Looks like the idea of a touring Weir/Wilson electric band came first. I just saw this interesting bit from a recent Jonathan Wilson interview:

"Bob and I are going to do some touring also. One of the things that I want to do is do some gigs with my band, but with Bob at the helm. That’s what we did at the benefit show. It would be so exciting to take that to some other towns [in the USA] and countries. Bob is the best, man. It’s tough to describe the guy, but [he’s] the most built-in, the most evolved guy that I know. He’s just a great guy, a tremendous singer and great guitar player. Just to get in there and collaborate with his groove is an honor, just a tremendous experience. Definitely to share a stage [with him] is a dream come true."

www.jambands.com/features/2013/02/14/jon...oving-ever-brightly/

That's probably where the idea to "reassemble RatDog" came from, and it would explain why Karan isn't in the band: the personnel choices probably came first, and then the band name.

Gordon the Drummer wrote:

Since Mark has played with Phil way more than with Bob in the last year I thought perhaps there was a falling out but I like your explanation better.

Well Primus just announced their tour schedule and so far it is pretty bare. That means Jayski has got some extra time to spend with ratdog.

So. . .

"Rumor of Ratdog Allmans tour

3 weeks following [or leading up to] Peach Festival"

www.ratdog.org/community/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=306842

Any truth to that?

It does make perfect sense for Bobby to have another electric band to tour with now, considering that Furthur seems to be cutting back to two-city runs and Bay area gigs.

Also, at the RatDog.org forums "Salamander" posted:

ABB + RatDog
Red Rocks
Summer 2013

We'll see.....

RD /ABB Tour....as well...

All For Now

www.ratdog.org/community/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=307586

Thanks to MushroomMan for directing my attention to this

Even though I like both bands a lot, I don't think it made for a good tour in the past. There's too much conflict between the sit down Allmans' crowd and the stand up and dance Ratdog/Furthur/Dead folks.

Two very different crowds, it's true.

^^^ I agree. I did feel a little tension between the 2 crowds. AAB haven't been here in awhile so I'm sure it would be a zoo at RR.

Denver Man wrote:


Hmmm, guess I am odd man out here. I went to the RD/ABB show at RR '08 and thoroughly enjoyed the show. Both bands played excellent sets, and I didn't feel any tension. And, quite frankly, I enjoyed the opportunity to just sit back, listen to Gregg and the boys weave through the songs and just veg. YMMV