Jams

The Core4 was back in Carroll's to play another jam. I was using my SG and Headrush Flex Prime for the night and was struggling with the tones throughout the evening but the recordings gave me some reprieve.

The March 20 Jams - A Deadstein Tale Across Time

March 20 always seemed to catch Deadstein in a funky limbo between winter and spring. For this Grateful Dead-inspired crew, born in October 1990, these jams were a chance to shake off the cold, lean into the groove, and mirror the world spinning outside. Here is a tale of those nights, woven from the songs, the players, and the vibes of the times.

March 20, 1991 - Early Vibes at 162 Perry Street

It was 1991, just months after Deadstein kicked off. The Gulf War had wrapped up in February, leaving a mix of relief and unease in the air. Larry G, Kevin, Scott, and Rich were still figuring out their sound at 162 Perry Street. They cranked out 'Cold Rain and Snow,' the raw energy matching the chilly March night. A guest, some random Deadhead named Mike, added shaky maracas to 'Me and My Uncle.' The set closed with 'Black Peter,' its slow mournful strum a nod to a world catching its breath after conflict. The music was rough, unpolished, pure Deadstein soul.

March 20, 2001 - Carrolls in a New Century

By 2001, Deadstein was a fixture at Carrolls 55th Street. The dot-com crash was stinging, and folks were jittery about the future. Larry G led on guitar, Kevin tickled the keys, Scott pounded drums, and Rich laid down bass. Trister was there too, steady as ever. They opened with 'Jack Straw,' the outlaw spirit a quiet rebellion against the economic mess. A guest, bluesy Jeff, ripped into 'Good Lovin,' his gravelly voice cutting through the room. They wrapped with 'Uncle Johns Band,' a hopeful hum as spring peeked around the corner. The groove felt like a shield against the unknown.

March 20, 2007 - Freaky Flow at Carrolls

In 2007, the Iraq War dragged on, and the housing bubble was about to pop. At Carrolls, Larry G, Kevin, Scott, Rich, and Alan on lead guitar turned up the heat. Fred subbed in, driving 'Dark Star' into a wild, spacey jam that echoed the chaos outside. A lone guest, Steve, clapped along as they slid into 'St. Stephen,' the tempo fast and fierce. The night ended with 'The Wheel,' a spinning prayer for better days. The music was loud, loose, a release from a world on edge.

March 20, 2012 - Spring Fever Hits Hard

March 20, 2012, brought an early warm spell to New York, and Occupy Wall Streets echoes still lingered. Larry G, Kevin, Scott, Rich, and Andy on lead were in full swing at Carrolls. Drew, warming up for a gig, joined for 'Scarlet Begonias,' the funky bounce matching the spring fever. Guest Scott Bayer banged bongos on 'Fire on the Mountain,' pushing the jam higher. They closed with 'Terrapin Station,' its dreamy sprawl a tribute to renewal. The sound was bright, urgent, alive with the season.

March 20, 2018 - Rainy Resilience

In 2018, a wet March 20 followed the Parkland shooting, with protests still ringing out. At Carrolls, Larry G, Kevin, Scott, Rich, and Andy kept the faith. Rennie stepped in, belting 'Cumberland Blues' with a workingmans grit. Scott Bayer returned, his bongos thumping through 'Drums - Space,' a stormy improv fit for the weather. They ended with 'Wharf Rat,' its slow redemption a quiet stand against the rain and rage outside. The music was deep, defiant, a balm for tough times.

Across these March 20 nights, Deadstein did more than jam - they captured the moment. From war to crashes to renewal, the songs and players built a freaky bridge through the years. Each riff, each guest, each beat was its own story, tied to the world but rooted in the now, forever Grateful, forever Deadstein.

Freak Out!