Dark Star Orchestra Debuts ‘Don’t Do It’ Cover & Jams With Chad Wackerman In Los Angeles

Dark Star Orchestra pulled into Los Angeles on Saturday night for a concert at the Wiltern Theatre. The Grateful Dead tribute act was joined by drummer Chad Wackerman at the end of their first set and premiered a take on The Band via Marvin Gaye cover “Don’t Do It” for the encore.

While best known for replicating Grateful Dead setlists, DSO went the elective route in L.A. The group played plenty of GD favorites at the Wiltern but also sprinkled in a few classic tunes from other artists.

Dark Star Orchestra bookended their first set on Saturday with “Sugar Magnolia” and its partner “Sunshine Daydream.” The opener gave way to “Touch Of Grey” and was followed by Dead staples “Greatest Story Ever Told” and “Ramble On Rose.” Then, vocalist Lisa Mackey led the group through the Dorothy Love Coates’ “Strange Man,” a gospel gem sung by Donna Godchaux both with the Jerry Garcia Band and the Heart Of Gold Band.

Bassist Skip Vangelas stepped into the spotlight next for Phil Lesh’s signature song, “Box Of Rain.” From there, guitarists Rob Eaton and Jeff Mattson fronted “Truckin'” and “Comes A Time,” respectively. DSO then invited Chad Wackerman to share the stage on “How Sweet It Is” and “Sunshine Daydream” to wrap the frame. Wackerman, who first sat-in with DSO in January 2024, was Frank Zappa’s drummer from 1981 through 1988.

Jeff Mattson played Jerry Garcia's 1976 Travis Bean TB500 #12 guitar in Los Angeles on loan from Jason Scheuner. The instrument was used by Garcia between New Year’s Eve 1976 and September 3, 1977.

After kicking off set two with “Uncle John’s Band,” Dark Star Orchestra dug in on “Shakedown Street.” The band then looked to the Grateful Dead’s final years by performing the Bob Weir/Robert Hunter co-written “Corrina.” A surprise followed as DSO covered Traffic’s “Low Spark Of High-Heeled Boys” to lead into the evening’s “Drums/Space” excursion. Next came an instrumental take on John Lennon’s “Imagine” that led into “Uncle John’s Band Reprise.”

Rarity “If I Had The World To Give” followed before an aural trip to New Orleans for “Iko Iko.” Dark Star Orchestra closed their second set in Los Angeles with a rousing “Viola Lee Blues.” For the encore, DSO played Marvin Gaye’s “Don’t Do It” for the first time. The cover of the Motown classic was pulled off in the style of The Band.

Watch audience-captured video of “Don’t Do It” and other highlights from Saturday’s DSO show below:

Dark Star Orchestra’s West Coast tour continues tonight in Ventura, California. Additional California stops follow in Monterey, Menlo Park, Napa, Oakland and Blue Lake.

Setlist (via DSO Forums)

Set One: Sugar Magnolia > Touch of Grey, Greatest Story Ever Told, Ramble on Rose, Strange Man, Box of Rain, Truckin > Comes a Time > How Sweet It Is* > Sunshine Daydream*

Set Two: Uncle Johns Band > Shakedown Street > Corrina > Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys > Drums > Imagine Space > Uncle John’s Reprise > If I Had The World to Give > Iko Iko > Viola Lee Blues

Encore: Don’t Do It**

• * – with Chad Wackerman on drums
• ** – Debut