WOLF BROS,
Don Was blends in with Weir’s band Wolf Bros
Don Was arrived in San Francisco ready to give Wolf Bros an enthusiastic try. Band leader Bob Weir had given Was six songs to learn on bass, and Was spent hours absorbing the chord changes and unique grooves. The first song Weir called out to jam on, “Even So,” wasn’t on the list of six. “But, even not being prepared, after a minute and a half of playing with Bob and (drummer) Jay (Lane), I knew this was going to work,” Was said. “Jay and I just fell into this thing together that felt so right.” Bob Weir and Wolf Bros, who will be at the Wang Theatre on Thursday and Friday, strip away the immensity of Dead & Company, Weir’s current project with a few of his old Grateful Dead bandmates. As a trio, the band presents half the number of musicians on stage and plays to audiences a quarter of the size. “It’s an intimate night with Bobby, and I think that’s what people are connecting to,” Was said. “Hearing him like this is something that people haven’t heard. … I have been both impressed and mystified to hear him unadorned and think he’s the most underrated guitar player I know. And the vocals, man, he’s an incredible singer.” Before you assume Was is just playing lip service to his new boss, you should know Was’ dance card was full long before he got the Wolf Bros’ offer. He is in the middle of producing the new Rolling Stones record (he’s worked on every Stones record since 1994’s “Voodoo Lounge”) and is the head of the famed jazz label Blue Note. Between these big gigs, he’s found time to produce or perform on records from Brian Wilson, Gregg Allman, Van Morrison and a dozen more. “I did this because I knew it would be a challenge, and it’s been the most challenging musical experience of my life,” Was said. “The songs are really complex, deceptively so, like a Brian Wilson song. There will be a song in 10/4, but not every bar is in 10/4. It’s a thrill.” While Was and Weir have plenty to keep them occupied, both want this collaboration to last. “In my view, this band is kinda unique in that we go for the bare essence of the songs,” Weir said. “I can’t wait to get writing with this outfit.” Was is a legend in the broader music community — he strung together a series of minor hits in the ’80s with his band Was (Not Was), then struck gold as a producer, starting with Bonnie Raitt’s “Nick of Time” and its three Grammys. But he’s an unknown in the world of Deadheads. This made him a little nervous. He’s been happy to see just how thrilled the fans have been. “I’ll be very honest with you: My greatest fear was that I don’t play anything like (Dead bassist) Phil Lesh,” he said. “I think he’s a genius, but I come from a different point of view. But the reaction from the crowds has been overwhelming. It’s been very emotional, actually beyond emotional, it’s deeply moving to see how everybody loves Bobby and loves these songs. A couple nights we did ‘Ripple’ as the encore, and you see people close their eyes, they’re having a spiritual experience. My eyes will just well up with tears, it’s beautiful.”