Dark Star Orchestra
Encyclopedia
Dark Star Orchestra is a United States
tribute band
to the Grateful Dead
, formed in 1997 and based in Chicago.
al rock. On most, though not all their performances, Dark Star Orchestra presents the complete original set list, song by song, and in order, while adapting their phrasing, voice arrangements, and specific musical equipment for the various eras of the Grateful Dead shows in which they perform.
Members of the Grateful Dead themselves, rhythm guitarist/singer Bob Weir
, drummer Bill Kreutzmann
, vocalist Donna Jean Godchaux
, and keyboardists Vince Welnick
and Tom Constanten
, have appeared on stage and performed with Dark Star Orchestra. In January 2011, the group performed its 1900th show.
contacted keyboardist Scott Larned
with a concept (introduced by a common friend Andrew "Tiny" Dofner): performing complete Grateful Dead shows out of history. When Scott mentioned having the same idea, John knew they were on to something. Since forming, the band has performed over 1900 shows.
On lead guitar and vocals, John Kadlecik used amp rigs and equipment to imitate guitar tone of Jerry Garcia
from the show being recreated. When a 70s show is being performed, vocalist Lisa Mackey provides Donna Godchaux
's female harmonies.
Dino English delivers the rhythmic drumming sounds of Bill Kreutzmann
. On the other drum set, Rob Koritz, fills the Mickey Hart
role. Kevin Rosen provides a style of bass playing similar to that of Phil Lesh
. Rob Eaton performs rhythm guitar and vocals in the style of Bob Weir
.
In November 1998, on the eve of their first anniversary, Mike Gordon
and Jon Fishman
of Phish
joined DSO at Martyrs' after their own show. Fishman sat in for the majority of the evening, which included a drum section with four percussionists. The ensuing buzz caused national interest in the band. That winter, their Colorado tour sold out almost every stop, and, soon after, the Washington Post declared them "the hottest Grateful Dead tribute act going"; USA Today claimed DSO was "channeling the Dead", but what they do is not just a tribute to the Grateful Dead but a testament to the enormous number of unique set lists they performed in their long career.
Continuing the growth, the band had performed up to 200 dates in a year. They have grown continually, playing at larger venues and theaters, collaborating with guests including Grateful Dead alumni Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann, Donna Jean Godchaux-Mackay, Vince Welnick, and Tom Constanten.
In 2008, Dark Star Orchestra performed over 150 shows throughout the U.S. In addition to the complete Grateful Dead show selections, the band has been known to incorporate Jerry Garcia Band show setlists as well as original set lists of their own choosing.
During the band's Spring tour in 2005, co-founder Scott Larned died of a heart attack on April 24; the band reeled for a while, featuring the talents of guest keyboardists, including Dan Klepinger and Tom Ryan, until selecting Rob Barraco
as a permanent replacement in 2007.
In 2009 John Kadlecik joined a new band with original Grateful Dead members Phil Lesh and Bob Weir called Furthur
. On November 16, 2009 he officially announced that he was leaving Dark Star Orchestra. His final show with the band was on December 5, 2009. For DSO's 2009–2010 winter shows, he was replaced by guitarist Jeff Mattson
of the Zen Tricksters
and the Donna Jean Godchaux Band
. Mattson now is considered the permanent guitarist for DSO.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
tribute band
Tribute band
A tribute act is a music group, singer, or musician who specifically plays the music of a well-known music act - sometimes one which has disbanded, ceased touring or is deceased. Probably the largest class of tributes acts are Elvis impersonators, individual performers who mimic the songs and style...
to the Grateful Dead
Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, improvisational jazz, psychedelia, and space rock, and for live performances of long...
, formed in 1997 and based in Chicago.
Overview
Dark Star Orchestra performs shows from among the nearly 2,500 shows that the Grateful Dead performed during their 30 year tenure as fathers of improvisationImprovisation
Improvisation is the practice of acting, singing, talking and reacting, of making and creating, in the moment and in response to the stimulus of one's immediate environment and inner feelings. This can result in the invention of new thought patterns, new practices, new structures or symbols, and/or...
al rock. On most, though not all their performances, Dark Star Orchestra presents the complete original set list, song by song, and in order, while adapting their phrasing, voice arrangements, and specific musical equipment for the various eras of the Grateful Dead shows in which they perform.
Members of the Grateful Dead themselves, rhythm guitarist/singer Bob Weir
Bob Weir
Bob Weir is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist, most recognized as a founding member of the Grateful Dead. After the Grateful Dead disbanded in 1995, Weir performed with The Other Ones, later known as The Dead, together with other former members of the Grateful Dead...
, drummer Bill Kreutzmann
Bill Kreutzmann
Bill Kreutzmann is an American drummer who played with the rock band the Grateful Dead for their entire thirty-year career...
, vocalist Donna Jean Godchaux
Donna Godchaux
Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay is an American singer best known for having been a member of the Grateful Dead rock group.-Biography:...
