Ratdog revs up for a February return to the road

Only a week after winding up its almost 70-date touring year, Bob Weir's Ratdog has announced a new series of dates that extends from early February into March.

A dozen dates have been confirmed, with more to follow. Among the additional shows that the band plans to book is a make-up date for Grand Rapids, Mich. That show was postponed on Oct. 9 so that Weir could be on hand for the birth of his daughter. Make-up dates for two postponed Chicago shows are now set for Feb. 23 and 24.

Weir again will have bassist Rob Wasserman, drummer Jay Lane, keyboardist Jeff Chimenti, guitarist Mark Karen, and saxophonist Kenny Brooks on board, as well as recent recruit D.J. Logic.

While Weir takes time off in January to devote himself to working on his award-winning line of cooking sauces--Snake Oil Stir Fry and Otherworld Wok Sauce--Jeff Chimenti, Jay Lane and Kenny Brooks will continue their regularly scheduled appearances with hip-hop jazz fusionists Alphabet Soup every Tuesday throughout the remainder of January at San Francisco's Justice League.

In other Grateful Dead-related news, Phil Lesh has plans to return to the road with another incarnation of Phil Lesh & Friends in the spring, but there are not any confirmed dates as of yet.