Grateful Dead Dark Star Orchestra

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I can't believe we don't already have a topic for them, but we do now!

DSO

DSO they rock!! Just saw them 11/21 awesome show!! Can't wait to see them Again :)

Twice

I agree!!! Saw them twice, would love to see them again.

DSO

DSO from CHICAGO- How could you go wrong-o? All you Chicago area jam-band fans: also check out Cornmeal, Mr. Blotto, Umphrey's McGee, & Terrapin Flyer with TC! Representin the Windy City wth Pride!

grateful to be headin to the Rams Head in Baltimore, Maryland to hear DSO with Donna and the Tricksters. anybody else in the area headin out for this one? c u there! stay safe and feel good! >><<<< :>

DSO

12/29 I'm hoping to be goin, just have to check with my grateful friends for a ride!! :)

DSO

G.D.F.F. Feel the LOVE & shine the LIGHT !!!!!! St.Louis LOVES the D.S.O. / Hopefully Charlseton,Sc. do's also.

First Timer..

Hey Now, thanks to Gratefulmom's advice, I will be seeing them in March!! Really Excited PEACE

Enjoy

They Rock!! I wish they would come back to little ole Erie, Pa.

Thanks steve-O

I'll sing a line really loud just for you! Hopefully the crowd will also be singing sooo loud that I will blend in. My Papa used to say (now keep in mind he's southern) " You sound like a dying calf in a hailstorm" PEACE

DSO

I saw Dark Star Orchestra last summer for my first time, closest i've gotten to seeing The Gradeful Dead as of now, I still havent gotten to see Phil Lesh and Friends or Ratdog. They are coming back on Feb. 4th at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Everybody in the area should come! Hope to see some of you guys there :)peace

DSO -- awesome!

Saw show #1469 at the Oriental Theatre. Really awesome show. Music was right on. Caught Rob (keys) in the alley :45 before the show, he had a grand piano out there! A dream we dreamed one afternoon long ago... ________________________ www.autoquoteresearch.com

Starting tonight

Hey now, I just heard that Dan Healy will be doing the boards for some upcoming DSO shows!! Well beams to the original Sound Man, he's out with Back problems. Welcome Mr. Healy! PEACE

Truly Amazing

I saw DSO when they came to the pabst in milwaukee on.... 1/31 i wanna say? all i know was that it was a thursday and it was incredible! we had to leave during the encore tho cuz we had to get up early for school the next day. which was really a shame cuz they were in the middle of Slipknot! but yea, it was quite the excellent!

DSO

Just saw them on 2/9. Didn't know they were soo good. The keyboard players energy was so intense it was beaming all through the crowd, WOW. Yeah, and St. Louis loved DSO. I'll go back again for sure Really can't wait to get back to Phil & Friends, but the festivals require soo much time & $ ! Please come back Phil.

DSO @ GMAH

Will be at the three DSO shows at the Great American Music Hall at the end of April. Hoping for some great set list choices and a great crowd.

DSO

Coming back to Philly 5/25!!

03/01/08

One of the BEST shows I've ever been to. Lovin Viola Lee Blues!! I just can't say enough about what an excellent time I had. Hey, has anyone noticed that from afar the bassist looks similar to Zappa? he he Thanks again Grateful Mom!!

Sound Engineer?

Is it true that Healy is doing DSO's sound now? "All energy flows according to the whims of the Great Magnet. What a fool I was to defy him."

Yeppers

I got this from DSO site... Posted on: February 14, 2008 Grateful Dead sound engineer Dan Healy will be joining Dark Star Orchestra to mix the band’s sound beginning Friday, February 16 at DSO’s House of Blues Cleveland performance through the final tour stop in Langerado. Dan Healy mixed the Grateful Dead from 1968 through 1994 and has done sound for DSO on previous occasions, notably in October 2007 when Bob Weir joined DSO for a few sets at The Fillmore. Veteran DSO sound engineer Cameron Blietz needs to leave the road to heal chronic back pain, but will return to the mixing board for future tours. Peace, Gigi

DSO Stole My Face

My wife and I went to two festivals last summer, and DSO kicked off both of them. I could not believe how spot-on they were and how much care they took in handling the tunes of the Dead. The night before All Good in W.V., they did an incredible set, with fireworks popping over the stage ever 15 minutes or so. Really, really special. If you get a chance, download that show off of Archive.org. “Let there be songs to fill the air.”

