Best stuff I’ve heard from Jerry comes from these bands. Obviously he’s incredible with the dead, but these bands really allow him to showcase his skills
And while I love all those other side projects and stuff, it was still the Dead who really got that whole ball rolling for him.
Plus, they got went through their earliest growing pains and really learned how to play together at the freaking Acid Tests. It really doesn’t get any “headier” than that IMO
AGREE! I love Cheese. Usually see them tripping, had a scenario recently where I basically had to see them stone cold sober. Still a eager. Still danced my ass off, still had more fun than either of the Sphere shows I saw (both Phish and Dead). So, yes, it’s Cheese.
It’s 8/27/72 as #1 and then a lotta folks chasing. Been digging them Dogs in a Pile lately. SCI never a bad answer, but Kitchen Dwellers bringing heat nowadays as well.
I convinced my non jam band friends to see them with me at electric forest once and now all of us going to cheese is a staple of the weekend. Idk how they’re always so much fun
Check out the shows at the Denver Fillmore from around March 21, 2003.
Three-show run with one show being three sets - featuring a bluegrass acoustic opener set.
Vintage Cheese with everything great about them featured.
Nice; I’ll grab those and bask. I went to the Chicago new years run in 2003 and I always enjoy revisiting those. Not sure if you’ve checked those out but if not you should. That’s also some vintage cheese.
Fucking love Budos. But does anyone know why they tour so infrequently? Like right now their only scheduled date in the US is one show in Colorado in November :(
I went to high School 2007-2011 and was way into jam bands, There were a ton of festivals. Tribe tour, Papadosia tour, Yonder.
Eventually moved to Washington State in 2012 and since everyone there's into bass music. So, while still listen to Dead cheese and yonder quite a bit. Wasn't really that involved in the scene except for a few festivals here and there like string summit in Oregon.
For whatever reason, I never got into disco biscuits until like a year ago. Midwest and west coast just aren't as in to them.
Finally gave them a serious shot recently and became seriously obsessed. I especially love the 2007 to 2011 era mixes I found on YouTube
Now they are easily my favorite modern jam band. I went to soulshine and electric forest for no other reason than just to see them. I have six other tickets to see them this summer. All 3 CO and all 3 Illinois. Might even travel and do more.
I met some people on the East Coast recently so I'm probably planning on going to one of their New York festivals next year as well.
They play like annoying venues outside metro areas and have bad luck w tour but I absolutely love their music. I.e. soundcheck studios Pembroke MA like no easy way to get there w public transit if you live in Boston
They play almost yearly at a theater smack in the middle of Oakland, easy peasy. Two Marriotts, tons of restaurants, and a BART stop within a 5 min walk.
Not entirely true. They do often play inside the metro areas of bigger cities. They are playing in Cambridge in September. But man, having to go to Pembroke is kind of lame.
They play in Leesburg a lot of the times when they play in the DMV area and considering the local traffic that's a lot more convenient than them playing in DC itself. The DMV jam scene is also disproportionately suburban too, too many security clearance people in DC proper.
They play like annoying venues outside metro areas and have bad luck w tour but I absolutely love their music. I.e. soundcheck studios Pembroke MA like no easy way to get there w public transit if you live in Boston
What I came in to say. I think the perception of the term "heady" has become woefully distorted by younger jam band fans, and this thread reinforces that. It used to be about stuff that tickled and stimulated the brain, not whatever laid it out.
I'm super biased because moe. was the first jam band I saw live before even knowing what jam bands were and they blew me away. I've also seen them more than any other jam band. I love the love for SCI but am disappointed moe. hasn't gotten more appreciation here.
