Phil and Jill Defend Furthur’s Honor

When asked why John Kadlecik was tapped for the “Jerry” role in Furthur, Phil responded “Bob and I asked John to join the band because after the audition we agreed that this was the man we wanted to play with for the foreseeable future.” A brave forum member asked Jill why she “hates” Kimock and we thought we might get an answer to one of our unanswered questions, but she told the person who asked the question “I would be very happy to sit with you over coffee and tell you why Phil has no desire to play with Steve Kimock.” We’d love to be a fly on the wall at that coffee date.

Phil and Jill were clearly upset by a number of derogatory posts on RatDog.org, going so far as to post “actually, when we read post after post trashing us, it makes us question leaving home for weeks at a time to bring the music to you all. We understand that you are just passing time, but this is our life and it is incredibly hard work. We have often thought it would be easier and more fun to have a small venue close to home and retire from the road.” If the rumored 16-night Furthur run at the Best Buy Theater near Phil’s NYC residence comes to fruition, Phil and Jill might just get their wish.

One of the more interesting parts of the discussion focused on how setlists for Furthur shows are devised…

Hey Tom,

I have been doing setlists for Phil since the beginning of Phil Lesh & Friends. There is not a lot of time when you are on the road, and making a setlist is very time consuming. Sometimes Phil will do them with me and sometimes he would rather eat, sleep or read. He always goes over the list when it is done and sometimes makes changes. As I understand it, in Ratdog Bobby used a really cool computer program to make his lists based on tempo and rotation. You would be surprised at how many bands have other people make up their setlists, because when you crawl into a hotel at 5:00am and have to be at soundcheck at 4:00, there are other things you would rather do. Also, the production team need the setlist early in the day for various reasons. With Furthur [Bob Weir’s manager] Matt [Busch] and I spilt [sic] the duties and Bobby goes over it with Matt as Phil does with me. We are all very happy with the arrangement and we understand that some will be happy with certain a setlist and other not. I can assure you that we put a great deal of time, energy and thought into each and every show.

Jill

Phil also took the opportunity to break the news that his son Brian wrote new lyrics for Welcome to the Dance that Lesh expects Furthur to “break out” soon. Jill responded to a question about GDTS TOO’s allotment of pre-order tickets with “Times have changed and our grandfathered in agreement for 50 % of the house for fan club tickets is no longer honored. There are a few venues where we can still get our allotment, but for the most part our allotment is a small percentage of the house.”

The conversation gave an insight into what makes the Lesh’s tick and it’s crazy to see how they took some of the unkind posts to heart. Furthur has rejected all but a few press requests, so these posts are about the extent of Phil’s on the record comments about his latest band. We love when artists interact with their fans on message boards, but you have to wonder if they should just ignore the haters and do what they think is best on a musical level rather than ask for “face to face” meetings (was that a threat?) with those who disapprove of the current direction.

Head over to RatDog.org to read all 32 posts from Phil and Jill.

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37 Responses

  1. You have to wonder if they should just ignore the haters and do what they think is best on a musical level rather than ask for “face to face” meetings (was that a threat?) with those who disapprove of the current direction.

    Exactly what I thought. You’re artists. Make your art. People are always going to criticize it.

  2. It is a bit crazy to take on the ‘haters’ at their level but I love this kind of off-the-wall, unpredictable, madcap behaviour.

  3. I am on that website almost everyday. The bashing is really horrible and I think most other fan websites keep a tighter leash on the members. Long ago a member from a different fan site referred to ratdog.org as “chaos” and that is what it is.

    I don’t blame Phil for being frustrated. I have seen Furthur 12 times now and it is THE best post-Garcia band these two musicians have formed. Deadheads are always critical, but this was above and beyond what should be acceptable.

  4. I’ve seen Furthur alot and I think they are the best band they have put together saince Jerry passed.

    Deadheads have always been overly critical. I frequent Ratdog.org almost everyday, and I am dismayed at the level of attacks there on not only Phil, but a lot of musicians. I think most other “fan” sites have moderators who keep a better leash on their “fans” than the chaos called Ratdog.org.

    I don’t blame Phil. I saw that post and there have been dozens of response thread, calling him a custie and stupid crap like that. Pretty sad.

  5. ROFLMAO~!

    Wheelman is good people and so are most of us at ratdog.org/ If you don’t know us, i can see where one would surmise our less friendly disposition. Even those that seem to have a stick up their ass are usually attempting to be satirical. lol

    That being said, their are some folks at “.org” that are true haters, or at least seem to be. The rest of us, or at least I, generally ignore them or take their comments on an entertainment level.

    Most of us at .org love the Leshes, Love the Weirs, the Kadleciks, and everyone else involved with the Furthur, GD, RD, P&F, and DSO, etc families! We are not all haters.

