The fanbase is pretty insufferable by and large. I have met some great people out there though..

Just wondered if any chapos here were into the grateful dead. You would probably be the cream of the crop when it comes to fans I would want to hang out with.

I would be interested in discussing them and the culture without a bunch of people chiming in with "boomer band" and "fuckin hippies" types of critiques. Believe me, I know all about the negative aspects of liking things.

    • SunshinePharmer [he/him]
      ·
      4 years ago

      It's rough out there where I'm from. Lots of people looking to rip you off and and prove how they're "deader than thou"

        • SunshinePharmer [he/him]
          ·
          4 years ago

          I've been around a little while and have met some great people. Honestly, my biggest problem with the scene are the culture vultures that have brought their own brand of capitalism to the lot.

          I don't really want to focus on the negatives here though. I was happy to see so many responses here! I love the dead and all they stand for! I carry a little piece of them everywhere I go and they inspire me in many of my goals and travels in life.

          Most of the best Deadheads I've ever met are cool older dudes with great stories. I was dating a girl who had an OG deadhead for a dad. You could really tell when we went to visit him in his cabin on the lake. Such a peaceful, folksy and creative vibe

          • garbage [none/use name,he/him]
            ·
            4 years ago

            that's cool. i do dead tour every year. i haven't seen that much of what you're describing really, and surely not the majority, but there are a few people who seem to make bank.

            i just sell beer so i can get drunk and make enough cash to get from show to show and never have a dime by the end of tour, but some people still make a decent amount. tour doesn't go year round anymore, so i'm not gonna fault them for saving their pennies.

            • SunshinePharmer [he/him]
              ·
              4 years ago

              Dead tour is a different animal.

              They don't really come around here, so my experiences are just different. I have to drive several hours just to see a jam band

              • garbage [none/use name,he/him]
                ·
                4 years ago

                yeah, i mean you'd have to do that on tour anyway, it's b asically driving for 12 hours every three days, but you'd meet some cool people. it's a lot of fun if you like the dead, and they're all in their 70s now, so if corona lets up and they even do another tour, it's something you might want to experience while you have the chance.

                • SunshinePharmer [he/him]
                  ·
                  4 years ago

                  I've driven to Chicago and ashville a bunch of times to see them. I love the parking lot at those shows so much! I love all the handmade art and the smell of good bud mixing with grilled cheese smell..

                  I've briefly met some 60's era musicans after their sets at a few festivals too. Its nice how a lot of them are so willing to meet us after all those years. I once shook Bill Kreutzmann's hand and got him to sign my copy of his book.

                  One thing I love about the scene is the broad acceptance of all kinds of music. When I first started going to festivals, I was just listening to classic rock. My ears were opened to jazz, bluegrass, folk and a lot more!