, and keyboardists Vince Welnick
Vince Welnick
Vince Welnick was an American keyboardist, best known for playing with the band The Tubes during the 1970s and 1980s and with the Grateful Dead in the 1990s.-Music career:...
and Tom Constanten
Tom Constanten
Tom Constanten is an American keyboardist, best known for playing with the Grateful Dead from 1968 to 1970.-Biography:...
, have appeared on stage and performed with Dark Star Orchestra. In January 2011, the group performed its 1900th show.
History
Dark Star Orchestra has been playing live shows together since 1997, after guitarist John KadlecikJohn Kadlecik
John Kadlecik is an American guitarist best known for his ability to closely replicate the guitar and vocal parts of the late Jerry Garcia. He came to prominence as the lead guitarist for the Grateful Dead tribute band, Dark Star Orchestra, in 1997 and currently performs with original Dead members...
contacted keyboardist Scott Larned
Scott Larned
Scott Larned was the keyboardist and founding member of Dark Star Orchestra, a popular Grateful Dead tribute band...
with a concept (introduced by a common friend Andrew "Tiny" Dofner): performing complete Grateful Dead shows out of history. When Scott mentioned having the same idea, John knew they were on to something. Since forming, the band has performed over 1900 shows.
On lead guitar and vocals, John Kadlecik used amp rigs and equipment to imitate guitar tone of Jerry Garcia
Jerry Garcia
Jerome John "Jerry" Garcia was an American musician best known for his lead guitar work, singing and songwriting with the band the Grateful Dead...
from the show being recreated. When a 70s show is being performed, vocalist Lisa Mackey provides Donna Godchaux
Donna Godchaux
Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay is an American singer best known for having been a member of the Grateful Dead rock group.-Biography:...
's female harmonies.
Dino English delivers the rhythmic drumming sounds of Bill Kreutzmann
Bill Kreutzmann
Bill Kreutzmann is an American drummer who played with the rock band the Grateful Dead for their entire thirty-year career...
. On the other drum set, Rob Koritz, fills the Mickey Hart
Mickey Hart
Mickey Hart is an American percussionist and musicologist. He is best known as one of the two drummers of the rock band the Grateful Dead. He was a member of the Grateful Dead from September 1967 to February 1971, and from October 1974 to August 1995...
role. Kevin Rosen provides a style of bass playing similar to that of Phil Lesh
Phil Lesh
Phillip Chapman Lesh is a musician and a founding member of the Grateful Dead, with whom he played bass guitar throughout their 30-year career....
. Rob Eaton performs rhythm guitar and vocals in the style of Bob Weir
Bob Weir
Bob Weir is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist, most recognized as a founding member of the Grateful Dead. After the Grateful Dead disbanded in 1995, Weir performed with The Other Ones, later known as The Dead, together with other former members of the Grateful Dead...
.
In November 1998, on the eve of their first anniversary, Mike Gordon
Mike Gordon
Mike Gordon is a bass guitar player and vocalist most noted for his work with the rock band Phish. Gordon is also an accomplished banjo player, and is proficient at piano, guitar, harmonica and percussion...
and Jon Fishman
Jon Fishman
Jon Fishman is an American drummer best known for his work with the band Phish. He is credited with co-writing 19 Phish originals, 8 of them as a solo credit....
of Phish
Phish
Phish is an American rock band noted for its musical improvisation, extended jams, and exploration of music across genres. Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983 , the band's four members – Trey Anastasio , Mike Gordon , Jon Fishman , and Page McConnell Phish is an American rock band...
joined DSO at Martyrs' after their own show. Fishman sat in for the majority of the evening, which included a drum section with four percussionists. The ensuing buzz caused national interest in the band. That winter, their Colorado tour sold out almost every stop, and, soon after, the Washington Post declared them "the hottest Grateful Dead tribute act going"; USA Today claimed DSO was "channeling the Dead", but what they do is not just a tribute to the Grateful Dead but a testament to the enormous number of unique set lists they performed in their long career.
Continuing the growth, the band had performed up to 200 dates in a year. They have grown continually, playing at larger venues and theaters, collaborating with guests including Grateful Dead alumni Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann, Donna Jean Godchaux-Mackay, Vince Welnick, and Tom Constanten.
In 2008, Dark Star Orchestra performed over 150 shows throughout the U.S. In addition to the complete Grateful Dead show selections, the band has been known to incorporate Jerry Garcia Band show setlists as well as original set lists of their own choosing.
During the band's Spring tour in 2005, co-founder Scott Larned died of a heart attack on April 24; the band reeled for a while, featuring the talents of guest keyboardists, including Dan Klepinger and Tom Ryan, until selecting Rob Barraco
Rob Barraco
Rob Barraco is a keyboardist who has played with Phil Lesh and Friends, The Dead, Dark Star Orchestra, Chris Robinson & New Earth Mud, the Zen Tricksters, Red Flannel Hash, and The Dragonflys. He was the permanent keyboardist for Phil Lesh and Friends from 2000 to 2003 and has been in the band's...
as a permanent replacement in 2007.
