Day of the Deadbeats: Celebrating 30 years of Playing Dead in Albany, NY

The Deadbeats have been playing for 30 years, following in the footsteps of the Grateful Dead. There are so many tribute bands out there. The Deadbeats put their own spin on things, which sets them apart from the average Dead Cover Band. Based out of NY’s Capital Region, The Deadbeats have played thousands of shows along the East Coast, from Maine to Key West. Mike Johnson and Denise Parent have been playing with The Deadbeats since it all got started, back in the early 90’s.

Over the years they’ve added players who help keep the band fresh and full of good vibes. Longtime friends and fellow musicians Brian Mangini (Ominous Seapods, Raisinhead) and Dan Gerken (Groovestick, Timbre Coup) officially joined in 2019 to add some incredible rhythm and color to the band’s tapestry of sound. Just recently they brought back former bass player, Sean Sullivan. Sean originally joined the band in 1995, and has played with the band for many years, on and off. This all helped make this five piece a very powerful force!

In 2022 they won the Listen Up Award in NY’s Capital Region for Favorite Grateful Dead Band. That is a huge honor considering there are 13 other GD cover bands in Albany. In 2021 AND 2020 they ranked in the Top Four Favorite Bands in the Hudson Valley’s Chronogrammies! Saratoga Living Magazine ranked them in the Top Five Local Tribute acts of 2019. They were voted Best Jam Band of 2017 in The Capital Region of NY, and they took second place for Best Cover Band and Best Tribute Band. Those are the more recent awards, and they have been winning awards for decades.

After 30 years, the band is still rockin’ the music of The Grateful Dead, JGB, Phish, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Band, Bob Marley, Janis Joplin and so much more. They also play a few of their original songs, which have very become popular with their fans. Currently The Deadbeats play regularly in venues all around NY’s Hudson Valley and Capital Region. As a result of playing thirty years together, they have amassed a large and loyal following of fans who appreciate the open ended, participatory nature of their performances. They are known for crafting their shows around songs their fans have requested. Every set of music is created in the moment, with the help of their fans and without a set list. The Deadbeats have never played the same set twice, due to an inexhaustible musical repertoire, and they are always adding more songs to their impressive catalog of songs. Keep tabs on Facebook and Instagram and their website www.deadbeatsny.com and mark your calendars to come check out a show soon!

Denise Parent - drums and vox

Mike Johnson – guitar and vox

Brian Mangini - keyboards

Dan Gerken – guitar and vox

Sean Sullivan – bass guitar

Host or Publisher Lark Hall Albany