Introduction and Dead & Company
JK: It’s great to have you here. You have a kind of a weird career, don't you think?
JM: Yeah, I like it now.
JK: Because you obviously are a great musician, a very successful musician, popular musician as a solo artist—and then you sit with, you play with the Dead.
JM: Yeah, playing Dead & Company, with the guys from the Grateful Dead.
JK: And is that just like something you did, it's like a lifelong dream type of deal?
JM: As soon as I heard the music and fell in love with it I was like I got to play with these guys. That's how nervy I am. Most people go, “this is nice, I want to listen to this more.” I go, “get me in that band.”
[Laughs]
JK: What John Stamos is to the Beach Boys, you are to the Dead.
JM: I don't mind the comparison whatsoever. I would like to be what John Stamos is to all things.
[Laughs]
Dave Chappelle shows (Controlled Danger)
JK: On the other hand you're also, you and Dave Chappelle do these shows together.
JM: Yes.
JK: And I'm dying to see that.
JM: Yeah, it’s great. It’s great.
JK: This is a very eclectic type of situation you've put yourself into.
JM: I admire Bill Murray and now I'm trying to be music's Bill Murray.
JK: I see.
JM: As much as I can all of a sudden “Oh, just now he’s tending bar.” You know?
JK: Yeah you just are there—
JM: I like it. I think that's the way to be now, is just follow your heart and little day-to-day moves.
JK: Yeah, but not that many people can do it because most people show up and they start tending bar and people are like “hey, get the hell out of here! We’ll call the police on you.”
[Laughs]
So, Chappelle, what do you guys do together?
JM: So I gotta say I've always wanted to be a stand-up, and it didn't work very well for me. Don't worry, I have a good thing going otherwise. Advice to anybody who's struggling as a stand-up comic, one of the best things you can do is just stand next to Dave Chappelle on stage.
JK: That's a good thing to do.
JM: If you get the opportunity, yeah. He's such a great guy to set up for jokes. You know, he goes up and he's better at what he does then anybody is at anything they do. That's why you go and see Dave. He is a great comic but you're also watching someone just nail something.
JK: Yeah, right. I know what you mean.
JM: I don't love sports but I'll watch Tom Brady play because I just like greatness. You know?
And I watched Dave and I listen to the comedy and I laugh but I also clap because I go “how does someone's brain do that?” And then all I have to do is say like two funny things and people walk out and go “those guys were hilarious.”
JK: You play guitar while he’s—
JM: Yeah, yeah.
JK: Is there a whole band set? Or is it you and him?
JM: No it’s me and him, but like—as much as I want to be a comic I get a couple of jokes in. And then he wants to be a singer and he sings a couple songs.
JK: What songs does he sing?
JM: He'll sing "Creep." And I bet you think it's the TLC "Creep," but it's the Radiohead "Creep." Oh, I’ve seen Dave go up on stage and he goes [sings 1999 by Prince]. And at first people are going, “What's going on?” And ultimately everybody's going [sings melody as if sung by audience]. He's one of the greatest leaders of a room I've ever seen.
JK: Wow that's so funny. How did you guys get together in the first place?
JM: I was on his show years ago, he asked me to be on his show.
JK: Oh, right. Yes.
JM: And then we would just see each other in hotel lobbies from place to place, and cities and just like grew a friendship over like 10-15 years.
JK: And now you guys are performing together.
JM: We do shows together. We do arenas and stuff.