Any photo links of

Any photo links of DSO!!?? "May your dogs be with you"

Here's a photo of John

Here's a photo of John Kadlecik of DSO and Jeff Mattson of Donna Jean and the Tricksters, taken last summer at Nelson Ledges Quarry Park. Gans/GD Hour blog
GD Hour station list

WooHoo they're coming back!!

I can't wait.....me loves um lots :)07.30 Dark Star Orchestra House of Blues Atlantic City Atlantic City, NJ Tix go on sale 4/25

gigi????

and they're coming to the Electric Factory after the Jam on the River or were you talking about the AC show? Ami

Ami

yes they are after the jam on the river 5/25 Electric factory late show 11pm and House of blues in AC on 7/30 tix go on sale 4/26 for that AC show!! So I want to go to HOB in AC!! Have you ever seen them Ami??

Free DSO tix for 3 night Boulder run!!

Jambase.com is giving away a pair of tickets for each of the 3 nights they play at the beautiful Fox Theatre in Boulder, Colorado. The shows are April 16, 17, & 18, so hurry. All you have to do is go to Jambase, click on the Contests tab, scroll down to Colorado, and enter away!! Cuz the only thing better than a Dark Star show is a free Dark Star show.

El Rey in Los Angeles

We just saw DSO at the El Rey in Los Angeles recently... what a great time! While it is not the same thing as seeing the Dead, it was even more fun than some of the last shows I saw... it's like seeing the Dead in a small (tiny) venue! Plus DSO busted out a scorching Lazy Lightning, Viola Lee Blues and a St. Stephen! These guys really do the music justice while not looking too much like a corny tribute band. "Beatlemania" this is not!

The music never stops

Saw DSO last Fri. in Dallas and these guys are fun. When they come by, go see 'em.Last fri. they did Indy '76. Samson and Help/Slip/Tower were INSANE!!!

Dallas`

Do you know of any other bands that play the Dead in the Dallas area?

4 real

frisko-mobb shop tattoo aurora,co 16868 E. Iliff 3033695446 i catch every show they do in co. for the past few years my first time seeing them i closed my eyes and for a moment i was flashed back to winterlan daze as if i was really at adead show(not) i dont know maybe it was the ros...doses all i know they definetly the closest i get to the real thing. long live 4ever g.d.

No tour for me!

Looks like work, family, logistics, etc. will prevent me from attending the tour this Spring. Just waiting for DSO to hit Dallas to get my almost yearly Dead fix!! Even though I'm still hoping down the road the boys make a stop within 4-5 hours of Dallas.

DARK STAR ORCHESTRA

Huge fan of DARK STAR ORCHESTRA !!!! seen over 15 times. atleast 10 at NELSONS LEDGES!!!! John and the boys, keep up the great work.

Me 2 Love em!!

I just saw the NYE show in Baltimore Md. They did 1978 closing of winterland...it was AWESOME!! Iv'e seen these guys quite a few times now and if you cant get the real deal then... DSO rocks!! Peace,Gigi

HUH??

I'm not sure what you guys are talking about? I've seen DSO about a half dozen times and its been pretty lame each time. I've only made it to the end once and thats cuz the neighborhood outside was too bad to wait for my friends. No talent, no imagination just a straight up rip off. The guy that plays Booby and the women that plays Donna Jean are pretty good the rest couldn't get a gig in a coffee shop that was owned their parents, waste of time and money, go see Mars Volta.and if you think this band sounds anything like the GD please pass the vial cause you've had too much.

darkstar4life

I think I am going to have to agree with ya. When they first came onto the scene I was excited because I was so badly in need of a Grateful Dead fix and I will admit they sounded pretty good. But with each time I saw them the love faded and I am not quite sure why, maybe seeing Ratdog for the first time made me realize there is no substitute for the real Bob Weir. Hey if there is no alternative, then DSO is fine but with the Dead up and touring and Ratdog and Phil and Friends around I just prefer sticking to those shows thank you very much. "Everybody's braggin' and drinking that wine, I can tell the queen of diamonds by the way she shines. Come to daddy on an inside straight, well I've got no chance of losing this time"

ARE YOU GUYS CRAZY?

