Rhythm Devils (Grateful Dead side project) has released DVD

Certainly one of the more intriguing Grateful Dead offshoot projects is the Rhythm Devils. Led by long-time Dead drummers Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart, the duo enlisted Phish bassist Mike Gordon into their ranks in 2006 (rounding out the line-up are also guitarist Steve Kimock, percussionist Sikiru Adepoju and former Deep Banana Blackout vocalist Jen Durkin), and recently issued their first-ever DVD, 'Concert Experience.'

Directed by Jeff Glixman and Jim Gentile, 'Concert Experience' is a two-DVD set (and 24 page hardcover book) - disc one features concert footage from Chicago, Illinois, and Sayerville, New Jersey recorded in October 2006, featuring all original compositions with lyrics by Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter.

Each song is represented visually with graphics, images, and effects that complement the music - a collection of 'video vignettes,' if you will. Disc two features behind the scenes interviews, soundcheck footage, and excerpts from various live concerts.

Starting in the mid-to-late 1970s, and continuing until the Grateful Dead's last concert in 1995, most Grateful Dead concerts featured an extended segment during the second set of improvisational drumming and percussion by Hart and Kreutzmann who took over the stage as a duo (with occasional guests). This segment was variously known to fans as "Rhythm Devils," "Drums," or conversationally as "The Drums." It was usually followed in post-1979 concerts by another extended improvisation by the rest of the band, usually without the drummers, which was known as "Space."

The "Rhythm Devils" segment of a Grateful Dead concert almost always segued out of a full-band song, and the "Space" segment almost invariably would segue into the beginnings of another full-band song as the drummers resumed their thrones with the rest of the band.

This first run of 'Concert Experience' DVDs comes with a free download card for one credit, and the audio is available on fizzkicks.com/rhythmdevils. Via this link you can stream full audio, and download the track you want. The rest of the album is available for download, as well.

Describing the concert experience as a "72 minute magic carpet ride through time and space," Glixman mixed the performance in 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound at the StarCity Recording Studios in Bethlehem, PA. Now fans will be able to soak up the full 'Concert Experience' of the Rhythm Devils, in the comfort of their own homes.

"It is an experience," says Hart about 'Concert Experience.' "Hopefully it will take you to some kind of a place that will create some kind of good, and you will do some good things with the energy that you would get from being part of that experience. When I look at it, I smile; it makes me feel good and it is uplifting. That is what I would hope you take from it."

Track listing*
"Comes the Dawn"*
"Fountains of Wood"*
"The Center"*
"7 Seconds"*
"Your House"*
"Arabian Wind"*
"See You Again"*
"Next Dimension"

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:
www.rhythmdevils.net
www.starcityrecording.com