Steely Dead once again rejuvenates Deadheads across San Luis Obispo
Every so often, the hippies of the Central Coast crawl out of their Los Osos communes, dust off their 1980s Vanagons and gather in psychedelically-enhanced elation for whichever Grateful Dead tribute band happens to be in town.
On May 15, that band was Steely Dead — an ensemble from Denver, Colorado that crafts “a sonic fusion of Steely Dan and Grateful Dead,” as per their official website. Through the marriage of these two musical legends, Steely Dead takes on a unique identity that attracts an equally unique audience.
This show marked Steely Dead’s fourth visit to SLO Brew Rock, the most recent being seven months ago. Helmed by brothers Dave and Matt Abear, the group emerged in 2019 and has been regularly touring across the nation ever since. The size of the crowd outside of the venue was evidence of the loyal following they’ve gathered within the Central Coast.
Smoke lingered in the air as the audience filed into the venue that Friday night, a colorful mixture of college kids wearing flowy skirts, middle-aged parents with a craft beer in one hand and a toddler in the other and older white-haired deadheads clad in faded band tees and tie-dye.
As Steely Dead took the stage with an electrifying cover of Grateful Dead’s “Jack Straw,” it became clear that the generational amalgam of the audience was reflected in the band itself.
Frontman and guitarist Dave Abear, bespectacled and bearded, could easily pass as a reincarnated Jerry Garcia. Meanwhile, babyfaced keyboardist Dylan Teifer kept things fresh with a balance of youthful play and earnest reverence for the source material.
Knowing looks, smiles and nods between bandmates channeled the improvisational, free-flowing spirit of the Dead, under which drummer Chris Sheldon laid down a steady heartbeat.
The audience, old and young, began to dance.
With precise timing and airy harmonies, the band’s jamming gradually bled into a cover of “Chain Lightning,” bringing forward the breezy edge of Steely Dan to balance out the bluesy soul of Grateful Dead.
Steely Dead ripped through their first set, blending wailing guitar, growling bass, tight drumlines and keys that bounced between the sounds of a honky-tonk organ and a buzzing synth. Instrumental jams and solos floated into angelic harmonies as the band rotated between Dead tracks and Steely Dan hits.
At one point, it was revealed to be Sheldon’s birthday. The crowd took their turn at performing, serenading the drummer with a heartwarming birthday song.
Smiling through a grooving rendition of “Mr. Charlie” by Grateful Dead, the band closed out their first set of the night. Bassist Matt Abear sang for the first time of the night, revealing a smooth voice that delightfully clashed with his grizzly appearance.
The brief pause between sets allowed the audience to grab a drink and run a quick round of hacky sack outside before the band reemerged for their second act. This break is an essential aspect of jam band culture. Pioneered by the Grateful Dead, the two-set structure gives the band time to rest and the audience an opportunity to socialize, use the bathroom and visit the merch booth without missing a second of the music.
Backlit by rainbow lights, Steely Dead launched into the second set with a sharp edge, drifting between classic chart-toppers and rocking jams, occasionally falling into a musical cacophony that sounded like a carefully calculated stumble down a long staircase.
At the bottom of one of these melodic staircases, the band dove head-first into a joyous rendition of Steely Dan’s “Reelin’ in the Years.” Staying true to the flow of the Dead, they morphed rambling instrumental breaks back into Steely Dan’s iconic guitar hook.
Though paying tribute to two beloved bands, Steely Dead is nowhere near derivative. Between the free-spirited fun of Grateful Dead and the precision of Steely Dan, the group finds comfort in the act of combining. The music belongs to no single influence, age, style, or fanbase.
To my right, an old woman twirled in a flowing dress. To my left, a group of my friends held hands and danced in a circle, joined by a jovial bald man with a grin on his face. Steely Dead’s grip on the music stayed tight and unrelenting, allowing the audience to relax, loosen up, and dance.
In the harmonious cross-section of their musical predecessors, Steely Dead gives life to a sonic experience that is authentic, full of heart, and wholly unique.
The show came to an end with Grateful Dead’s “Tennessee Jed,” followed by a psychedelic version of Steely Dan’s “Dirty Work” as the encore.
And just like that, Steely Dead’s triumphant return to SLO Brew was over.
Steely Dead’s Spring Run 2026 tour circles back to California for a final show in Menlo Park this October, but something tells me this will not be the band’s last dance with their San Luis Obispo fans.