    Please come and see us, stay for a while and get to know us. We preshow like there is no tomorrow and I/we would love meet you all!

  6. They have all been sending Secret Service Agents to try and kill me. I’ve been beaten, RAPED and stolen from!
    allof my neghbors had their driveways plowed, last night except mine 🙁 I am snowed in, and Im sick…. my neighbors are my identity theives!
    I know, everybody knows, My only sister passed away 2 years ago, and that other lunatic is still pretending to be me! shes going down !

    0 0

  7. What’s the story w/ Phil’s wife hating Steve Kimock so much? He is an amazing guitar player and it sucks they won’t play with him because she is such a hater. She’s like Yoko Ono or something. It shouldn’t be any of her concern. I’d like to know the real story. That was stupid saying “lets have coffee and discuss it.” Lame.

  8. Wow!!

    Play music and chill out. Still can’t answer questions about Steve Phil? They have to realize that they have hundreds of thousands of fans and this is a select few people “bashing” them. Further is awsome I love it but bitching about making a setlist come on. Some people clean crappers for a living and would love to make setlists. I had the honor to meet Phil and his kids a few years ago and his kids were total brats, spoiled and acted like they owned the world. I spent time “baby sitting” them as the were disrespectful to everyone they came into contact with. I was embarassed to even admit that I like his music bc of how the family acted at the hotel I waas working at. One on one meetings with upset fans to “man UP” I will take a meeting anytime just to tell them how much I love his music. (See unlike his bratty kids I have respect even if I think Phil and Jill are disrespectful). Thank you Phil for all you have done keep playing music and know that even custie fans still love you. He wants to keep positive energy then picks a fight with his fans. I only have one question Phil Can you still have fun??

  9. I’m surprised that folks think the Kimock issue is still “unanswered”. I thought that story was widly known.

    It’s a shame when artists hold grudges, though.

  10. It seems to me that the world once had fans, professional critics, and disinterested parties. All this has been through the blender now. You get so many fans or so-called fans expressing themselves crudely in a written form these days. This is new. Talking through an issue with a fan would be a much different experience for an artist, I suspect. It also appears more disinterested parties are ending up at shows. Expressing a point of view…OK, but some of these authors ought to imagine Phil, Bob, or their kids reading their words…maybe even decades from now and really think about what they are doing. Yes others get this, but unless they were caught molesting kittens and the like, then this is probably an equally bad idea.

  11. Can someone explain to the Lesh’s what a troll is on a board? Phil and Phil alone has created his haters. Hahah this is just too funny Phil maybe you should retire. Oh and please for god sake stop singing. Has your ego got so big that you still think you can sing?? Oh by the way Phil Im just kidding you have the best job in the world and you are worried about trolls on a fan site??? HAHHAHAH

  12. ratdog.org has a lot of people who just like to be argumentative over anything and everything. Many of them don’t give a shit about the music, anyway. Phil, f*** the crybabies. Keep doing what you’re doing. The real fans of this music will still be out there enjoying the long strange trip.

  13. not everyone is so privy to know to phil/kimock/jill story. Please elaborate @ row jimmy. She wouldn’t answer the question. Is it because he rides the pony and phil is straight edge? Did he hit on Phil’s wife? What was so bad that happened that makes it so impossible for them to play together again? please do tell. thanks. -earlman

  14. i say this because the kimock/ratdog shows i saw in 2008 were some of the best post jerry gd stuff i ever saw. Further to me is just a glorified cover band w/o kimock imho. the guy is the real deal. is jill really yoko ono?

  15. This is one of the stupidest thing ever read … cant wait for Bob Rob & Jay in Fla.. 1/3/11 Ratdog or STFU 1 lol

  16. yea The leshs have been flippin us the Bird for years , just remember how the P&Fs show were ~ *STINKY* except for Warren BOO YOU BOTH

  17. The only things that suck more than Rat Dog the band are RatDog fans. Worst show and fans ever. What a disgrace. And yet, these are the same people who complain about “the kids” at other shows and avoid them. I’ll take a young fan learning the ropes and his/her own limits any day over some tired, sloppy, worn out, pathetic loser pushing 60 who can’t even sniff bottle caps anymore without getting stupid. Phil should keep touring and these sorts of “fans” should be staying home.

