The Boston Globe
October 17, 2003
by Steve Morse
Grateful Dead spinoff band Ratdog plays the Orpheum tomorrow. It will be the first Boston visit with new bassist Robin Sylvester, a Bay Area studio veteran known for playing with sax great Steve Douglas. He replaced all-world bassist Rob Wasserman, who left under "pretty much amicable" circumstances, says Weir. "Robin is a real solid bass player," adds Weir. "He's not all over his instrument like Rob was, which is OK. The band worked well when it was a duo or trio with Rob, but as the band got bigger, Rob's virtuosity sort of crowded him out. We'll still play with Rob when we do a small ensemble show."
Ratdog, which is now a sextet, has been able to firm up its grooves now that a more traditional bassist is in the group. "The rhythm is a little tighter and it's more danceable," says Weir. "And our approach to the repertoire is changing. We're starting to use looping devices and that's been fun."
Weir is coming off a triumphant summer of touring with the reconstituted Dead, which now includes singer Joan Osborne. "I thought Joan worked out particularly well. She got the gig," says Weir. As for further Dead plans, he says there's a debate about whether to go out this February on a short tour or wait until next summer, which he favors so he can spend more time with Ratdog. As for any Dead recording, he says, "We'll do it on the road. The technology now allows you to do that."