Photos: Dames of the Dead brought a “Touch of Grey” to Lucia on Friday

Dames of the Dead // Photo by Allison Scavo

Dames of the Dead (plus a Lass) w/ Tracer Heights
Lucia
Friday, August 23

The second of their kind, all-woman Grateful Dead tribute band Dames of the Dead hosted a beautiful evening centered around community, kindness, and music at Lucia on last Friday, Aug. 23. From scheduling the event itself to vendors and everything in between, Dames of the Dead support artists while performing their own art. Their three-set show was accompanied by drummer Josh Pohl of Tracer Heights, making it a seven-person show. Their lively and animated presence made for an encaptivated night. I can’t recommend this historical band in the making enough.

Tracer Heights // Photo by Allison Scavo

Tracer Heights set the groovy tone for the night that fused the jam band aesthetics similar to that of Talking Heads mixed with Phish, creating their own psychedelic sound. The Kansas City-based trio introduced a new member tonight on keys who leaned heavily into the improvisation.

Together, the band flowed through a seamless mix of originals and two Phish covers. Early in the set, just when I thought their sound began to seem Phishy, they launched into “Bathtub Gin,” sending people soaring in from beloved Shakedown. Their original song, “The Storm,” was my personal favorite. It started as a funky, groove but evolved into a bluegrass breakdown.

The band’s ability to shift effortlessly between genres without losing their musical identity is a testament to their talent. That talent went so hard that one of their pedals gave out during the performance, yet barely slowed them down. Tracer Heights is equal parts floaty and fierce, I would not pass up the opportunity to see them.

All photos by Allison Scavo:

Dames of the Dead

Dames of the Dead setlist
Set 1
Jack Straw > Deep Elem > After Midnight > Goin Down The Road > Franklin’s Tower
Hey Pocky Way > Golden Road > I Know You Rider New Minglewood > They Love Each Other > Bertha
Man Smart, Woman Smarter > Bobby McGee

Set 2
Casey Jones > Half-Step > Dark Star > Lucy In The Sky > Dear Mr. Fantasy
Touch of Grey > Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain

Set 3
Truckin’ > Eyes of the World > Lola > New Speedway
Mission In The Rain > White Rabbit
Ramble On Rose Come Together > Low > Brick In The Wall > Shakedown the House Mash

Tracer Heights