Acid Tests

The death of Lou Reed last week has prompted a comparison of the Grateful Dead and the Velvet Underground. Both bands called themselves The Warlocks in 1965, but both bands changed their names upon learning that another band had already recorded under that name. The Dead were the house band for Ken Kesey and the Marry Pranksters Acid Tests in San Francisco. Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground were the house band for Andy Warhol's Exploding Plastic Inevitable in New York City. These two bands were the pioneers in the extended jam as well as performing electrical feedback on stage. 

Join us this week on Shakedown Stream as we present a live performance of the Dead at an Acid Test in San Francisco in 1966. It is one of the LSD experimental sounds that contributed to the cultural revolution in America during  the 1960s. Can You Pass the Acid Test?

Sans Souci

For just a under $4 million, you can buy Jerry Garcia's Stinson Beach house. It has a nice view and a pool. You may have read about this place in various books about the Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia. READ ARTICLE

Bobby Interview

High Times magazine posted a 1990 interview with Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead. Bobby celebrated another birthday on October 16th. In the article, Bobby is asked how long will the Grateful Dead continue, "I Know that as long as I have strength in my limbs to do it, I want to do it, because it's all I ever considered doing," says Weir. I suppose since Bobby first met Jerry Garcia when he was 14 years old in 1963, this very well may be an accurate statement. Complete Article

GarciaLIVE Vol. 3

The new Jerry Garcia Live release has been shipped. This latest release is of the Legion of Mary band with Garcia from 1974. For the Deadheads who are forever looking for new material that they have yet to collect or never listened to- this GarciaLive Vol. 3 is it. Find out how you can get your hands on this Jerry - click here. 

October Streamin'

Shakedown Stream features the Grateful Dead at Madison Square Garden, NYCity this week. We will check out 2 shows from a 2 night stand from October 1983. The fans have been asking for more live DEAD from the early 80s. 

In Dead News, a new video release "Move Me Brightly" of a Jerry tribute show features Phish, Jane's Addiction and Vampire Weekend. Click

Electric Kool-Aid being Auctioned

A very unique copy of Tom Wolfe's The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test is being auctioned along with a signed copy of Kerouac's On The Road by the main character Neal Cassady, the driver of the Bus. Click for Complete Article. 

Robert Hunter on Tour

Robert Hunter, the famous lyricists of the Grateful Dead, is on tour right here on the East Coast. He is playing classic Dead tunes such as Jack Straw, Stella Blue and Scarlet Begonias as well as others. Click on link to read more and see a video of Hunter on tour right now. Click Link.

Interlocken Festival

Last night, I paid for access to watch a video stream of Phil Lesh, Bobby Weir and Furthur play at the Interlocken Festival. They played the complete Workingman's Dead album, though, it was kinda different. Then, for the last song of the album, they played Casey Jones with Trey Anastasio of Phish. It was pretty cool. As you know, I am a big fan of internet streaming and this was just what I needed on a late Saturday Night. There is still one more night - you can do it too. Go to NugsTV.

Dead Fly Fishing

I can not remember a time when I read an article in Field & Stream that pertained to the Grateful Dead. Yet, this article will steal your face right off your head. It is a ... yep, that's right, a Fly Reel of a Stealie. You have to check this out ... Complete Article.

Furthur to Mexico

The Grateful Dead toured Europe in '72. They returned in 1974 as well as in the early 80s and in 1990 too. They played quite few gigs in Canada throughout the years. Of course, we all know they played the Pyramids in Egypt in 1978. They talked about playing in China, but that never happened. However, check this out, Phil and Bobby & Furthur have announced a 4 night gig in Mexico in January. A first for our fellow north america hemisphere country to the south. 

Click here for more details. 

Sunshine Daydream

The famed Grateful Dead concert from Veneta, Oregon (1972) is being officially released on DVD and/or Blu Ray. This is easily one of the top 10 Dead shows of all time. Official scholars have written their theses on the exact moment Jerry Garcia started to peak. Some say it was 3:43 into Dark Star or some say it was during the tuning before Bird Song. Who knows? Maybe Garcia never stopped peaking since the Acid Tests with Kesey and the Merry Pranksters. 

The so-called boot-leg video of this show has been in circulation between fans for years, however, the quality was not very good (too much over modulation and sunshine). Yes, there is nudity, but so what. It was literally a hot show and the time period along with location lended itself to a "hang out, it is not a big deal" type of attitude. Oh, how I yearn for the days of yore. 

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