Kimock! Yes! Especially check out anything where he's playing with Jeff Chementi. They do the mind-meld thing that I feel set up Mayer to do it with Jeff in D&C. Add Bobby Vega in the mix and it really cooks. Here's a link to shows at Sweetwater from 2014. Steve and Jeff were so locked in! I can only find that run on Nugs but there might be other sources floating around. [https://www.nugs.net/live-download-of-steve-kimock-mp3-flac-or-online-music-streaming/457-PACKAGE.html](https://www.nugs.net/live-download-of-steve-kimock-mp3-flac-or-online-music-streaming/457-PACKAGE.html)
The actual definition of the word heady is potent and highly intoxicating. (Usually referring to wine that is over 18% alcohol.
It originated in Europe to describe high alcohol content wine but it was used by BC bug growers and Canadians in the 90s to describe high THC weed and it made it's way down the west coast thanks to all the weed we imported from British Columbia at the time.
I just say this because the idea of it being applied to hippie culture or whatever came after the idea of it being applied to drugs.
It really means potent drugs in the first place and people calling things "heady" that weren't drug related came over 30 years after I the word made it's way onto the west coast.
At first people using this word for things other than drugs we're still using it in a drug related context to describe drug related things and it was mostly used to describe things that drug dealers, people that were into drugs were into and represented them but was also better than normal.
'Some high quality stuff"
"has qualities you associate with being very intoxicated"
A heady necklace, for example, could be like a high quality, handmade wire wrap that reminds you of being high on acid.
This second definition makes sense because potent and high quality are both similar and since it began as a word to describe intoxication and potency, describing things that are related to intoxication and quality makes perfect sense as a broader definition.
All of the evolution after that seems to be a confusion of people that don't actually know what the word meant in the first place. Hearing other people using it without the context of the origin you wouldn't associate it directly with drugs you'd associate it with broader parts of the culture.
It's not a random word that was just made up by hippies, it's an ancient English word related to drug potency brought back to life by hippies.
With that context if someone would describe psychedelic music as heady I think it makes a lot more sense to interpret it as
"That which makes you the most intoxicated listening to it"
Of course the word has been used so much by so many people that never bother to look up the definition that it has lost its actual meaning outside 30yo+ people of the NW and Canada who actually remember when 90% of the weed in the country was brown and heady weed what's something special.
Lespecial has me cracking up, they’ll just open up mosh pits out of nowhere and doing goofy callouts like “everybody wave your mothafuckin’ DMT pens in the air!!”
How could we forget?
Color in Bloom is just a fantastic listen and a must-have album for everyone, jamband fan or not. The follow-up album was nice too. But they were beeeautiful live
Like 10 strip to the dome?! Always was Grateful Dead but love Billy strings now. Dogs in a pile, Eggy, Daniel Donato are up and comers tho who absolutely shred
Billy Strings is peak heady jams. I really wish they had an electric side. The few times I've seen him on electric guitar it was magical. I think the acoustic is why many wouldn't choose him for this list.
I think it's more so not enough jams. I think it distorted perception of perceiving the band as heady when there are only a handful of jams per show. You don't have to be electric to be heady, or perceived as such.
Gotta be the cheese. Amazing crowd amazing jams always an amazing time whether your sober as a judge or on a few 100 mg of thc, coke, mushrooms and Molly
Doesn’t matter who you are! Doesn’t matter where you go! That cycle just keeps on spinning just as long as you’re alive!
Wow you just unlocked a core memory driving around in my friends minivan blasting wookiefoot
Catching my first gizz shows in August, detroit and Cleveland, absolutely can not wait. So stoked they're doing an acoustic show in detroit too, at a venue I've never been to
I agree with the Cheese people on single most heady band. From there If you want more wubs, then check out papadosio. For fewer wubs check out Greensky Bluegrass.
Love this sub! I'm a hardcore chess fan, but so enjoy hearing the love for the other bands too.
Been living the jamband scene before it was a thing. So much love!
STS9. Their music is just in rhythm with the universe in a way very few other artists have hit for me. And then the crowd is awesome. Some of the best people I’ve ever met, who are just trying to dance like goons and appreciate being alive. It’s hard to find that kind of energy in this day and age.