Exuse me, are you sure you seen dark star? DSO recreates a whole show damn near note for note! John K. sounds just like Jerry, I believe it was either Bobby or Phil a few years back that said,"If you close your eyes, you would swear that Jerrys on stage" I can remember seeing this somewhere. Phatmoye Rock on DSO

Oh No You Didn't

DSO are the complete antithesis of what the Grateful Dead are, they are merley a clone and a pretty poor one at that. I really can not comprehend how you(or anyone) think that "jerry dude" sounds anything like Jerry Garcia. I also don't care what Phil or anyone else thinks of them. Another thing Jerry and the Grateful Dead taught me was to think for myself, but I know for a fact Phil has never even considered listening to that band. I don't begrudge anyone a good time but for that band to be running around the country advertising themselves as the "grateful dead experience" is whhhack and possibly criminal(cosmically at least)(((enjoy your ride))))

Oh yes i DID

Hey there brother from a different mother, INCRIMINALIZING!! I think not! Cover band, yes. You tell me 1 other band that comes even close to sounding like the real thing? I think its great what there doing! There not the dead, and I think they know that. There just spreading the music, after all, isn't it all about the MUSIC. Phatmoye

now now

It's all good phatmoye I don't dislike them or anything and some day I'll be all into them I'm sure but for now as long as the GD boys are touring I put all my energy into them. "Everybody's braggin' and drinking that wine, I can tell the queen of diamonds by the way she shines. Come to daddy on an inside straight, well I've got no chance of losing this time"

Its cool man

I undestand everone has different oppinions. No harm intended. Id take a dead show over DSO anyday, it just seems more convinent to see DSO since they tour all year round practically. Phatmoye

Its cool man

I undestand everone has different oppinions. No harm intended. Id take a dead show over DSO anyday, it just seems more convinent to see DSO since they tour all year round practically. Phatmoye

photos - Dark Star Orchestra, 2.19.09, Madison Theater

Photos of Dark Star Orchestra, 2.19.2009, Madison Theater, Covington, KY: http://www.cincygroove.com/?q=node/1043

Dark Star Orchestra

LadySparkle Ok, so they aren't the Dead, but they are pretty good for a fix. Just saw them last night in INDY, first time. They did the August 10, 1981 show, pretty good, all I can say. Listened to Rockin The Cradle on the way there and back MOST AWESOME !!!

Keepin' the vibe alive

Not only are these guys a great GD cover band but they also are keeping The Grateful Dead's music alive...I see young folks singing along to these songs who couldn't possibly been born in time to catch Jerry....wait a minute...I am one of those young folks! They've got a great thing going...I'm grateful for them and other GD Tributes like "The Schwag"...they are turning kids onto the music we all know and love... "Our love is real, not fade away, not fade away!" They are helping to keep it alive...helping to keep it from fading away. "In a bed, in a bed, by the waterside I will lay my head. Listen to the river sing sweet songs, to rock my soul."

fun show

i had never seen dso until saturday night in indpls. i won tix from a local radio station-- i doubt i would've bought tix to go-- but i so thoroughly enjoyed myself that in the future i will buy tix. i took my sister, and she liked it too (and she's not a deadhead!)-- enough to agree to go to future shows! yeah! it was a pleasant deadhead crowd- the usual stuff-- everyone friendly and polite and happy to be there-- such a dramatic difference from the standard rowdy, rude, shoving, smoking concert crowd. we didn't stay the whole night-- just for the first 2 hours- we hit the road by 11-- but it was a nice refresher course on long summer evenings on the grass at a lovely outdoor venue listening and dancing and having fun! dso is worth going to see-- caroline

Bergen PAC - NJ

Took my 7 year old daughter to this one. They played their own set as opposed to a Dead show, and I was impressed. I never had the feeling that they were trying to be the Dead, just that they were keeping the music alive. Daughter passed out early in the second set, but up until that she was groovin'.

DSO are killer

Seen them twice taken my little girl both times,she loves it. She calls it dance all night.will see them every chance we get! My pic is Libbie at her first DSO show. What Would Jerry Do?

DSO opens new BEACH venue in NYC!!!! 7/11/09

I saw DSO at Governors Island last year, great show, but I've been looking into their return to Governors Island this year. apparently they're building a beach right on the water that faces Manhattan. So it's like a beach party/concert with DSO and Keller Williams. So psyched, should be a pretty awesome new venue. Let me know if you know more about this new beach.

