Joe Russo’s Almost Dead opened up the first of three shows at the Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn, NY last night. The band consists of Joe Russo on drums, Dave Dreiwitz on bass, Marco Benevento on keys, and Scott Metzger and Tom Hamilton on guitar and vocals.

Set one began with a debut performance of “Born Cross Eyed” that included an extra treat of hearing Dreiwitz on trumpet. An energetic “Shakedown Street” was perfectly placed on the set list, as it shook up the crowd and got the blood flowing during the cold and rainy evening.  This song was all over the place. Just when you thought it would end, a teased soft finish led into an extended jam followed by a spacey ending.  This slid right into a hot “Feel like a Stranger.” Mid-song, Benevento took the tune over with a banging organ jam, coupled with the guitars joining in for the party. Benevento and Russo were going nuts, with hair flying and extending out the session for a wild ride.  

The set slowed down with another debut making an appearance.  “Standing on the Moon” had a touch of country.  The energy grew again with the end of the song building up. Wow. They have a knack for teasing; hot and cool.  What’s this around the corner? After a long trippy tease that took the audience on a journey through jam land, it melded into “The Wheel.” The heavy energy slowed down with a light and airy flow that led into a piano jam before heading into “Terrapin Station.” The song lightened up midway into a solid, peaceful musical tapestry of storytelling through the instruments.  First set ended on a high note with this fan favorite. 

Second set opened with a light and airy “Built to Last”, which was another debut for Almost Dead. This was a wide open, playful jam.  Benevento came out wearing a tie around his head, which was a good indication of how much fun these guys would be having during the remainder of the show.  This flowed into a roller coaster ride of energy with “Let It Grow.” The jam flowed up and down then gently tilted mid-song into a psychedelic journey. The extended energy brought the audience up a notch and had the second set on a great ride after a sleepy set break.

The usual China > Rider duo was not in attendance. Russo and the group mixed things up by doing “Atlantic City > I Know You Rider”, which was a rare treat of not having the expected duo book-ending.  This was a heavy jam of colorful proportions and had the energy in the room on high with people dancing non-stop.  

After a slight break, they went into a loose jam session followed by a lengthy “Playing in the Band”. Again, this was another ride of a song that kept taking the audience on an enchanted musical journey with every note. Things cooled down with yet another debut.  A country version of “Brokedown Palace” showed up for the first time at an Almost Dead show. “Lost Sailor” continued the calm wave of energy, followed by the appropriately placed “Saint of Circumstance” that included teases of “Ruben and Cherise”, “Terrapin Station”, and “Playing in the Band”.

“Sugaree” wrapped up the evening’s performance, with yet another delight of hearing Dreiwitz on trumpet.  Overall, the first of the three night run was full of energy.  With so many new songs showing up on the set list, the next two shows should be full of surprises.  Full tour dates to their upcoming shows can be found below.

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead Tour Dates

October 28, 2015: Orange Peel, Asheville, NC (Tickets)
October 29, 2015: Hulaween Pre Party, Live Oak, FL (Tickets)
October 30, 2015: Music Farm, Charleston, SC (Tickets)
October 31, 2015: The Ritz, Raleigh, NC (Tickets)
November 27 & 28, 2015: Paradise, Boston, MA (Tickets Night 1) (Tickets Night 2)
December 11, 2015: Brooklyn Bowl, Las Vegas, NV (Tickets)
December 12, 2015: Fox Theater, Oakland, CA (Tickets)
December 19, 2015: Fillmore Auditorium, Denver, CO (Tickets)
December 31, 2015: The Fillmore Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA (Tickets)
January 1 & 2, 2016: Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY (Tickets Night 1) (Tickets Night 2)
January 6-11, 2016: Jam Cruise, Miami, FL & the High Seas (Tickets)

Setlist: Joe Russo’s Almost Dead at Brooklyn Bowl, Brooklyn, NY – 10/02/15

Set One: Born Cross Eyed (debut), Shakedown Street > Feel Like a Stranger, Standing on the Moon (debut) > The Wheel > Lady with a Fan/Terrapin Station

Set Two: Built To Last (debut) > Let It Grow, Atlantic City > I Know You Rider, Jam > Playin’ in the Band, Brokedown Palace (debut) > Lost Sailor > Saint of Circumstance

Encore: Sugaree

Written by Sarah Bourque, follow on Twitter. Photography by Sam Shinault, follow on Instagram. Full gallery below: