I like the Grateful Dead but it took me some time to get into them. I'm not a die hard fan or anything but I can see why people are put off by the whole scene. Going to a show without knowing of the band or spending time listening to their music would confuse most people. All the stoners, trippers, cappers, speeders, and spinners only add to the whole "what the %$#@$!!!!!" I'm sure a hit of acid would explain everything. Maybe not.

Anyways, the Grateful Dead had plenty of bad shows in the 80s and 90s. And their bad show can be REALLY bad. They've only been doing it for 28 years or so. Look at the Rolling Stones! Sorry, I like them also.

Phish, one of the many shootoffs from GD, is definitely much stranger and more harder to disect. They have a few good songs, but are a bit too whimsical for me. Awful vocals. I just like their jamming. DO NOT go to their show unless partaking in mind altering substances.

One thing common to this type of music is that their studio albums are only an introduction to their band. Then you go see them, jam out, and have fun. It becomes a subculture where everyone seems to know what's going on, and an outsider is either turned on or turned off. Sort of like the rave scene and ecstacy. Follow the herd and spend all your money to belong, because no one likes an individual.

Kent--I have some good GD if you want to borrow them. They aren't as bad as you think.