THE OMNIPOTENT GRATEFUL DEAD
To add to this.. JGB and Legion of Mary. Jerry really let lose with his side bands
Best stuff I’ve heard from Jerry comes from these bands. Obviously he’s incredible with the dead, but these bands really allow him to showcase his skills
And while I love all those other side projects and stuff, it was still the Dead who really got that whole ball rolling for him. Plus, they got went through their earliest growing pains and really learned how to play together at the freaking Acid Tests. It really doesn’t get any “headier” than that IMO
How is this even a question? They’re the whole reason this sub even exists lol!
I figured it was a given🤷♂️
Yes yes yes. Ready for hula 🧀
All this cheese love is so great to see
AGREE! I love Cheese. Usually see them tripping, had a scenario recently where I basically had to see them stone cold sober. Still a eager. Still danced my ass off, still had more fun than either of the Sphere shows I saw (both Phish and Dead). So, yes, it’s Cheese.
I guess that settles it everyone! This guy danced his ass off at a cheese show when sober - case closed!
You seem like a fun time
I haven't seen Cheese in 15 years... But the answer is Cheese.
Same same. You should YouTube a recent show it blew my mind how they all look
Nershi looks like he lives under a bridge and makes you answer 3 riddles before crossing.
Caught their New Year’s Eve set in Oakland was so good
It’s 8/27/72 as #1 and then a lotta folks chasing. Been digging them Dogs in a Pile lately. SCI never a bad answer, but Kitchen Dwellers bringing heat nowadays as well.
Cheese has never done me wrong when I’m spun the fuck out. Or ever tbh. Love those boys.
Its impossible to have a bad time at a cheese show. Even if jam-bands aren't your thing, they're sure to play something you'll get down to.
I convinced my non jam band friends to see them with me at electric forest once and now all of us going to cheese is a staple of the weekend. Idk how they’re always so much fun
You party very hard and listen to jam band music apparently.
I’d say the cheese. Soaking in Hornings 6/19/04 now.
One of my all time favorite shows to listen to
It’s straight fire. I’m going to Saturday at Red Rocks and I’m hoping for a old school cheesy show.
RRX = Bring a Friend Friday -> Throwdown Saturday -> Hodown Sunday
Historically Saturday is more of the party night. Sunday with Sam Bush will have some throwback vibes
Check out the shows at the Denver Fillmore from around March 21, 2003. Three-show run with one show being three sets - featuring a bluegrass acoustic opener set. Vintage Cheese with everything great about them featured.
Nice; I’ll grab those and bask. I went to the Chicago new years run in 2003 and I always enjoy revisiting those. Not sure if you’ve checked those out but if not you should. That’s also some vintage cheese.
I was also there!
Nice; those shows were so much fun.
That Shakin the Tree encore from one of those Denver shows had me blubbering in tears at the time. But yeah, that New Year's run was a good time.
I will definitely grab the Denver ones. I haven’t heard them.
I was at all those. Incredible time.
Eyyy great recommendation! Opened it up and Nugs saw that Sound Tribe is all over this set. “Just Thanks” 🙏
Budos Band. Nobody knows and I like it that way
Budos is the shit. They’ve been around for a while and they fuckign crushc
Budos is good, lotta horn there
Fucking love Budos. But does anyone know why they tour so infrequently? Like right now their only scheduled date in the US is one show in Colorado in November :(
I smoked out several of them when they were playing with Sharon Jones
Yes!
Lol everyone knows but every “song” is the same.
