Dead to Rock the 'Naugs

Just a week after confirming their first tour in five years, the reunited Dead are booked to rock the Mid-Atlantic Inaugural Ball in Washington, DC on January 20.

"Barack Obama picked us specifically," says drummer Mickey Hart, "so it was quite an honor. There was a short list and we made the cut."

As for the most important question — can the band jam-out at the ball? — Hart is dubious: "It’s pretty tight, about an hour set. When you play these kinds of things you say, 'How can I be of service?' The entertainment committee makes it so that it fits into their huge schedule."

Another pitfall of political rocking: a background check. "It gave me pause when I had to get a security clearance to play a gig!" Hart says.

So did they get past the security scan? "Oh, yeah, we don’t look so bad on paper. It’s not as bad as you might think."

RS

DEAD Tour Dates