uncle john's blog

Jack Straw from Wichita at the Mars Hotel (U.K.)

Dave Winder says

I've always wondered if Mr Straw knows that his name is the title of a Grateful Dead song. This is why weblogs are so revolutionary. Just kidding." [Scripting News]

I think he does. His boss, Tony Blair, was the frontman for a Dead cover band called Ugly Rumours when he was at university.

by Christian Crumlish at 2/17/2003 05:39:08 PM

Bob Weir was outvoted

Joel Selvin covers the changes in Grateful Dead-land today:

The decision to change the group's name was not unanimous.

"At least a couple of the guys really wanted to do it," said Dead guitarist Bob Weir. "I think it's a bit premature. I was just fine being the Other Ones. If they really want to do it, they're going to—I'm clearly out-voted on this."

Apparently the band is also shopping for a new deal:

With the Dead's long-standing distribution deal with Arista Records set to expire later this year, offers have been solicited from various record labels, according to sources close to the band.

Among the most likely scenarios is that distribution of mainstream Dead product to record stores will be taken over by Warner/Rhino, which has been handling the Dead catalog from the band's years with Warner Bros. Individual CD editions of the band's first nine albums with bonus tracks are currently being released by Rhino. The band's own "Dick's Picks" series, which includes 27 multidisc volumes of Grateful Dead live recordings, many of which have sold more than 50,000 copies, will continue as a mail-order business.

Selvin let Weir get in the last word:

"As long as we're changing names," he said, "let's roll up our sleeves -- I'm thinking about changing Ratdog to Chew Toys."

by Christian Crumlish at 2/12/2003 10:29:10 AM

The Dead live

Well, it looks like the remaining members of the Grateful Dead have shucked the played-out "Other Ones" monicker and have decided to call their new band simply "The Dead." In doing so they've managed to split hairs, technically leaving the official name of the Jerry-era band retired but resurrecting a name that matches how most fans have tended to refer to the GD in casual conversation.

It will be interesting to see if there's any reaction. There's no doubt that the present incarnation hits some very similar places as the original band (some described the shows in December as providing "seconds of ecstasy"), but to the Jerry-centric among us the current act remains a pale echo of the band in its heyday.

Having broken the taboo, though, it means that there is now an official band playing the Dead repertoire and possibly a vehicle for continuing indefinitely, as the old guard inevitably falls away. To get any kind of credibility, though, they're going to have to write some new material that can stand up alongside their best work from the past. Should be interesting to watch.

The Dead will debut their new name at the Warfield in San Francisco on Valentine's Day (February 14, 2003).

by Christian Crumlish at 2/8/2003 06:27:44 PM

Layoffs at Grateful Dead Productions

By now, most tapped-in Deadheads have heard that GDP is shutting its doors and outsourcing its merch business, laying off most of their longtime employees. Here's a report supposedly from an insider (while I can't vouch for the veracity, it's interesting enough to pass along):

...awful news from GDP today. All 4 of the band members came to a meeting of the employees.... and explained that the decision has been made to have an outside fulfillment house take over their mail order/shipping business, and that a major downsizing will start immediately. They also said they will soon be selling the building GDP is in. It sounds like everyone will eventually get laid off, but it will be done in waves. By the time the next Almanac comes out, the merchandise will be handled by this new outside company. They will start looking for a smaller warehouse to move a limited operation to, maybe to include a recording studio, maybe not; maybe to include the vault, maybe not. A lot of decisions have not been made. They're shopping for a new record deal, and that will define some things. But it pretty much sounds like they're winding down the whole operation.... It was a sad day. Phil gave the "When one door closes, another door opens" rap.

Bobby was close to tears....

Really, it's just furthur fallout from Jerry's death - it just took 7 years to get to this point.

I heard that when Phil walked out of the room, he said to someone, "Well, that was a lot easier than I expected." Bobby headed straight into the studio and went into rehearsals with Ratdog.

This came through unattributed, so take as you will.

by Christian Crumlish at 2/4/2003 01:51:42 PM