SCI
Disco biscuits
💯 I was amazed have seen a bunch of shows never anything like a biscuits show friend talked me into going in January and I’m so glad I did
B4L
SIYD
So strange to see multiple posts saying cheese before anyone mentions the biscuits. Their setlists and playing are easily the headiest these days imo
Skats all day
I went to high School 2007-2011 and was way into jam bands, There were a ton of festivals. Tribe tour, Papadosia tour, Yonder. Eventually moved to Washington State in 2012 and since everyone there's into bass music. So, while still listen to Dead cheese and yonder quite a bit. Wasn't really that involved in the scene except for a few festivals here and there like string summit in Oregon. For whatever reason, I never got into disco biscuits until like a year ago. Midwest and west coast just aren't as in to them. Finally gave them a serious shot recently and became seriously obsessed. I especially love the 2007 to 2011 era mixes I found on YouTube Now they are easily my favorite modern jam band. I went to soulshine and electric forest for no other reason than just to see them. I have six other tickets to see them this summer. All 3 CO and all 3 Illinois. Might even travel and do more. I met some people on the East Coast recently so I'm probably planning on going to one of their New York festivals next year as well.
The correct answer
Grateful Dead.
Nobody has mentioned Spafford yet. Super heady jams
But chee... Spafford is right!
Man can they jam it’s a bunch is always a good time
They play like annoying venues outside metro areas and have bad luck w tour but I absolutely love their music. I.e. soundcheck studios Pembroke MA like no easy way to get there w public transit if you live in Boston
They play almost yearly at a theater smack in the middle of Oakland, easy peasy. Two Marriotts, tons of restaurants, and a BART stop within a 5 min walk.
Not entirely true. They do often play inside the metro areas of bigger cities. They are playing in Cambridge in September. But man, having to go to Pembroke is kind of lame.
They play in Leesburg a lot of the times when they play in the DMV area and considering the local traffic that's a lot more convenient than them playing in DC itself. The DMV jam scene is also disproportionately suburban too, too many security clearance people in DC proper.
Bingo!
They play like annoying venues outside metro areas and have bad luck w tour but I absolutely love their music. I.e. soundcheck studios Pembroke MA like no easy way to get there w public transit if you live in Boston
The lack of moe. In these comments is disturbing. Does anyone know how to actually jam like those guys
Like does anyone know how to properly execute a segue way between songs?
What I came in to say. I think the perception of the term "heady" has become woefully distorted by younger jam band fans, and this thread reinforces that. It used to be about stuff that tickled and stimulated the brain, not whatever laid it out.
I'm super biased because moe. was the first jam band I saw live before even knowing what jam bands were and they blew me away. I've also seen them more than any other jam band. I love the love for SCI but am disappointed moe. hasn't gotten more appreciation here.
It’s cheese Dosio and STS9 are up there too
What exactly do you mean by headiest? The band memebers? The music? The scene? Total score?
Heady jams dawg
Id say string cheese or phish. Maybe some would put Zappa in this category.
Steve Kimock Band. Check out 'Live from the Gothic.' You're welcome people.
https://youtu.be/HJ45hPZ_2kU?si=SxvbuocUy_66GnMw
This Tandled Hangers is so FUCKING sick! Watch Steve's facial expressions as he ABSOLUTELY FUCKING SHREDS! Nuts! Yep, I was there.
Kimock! Yes! Especially check out anything where he's playing with Jeff Chementi. They do the mind-meld thing that I feel set up Mayer to do it with Jeff in D&C. Add Bobby Vega in the mix and it really cooks. Here's a link to shows at Sweetwater from 2014. Steve and Jeff were so locked in! I can only find that run on Nugs but there might be other sources floating around. [https://www.nugs.net/live-download-of-steve-kimock-mp3-flac-or-online-music-streaming/457-PACKAGE.html](https://www.nugs.net/live-download-of-steve-kimock-mp3-flac-or-online-music-streaming/457-PACKAGE.html)
i avoided Widespread Panic for a long time due to the incredibly annoying fanbase but i have recently discovered that they actually melt faces
They melt faces and blow up nostrils.
The fanbase tends to be the chillest the closer they are to home! You are 100% correct though!
That Colorado Queso is All Gouda!
Moe. Is the Jamband that is a jamband. If you’re looking for what a jamband is. It’s moe.
Ok alright
Gonna also agree with cheese here
Dosio
Dave…duh.
How do you define heady broski?
Bisco
Phish by far.
