Dead and Company Celebrate Jerry’s Birthday as Oteil Burbridge Unveils Dire Wolf Bass

Dead and Company rolled back into San Francisco on August 1 and set Golden Gate Park on fire. It was the first of three shows and also Jerry Garcia’s birthday, so you already knew it was going to be special. But Oteil Burbridge took it a step further, debuting his brand new Dire Wolf bass and laying down some of the nastiest grooves of the night.

The band opened with “Feel Like a Stranger” and never let up. Oteil’s new bass looked amazing with custom inlays and a finish that nodded to Jerry’s classic guitar vibe. By the time they hit “Eyes of the World” and “Terrapin Station” in the second set, it was clear the Dire Wolf wasn’t just for show. Oteil was locked in and pushing deep.

It wasn’t just a concert. It was a full-on love letter to Jerry, to San Francisco, and to the music that refuses to fade.