Portland (Oregon) folks

here's a chance to check out DSO and help the Rex Foundation too on Sept. 25 at the Crystal Ballroom: more info.

DSO

SO amazing, saw them twice and cant wait to see them again. I definatly recommend them, a good time, good experiance, and some good people! How can you go wrong?

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December 7, 2007 - 9:33am

74 replies

marye

Joined:
May 26, 2007

I can't believe we don't already have a topic for them, but we do now!

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July 11, 2026 - 9:36am

#1

nitecat

Joined:
November 1, 2010

DSO

Wow I'd traveler to see that show!
July 11, 2026 - 7:59am

#2

fourwindsblow

Joined:
October 13, 2008

Great Show this summer

2026-06-27 Bethel Woods Horizon Stage Bethel NY

Set 1: China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider ; Good Morning Little Schoolgirl ; Silver Threads And Golden Needles ; Hard To Handle ; Green, Green Grass of Home ; Cryptical Envelopment > Death Don't Have No Mercy > Dancing In The Street > Cryptical Envelopment > Viola Lee Blues

Set 2: Saint Stephen* > Mama Tried* ; Dark Star* > High Time* ; Turn On Your Lovelight*

Filler: Alligator > Saint Stephen (reprise) > The Eleven > Morning Dew

Encore: Woodstock

* 1969-08-16

First set was an elective. 2nd set was the Woodstock 1969 set followed by more elective. all extras in the style of old school late 60's

Waited along time for an well mostly an original show set in the same era! wish they did more shows like that staying in a general era of the Dead.
May 20, 2025 - 8:29pm

#3

Stalk-Forrest Hermit

Joined:
November 4, 2022

DSO

They were amazing tonight set was based off of 1979 Philly Spectrum show, Lisa was out sick, but the band made it work, made a cold rainy night seem like sunshine and roses
May 18, 2025 - 11:50am

#4

marye

Joined:
May 26, 2007

Saw them at the Greek last year

for the Rex 40th Anniversary. They were great and it was a lovely night.
May 17, 2025 - 1:37pm

#5

Stalk-Forrest Hermit

Joined:
November 4, 2022

DSO

Going to see DSO this Tuesday, really looking forward to this show
May 17, 2025 - 10:33am

#6

marye

Joined:
May 26, 2007

well, it's been here since 2007

so you've got a bit of discussion to catch up on, but hey, welcome!
May 17, 2025 - 1:52am

#7

gbwadown

Joined:
May 17, 2025

Long-Awaited Discussion Topic Created!

Finally! It’s about time we had a topic for them—definitely long overdue and much needed!
February 5, 2025 - 10:11pm

#8

takeshihikari

Joined:
February 5, 2025

As for your choice

DSO with Jeff Mattson has been solid! He brings a lot of depth and a slightly different feel than John, but still stays true to the classic Dead vibe. His playing has that rich, psychedelic warmth with a bit more of an exploratory edge. Vocally, he fits in well, though John had a unique style that some fans miss.

As for your choice—Grateful Fest will give you a full-on jam experience with multiple sets, whereas the July 2 Furthur show will have its own magic with Bobby and Phil. If you're really into DSO’s take on the Dead, Grateful Fest might be the better option, but if you’re looking for the closest thing to the original lineup, Furthur is the way to go. Either way, you’ll get some great music!
January 19, 2025 - 8:47pm

#9

Dhruvkoundal1994

Joined:
January 19, 2025

DSO sounds

Curious how DSO sounds with Jeff Mattson on guitar. Haven’t seen them since John left, and I’m debating between Grateful Fest or the July 2 Furthur show. How’s the new lineup holding up?
October 21, 2024 - 3:20am

#10

torrent domain

Joined:
October 20, 2024

I love DSO I Love them so…

I love DSO I Love them so much I have 30 thirty out of 1300 thirteen hundred of their shows and the problem is I want and need more! I’m trying to just collect Digital Soundboards not digital Audiences not that the DAUDs are bad it’s because I’m certain the board recordings are out there somewhere I just gotta keep turning over all the fricking rocks to find their whereabouts is all and that can be stressfully and fun! So hey u got any?