Two great Bay Area institutions — the San Jose Earthquakes and the Grateful Dead — are teaming up for something that should appeal equally to soccer aficionados and classic rock fans.
The soccer club is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the birth of the Dead — which, for this purpose, is defined by when the band performed for the first time under the Grateful Dead moniker on Dec. 4, 1965 — with a brand new themed jersey.
The jersey is a “homage to the GD’s influence on the psychedelic music scene and counter-culture in the Bay Area,” according to a news release. It features a vibrant mix of colors — night navy, powder plum blue dawn and trace royal — as well as a Earthquakes-style black-and-blue version of the band’s legendary “steal your face” skull logo.
The Earthquakes will debut these cool new jerseys — or, in soccer speak, kits — when the team hosts Atlanta United for Grateful Dead Night at PayPal Park in Feb. 28.
Beyond seeing the Earthquakes (hopefully) triumph over the United, fans will also get to watch a live band perform and pick up a special commemorative poster designed by famed artist Stanley Mouse (while supplies last).
Tickets start at $38, sjearthquakes.com.
Fans can, however, grab these Grateful Dead kits even before the Earthquakes players debut them on the field. The jerseys first go on sale during a Feb. 14 launch party, which will also include live music, food, drink and the preseason game between the Earthquakes and the NYCFC shown on the large videoboard.
The launch party runs 2-4 p.m. at PayPal Park and is free to attend.
Fans can preorder the jerseys now via the online team store (sjearthquakes.com) and then pick up at the launch party.
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