In a new interview with Rolling Stone, John Mayer continued to praise the music of the Grateful Dead as he readies to take the stage with Weir, Hart and Kreutzmann as the Dead & Company tour kicks off October 29 in Albany, NY.

“There’s no better music to solo over,” Mayer said. “Grateful Dead songs are so much fun to play. And some of them are as fun as they are hard to play. Part of the challenge is not disappearing into how much fun it is — [where] you forget that this is actually a highly complex composition.”

Weir also had high praise for the guitarist, saying that his “enthusiasm for this is amazing.” Adding, “I couldn’t believe it. He learned the songs, has great enthusiasm, and he’s a great guitar player. So he fits in perfectly.”

Addressing the pressure felt by filling the shoes of a Jerry Garcia, Mayer said, “I don’t feel the pressure, but I would say I feel a responsibility. I’m too focused on the task at hand to consider the scenarios of it not working. I’ve heard it work, and I’ve heard it not work 30 seconds later. And it’s up to me to get as close as I can making it work all the time.”

Weir discussed the possibility of Phil Lesh joining the fold at any point along the road, saying, “He doesn’t want to hit the road. He’s 75 now. It’s kind of not an option for him, the way he puts it. And so, you know, that’s still where we are; that’s still where we’re going to live, at least I am. And so, if we’re going to see him, we’re going to see him around here or around someplace where he is.”

The interview closes with some more pulling at the Fare Thee Well thread, as Weir said he feels that lineup has some “unfinished business” by not hitting the East Coast. However, Weir did clarify by saying “I don’t even want to poke it. But you know, like I said, I’m open.”