Riding That Train

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Heads All Empty

New Dead band Heads all Empty Rockin’ the Boat

Dead-headers rejoice. There’s a new Dead cover band in town, playing their tunes on a harp unstrung. Comprised of longtime local musicians making all of our cups full, the band features JR Adams and John Gibbs on guitar, Jeff Goodhand on bass, John Miller on the keyboard and Pat Waters and Gabe Hedstrom on percussion. 

With a year under their belts, they’re nailing it, complete with the trademark two drummers with Waters and Gabe Hedstrom. ‘It’s the first band I’ve ever played with that has two drummers, which is a lot of fun,” says Waters. “We’re learning how to play with each over, instead of over each other. It’s an exercise in restraint most of the time. “

Heads All Empty

Waters also appreciates the singing the members bring to the stage. “We have a bunch of strong singers in the band,” he says. “The harmonies are super fun.”

Not to be confused with a similar Heads all Empty Dead cover band from Wisconsin, this one is Steamboat-based through and through, with their members tallying over a hundred collective years of living and playing music in town, with Gibbs moving here in 1990, Waters and Adams longtime members of the local music scene and Goodhand, Miller and Hedstrom also local faves. While the group is still evolving and learning new songs, often practicing in Gibbs’ basement, it has a dialed in song list including such tie-dye shirt favorites as Fire on the Mountain, Uncle John’s Band, Sugar Magnolia, and the obligatory Scarlet Begonias. Look for them this summer everywhere from sunset happy hours to SnowBowl Aug. 21 and Oak Creek’s Lupita’s on Aug. 25. They’re also regulars at such intimate venues as Schmiggity’s, The Press and Old Town Pub, with more shows expected to be announced soon.