Over the Riot Fest Denver 2015 weekend I had the opportunity to meet with cult mystery and alien overlords GWAR. A 30 year touring satirical metal band famous for depraved costumes, wild onstage performance art and gallons of fake blood sprayed from severed heads, babies asses and slayed celebrity puppets. In full costume and character for this interview I kept it brief and as loose as possible.

Grateful Web was humbled and honored to have an extended conversation with jazz-fusion guitarist and bandleader John McLaughlin. He began recording and composing groundbreaking music in the 1960s before joining forces with Miles Davis on his landmark albums “In A Silent Way” and “Bitches Brew”. His band Mahavishnu Orchestra was the fundamental jazz-fusion originator. His illustrious career since has been continually remarkable.

Many thoughts come to mind when one hears the phrase ‘Elephant Revival.’ For some, it’s a completely abstract concept. For others, the name rings true – although the many truths Elephant Revival listeners happen upon through their music are many, there’s a connection we all feel written within each song Elephant Revival brings to the stage.

One of the finest tribute projects honoring the work of Grateful Dead is the instrumental ensemble of Jazz is Dead. Formed in the late 1990s after the passing of Dead guitarist and bandleader Jerry Garcia, Jazz is Dead featured the best cats out there including drummer Billy Cobham and the late keyboardist T. Lavitz. As the project evolved other tremendously talented players entered the picture to continue this strikingly singular idea.

Before his appearance at the 2015 ARISE Music Festival, Mike Love graces his fans packed outdoors in a modest, standing patio venue in historic district of Denver.  His latest record Love Will Find A Way will be released September 1, 2015 along with additional shows and festival dates across the US during September of 2015.  Grateful Web sits with Mike Love to discuss his new album and his revolutionary music that is the focus of his rise. 

A live act virtuoso and seemingly always sparked by his curiosity and musical adventurism, Marco Benevento, is developing another instrument – his voice, which is featured in his 5^th and latest record Swift.  Just coming off his performance and celebration at the Gathering of the Vibes 20^th anniversary, Marco graciously talks to Grateful Web in the late hours, just after midnight.  Marco talks vocals, piano, Swift…goats, royal potato & Bob Dylan.

Multi-instrumentalist Michael Travis is no stranger to taking music to new places. As one of the core founders of The String Cheese Incident, Michael and the gang have morphed from a primarily bluegrass-based ensemble to an ever-shifting, genre-bending circus of sound that continues to grow. Additionally, his electronic group EOTO (w/ Jason Hann), which began as a liquid downtempo duo, has grown into a force to be reckoned with in the electronic realm.

In and around Denver, swiftly permeating the Denver music scene and festivals is Greener Grounds.  If you have not heard of this young, instrumental group, you will soon -- Greener Grounds is featured as the “Top 5 ARISE Festival Colorado Bands” in The Untz.  Whether you are into jam, rock, trance, funk, dance, electronica, jam-tronica, psychedelic…the fusion of the previous, it doesn’t matter.  Check Greener Grounds’ recent EP release, Photosynthesis.  Grateful Web had a chance to talk to several

Front Country plays Bay Area Bluegrass, a cross-genre jaunt spanning indie, folk, Americana and traditional bluegrass. Their sound is accessible for everyone. Front Country is Adam Roszkiewicz (MANDOLIN), Jacob Groopman (GUITAR, VOCALS), Melody Walker (VOCALS, GUITAR), Jordan Klein (BANJO, VOCALS), Leif Karlstrom (Violin), and Zach Sharpe (BASS).

In the midst of the “Fare Thee Well:  Celebrating 50 Years of Grateful Dead”, Grateful Web talks to Roger McNamee of Moonalice.  McNamee shares candidly Moonalice music, technology, their philosophy and vehement choice to live and play by their own credo -- perhaps similar to that of the Grateful Dead – to thrive – and have fun -- in today’s music industry. 

GW:  Hello Roger.  Where are you at?