The Fall Risk
Jeff Pehrson, Matt Twain, Mark Abbott, Sammy Johnston,
Phil Savell, Jeff Ballard, Eddie Berljafa, Rich Goldstien
with guest Phil Lesh,
The Grate Room, Terrapin Crossroads
San Rafael, California
June 23, 2012
1st set:
Dear Mr. Fantasy*
All Along the Watchtower*
Squeezebox*
Cry Baby Cry
Hollow
If Love Is the Answer
Le Claire
HBWA
*with Phil Lesh on bass
2nd set:
Ode
Cross My Heart
Wendy
Catfish John
Deep Elem Blues
Friend of the Devil
Back To You
Lemonade
Jessie
Encore:
Back In Amsterdam
Jeff Pehrson (guitar, vocals),
Matt Twain (keys, vocals),
Mark Abbott (drums),
Sammy Johnston (organ, accordian, pedal steel),
Eddie Berljafa (bass),
Jeff Ballard (harmonicas, percussion)
Rich Goldstein (guitars, slide guitar)
Phil Savell (guitars)
Jeff Pehrson likes keeping busy when he not on tour with Furthur.
He has sat in several times with various combinations of Phil Lesh and Friends playing at Phil’s Terrapin Crossroads in the last few months. And he has sat in with Mark Karan at his one of the “Wednesday Night Live” shows a the Sweetwater Music Hall. additionally he has another couple bands of his own: Box Set and The Fall Risk. Jeff played a sold out show with The Fall Risk at The Sweetwater a few weeks ago, then went to Portland, OR to do a 7 night run with Box Set Duo…
Box Set has been around over 20 years, and while they used to tour a lot as a full band, nowadays Jeff and his musical partner Jim Brunberg, perform “reunion” shows as Box Set Duo on an occasional basis. In January of 2012 they performed 2 sold out shows in San Francisco – their loyal fans grabbed up all the $75 tickets fast! the shows were the first in several years, but it was as if no time had passed, as they spent their time on stage cracking jokes and reminiscing. Oh and they played a few songs too! When Jim suggested they do a song from Jeff’s “other band” Jeff said: “You want to do a Fall Risk song?” – though Jim meant Furthur, and then started playing “Uncle John’s Band”.
The Fall Risk is such a rocking great band, no wonder that is what Jeff thought! This is his current band, what he was doing right before he started up with Furthur back in Spring of 2010, and what he does most of the time when not touring with Furthur. They play some ass kicking folk rock with a psychedelic twist.
Their show last month at the Sweetwater was amazing! The house was SOLD out and the band rocked an incredible first set. Guitar player Phil Savell shredded heads (in a good way) and Jeff’s songs and ballads moved the crowd to dance until they were all dripping with sweat.
The Fall Risk – Sweetwater – Playlist
After set break, they brought out a special guest, Stu Allen, of Mars Hotel and JGB Band, and then surprised the crowd with a set of mostly Dead songs, or songs the Dead themselves covered. But rather than paying them like any Grateful Dead Tribute band (not that there is anything wrong with that!), The Fall Risk, with the incredible Stu Allen, owned the songs that night. It was so fresh, unlike anything jammed by this band before.
Jeff Pehrson (guitar, vocals), Matt Twain (keys, vocals), Mark Abbott (drums), Sammy Johnston (organ, accordian, pedal steel), Eddie Berljafa (bass), Jeff Ballard (harmonicas, percussion) Rich Goldstein (guitars, slide guitar) Phil Savell (guitars)
And now… after the successful crowd pleasing night at the Sweetwater, Jeff and The Fall Risk are honored to be the first band “non Phil Lesh” band booked into Terrapin’s Grate Room!
Priced at a super affordable $15, this is going to be a grate time indeed!
The Fall Risk plays orignal tunes, some Box Set favorites, and some rocking covers too. Even an occasional Grateful Dead song. the band has 7 other players in addition to Jeff Pehrson,. and they are expecting a super special guest! It is someone they have not played together with as a band before (though Jeff has played with him plenty)… let’s just say he is the most regular player there at Terrapin, and you’re probably his phan.
This show is almost sold out, get your tickets soon, you don’t want to miss this one!
Jeff Pehrson’s other band – The Fall Risk – performed at Jerry Day in San Francisco to a very receptive crowd!
The Fall Risk Jeff Pehrson (guitar, vocals),
Matt Twain (keys, vocals),
Mark Abbott (drums),
“Fiddle” Dave Muhlethaler (fiddle, mandolin, guitar)
Sammy Johnston (organ, accordion, pedal steel),
Eddie Berljafa (bass),
Jeff Ballard (harmonicas, percussion) and
Rich Goldstein (guitars, slide guitar).
and Phil Savell (guitar)
Jerry Day
Jerry Garcia Amphitheatre
McClaren Park, San Francisco
August 7, 2011 11:30 am
Ode
If Love Is The Answer
HBWA
LeClaire
Dear Mr. Fantasy
All Along The Watchtower
The Fall Risk join the never ending Couch Tour with their first ever webcast streaming live to you on Deadheadland.
THIS IS NOT A PHAKECAST! This will be LIVE!
The Fall Risk Jeff Pehrson, Matt Twain, Mark Abbott, Dave Moffat, Jeff Ballard Saturday June 11, 2010 La Honda Faire and Music Festival La Honda California
With an immediate hit of a bright rockin’ sound, The Fall Risk is worth it, and I think they’ll catch you.
