Bob Weir and Wolf Bros is an American rock band formed in 2018 by Grateful Dead founding member Bob Weir. The group also includes Don Was on bass and Jay Lane on drums. Here is a quick overview of the band’s members:
Bob Weir
Bob Weir is the leader of the band and plays rhythm guitar and sings lead vocals. Weir is best known as a founding member of the legendary jam band Grateful Dead. He played rhythm guitar and sang many lead vocals for the Dead from 1965 until their dissolution in 1995. Weir has also released several solo albums over the years.
Don Was
Don Was plays bass guitar in Bob Weir and Wolf Bros. He is a highly accomplished musician, songwriter and record producer. Was first found fame in the 1980s with the pop-rock duo Was (Not Was). He has produced albums for artists like the Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, John Mayer, Bob Dylan and more. Was also served as president of the legendary jazz label Blue Note Records from 2012 to 2018.
Jay Lane
Jay Lane is the drummer for Bob Weir and Wolf Bros. He is best known as a founding member of RatDog, a band led by Bob Weir and former Grateful Dead bassist Rob Wasserman. Lane was RatDog’s drummer from 1995 to 2000 and again from 2002 to 2010. He has also drummed for several other San Francisco Bay Area rock acts including Primus and Les Claypool’s Frog Brigade.
Band History
Bob Weir formed Bob Weir and Wolf Bros in 2018 as a touring group to perform material from throughout his career. The idea was sparked after Weir joined Was and Lane on stage during a couple of shows with Dead & Company. The trio’s name pays homage to the old folk song “Little Red Riding Hood.”
Bob Weir and Wolf Bros made their official debut in October 2018 with a series of shows in New York City and Chicago. They have since launched several national tours across the United States. The band performs a repertoire of Grateful Dead classics, Bob Weir solo numbers, covers, and new songs.
Notable Performances
Some highlights from Bob Weir and Wolf Bros’ career so far include:
- October 2018 residency at Capitol Theatre, Port Chester NY
- March 2019 performances at Wanee Festival in Florida
- June 2019 tour stops at Red Rocks Amphitheatre and the Hollywood Bowl
- February 2020 shows at The Fillmore in San Francisco
- October 2021 appearances at Sea.Hear.Now festival in Asbury Park NJ
The band has drawn praise for their energetic live shows and tight musicianship. Reviewing a 2018 concert, Glide Magazine wrote: “Weir, Was and Lane communicated like long lost brothers united through rhythm.”
Band Members
Name | Role | Notable Past Bands |
---|---|---|
Bob Weir | Guitar, Vocals | Grateful Dead, RatDog |
Don Was | Bass | Was (Not Was) |
Jay Lane | Drums | RatDog, Primus |
Musical Style
Bob Weir and Wolf Bros carry on the musical legacy of the Grateful Dead with their improvisational rock sound. Weir’s distinctive rhythm guitar work and lead vocals are central to their style. Don Was adds a smooth low end on bass while Jay Lane drives the beat on drums. The trio is known for stretching out songs with long improvised jams in the live setting.
The band’s setlists draw from a mix of Grateful Dead classics like “Truckin’,” “Jack Straw,” and “China Cat Sunflower,” Bob Weir solo material like “Only a River,” and an array of covers ranging from Chuck Berry’s “Around and Around” to Bob Dylan’s “When I Paint My Masterpiece.” Their shows often feature extended musical explorations and creative segues between songs.
Live Performances
Bob Weir and Wolf Bros are first and foremost a live performance act. They have built a reputation for energetic, improvisational concerts showcasing superior musical chemistry between the three core members. Weir’s decades of experience as a bandleader shine through as he guides the group through different sonic landscapes.
Fan-recorded videos of Bob Weir and Wolf Bros shows capture the infectious joy between the players as they interact on stage. Don Was and Jay Lane are quite animated while locked into the groove. Weir often has a big grin on his face as he leads the band. The trio clearly relishes the opportunity to collaborate and improvise together in a live setting.
Touring Activity
Since forming in 2018, Bob Weir and Wolf Bros have maintained a busy touring schedule across North America. They have criss-crossed the country playing theaters, festivals and renowned venues like Red Rocks and the Hollywood Bowl. Some highlights include:
- Fall 2018 tour: 14 shows across Northeast and Midwest
- Spring 2019 tour: 20 shows across U.S.
- Fall 2019 tour: 17 shows across U.S.
- Spring 2020 tour: 8 shows in California and Hawaii before COVID-19 shutdown
- Fall 2021 tour: 18 shows across U.S.
Popular residencies include multi-night stands at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY and The Fillmore in San Francisco, CA. The band has built a loyal following of fans who travel to see multiple shows on each tour.
Improvisation
Improvisation and musical exploration are core elements of Bob Weir and Wolf Bros’ live performances. Songs are used as launching pads into extended jams spotlighting each member’s improvisational skills. Weir and Was have a strong chemistry experimenting with different harmonies and back-and-forth bass lines. Meanwhile, Jay Lane provides rhythmic dynamism on the drums.
No two shows are the same as the band seeks out new musical pathways within each song. On average, songs are stretched out 15-20 minutes or longer through improvisation at live shows. Weir often signals the start and end of improvisational sections with hand gestures to the band. This approach allows the music to unfold spontaneously in the moment.
Band Relationships
The three core members of Bob Weir and Wolf Bros have developed strong musical and personal bonds through their time together. Weir, Was and Lane exhibit a close camaraderie on stage born from mutual trust and appreciation.
Weir and Was
The connection between Bob Weir and Don Was serves as the foundation of the band. Weir has spoken about their intuitive musical chemistry and how they are able to improvise whole songs on the spot. Was’ production insights help guide the band’s live sound. Off stage, the two have become good friends who enjoy discussing music and exchanging stories.
Weir and Lane
Weir and drummer Jay Lane have a long history playing together dating back to Lane’s time in RatDog in the 1990s/2000s. They developed a strong bond through years of rhythm section interplay. Lane’s energetic drumming provides firm support for Weir’s rhythm guitar style. His propulsive beat keeps the music moving forward during extended jams.
Was and Lane
As the band’s rhythm section, Don Was and Jay Lane maintain a tight low-end groove. The two have discussed how they lock in musically on more of a subconscious level. Their chemistry is clearly visible on stage as they make eye contact and nod their heads in synchronicity while playing.
In interviews, Was and Lane have expressed deep admiration for each other’s musicality. Their bond strengthens the band’s improvisational abilities and onstage communication.
Future Plans
Bob Weir and Wolf Bros show no signs of slowing down since coming together in 2018. They have already logged over 100 live performances together. Upcoming plans include:
- Spring/summer 2023 tour dates to be announced
- Potential live album release from recent shows
- Ongoing development of new original material
- Additional festival appearances
Weir has spoken enthusiastically about keeping the band together as an ongoing project. The band seems fully invested in their musical partnership, so fans can expect Bob Weir and Wolf Bros to continue touring and recording new music into the future.
Conclusion
Bob Weir and Wolf Bros bring together three legendary musicians in a powerhouse live rock trio. Weir’s distinctive guitar work and vocals, Don Was’ melodic basslines, and Jay Lane’s dynamic drumming result in memorable improvisational concerts with a Grateful Dead foundation. Their obvious camaraderie and world-class skills make Bob Weir and Wolf Bros a formidable jam band perfect for today’s live music scene.