Phish 💯
Source?
if the question is best jams it's phish if the question is headiest members it's definitely not phish
Yup
Me
Phish is the most preppy jam band, is that the same thing
I mean, they still jam harder than everyone else.
If the question was "who jams the hardest" then Phish would be a totally acceptable answer
Half these responses are taking "heady jams" as the intent behind the question.
Yeah to mean heady does not just mean "long" or "good." It implies an element of free spirited, hippy bohemian culture.
To you. If you read through the thread, you'll notice there are other people.
Any time any questions is mentioned in this sub, every jam band gets named
The actual definition of the word heady is potent and highly intoxicating. (Usually referring to wine that is over 18% alcohol. It originated in Europe to describe high alcohol content wine but it was used by BC bug growers and Canadians in the 90s to describe high THC weed and it made it's way down the west coast thanks to all the weed we imported from British Columbia at the time. I just say this because the idea of it being applied to hippie culture or whatever came after the idea of it being applied to drugs. It really means potent drugs in the first place and people calling things "heady" that weren't drug related came over 30 years after I the word made it's way onto the west coast. At first people using this word for things other than drugs we're still using it in a drug related context to describe drug related things and it was mostly used to describe things that drug dealers, people that were into drugs were into and represented them but was also better than normal. 'Some high quality stuff" "has qualities you associate with being very intoxicated" A heady necklace, for example, could be like a high quality, handmade wire wrap that reminds you of being high on acid. This second definition makes sense because potent and high quality are both similar and since it began as a word to describe intoxication and potency, describing things that are related to intoxication and quality makes perfect sense as a broader definition. All of the evolution after that seems to be a confusion of people that don't actually know what the word meant in the first place. Hearing other people using it without the context of the origin you wouldn't associate it directly with drugs you'd associate it with broader parts of the culture. It's not a random word that was just made up by hippies, it's an ancient English word related to drug potency brought back to life by hippies. With that context if someone would describe psychedelic music as heady I think it makes a lot more sense to interpret it as "That which makes you the most intoxicated listening to it" Of course the word has been used so much by so many people that never bother to look up the definition that it has lost its actual meaning outside 30yo+ people of the NW and Canada who actually remember when 90% of the weed in the country was brown and heady weed what's something special.
Woah bro, you have exceeded the 100 word limit on responses here... Just say Phish is cool and be done with it...
Marilyn Manson
Suckin his own dick! Headiest for sure!!
He had some of his ribs removed so he could suck his own pee pee
that was back when he was on the Wonder Years. great show
Sts9
Phish, UM, SCI, Disco, Eggy
Houseplant. These boys are on the come up. And you can get beautifully lost in their jams.
Cheese... or one of my personal favorite "jam bands" Lespecial they are fucking amazing live!
Lespecial has me cracking up, they’ll just open up mosh pits out of nowhere and doing goofy callouts like “everybody wave your mothafuckin’ DMT pens in the air!!”
Fuck yea they are homies just like everyone else and they have jokes for days 🤣 definitely one of my favorite bands in the scene
KVHW
🏆
Phish c. Aug 93, 94-99 Biscuits c. 99, 03-04 Dead c. 1972-74, 76-78, 80-90 Percy Hill c. 99-01
Second Percy hill mention. My mind is blown cause I was listening to them two days ago and was asking myself if anyone really remembered...
How could we forget? Color in Bloom is just a fantastic listen and a must-have album for everyone, jamband fan or not. The follow-up album was nice too. But they were beeeautiful live
Cheese has always done it for me, too. Username checks out.
Biscuits.
Letuce
Like 10 strip to the dome?! Always was Grateful Dead but love Billy strings now. Dogs in a pile, Eggy, Daniel Donato are up and comers tho who absolutely shred
UM takes the cake
\mm/
Billy Strings is peak heady jams. I really wish they had an electric side. The few times I've seen him on electric guitar it was magical. I think the acoustic is why many wouldn't choose him for this list.
