Relix Magazine was launched in 1974 under the name Dead Relix. In its earliest incarnation, this hand-stapled, homegrown newsletter was an outlet for Grateful Dead tape traders—avid concertgoers who taped and traded Grateful Dead concerts. The first issues were small (less than 20 pages), had hand-drawn black-and-white covers, and focused on taping tips and Grateful Dead news. It also provided a forum for tape traders and music fanatics to communicate with each other. Even as early as the second issue, non-Dead editorial found its way into Dead Relix’s pages and, with the addition of an editor, the young magazine expanded its scope to cover the music of the Bay Area psychedelic scene.
By 1978, Dead Relix contained reviews, essays, short features and artwork, and had dropped the “Dead” from its title. In a world that was moving away from hippy culture, Relix managed to remain relevant, by expanding its scope of coverage beyond “Bay Area psychedelic rock” to cover genres as diverse as reggae and heavy metal, with varying degrees of success. After some years of struggling with its direction, Relix regained its voice. It revived its focus on the Grateful Dead, but also found room to cover genres as divergent as blues, reggae, bluegrass and jazz, and non-music issues such as mandatory minimum drug laws. It was during the late ‘80s to mid-’90s that Relix established its reputation as a magazine that broke new acts. Many new and emerging bands made their debut in Relix columns such as “Independents Daze” and “On the Edge.”
For a magazine with its roots in Grateful Dead coverage, the passing of Jerry Garcia on August 9, 1995, could have tolled its death knell. Instead, Relix served as a rallying point for the community, and, in the years since, has slowly moved its emphasis away from the Grateful Dead to coverage of jambands that have filled the void, as well as other, non-mainstream types of music.
Today, Relix delivers coverage of music across genre divides; a single issue might contain articles on artists as diverse as Ben Harper, Bob Marley, Wilco, Lucinda Williams, and the Grateful Dead. In short, Relix is “deadicated” to not only entertaining its readership, but providing a true community for lovers of Music for the Mind.
Steve Bernstein, Publisher
Little known fact: I am a twin and my older brothers are twins too I am sure that: The egg came before the chicken I would give anything to see: The World Trade Center
Aeve Baldwin, Group Editor
Secret longing: To pitch for the New York Mets Favorite Musical Moment: Bob Marley, 1979 or 1980, in Tokyo, Japan Little known fact: My first pet (a dog) ended up as someone’s dinner Favorite addiction: Scrabble Biggest Weakness: Mac ‘n’ cheese
Josh Baron, Editor-in-Chief
Secret longing: To surf an endless summer Fact: Categorizes music at home by genre, alphabetically, release date Favorite bootlegs: Bonnie Raitt, 2.22.72; Bob Marley, 6.10.75; Wilco, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot demos: Grateful Dead, 5.26.73 Pet Peeves: Mildew, weak coffee, non ADA-approved toothpaste, excessive
sleeping Streak: Every Bonnaroo and counting Nicknames: Bighead, ManCat, Applesauce
Mike Greenhaus, Associate Editor & Podcast Producer
Lingering Childhood Addictions: Tuna and Chocolate Milk Fun Phish Fact: It took me 45 shows to hear “Fee” Genetic Jamband Bobble: My bouncy walk resembles my disheveled dance step Genuine Jamband Geekster: I’ve seen a concert in all five of New York’s boroughs (even Staten Island!) Most Shameless Plug: I store my typos at http://www.greenhauseffect.com/
Wes Orshoski, Managing Editor
Favorite Musical Moment: There’s so many… interviewing Johnny Cash; momentarily serving as Joe Strummer’s guitar tech when his roadie was MIA; playing guitar with blind soul singer Robert Bradley on his front porch; pairing Sinead O’Connor and Burning Spear together for the 2005 Jammys… Most known for: Sideburns and Bob Marley T-shirts Artists I wish I had Seen: Otis, The Clash, Bob Marley, Zeppelin Band I’m currently most glad to be around for: My Morning Jacket Favorite addiction: Mexican food
Little known fact: I’m really an Opera Singer in empty theaters and subway stations near you Currently reading: Two issues ago of The New Yorker Pet Peeve: Procrastination Most beautiful place in the world: Masada in Israel at Sunrise with Idan Raichel playing in concert Biggest weakness: My new niece, Olivia Most known for: Getting awesome Lingering childhood addictions: Walmart Most shameless plug: Chris Harford, if you don’t know now you know
Cole Boyle, Interactive Account Manager
Philosophy: Live the life you love SecretlLonging: To be Penny Lane with some sort of authority Most known for: Sporadic slips of Southern colloquialisms and often splitting my weekend time between rock shows and black-tie galas Surreal travel memory: It’s a tie: Jamaica, Marc Brownstein and Marley Museum bus trip - NUFF SAID, and climbing the Great Wall of China rocking “Limb by Limb” on my iPod
Ashley Waghorne, Advertising Account Executive
Philosophy: It is better to regret something you did rather than something you didn’t do. Favorite hobby: Coming up with names for my boat that I plan to buy after winning the lottery Secret longing: Winning the lottery so I can buy my boat Little known fact: I’ve never had the chicken pox
Liv Andersen, Advertising Production Manager
Secret longing: Produce Gamehendge on Ice before my 28th birthday Philosophy: It’d be a lot cooler if you did Favorite addiction(s): Skiing, sushi, and live music Pet Peeve: People who won’t try things at least once Fun Phish Fact: Axilla and Glide have sequels Favorite quote: Doneson
Jonathan Schwartz, Vice President, Marketing
Favorite TV Show: Curb Your Enthusiasm Best music experience: Phish, MSG, 12/31/95 Most Shameless Plug: Please listen to me daily on Sirius 17 // Jam On!
Adam Alperowicz, Marketing Manager
Hometown: Boston, MA
First real concert experience: The B.B. King Blues Festival with Kenny Wayne Shepard, Chick Corea and Tower of Power
Best musical experiences: Jam Cruise and Caribbean Holidaze (tie)
Philosophy: The best thing in life is doing nothing, then taking a nap
Secret longing: Starting first baseman for the Boston Red Sox
Kyle Hannon, Marketing Associate
Favorite TV Shows: Lost, Dexter & Curb Band I’m currently most glad to be around for: Ryan Adams & The Cardinals Currently Reading: Lush Life (Richard Price)
