Asbury Park Press
August 17, 2007
by Ed Condran
It's usually a laid-back scene in the Ratdog camp. Bob Weir and his bandmates typically focus on the band's jam-based music, and the rest of the vibe is fairly chill.
But lately, there is some tension within Ratdog, ever since guitarist Mark Karan announced in mid-June that he was taking a hiatus from the band after being diagnosed with throat cancer.
"It's been a little crazy with us," keyboardist Jeff Chimenti said. "Mark's health and life are on our minds all the time. It's terrible. He had a biopsy a year and a half ago to check out a lump on his jaw, and it came back negative. It was misread. It's scary. This is a big blow. It's true what they say about your health. If you have that, that's what is most important. We're hoping for the best for Mark. We think about him every time we go out there and perform. The show must go on and he knows that."
Zero's Steve Kimock, who also jammed with Weir while in The Other Ones, has filled in for Karan.
"Steve saved us by coming in," Chimenti said. "It helped that he played with Bobby before. He's done a great job. He's had a lot to soak up since joining us."
Ratdog, opening for the Allman Brothers Band on Wednesday at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, has a catalog of more than 150 songs.
"We can do about half, which certainly covers us," Chimenti said.
"That's a lot to put on somebody, but Steve is great. He doesn't have to learn the whole book. We're developing a telepathy onstage. We're keeping it fresh and inspirational."
Fans are never sure what Ratdog will deliver on any given night. The group, which also includes bassist Robin Sylvester, saxophonist Kenny Brooks and drummer Jay Lane, could offer originals, Grateful Dead tunes, Jerry Garcia songs or classic covers.
"That makes it fun for us and those who come to check us out," Chimenti said. "We're always up for something different."
Ratdog is thinking about recording an album.
"That's what we'd like to do," Chimenti said. "We have our own building in (California's) Marin County, so we could just go into our studio and focus on Ratdog. After our August run, we can take some time and work on a new album. We'll get together and see where we can take it. We feel ready to record a disc."
Chimenti hopes that Karan can return for the group's recording sessions.
"I would love to see that happen," Chimenti said. "First off, I want to see him healthy. Then when he gets healthy, it would be great to have him back with us. We're out there without our brother. We have a new brother, but the bottom line in Ratdog is that we're family. We all want the best for each other and judging by how the fans are, they want the best for us as well."