In 2009 John Kadlecik joined a new band with original Grateful Dead members Phil Lesh and Bob Weir called Furthur
Furthur (band)
Furthur is a rock band founded in 2009 by former Grateful Dead members Bob Weir and Phil Lesh. The original lineup also included John Kadlecik of the Dark Star Orchestra on lead guitar, Jeff Chimenti of RatDog on keyboards, Jay Lane of RatDog on percussion, and Joe Russo of the Benevento/Russo Duo...
. On November 16, 2009 he officially announced that he was leaving Dark Star Orchestra. His final show with the band was on December 5, 2009. For DSO's 2009–2010 winter shows, he was replaced by guitarist Jeff Mattson
Jeff Mattson
Jeff Mattson born July 3, 1958 is an American musician. A founding member of the jam band, the Zen Tricksters, Jeff is the guitarist in the Donna Jean Godchaux Band with Jeff Mattson, which features the Grateful Dead’s Donna Jean Godchaux...
of the Zen Tricksters
Zen Tricksters
The Zen Tricksters are an American Grateful Dead cover band.For almost thirty years, the Zen Tricksters have been playing Grateful Dead covers and jam band music, as well as derivative original songs.. The band started out as the Volunteers, playing small venues around New York's Long Island...
and the Donna Jean Godchaux Band
Donna Jean Godchaux Band
The Donna Jean Godchaux Band is an American rock music group. Originally named Kettle Joe's Psychedelic Swamp Revue, and later Donna Jean and the Tricksters, the band was originally formed in 2007 and made up of Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay and members of the Zen Tricksters...
. Mattson now is considered the permanent guitarist for DSO.
Current members
- Lisa Mackey - vocals (1997–present)
- Kevin Rosen - bass, vocals (1997–1998, 2001–present)
- Rob Koritz - drums, percussion (1999–present)
- Dino English - drums, percussion (1999–present)
- Rob EatonRob EatonRob Eaton is an American guitarist. He is best known for his work with the renowned Grateful Dead tribute band, Dark Star Orchestra, of which he has been a member since 2001.-Career:...
- rhythm guitar, vocals (2001–present) - Rob BarracoRob BarracoRob Barraco is a keyboardist who has played with Phil Lesh and Friends, The Dead, Dark Star Orchestra, Chris Robinson & New Earth Mud, the Zen Tricksters, Red Flannel Hash, and The Dragonflys. He was the permanent keyboardist for Phil Lesh and Friends from 2000 to 2003 and has been in the band's...
- keyboards, vocals (some shows in 2005 and 2006, 2007–present) - Jeff MattsonJeff MattsonJeff Mattson born July 3, 1958 is an American musician. A founding member of the jam band, the Zen Tricksters, Jeff is the guitarist in the Donna Jean Godchaux Band with Jeff Mattson, which features the Grateful Dead’s Donna Jean Godchaux...
- lead guitar, vocals (one show in 2005, 2009–2010, 2010–present)
Former Members
- John KadlecikJohn KadlecikJohn Kadlecik is an American guitarist best known for his ability to closely replicate the guitar and vocal parts of the late Jerry Garcia. He came to prominence as the lead guitarist for the Grateful Dead tribute band, Dark Star Orchestra, in 1997 and currently performs with original Dead members...
- lead guitar, vocals (1997–2009) - Scott LarnedScott LarnedScott Larned was the keyboardist and founding member of Dark Star Orchestra, a popular Grateful Dead tribute band...
- keyboards, vocals (1997–2005, deceased) - Mike Maraat - rhythm guitar, vocals (1997–1999)
- Ahmer Nizam - drums (1997–1999)
- Michael Hazdra - bass, vocals (1998–2000, some shows in 2001)
- Mark Corsolini - drums (1998–1999)
- Dave "Chopper" Campbell - rhythm guitar, vocals (some shows in 2000)
- John Sabal - rhythm guitar, vocals (some shows in 2000)
- Bustar - rhythm guitar, vocals (some shows in 2000)
- Jim Harris - rhythm guitar, vocals (some shows in 2000 and 2001)
- David Berg - rhythm guitar, vocals (some shows in 2000 and 2001)
- Gregg Koerner - bass, vocals (some shows in 2001)
- Skip Vangelas - bass, vocals (some shows in 2001)
- Tom Ryan - keyboards, vocals (some shows in 2005)
- Dan Klepinger - keyboards, vocals (some shows in 2005, 2006 and 2007)
- Stu Allen - lead guitar, vocals (some shows in 2010)
External links
- www.darkstarorchestra.net, official website of Dark Star Orchestra
- www.dinoenglishproductions.com, official website of Dino English