If you were to ask someone to paint a picture of what they think a stereotypical rock band from the 1960s looks like, the picture would likely include electric guitars, tie-dye clothing, and images referencing psychedelic drug use. In fact, most of these pictures would end up looking like the band the Grateful Dead. To the outside observer, the Grateful Dead looks like just another stereotypical band from the 60s, but the truth is, the Grateful Dead is far from that. Even though there are many noteworthy ways the Grateful Dead stood out from other bands from the 60s, one of the biggest ways is the amount of influence bluegrass and roots music had on the band. Since the death of Jerry Garcia, many Grateful Dead cover bands have emerged, but few have highlighted the bluegrass and roots music influence in the band’s songs as well as Great Northern String Band has.

Taking their name in part from their original intention to be an all string band, although the band does have a drummer and two percussionists, Great Northern String Band has been playing as an entirely acoustic Grateful Dead cover band since 2015. Made up of eight highly talented musicians, Great Northern String Band adds instruments to the mix that you probably never saw on stage at a Grateful Dead concert back in the day. Adding a violin, mandolin, and a stand-up bass to the mix has allowed Great Northern String Band to give audiences a fresh take on classic Grateful Dead songs. Perhaps the best way to illustrate this is in June of 2018 the band performed, to a sold-out crowd, an all acoustic recreation of the only concert the Grateful Dead ever played in the band’s hometown of Dayton, Ohio.

Going to see Great Northern String Band play, being an all acoustic band, you would expect them to stick to Grateful Dead songs that are traditionally acoustic, such as Friend of the Devil. However, that is not the case with Great Northern String Band. Playing songs that you previously may not have thought would be played on a mandolin, for example Scarlet Begonias, no song is off limits for them. According to guitarist Rich Reuter, Great Northern String Band, in fact, prefers to play songs that they consider more of a challenge. If anyone has ever had a doubt about a song being played acoustic look to Great Northern String band for proof that every Grateful Dead song is meant to be played acoustic.

If you ever wondered what the Grateful Dead would have sounded like if they were playing on a front porch of a cabin deep in the woods, Great Northern String Band is an excellent place to start. Due to the heavy influence of bluegrass and roots music in the songs of the Grateful Dead, a string band and music of the Grateful Dead is a match that was long destined for each other. Whether you’re a Deadhead, a fan of roots music, or just like get up and dance, Great Northern String Band is a band for you. Great Northern String Band frequently plays bluegrass festivals and other small venues well worth checking out. Deadheads and music fans alike keep your eye out for a Great Northern String Band show near you because you would be a fool to miss them.

Check their music out at https://soundcloud.com/great-northern-stringband