The Dudes first met up in 2015, jamming and playing 3 gigs at our rehearsal studio in Leicester. Our first collective venture into the outside world was in August 2016 at ‘Turn on Your Lovelight’ at the Brooklyn Bowl, London. That might have become a regular event had it not closed down! 2017/18/19 saw us in Yorkshire, Earl’s Court, the ‘Summer of Love (SoL) Party’ in Kent twice, Cockfosters and Putney in London, Plauen in Germany, Devon and Bristol, and the first date of what was to become a bi-monthly residency at the Fiddler’s Elbow in Camden, London. 2021/22 have taken us to Portsmouth, Yorkshire, the outstanding ‘Playing on the Farm’ festival in Gloucestershire celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Grateful Dead’s Europe’ 72 tour, and a 3 gig stint at the ‘Playing in the Band’ festival in Germany.
The band comprises seven members, with three drummers (but we only let out two at once!). We’ve had some changes in the bass and rhythm guitar departments but are now well settled. We aim, as always, to play the music of the Grateful Dead with a high degree of authenticity and in the spirit that they embodied.
Andy / Guitar / Vocals
I started playing guitar at age 13, and grew to love and be inspired by guitarists such as Hendrix, Garcia, Steve Hillage, Frank Zappa and many others. Had the usual musician story of playing in loads of short lived bands in my teens and twenties. I became a Deadhead in the mid 80s but had to wait until 1990 to see them in Paris and London. I played Grateful Dead music with the Cosmic Charlies before joining the Dudes in 2015. As well as playing with the Dudes, I write and produce instrumental psychedelic music and release it under the name Head Spin.
Bill / Keyboards / Vocals
Classically trained on the piano when a friend taught me a 12 bar blues aged 15. Played in various rock and jazz-rock bands in Bristol and Oxford (The Amazing Lorn, Stroll On, Ratbites from Hell …) in the early 70’s. Then no bands for 20 years as I expanded my repertoire of Beethoven adagios, Randy Newman songs and other eclecticisms at home. Deadhead since hearing Live Dead in 1970, veteran of the ’72 tour, I joined Paris-based Deadicace (1995-2011) and then the genesis of the Dudes.
Bob / Drums
As a drummer with little interest in playing the same thing all the time (see any non jam band) it’s bloody lucky the bus came by and I got on in 1985. I now get to play with The Dudes and love the musical freedom afforded by playing in a Dead covers band. Can’t beat it especially when/if we are really “playing in the band”. It can become a mind left body experience.
As a TOG generation Deadhead I am forever Grateful I got to witness the bands evolution into midi. For me “jam > Drums > Space ” became the best part of the show. Loved Europe 90, Hornsby was fab and ended up on my fav Dead album Infra Red Roses. An Aoxomoxoa for its time!
Sure I love all the songs but it’s the musically experimental bits between the bits that I’m really here for. Hopefully see you at one of our gigs.
Greg / Drums / Vocals
I started playing drums at age 14 and played in a host of bands before founding the pysch/prog band Moom who signed to Delerium records in 1991 and subsequently released two albums as label mates to Porcupine Tree. I joined the Cosmic Charlies, then the only regularly gigging Dead tribute in Europe around 1992 and played with them on and off for over 20 years, including at Glastonbury and on tour with Merl Saunders.
I’ve taken lessons with legendary prog drummer Craig Blundell, as well as having been a teacher myself for many years. I joined as a part-time member of the Dudes in 2015 and continue to play with them today, along with with several other bands, including writing for, recording and producing the Northampton based indie band The Reeds, with whom I’ve recorded and produced three albums.
Paul / Drums / Vocals
I started playing drums aged 17 – early influences included Neil Peart (Rush), Steve Gadd (Paul Simon, James Taylor) and Richie Hayward (Little Feat). I started playing the music of Grateful Dead very soon in my drumming life in a band called The Magic Bulbs based in Barrow in Furness.
After many years of playing professionally all over the world I found myself at one of the last Cosmic Charlies’ gigs and exchanged numbers with Greg. In 2016 he called me to cover him on a gig and have playing and singing with the band ever since . Singing was my first instrument so very much enjoy the challenge of singing lead / backing vocals and playing the drums .
Richard / Bass / Vocals
(formerly on guitar)
I studied trombone as a teenager and played in a number of wind, brass and military bands and started playing bass at 14 when I joined the school rock band. In and out of many bands through my 20s including Herbal Remedy, Saigon Tourist Jim Twins and many others who I also wrote for.
I first heard the Grateful Dead one late night when the Touch Of Grey video turned up on Channel 4 and never looked back. I was a member of the Cosmic Charlies regularly from 1987 until 1999 with a number of sit-ins through to about 2005. Founded the Shotgun Ragtime Band in 1996 and then formed The Grateful Dudes in 2013 with Bill and Bob.
Sean / Guitar / Vocals
Since 2019, I’ve played rhythm guitar (Weir parts) with The Grateful Dudes, after being invited by keyboardist Bill during my monthly Dead-inspired jams in South London. What started as a temporary fill-in gig has become a six-year bus ride—and it’s still truckin’ on!
Studying Bobby’s evolving style over the years has deeply influenced both my Dead covers and original music. I’ve recorded at Hit Records NYC for Yardbirds producer and Crawdaddy Club owner Giorgio Gomelsky, as well as at London’s Swanyard studios. Throughout my career, I’ve trained with guitarist Al Dimeola and Phil Upchurch, and performed alongside Level 42 studio legends Gary Barnacle and Phil Gould.
You can often find me at the Crown & Sceptre (SW2) with my jam band Typical Daydream and Friends, or hear my work on SoundCloud (TypicalDaydream). On my upcoming release, I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with keyboardist Scott Guberman, best known for playing with Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh, as I continue my international musical journey.