Grateful Dead Keyboardist Tom Constanten Talks Phil Lesh, Psychedelics & More On ‘Don’t Call Me Boring’ Podcast

Grateful Dead keyboardist Tom Constanten appeared on episode four of the Don’t Call Me Boring podcast. Constanten chatted with host Nora Fran about Phil Lesh, psychedelics and more.

Tom Constanten was a keyboardist for the Grateful Dead between 1968 and 1970. He toured with the band during the time, helping to shoulder the load of founding keyboardist Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, and also appeared on some of GD’s early early psychedelic records like Anthem of the Sun and Aoxomoxoa as well as their first official live album, 1969’s Live/Dead.

The Don’t Call Me Boring conversation got going in earnest with Tom recapping his recent move from the Bay Area to Charlotte, North Carolina which involved a run in with the IRS. The musician also spoke about some of the shows he has coming up including the all-star Go Big For Hunger benefit concert in Portland, Maine in March 2024 with Phish drummer Jon Fishman, legendary Meters bassist George Porter Jr., JGB keyboardist Melvin Seals and more.

Additionally, Tom explained the name of his duo Dose Hermanos — which includes former Grateful Dead sound technician and keyboardist Bob Bralove — and the various psychedelic substances that inspired the moniker. “We consider ourselves the antidote to rigid, structured thinking,” Constanten said.

Tom also recalled his time as a roommate of Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh in their formative years along with recollections on Janis Joplin, thoughts on the JFK assassination and more.

Watch the complete episode of the Don’t Call Me Boring podcast with Tom Constanten below: