, Denver, CO

Set 1: Scarlet Begonias > Dark Star > Estimated Prophet > Crazy Fingers, How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) > Row Jimmy, Unbroken Chain

Set 2: Hey Pocky Way, Shakedown Street, King Solomon’s Marbles, Don’t Do Me Like That, Harder They Come, Ramble On Rose, Jan Jan, Red Baron

-= Lineup =-
Marcus Rezak on guitar
Todd Stoops on keys
Jay Burwick on bass
Jay Lane on drums

Show Notes: This was the first night of a two-night headlining-run at Be On Key Psychedelic Ripple.

Taper Notes: FOB DFC PAS Mics raised around 7′. Bass slightly reduced and audio normalized.

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