Halloween 2022 was spectacular https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwH5ACiN6fY
I think it's more so not enough jams. I think it distorted perception of perceiving the band as heady when there are only a handful of jams per show. You don't have to be electric to be heady, or perceived as such.
JRAD
Tossup between Buckethead and Aphex Twin
Don't forget Dan Decon
Yesssss dan deacon! Chases him for 15+ years and finally caught him last year. So so much fun
What about Lou bega?
Amon Tobin has to be in the conversation then
Cheeeeeese!
Cheese every time
This thread is Newbville 🙄
Twiddle thread is that way👉🏻
And this comment is corny
Pretty Lights ;) 🌀
Steve Kimock Band.
cheese man!! Its cheese!!! Hahaha
Gotta be the cheese. Amazing crowd amazing jams always an amazing time whether your sober as a judge or on a few 100 mg of thc, coke, mushrooms and Molly
🧀🧀🧀
Pgroove anyone?
Just saw them in Charleston last weekend and they killed
That's freaking awesome. i really want to pick up a show so bad
I dunno but Phish, Lettuce, Cheese, and Biscuits isn't a bad meal
String cheese is so good
wookiefoot
they're fun but no way dawg
i don’t think you can get more heady naming your band after a wook foot
Doesn’t matter who you are! Doesn’t matter where you go! That cycle just keeps on spinning just as long as you’re alive! Wow you just unlocked a core memory driving around in my friends minivan blasting wookiefoot
Percy Hill. IYKYK
Omg... New England early 2000's...
Spot on
Yes to early 00s Percy Hill always
*Old Cheese
Have you heard them this tour?
I was just at a show a week ago they melted my face😁
Last 5 shows has been 🔥
Man as a relative newbie to being spun out I appreciate this question. Got some digging to do.
Not sure about the hettiest, but Eoto is the crunchiest
King Gizz, when they feel like being a jam band.
Abso-lutely
Catching my first gizz shows in August, detroit and Cleveland, absolutely can not wait. So stoked they're doing an acoustic show in detroit too, at a venue I've never been to
Gotta go with Eggy! From a jam/improv standpoint these dudes are flyin’
Cheese is absolutely crushing it right now too. Can’t wait to see em next weekend!
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard 🦎
Headpe
Never a bad time with cheese
Idk what that means exactly but I will say, out of all my favorites, Ween seems enhanced the most by a dose or two.
This cheese love is special 😁
The Flying Frog Brigade by a mile
WS(MF)P
I agree with the Cheese people on single most heady band. From there If you want more wubs, then check out papadosio. For fewer wubs check out Greensky Bluegrass.
Love this sub! I'm a hardcore chess fan, but so enjoy hearing the love for the other bands too. Been living the jamband scene before it was a thing. So much love!
Most slept on heady jam band: DIZGO
Flowstone! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0U3WRgK9p6BjDi6ODBP39x?si=1za-1K5zQKGvLZpLsINJvg&pi=u-8Twc2nTFQnCa
Panic
Depends on what you mean by heady
Frank Zappa? Maybe not exactly a jam band, but god damn. That's some heady shit!
Fasba
Railroad Earth LITERALLY has a song called “Head”
Panic
Allman Brothers Band
LOTUS. Does it not get headier than having a song named after the "flower sermon"!?
space bacon. duh
Phish
Disco biscuits
Bob Weir and Kingfish
Now.
M O E .
STS9. Their music is just in rhythm with the universe in a way very few other artists have hit for me. And then the crowd is awesome. Some of the best people I’ve ever met, who are just trying to dance like goons and appreciate being alive. It’s hard to find that kind of energy in this day and age.
Ritter Lane
How has UM not been mentioned? By far the dankest and headiest jams. If you can't deal with it, I feel so bad for you
The most mid band that’s been mentioned
eggy 100% they fucking rip, straight kerosene from start to finish.
Goose
Dosio
Sts9
[удалено]
I've seen them 9 times and I enjoy seeing them every time I get the chance. But what about them or their jams is heady? 🤣