Bearly Dead

A high energy, non-stop dance party featuring world-class musicians & the music of the Grateful Dead, Phish, Tom Petty, and more!

Not just another Grateful Dead cover band. A cosmic exploration of the Grateful Dead catalog. Bearly Dead, Boston-based quintet, performs a concert-style show that celebrates the journey of the Grateful Dead from their earliest records until their final tours. The band delivers a full-spectrum concert experience filled with danceable energy and world-class musicianship. Each and every Grateful Dead member is honored through a collection of classics, b-sides, deep cuts, and jams. Holding true to the spirit of the music, Bearly Dead frequently adds to their 250+ song catalog and continues to showcase authentic, spontaneous improvisation – live and in-person – making each show a wildly unique Grateful Dead experience you do not want to miss.

Bearly Dead performed their first show at Church of Boston, in 2015, marking the beginning of the band’s revered Wednesday Night Residency. Over the next 5 years, the phrase “Never Miss A Wednesday Show” became ubiquitous around Boston. Audiences really never knew what might happen, the band never knew what might happen! Bearly Dead shows have featured notable appearances by Mike Campbell (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers), Paul Wolstencroft (Slightly Stoopid), Steve Molitz (Particle/Phil Lesh & Friends), Kebbi Williams (Tedeschi Trucks Band), Rob Compa (Dopapod), Hayley Jane (Hayley Jane & The Primates), Richard James (Neighbor), and Johnny Trama (Dub Apocalypse) — and even a surprise appearance by Jerry Garcia’s “Wolf” guitar in 2018 on Jerry Garcia’s birthday!

In 2020, Bearly Dead began performing at other prestigious Massachusetts venues, including headline shows at Paradise Rock Club, Sinclair, Worcester Palladium, MGM Music Hall Fenway, and House of Blues Boston. After becoming a staple in the Northeast US festival community with multiple appearances at Camp Creek, Jerry Jam, Strangecreek, Wormtown, and many more, it was only a matter of time before Bearly Dead shows were being requested in all corners of the country. In October 2022, the band saddled up a new van and began touring nationally, performing their interpretation of the catalog across the United States and growing the Bearly Dead Family all along the way.

Bearly Dead is Tyler Brooks (Drums, Vocals), Dave Becker (Bass, Vocals), Nick Swift (Guitar, Vocals), Kris Yunker (Keys/Organ), and Michael Butler (Vocals/Percussion).

Management & Marketing

1. PARTY & PARKING
Bearly Dead typically travels as a party of 5 total (5 artists, 1 of which is TM). You will be notified during the advance if there are changes to the party total. PURCHASER or Venue to please provide parking for the following:
(1) Van: Chevy Express/Explorer w/ Trailer
Length of van w/ trailer: 35’
Length of van without trailer: 21’
Height/Clearance: 9’

2. SECURITY/CREDENTIALS
We will need house credentials/passes. Artist is not currently on laminates. Thank you for making sure the artist, crew, venue staff, and fans remain safe.

4. PRODUCTION
SOUND CHECKS & SCHEDULE
ARTIST greatly appreciates 2 hours+ total from the time of arrival to completion of Soundcheck, with access to full stage and venue production/amenities. The stage should be cleared and all house production available for ARTIST use prior to ARTIST load-in. ARTIST sound check time of one (1) hour should be completed no less than one (1) hour prior to Doors. Soundchecks should be closed environments and Venue should ensure that spaces are clear of all persons except those directly involved with the production of the event.

Our most common schedule looks something like this:
230p Venue Access
3 - 5p Load-in
5 - 6p Bearly Dead Check
7p DOORS
830 - 915p Bearly Dead - 1/2 (75min.)
915 - 945p *set break* (30min.)
(phone number hidden)p Bearly Dead - 2/2 (75min. + 10min. encore)
1110p - 1230a Load out

STAGING
A minimum of 12’ deep stage is required; please clear the stage of all risers. No risers used.

AUDIO
ARTIST requires at least (1) rested, alert, and qualified audio technician to be present and assist, guide, mix, and troubleshoot from the time of crew arrival/load-in to end of show. We do not carry any audio systems, consoles, or technicians. We carry a handful of mics+clips as denoted on the input list+stage plot but otherwise require all house audio. Audio should be full range and able to reach levels of 108dBA / 115dBC at 50’ from the downstage edge.

LIGHTING
ARTIST requires (1) rested, alert, and qualified lighting technician to be present and run our show. We do not carry any lighting fixtures or consoles, etc. All lighting must be supplied by the buyer/promoter/venue.

Lighting notes:
Please focus DS trusses and provide specials for each member of the band so that they can be lit during solo’s
Please utilize a warm/CTO/orange front light during the majority of the set so that the band members can be seen in photo and video
We enjoy the following color combinations:
Blues + Whites
Purple + Blues + Whites
Reds + Whites
Rainbow chases
CTO / Warm white alone
HAZE
Please utilize haze; we prefer hazer to be center stage when possible. Water-based preferred.

BACKDROP + SOFT GOODS + VIDEO & SFX
No backdrop or soft goods. No video requirements. Please communicate with Tour Manager (in advance) regarding the use of any in-house lasers, cryo, geysers, or other special FX.

5. DRESSING ROOMS/GREEN ROOMS
*Venue access ~30 min. prior to load-in is very helpful. Please have someone available for access/walkthrough at this time, if possible. We appreciate a dressing/green room for Bearly Dead and if there are remaining rooms Tour Manager will work with you on determining use.

All dressing rooms/green rooms should have:
- High-speed WiFi availability and access with name/password posted
- Functional 120V AC Power outlets
- Functional and appropriate heating/air conditioning
- Adequate lighting
(1) 6’ or 8’ folding table or equivalent
(6) Folding/sitting chairs/couch equivalent
(1) Empty trash can/bin
(1) Fully functional refrigerator and freezer OR (1) cooler full of ice
(8) stage towels, black *towels should be pre-laundered (not brand new) due to excess fuzz.

We greatly appreciate (but do not require) the following items:
(1) Shower with functioning hot, and cold, water
(1) Hot water boiler for tea/coffee
(1) Coffee maker w/ local coffee
(1) Steamer and/or clothing iron w/ ironing board
(8) shower/bath towels if shower is available

If any dressing rooms/green rooms or spaces are OUTDOORS please help maintain the ambient room/tent temperature between 64 and 74 degrees Fahrenheit (17.5C - 23.5C) using HVAC (heating & cooling systems) or equivalent. Box or industrial fans, unfortunately, are typically not adequate.

6. HOSPITALITY
ARTIST kindly requests a small dressing/green room list to be shopped and provided for ARTIST and crew. Please see below:

Bearly Dead - Dressing Room/Green Room Shop
(1) Case of bottled spring water, room temp
(1) Case of bottled spring water, refrigerated/iced
(1) 6-pack of IPA beer - New England IPA, Hazy preferred
(1) Bag of Vegan Potato Chips and/or Pita chips
(1) Bunch of bananas (organic, when possible)
(1) Veggie platter (organic when possible)

When meals are NOT available:
We greatly appreciate meal “buy-outs” no less than $20/per touring personnel to be given to the ARTIST’S Tour Manager so that the band and crew can eat a meal.

If meals are provided, please provide non-fried, hot meals according to the following restrictions:
(1) VEGAN - Tyler Brooks
(1) NO CHEESE - Michael Butz
(3) No restrictions
*Please alert Tour Manager immediately if dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated.