On The Bus Brings DC’s Deadhead Community Together for Halloween Bash at Bethesda Boards
Words by Dan Rozman
Photos by Mark Raker
On The Bus, a premier local Grateful Dead tribute band, rocked The Alley at Bethesda Boards recently with a special Halloween show. The timing was particularly meaningful, as it came just one day after former Grateful Dead bass player Phil Lesh passed away at age 84. The skateboard shop turned music venue was full of fans in costumes, with many showing off their Dead-inspired outfits in the costume contest. The BYO format allowed people to bring drinks and snacks, which added to the night’s fun, relaxed vibe.
At Bethesda Boards on Oct. 26, the regular On The Bus crew is Amy Wilson (vocals), Phil Zubaly (guitar and vocals), Marty Pell (keyboards), Lance Kelley (bass), and Kirk “Chief” Kubicek (drums) — and they welcomed some special guests for this Halloween party. Patrick Higgins, who had just finished the Furthermore tour, stepped in for Zubaly on guitar and vocals. Local musician David Bernhardt, known for his work with Collective Disturbance, Wharf Rats, and others, filled in for Kelley on bass. Aaron Gibian teamed up with Chief on drums to create an awesome “rhythm devils” setup that gave the music extra punch.
The band started things off with “Here Comes Sunshine” and played tons of Dead favorites through both sets. The first set highlights included “Sugaree” and an amazing “Bird Song.” The second set got really wild, opening with “Mississippi Half-Step” and taking everyone on a ride through “Terrapin” and “Playing in the Band.” They picked the perfect Halloween encore: “Werewolves of London.”
Stream songs by The Grateful Dead on Spotify:
The show happened at what will be The Alley, a part of Bethesda Boards. The shop has been run by skateboarders since 2012, and they’re trying to turn The Alley into a real dive bar music venue, and pub. The owner, Kaare Wieneke, has set up a GoFundMe to raise $35,000 for things like ADA-compliant bathrooms and electrical work. They’ve already raised more than $4,000.
On The Bus has been playing Dead music around DC since 2002 and has performed with some big names in the scene, including John Kadlecik and former Dead members Tom Constanten and Vince Welnick. They also help support the Rex Foundation, the Dead’s charity organization, by donating some of their ticket money from certain shows.
The whole night felt like one big family reunion, with everyone there to celebrate the music they love and honor Phil Lesh’s musical and humanitarian legacy. His dedication to promoting organ donation helped save countless lives, carrying forward the spirit of giving that defined the Dead community. In a fitting closing testament, Phil would give his “Donor Rap” during his shows, urging fans to become donors. He often said, ”I’m only alive today because a man named Cody decided to be an organ donor.” The concert was a great way to remember Phil Lesh, hang out with the local Grateful Dead community, and show why so many people are still “On The Bus” after all these years.
Certain aspects of the research and/or drafting for this piece may have had AI assistance.
Setlist provided by the band:
Set 1 – Here Comes Sunshine, Beat It On Down The Line, Sugaree, Cassidy, Dupree’s Diamond Blues, Desolation Row, Ramble On Rose, It’s All Over Now, Bird Song, Let It Grow
Set 2 – Mississippi Half-Step, Big Boss Man, Sugar Magnolia> Terrapin> Playing In The Band> Drums> Space> All Along the Watchtower, Black Peter> Good Lovin’> Sunshine Daydream; E: Werewolves of London
Here are some photos of On The Bus performing at Bethesda Boards on Oct. 26, 2024. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Mark Raker.