  18. Well, I took a look and I think Mr. Lesh and His Sweet Wife, Mrs. Jill Lesh were right to question the Bob Wier RatDog website named ratdog.org. One of the men that posts on Mr. Robert Wier’s Comments Page posts Demonic and Satanist Videos. I do believe after hanging out with the Lesh’s and Wier’s for the vast number of years I have, I would have to state this musst be incredibly distrubing to them. If someone did that to me, I would be appalled. I would have to say something too. It would be like a friend bringing the Devil Himself in my house and expecting me to let him sleep in bed with children. Not on my watch buddy- you might as well get out and take that no good shit talking MF’er with you. The Men and Women of The Grateful Dead scene are the Kindest People in the World and would never want to hurt to anyone. But if faced with someone spewing evil at THEIR FANS on the website, they could become irritated enough to call someone out. This Wheelman guy is the Devil’s Bedfellow and is JUNKING up the house with all of his Satanist Bullshit. Looks like the Lesh’s want their kids to be able to hang out over at Bobby website and visa versa with the philzone and with the HUGH CREW of GREAT FOLKS over there but the house needs to be cleaned up a little first before they merge into a new community on a FURTHUR board. Maybe the site Manager ought to get some BALLS because he HOSTS the TRASH as Company. Who knows what ought to happen over there. But one thing forsure, the Lesh’s are some of the Best People in the World! Evil Freaks filled with the Fallen Beast have struck a nerve this time and here we are. I believe they ultimately want people to Come Together and realize that evil just ain’t the way of these Musician’s and it would nice to be RESPECTED for the VALUES they hold dear, Peace and Love. Love and peace for All. It’s always a super evening with the Lesh’s and they have never ever let me down for decades. On somethings you can depend to be good, the Lesh’s are exactly that. I’ll take that to my grave with me when I am gratefully dead. The Big Wheel is turning Phil, Rock ON. Spot on and HEY NOW mr. Scott Bernstien, who the &u%k do think you are posting this picture of the Lesh’s, huh and if they DID give you permission, how would I know.
    A

  19. This type of thing is the exact reason I created spackboard. The hatred and vitrol on the .org makes it difficult for peace loving hetty brothers and sisters to let their light shine brightly…..Ain’t no time to hate people…..

  20. I will do ANYTHING to be a member of GD Phamily! Kick me down some free tickets and hetty passes Philbert!

    I KNOW Jay Lane and Kenny Brooks!

    RATDOG said my NAME from onstage…DURING a song!

    I was there for the STRAWBERRY FIELDS Breakout! I WAS THERE!

  21. Ratdog.org is basically a free-for-all. We can say just about anything. That’s how it should be. Notice that most of the opinions and comments are positive? Just like real life! People have positive outlooks, opinions, and perceptions, and also negative.

    It’s all good. What a boring place it would be to read nothing but praise for the bands, their music, and their members!

    Phil certainly has the right to challenge people; why not?! I would if I were him, too. At least in this day of messageboards and anonymous comments in cyberspace, he is ABLE to do so. I think it’s cool.

    Right on, Phil and Jill. I certainly have a better perception of Jill after she “challenged” their detractors.

    Keep on Truckin’ folks, some of us LOVE the music, and many of us like talking about it on messageboards.

  22. I love the kind, peaceloving Zoners commenting on the Doggies. You should all be ashamed of yourselves. Phil & Jill went to have some fun. Big deal. Everybody has an opinion. Not everyone knows how to respectfully express it. Grow up. All of you.

  23. Love Phil and I am sure Jill is a great wife and partner to him but do we (the fans) really need to know who she is and what she thinks?

  24. When I was interviewing Kimock for Relix. I asked him off the record about that day he was fired before opening for Dylan. It will remain off the record,but is not hard to figure out! I have gotten similar answers from Rob Barrocco ect. With Jill by his side,I can’t wait for the ex-friends of Phil Band. There would be alot of talent for sure! Sit down face to face for coffee ?? If we dare? Phil has not given creditals in years or an interview. I will not hold my breath for coffee!

    1. Funny how kimono quit and left, rather than getting fired. I guess a decade of stewing in his bad decision changes the tune of the story. Find something better to do with your time than disparage people who have brought all of us amazing experiences over the years. Your (as a collective of those who post b.s. things to waste time) negativity is nappropriate. I understands he right to speak freely, but if you don’t like what is happening with the band that you have nothing to do with…don’t go to the show. It’s pretty simple. Keep your butt on the couch and listen to Barton hall 77 or something you enjoy. It’s a waste of a ticket.

  25. P.S The Best post-Jerry band is easily The Other Ones w/Kimock & Bruce! Kimock played around Jerry’s notes thus creating new ones! They were going Furthur! Not trying to sound like the past! I love Phil & enjoy Furthur shows,but they are like watching reruns of your favorite show. They are not breaking new ground or even trying:) GD 4 life

  26. huh, i;ve seen spackboard, lotta fan on fan hete in there, IMO.especially directed toward people who dont even know the person they are ‘dissing’ personally.granted, not so much ignorance directed at artists/musicians, tho. w/ that said, coffee, eh? Ok,i’m game, tho I don’t really care what the differences are between mssrs lesh & kimock, its theor business,not mine.but, hey, if jill;s buying, i’m there, its a free cup of coffee, after all, right?

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