I caught them at La Honda Fair and Music Festival. After having just been at two bigger festivals, Santa Rosa’s Harmony Festival the day before, and Furthur Festival the week prior, La Honda was a different story. And, as it was the same weekend as Manchester Tennessee’s monster Bonnaroo, which I had covered in 2009 – I dubbed this small mountain festival, the “Anti-roo”! Small, friendly, family. In fact, it was mostly local – and were they not such friendly locals, I might have felt like the out of place big city boy.
I drove down from Sonoma (like I told ya, I was at Harmony the day before to see 7 Walkers), across the Bridge, pit stop in Twin Peaks at the SF field offices, then the best part of the drive – highway 1 towards Half Moon Bay. I love driving this route, the Cabrillo Highway, one of the most beautiful drives in California!
I got to there early and wandered the festival, and listed to some performers, all very good, and waited for The Fall Risk’s set to begin. I will admit – I had never heard of this band until a few weeks before. When Furthur began their summer tour rehearsal shows in Marin, they introduced a new singer, Jeff Pehrson. Zoe Ellis had stepped away from the Furthurette microphone, to focus on her other singing projects (Zoe is much loved by the Deadheads, she was a Phil and Friend way back in the early days!). Jeff used to be in a band called Box Set, and before that he was with a group called Passenger in the early 90’s. Sunshine Becker was (and is) inPassenger – so she must have had a hand bring inJeff. Great choice, her voice and Jeff’s are wonderful together.
With Jeff being the new kid in the band, I thought I would seek him out – and I discovered he was not only friendly and real, but also had a great band. He let me know The Fall Risk was playing at this small festival, and it fit perfectly into my build-my-own-festival weekend - 7 Walkers Friday at Harmony, and again Sunday at GAMH in SF made for a grateful sandwich.
Maybe I wouldn’t have heard of The Fall Risk if it wasn’t for Jeff being added into Furthur… and therefore would have missed something special to share with all of you!
Once again, Phil and Bobby have led me to more good music. I thoroughly enjoyed their set, and the festival too. Upbeat, colorful, soulful, and humorous songwriting mixed with a joyous performance. These guys like to play their songs for people, and it shows. Through a nine song set, (short songs compared to Furthur), everyone in the band did get a turn showing their musical chops, and it all rocked and moved the crowd. Dancing happened throughout, twirling hippie woman, playful children.
It turns out Jeff Pehrson is a talented singer songwriter guitar player that can carry a show as well as a tune, as Jeff easily talked to the crowd, and bantered with his bandmates on stage. Jeff was at the center, but always stepped back and let everyone in The Fall Risk shine. Jeff’s voice and playing are intensely engaging, and heartfelt; while he is back-up in Furthur, Jeff is definitely a front man!
They included a Dead song, and not just because of Jeff’s new gig, “Friend of the Devil” has been in their set rotation pre-Furthur. I enjoyed it all, but really enjoyed the sadly-sweet "Lemonade", and also loved the playful harmonica in "Back to You" and the great lines in "Love is the Answer" (question me). Their orignal songs all had enough musical meat to satisfy me, and yet were pop and approachable for anyone (i.e. not just jam rock fans), and I encourage you to get to know them. And I encourage Furthur to add The Fall Risk to their next multi band event (New Years? Furthur Festival 2011?)
You can see The Fall Risk this weekend! They are playing Saturday July 24, from 2-5pm at the San Gregorio Store (www.sangregoriostore.com) and it sounds like a sweet spot for a show. Bring the family, and there is great places for hiking and dog walking too.
We’ll be back at The San Gregorio General Store this Saturday, 2-5 pm. This is the first show with new organist, former Box Set member and current Front St. member, Sammy Johnston. If you’ve never been to the store before, it’s an amazing place..an eclectic and dare I say, magical place. Family friendly, with ice cream and toys for the kids and a full bar for the grown ups… best bloody marys around and a huge selection of beers. There are acres of land to walk your dog on during set-break, and the ocean, San Gregorio beach is half a mile away. Hope to see you all there… :)This is a free show..though we will pass a tip jar.Check out www.sangregoriostore.com for details. Also, read the opening page..it tells you a bit of what the store is all about.
Hope some of Deadheadland makes it out – you’ll have a great time!
Jeff Pehrson likes keeping busy when he not on tour with Furthur. 
I caught them at La Honda Fair and Music Festival. After having just been at two bigger festivals, Santa Rosa’s Harmony Festival the day before, and 
I drove down from Sonoma (like I told ya, I was at Harmony the day before to see 
Great choice, her voice and Jeff’s are wonderful together.
Maybe I wouldn’t have heard of The Fall Risk if it wasn’t for Jeff being added into Furthur… and therefore would have missed something special to share with all of you!
Once again, Phil and Bobby have led me to more good music. I thoroughly enjoyed their set, and the festival too. Upbeat, colorful, soulful, and humorous songwriting mixed with a joyous performance. These guys like to play their songs for people, and it shows. Through a nine song set, (short songs compared to Furthur), everyone in the band did get a turn showing their musical chops, and it all rocked and moved the crowd. Dancing happened throughout, twirling hippie woman, playful children.
approachable for anyone (i.e. not just jam rock fans), and I encourage you to get to know them. And I encourage Furthur to add The Fall Risk to their next multi band event (New Years? Furthur Festival 2011?)
