RatDog & Friends? Another GD spinoff with a twist

Anyone who has went to http://www.phillesh.net recently has surely been hit with a big surprise.

Apparently, there is a new band on the loose dubbed, "Further"



The members include: Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Jeff Chimenti, John Kadlecik, Jay Lane, Joe Russo.

Did I just hear you say WOW? I know I at least heard you gasp...

Apparently any tension between the original boys Bobby and Phil has been ironed out and they are joined by an array of talented musicians, clearly familiar with the work of the Dead. Chimenti being keyboardist for The Dead and RatDog ~ Kadlecik, guitar/vocals for arguably the most popular GD cover band, Dark Star Orchestra ~ Jay Lane, founding member of Primus, currently in the RatDog lineup ~ and of course we have Joe Russo...half of the Benevento/Russo Duo.

Only shows announced thus far is a 3 night run in September at Oakland, CA's "Fox Theater."

Hopefully this expands into a full fledged tour, albeit one MUCH BETTER than this years, "The Dead" tour which I haven't heard a single really good thing about.

What this means for Benevento/Russo Duo and the other projects remains to be seen...